Jase

Don't think Oscar is suited to play the No.10 role at the moment. Either he's dropping too deep or going too far forward that he isn't linking the midfield and attack like he's supposed too. He's not like Mata who always pass, move, pass, move, pass and move, always looking to create by moving into the space. Oscar's movement at times can be static in advanced positions. Right now, think he would be best played in the pivot. Need someone who can control the midfield for us as well.

Controversial comment - Pjanic's beard >>> Mata's beard

Eden Hazard Faces A Bee Sting

Probably just a troll but if it's not...

He did actually switch to 4-4-2 eventually. Can see that with Ba and Torres upfront, Mata and Hazard wide and we were just lumping the ball forward to bypass Southampton's midfield.

Deary me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-pUKTj3vWE

Yeah but that is a different point altogether from what you said about we would benefit from Ba's crosses had he been the one shifted out wide.

And there will be no one winning those headers...

Koscielny was only banned for 1 game and that ban was served yesterday when Arsenal played Swansea in the FA Cup. Another worrying thing is that Wilshere seems to be finding some sort of form. As you pointed out, with no proper DM in the team right now, we might well struggle to contain Cazorla, Wilshere or whoever that plays behind the ST for Arsenal.

And you think we have the holding midfielders for 4-3-3? We only have 2 DM in Mikel and Romeu and one is at the AFCON and the other is out for the rest of the season. Don't think the formation is the problem right now, it's about how we go about setting up and putting in the right application in using the formation. We have been winning games away from home with 4-2-3-1 and don't see anyone saying it's not working then.

Honigstein on Guardiola to Bayern Munich and Klopp to Chelsea

At the moment, we are 8 points ahead of Arsenal and they have a game in hand(against West Ham next midweek). IF they were to win here and against West Ham, that gap would suddenly be just 2 points and we'll have a massive fight in our hands to stay in the Top 4, especially with Spurs doing reasonably well at the moment and are more consistent than us in getting results.

Merged with the other 'Luke Shaw' thread.

This could end ugly once again. Home form terrible at the moment. Benitez has a poor record against Wenger. And we have not won a London derby under the FSW! 1. Chelsea's home form in all competitions under Benitez - P7 W2 D3 L2(DDWWLLD). Have won just 1 of the last 7 PL home games - W1 D4 L2. 2. Rafa Benitez's overall record against Arsene Wenger - P17 W4 D5 L8. In the Premier League - P12 W3 D4 L5. 3. No London derby under Benitez - P3 D1 L2.

Yeah, apparently so.

Guillem Balague - Pep Guardiola's decision to choose Bayern Munich over Chelsea was based on romanticism for the club's past

Chelsea vs Arsenal PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT Barclays Premier League 20th January, Sunday 2013 Stamford Bridge 13:30 Kick Off (UK time)

Chelsea vs Arsenal POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Barclays Premier League 20th January, Sunday 2013 Stamford Bridge 13:30 Kick Off (UK time)

For the third Thursday in a row, am terribly annoyed and pissed at the result from Wednesday night! Is it just me or we never learn from our previous errors on closing down crosses or at least put pressure on the cross?! What on earth was Cole doing for Lambert's goal? Clyne was at the byline wanting to put the cross in and Cole just stood off and giving Clyne all the time and space in the world to put in a pin point cross for Lambert!

That chance he squandered when he was clean through...

AVB didn't fancy Cole simply because he didn't fit into his idea of playing a high defensive line and was tasked to phase out the older players.

Mata can be a bit frustrating when it comes to his first touch, controlling the ball in those crucial moments in the attacking third.