Jase

It's worth noting that Derby have been struggling under Phillip Cocu this season. Sure they have lost players like Mount, Tomori and some others who did well for them last season but they have also brought in some new ones and Cocu hasn't managed to get them going (currently 15th in the table).

Death. Taxes. Same people moaning about the same thing over and over and over again.

I know Werner has said he'd like to play for Liverpool or Man United but I'm gonna really cry if either move (Liverpool more likely than United) happens...

You gotta wonder what on earth are Kepa and the coaching staff doing in training when the same problems with him keep on happening. Lampard was asked Kepa's form in his presser earlier and unsurprisingly, he gave a rather diplomatic answer...

A contrast to the Dembele denial last week...

Getting Cavani, on loan for example, might not be the worst of ideas.

Lampard was asked about Cavani, whether we would move for him after his transfer request and he did not deny any interest. He even praised him.

- James picked up an injury to the back of his knee. It'll be a tight call in deciding whether he'll play tomorrow, according to Lampard. - Alonso is back fit and available for selection tomorrow.

No one called you out. Why so sensitive?

Leicester's loss of form appears to have coincided with Ndidi's injury. No Ndidi, no party.

Kante is not the only problem but he is a problem in the way we are trying to play. Kante has shown that he can play the advanced midfield role and fair play to him for having adapted but if we are being honest, the results have been mixed at best. He has looked great in certain games - especially when there is space to play with - and bang average in others - notably against defensive teams. He has not been as consistent as he was when playing in the more conservative system like under Ranieri and Conte. If we are playing against any of the Big 6, Wolves, Sheffield United etc, then yes, we would need Kante but against the very defensive teams like Newcastle yesterday, Kante's inclusion in the XI is questionable. We played without him earlier this season, using a midfield combination of Jorginho/Kovacic/Mount/Barkley, and won comfortably/convincingly against defensive teams. We made it work then, why not now? I do not agree with it but I can accept Lampard starting Kante yesterday but given how the game was panning out, he should have taken Kante out and just gone with 2 up front instead of just making like-for-like sub with Batshuayi for Abraham. We could have thrown the kitchen sink a little bit and see what would happen. But no, Lampard decided to play it safe and we still lost to a stupid goal anyway. You said the onus is not on Kante to create, that is true but he is being used in a role that requires him to contribute offensively and he has not been doing that, he is not capable of doing that, not on a regular basis. Kante has not been a bust in this advanced midfield role but it feels like he is neither here nor there right now. He is not consistent going forward and he is not shining defensively in the way he used to under Ranieri/Conte (see my previous post above for some of his defensive numbers). In the style we are trying to play, Kante looks just like your average hard working player with no decisive quality instead of the world class Kante that he is always referred to.

The Serie A title race was fun while it lasted. Inter could fall 4 points behind Juve after tonight...

They have West Ham, Chelsea, Wolves and Man City in their next 4 league games. And 4 of their last 5 games are against Arsenal, Sheffield, Spurs and United.

Someone needs to conduct a drug test on them. 20 wins from 21 games so far is a fucking joke!

Liverpool can go 16 points - SIXTEEN - clear at the top if they win today.

If Leicester continue to falter, then that would make things really interesting...

Leicester appear to be crumbling and we're not even close to take advantage of it...FFS!

Wonder if we'll go with the back 3 again...

Speaking of Moses...

Just scored her 1st goal against Arsenal in a top of the table clash!

Whisper it, but should Chelsea sell N’Golo Kante? https://theathletic.com/1543014/2020/01/19/ngolo-kante-transfer-chelsea-real-madrid/