Jase

This is just going beyond pathetic. I'm not sure you even have the slightest understanding or clue of these awards. The only thing that changed with this award was the merging of France Football's Ballon d'or and FIFA World Player of the Year to form FIFA Ballon d'or award. Otherwise, what the award is all about hasn't changed. It's about who have performed the best in the previous year(!), like didierforever has stated, not all this nonsense you spouted about who has the technical ability, skills etc. Also, like I mentioned previously, are you seriously that passive or even ignorant to think that just because Messi has won the last 3 years' Ballon d'or that you think the award is all about being the better footballer as opposed to who actually performed better?! I don't attempt to be mean or anything but anyone that watches football with half a brain can tell that some of those Ballon d'or awards Messi won were down to bias votings and/or even just for commercialization! The UEFA Best Player in Europe is no different to what FIFA Ballon d'or is either. They are practically the same awards that is given to the player that performs best or amongst the best in the previous year/season. The only difference between the two is one award is given by UEFA and the other FIFA. The former created its own award in 2011 because Platini apparently wants to revive the spirit of the old European Footballer of the Year award when it reality, it feels nothing more than an award that was created for commercial interests! Then again after all this, won't be surprised one bit if you continue to be selective and think you know it all......

Those are just bits and pieces or glimpses. Not saying he isn't great but so far, he still hasn't shown much attacking wise especially for one who was bought for 32m.

Juan Mata: ‘During a bad moment you need friends like Fernando Torres around you’ An exclusive interview with Mata in the London Evening Standard as he promotes the new game of Assasin's Creed IV: Black Flag..

You may have done so but like I said, you have only emphasized my point further and not putting up any solid counter-argument. didierforever has clearly stated the award is based on players' performance in the past year and yet you diresgarded that fact and treat what you say about it as the truth when it's not even close. And judging by your subsequent replies, it's really a waste of time talking to someone who can't even see things objectively especially when the facts have been thrown at their face.

Errr, ya. Just 1 special goal and there's nothing much else so far. Still want to see more from him especially offensively..

Almost as bad as Piers Morgan forever lambasting about Wenger not winning any trophy for the past 8 years and then when Arsenal lost against us, he disregarded the League Cup like it's not a trophy.

Find it funny that the praises (some OTT) for Willian so far has all been about his defensive workrate. While it does deserve credit, I don't think we pay 32m for an attacking player to just be good at defending...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24759454 There will be an interview with Mata on Football Focus on BBC One and the BBC Sport website from 12:00 GMT this Saturday.

Former Chelsea foot soldier Salomon Kalou relishes front-line duty at Lille Kalou interview in the Guardian..

Can understand where you are coming but would you be complaining if we have been getting home matches for the previous rounds instead? I doubt it. And besides, this!

That's because originally, Sunderland v Southampton was scheduled to play last night but because Newcastle are also playing (Man City) at the same time, they postponed the former fixture to next week instead due to safety concerns raised by the police as obviously, Sunderland and Newcastle are from the same area..

Incidentally, we're also playing Southampton(H) and Sunderland(A) in the Premier League in December. So, we'll face either one TWICE in the space of 2 weeks. And the Sunderland v Southampton tie in the 4th round will take place next Wednesday at 7.45pm UK time.

Yesterday's results: Arsenal 0-2 Chelsea Birmingham 4-4 Stoke (Stoke win 4-2 on penalties) Burnley 0-2 West Ham Leicester 4-3 Fulham Man United 4-0 Norwich Today's results: Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City (AET) Tottenham 2-2 Hull (Spurs win 8-7 on penalties) Next week: Sunderland v Southampton ----------------------------- Quarter Final Ties: Leicester vs Manchester City Stoke vs Manchester United Sunderland/Southampton vs Chelsea Tottenham vs West Ham

Newcastle v Man City have gone to extra time. 0-0 at FT. Elsewhere, Spurs v Hull have also gone to ET. 1-1 there at FT.

Here's an 'ugly' stat... Chelsea have only won 3 of their last 13 Premier League matches in November (for past 3 seasons) - W3 D5 L5 - and none of those wins came last season.

Newcastle started with Tim Krul, Yanga-Mbiwa, Debuchy, Sissoko, Gouffran, Tiote and Cisse - 7 first team players - against Man City in the Capital One Cup tonight. And the likes of Cabaye, Remy and Ben Arfa are on the bench. It's 0-0 at HT there right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhYE5UJ_pEo

Playing as the deep lying forward, you practically also need similar qualities to a False 9 player. And Guardiola has been using Muller and Gotze as that in the last few geames I believe..

Was his second actually. Also played against Swindon but yeah, understand the point. Just that some were simple passes to be executed but was kinda messed up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV0uvdrMB0U

http://football-italia.net/41162/alonso-%E2%80%98rejects%E2%80%99-juventus-option

How have other managers fared against Jose Mourinho?

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/jurgen-klopp-extends-borussia-dortmund-contract-to-end-speculation-about-his-future-8913256.html Klopp has extended his contract with Dortmund till 2018..