manpe

It was not a defensive mistake, we were in possession and he gave a sublime assist the wrong way. At defending he's not that bad, but attacking wise he's not someone you want on when chasing a game.

Yeah, Ronaldo and Messi don't get me as excited as Ronaldinho used to... I could watch a game just because of him, the other 2 don't make me want to do that. Unsure if Neymar would rival that, haven't seen him play full 90 minutes yet.

Bringing on a defender is usually when you're pretty desperate and start inviting them on, while building a wall in front of the goal to repel the attacks. By bringing on Malouda (whoever the name, just a midfield player) we press higher up the pitch, giving them less time on the ball... if we brought on a defender, we would have to take away a central or a wide player, leaving us more vulnerable in those places and give away iniative in midfield. + if they DID score, we would be chasing for the winner with 5 defenders and less men upfront, against a team like Sunderland it's not worth to risk it and we would all be on AVB's neck "why the fuck were we chasing the game with 5 defenders and give away the iniative?".

He's been sharpish, but not quite there yet... I still believe he has to score a handful to get back some of his composure

It's true, but we need our main players to be on form for results to come our way... I'm not sure if Torres is on form or not, although he clearly still has confidence issues.

soon he'll replace that silver watch with a golden one, this probably explains the big smile

He did? I didn't see that... He just has no luck. Rooney scored his oh kick and went from suckage to pwnage again, something similar could have happened to Torres... but fuck no.

you serious?

Why isn't Sturridge playing? Does he have some kind of problem or is it a tactical decision? Delighted with the win. E: wrong thread, whatever

Hazard, because getting him is a bit more realistic... Götze and Neymar, no chance.

Agreed... and that recent shitstorm in the "Anelka joins Shanghai" thread... the "discussion" sunk to personal level insults and the reaction? Close the topic so that "people" could cool off (people being only the 3 persons participating in that shenanigan, 2 of them being members of staff).. Delete all the off-topic and insulting posts and warn/ban the offender(s) and it should be taken care of. Of course I'm not an authority here, but some of the actions done by them have left me amazed.. also the TX Bellend case.. it did make me smile and should be taken as a joke but generally it was weird behaviour by staff people who usually strike me as sensible.

if his price is so low, then why haven't other clubs sharked in already?

how much was Alex on?

lol totally forgot about that red card given to Barca... man what a shit referee

you're right, he was born in Italy and lived most of his life in Spain, but not catalan.

I'm talking about Thiago

And what makes you believe we can keep hold of Romeu? Barca say one thing, AVB says the other... who to trust? And having a temperamental catalan who wants to go back to his boyhood club, won't be an easy task. Doubt Barca would let him leave without a definite buy-back clause where we don't have a say.

clever..

Götze is even more unrealistic than Hazard

What point would it serve? Being the training ground to Barca?

I hope plan B is on AVB's speed dial, because January is short as it is and it's pointless to waste most of it on a bench player... our full concentration should be on signing winger or playmaker, but it seems the Cahill saga is getting the best of us. I say bring on the alternative (hopefully easier) centre-back and rest of the month concentrate on the real priority.

His buyout clause, as I've understood, is 33M pounds... if we pay that, then Lille will have to accept and from then on it's Hazard's say.

I think next season we won't recognize our team anymore

The Torres of today is a no hope in dribbling frankly... he has his moments but get your sunglasses out because they're as rare as the eclipse.

Why not Barca? I don't think Pedro, Alexis or Villa are automatic starters, far from that.. Hazard could make one spot in attacking 3 his.