Jase

Shhh. Don't jinx it!

Inter and Lazio are reportedly interested in getting Lampard. http://www.football-italia.net/28928/shock-lazio-offer-lampard http://www.football-italia.net/28955/lampard-inter%E2%80%99s-radar

True but given that we haven't won this trophy in awhile, I don't see why we should just throw this chance of winning it away right now especially when you look at the teams left in competition(no disrespect to them). A trophy is a trophy and winning it can help to breed the winning mentality amongst the players particularly with the younger players. We do not want the unwanted tag of 'also-ran' after throwing away 3 chances to win silverware this season already.

As Muzchap said, that is no-no. Unless we are facing one of the better/big teams in the league or in Europe, playing Ramires at RW is not an option especially when we have the likes of Moses and Marin who can cause better problems going forward and defend decently as well.

I don't think it's a foregone conclusion yet that Oscar and Luiz will play in the pivot. Still a long way to go. Did I specifically said we won't win anything with these young players?! No! My point was about that the players could do with someone of Lampard's experience especially when the going gets tough like in the business end of the season or if we get into a bad moment during it or in games. We may or may not get through that sometimes but the benefits of having someone like Lampard would be great! Furthermore, I also mentioned he too can help the players off the pitch as they can learn things from Lampard in training etc!

Like I said, if Lampard stays, he won't be ahead in the pecking order in front of Oscar because if it happens, his game time will be reduced and he would have agreed to it. You said we don't know but yet you seem to keep on assuming that he won't accept a wage cut. Why would he take a wage cut? Because Lampard isn't one known for being a money-minded person. I supposed in a way, if Lampard really loves the club and fans, then he would stay and take a wage cut. It's not like he is in desperate need for more money. 5 players for 1 spot?! 1 spot?!! In that case, let's just agree to disagree then since we don't look like agreeing with each other.

Description of his game from WhoScored.com Strengths: 1. Finishing 2. Headed Attempts Weaknesses: 1. Defensive contribution Style of Play: 1. Likes to play long balls 2. Plays the ball off the ground often 3. Indirect set-piece threat 4. Likes to do layoffs 5. Does not dive into tackles

Well, in a way, if he can accept a 1 year deal with reduced wages and game time, then he would have backed his words about him loving the club and us fans.

That's just a selective opinion. To say he doesn't need Lampard next season anymore just because Oscar is expected to lead his country is absolutely ludicrous. Any player out would tell you that they would want to learn from experience players as much as possible and as long as possible. Why would he be unavailable? And why are people even jumping to conclusions that he won't take a wage cut? He hasn't even said a single thing about it! I didn't say that if Lampard stays, the likes of Oscar won't be playing every week. If Lampard stays, then he will know that he won't be playing every week and players like Oscar, De Bruyne etc will mostly be playing in his place. It's just that we can use his experience to come off the bench if we need a goal or two and he can help off the pitch as well! Seems that people are just jumping to conclusions that if Lampard stays, then the younger players won't play and that Lampard will be starting every week!

It's from TalkSport but... http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130101/exclusive-arsenal-drop-interest-wilfried-zaha-becasue-theo-w

I don't think anyone is asking the club to offer 2-3 years contract extension with similar terms like now. What most of us want to see us Lampard being offered at least 1 year contract with lower wages etc. It would be extremely silly to let him go now when he still got something to offer. Give him a 1 year contract(maybe with the option to extend another year) and see how it goes.

We'll get that 1 week break after we face Stoke in the league next weekend.

Err, we actually have a midweek game next week. The semi final first leg against Swansea in the League Cup.

So, we are gonna just start with 10 men then? Nice..

How about start Mata, win the game early and then bring him off? Seriously, if we want to rest our key players, we should look to do it in the FA Cup tie this weekend. Need to play all our best players possible here to get the 3 points. We would want to stay as close as possible to the 2 Manchester clubs and consolidate our Top 4 position.

True, I don't deny that at all. I like him as a player and appreciates what he can offer off the ball which some of the work Oscar does have often gone unnoticed. That said though, I don't think it's appropriate at all to say he doesn't need any guidance etc from the more senior pros just because of the good things he has done as you mentioned. He's still young, still got a lot to learn and improve himself. I'm sure despite all the recognition and praises he has received, Oscar will tell that it's great to be learning of someone like Lampard's with all his experience and what he has achieved. Heck, think even any young and upcoming midfielders will say the same. Get your point but like I pointed out earlier, why don't the club try to talk to Lampard about the contract extension? At least negotiate with him and see how it goes. See if Lampard is willing to take a wage cut and being paid say around 50-60k p/w as well as the reduction in game time like Giggs and Scholes does at United. If Lampard doesn't agree, then fine. We'll move and at least we know the club wants to keep him. But right now, they don't seem to be doing anything or heck, even coming out to say something. All we are hearing is the constant tabloids and BS being reported in the media. What if Lampard is willing to take a massive wage cut and play the odd game here and there like Giggs and Scholes? We'll have a useful experience player to come in and do a job if and when needed. And his reduction in game time would not interfere with the likes of McEachran, Oscar, Ramires, De Bruyne etc starting games. Let's not be nitpicking here about Lampard's performance in that first 30 minutes when everyone was just as bad. Thing is when everyone got their act together, Lampard got going too. His performance may be wasn't as eye-catching as during his hey day or brilliant but he still has a knack and that instinct of scoring those crucial goals for us. Like I said, his performances may be average but if he can get us a couple of goals here in vital games like this, then I don't see why we shouldn't keep him especially if he's willing to take a wage cut and accept reduction in game time. SAF managed Giggs and Scholes well in this aspect. Look, I know Lampard isn't going to be with us forever as he will leave or retire sooner or later and while we may have bought creative and flair players that are better than Lampard, there is no money in the world that can buy the experience he has, in which he can transmit and share with these players. No doubt we have some players who have won several trophies already but given the influx of players we want to bring in whether it's purchase from another club or promoting youth within the club, Lampard can still prove vital! He, IMO, still has lots to offer on and off the pitch and I don't see why we should be letting him go so soon, not now anyway.

Arsenal drew against Southampton. A win here tomorrow and we'll move back into 3rd, 2 points head of Spurs in 4th and 7 clear of Arsenal in 5th. It's a massive chance to consolidate our spot in the Top 4 at the very least with Arsenal being slightly further back in 5th and their next 3 league games are - Man City(H), Chelsea(A) and Liverpool(H).

Exactly! Bloody annoying we and Spurs keep on switching places at the moment!!

Wigan have played Man United 16 times in the Premier League; Won 1, lost 15, scored just 5 goals and conceded a whopping 54 goals!

Down to 4th...again, after Spurs winning today. Need to win this!

He did mention it before. And IIRC, Terry said before that he, Cole and Lampard are taking coaching badges. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2195117/Frank-Lampard-wants-Chelsea-manager-job.html

He may have played more than 100 games already but most of them comes in Brazil. Different from playing in Europe. And I don't think you can judge a book by its cover by saying he may not look inexperienced. He's still young and need guidance. Just because we won those games without him, that doesn't mean his ultimately useless. He may not have shone against Corinthians but what about the one against Everton? Sometimes it's just not all about his experience but also that in terms of popping up in the right areas to score the vital goals for us. The likes of Giggs and Scholes have done that in the past for United even if their performances may be average. It's not all about just the age. It's the experience of being in the hunt for trophies through the very tough moments and actually winning it. Yes, players like Cahill, Ivanovic, Mata, Torres may have won a number of trophies but compared that to the experience of Lampard's and you will find a stark contrast. It may seem like nothing but it's an invaluable asset to have. My point about that is 4-5 years ago when Arsenal sold all their experience players and Wenger brought in all these young players with no experience in winning things despite being talented. And yes, he may have bought in those players you mentioned above but again, they lack the experience. Lack the know how on how to win trophies as they keep on bottling it year after year.

Post moved into here considering it has nothing to do with the QPR match in the match thread.