Sideshow Luiz

I'd think Fabs for Willian. Go 352. Get Fabs a little protection in the middle and hopefully give him some time on the ball to find the pass.

That was an odd booking. Kante really should have been booked for breaking up a counter. He got a warning. Palace booked (righty) for blocking off Hazard from getting the ball on a 1-2. Costa should have gotten a warning, Kante booked.

No $h!t they're going to want more than £30M. That article can't be serious, there's no way we'd low ball that badly. I know that's what we've been doing lately, but 30 is taking the piss.

Just fantastic build up play, always moving and making himself available. He will need to learn to withstand the physical abuse he'll get in England, but this is a dream signing for me. Griezmann, Dybala, Verratti. In any order.

I didn't say it makes sense, I just think that's what he's done. I do believe that he thinks Karius will come good. But, a week off may have been good for his head.

It means that he agrees, but has to publicly back his player. He'll ba asked about it, and probably give some "He's faced a lot of criticism lately, I just wanted to give him a match off to get his head right" type thing. Utd. did this with De Gea too, when he first got there.

We all do. £60M is stupid money. For once we can be on the right side of that deal. Of course, whoever we buy next will be inflated. (See Pogba--> Higuain)

I fully admit: I questioned his mentality and desire to play for the club last season. I was of the group of people that wouldn't have been bothered if he had left. I'm very happy to be eating my words now.

We can't take anyone lightly. Tough match, especially since we don't have a lot of rotation options. I'd love to be 6 points up, obviously, but I'm certainly not counting any chickens.

I generally don't like the "He's got to go..." etc. stuff that happens in modern football (ie. loyalty is a one way street). But, for that kind of money...Christ, I don't even know what to say. Wrap him up in cotton, make sure nothing happens to him. This deal going through would be amazing. 2 x Kante for 1 Oscar? Okay. AVB was a big Mikel fan too...

I was so happy to get him back. I love having a character like him in the squad. By the time the window was closing, Conte had started to make this team really likeable, and not just in a blue-tinted glasses kind of way. So, to add Luiz was just more icing on the cake. Impossible to not like him. And, if we were going to have some fun this year, Luiz will make the party even better. #geezer

I don't really think that Pep got "found out". His game plan was sound, IMO. City overloaded the (their) right side of the pitch in order to get De Bruyne just inside the flank (right half space, I suppose). Navas out wide and Silva just inside to occupy Alonso and Cahill respectively. So De Bruyne would effectively be able to whip in crosses because there would be some marking issues and he would have time on the ball. This stopped when Hazard dropped deeper to fill the space. In the 343, this is a soft spot, the half spaces. Not wide enough for the WB to mark, but far enough to make the CM late or unsure to get over. Unfortunately, for City, in order for them to do this, they left themselves exposed at the back. City didn't really play a 343 either, it was more like a 3241. The 2 in front of the defence to pick up Hazard and Pedro coming inside. I think it was a sound plan, and on another day, they could have won. However, I also laugh at the "lucky" comments (not necessarily on this forum). Sure, KDB misses and it's a turning point. But, they don't get those chances without committing forward like they did, and thus, leave themselves completely exposed at the back. Their game plan was to either score or get scored on. Didn't score got punished. Those were the only two scenarios that could happen. That's how I read it all, at least. On another note, when Matic was reported as being out, I thought for sure that Conte would go with a 352. Cesc and Chalobah in for Matic and Pedro.

I think some of this is a bit unfair. Yes, he wasn't excellent, but I don't necessarily think he was "targeted" per se. City overloaded the (their) right side of the pitch in order to get De Bruyne just inside the flank (right half space, I suppose). Navas out wide and Silva just inside to occupy Alonso and Cahill respectively. So De Bruyne would effectively be able to whip in crosses because there would be some marking issues and he would have time on the ball. This stopped when Hazard dropped deeper to fill the space. In the 343, this is a soft spot. Unfortunately, for City, in order for them to do this, they left themselves exposed at the back. This is the same reason that I laugh at the "lucky" comments (not necessarily on this forum). Sure, KDB misses and it's a turning point. But, they don't get those chances without committing forward like they did, and thus, leave themselves completely exposed at the back. Didn't score got punished. Those were the only two scenarios that could happen.

4 matches is stupid. That's the normal punishment for a 2nd red card offence. He knows he's going to lose the ball, sees Luiz coming and only has eyes for Luiz's legs. Deliberate and pre-meditated.

Don't forget that he forced the Bayern doctor out a la Jose. http://www.espnfc.us/bayern-munich/story/2403679/bayern-munich-team-doctor-quits-after-getting-blame-for-porto-loss He's a good manager, no doubt. But he's also a massive calculating prick.

Aguero was disgusting. Little baby. Watch Cahill's OG again, Aguero stoops down to talk shit to him while he's on the ground. Then, of course, the intent to injure Luiz.

Don't need him. We already have the best long passing CB in football.

I agree. But, most clubs agree too. There's going to be a significant price difference.

would love it, but it's a dream. We'd have a better chance at getting Koke.

Candreva was really good for Italy at the Euros. He's an out and out winger but with a really good motor. In his Italian set-ups, Conte seemed to prefer having one WB that was a FB, and the other that was more of an offensive winger playing WB. Don't know much about Anderson's work rate and defensive skills, but I certainly wouldn't rule him out because he's not a converted fullback.

The most vulnerable Dave has looked in recent weeks is the Utd match when Zlatan, then Fellaini climbed all over him for a head. Zlatan, not on target. Fellaini, over hit cross (IIRC). Dave would hardly be the first CB to have Zlatan score a header over them. I think this is actually his best position. The balance in midfield for us comes from the way we play from the back. Luiz is like a deep lying playmaker with his passing (can we stop the Bonnucci rumours?) and the L/RCBs carry the ball in to midfield. It's helped us boss the 3 man midfields we've come up against. We actually get another player in to midfield, to even the numbers it's just one of the CBs stepping up. Conte's team sheet just has Hazard, Kante, Dave printed on it, the rest is blank to be filled in on match day.

Kenedy is left-footed, no? And Alonso?

I actually think that he can provide cover in the RCB position. Won't need to cross the ball anymore, or get up and down the pitch. It's actually always been the perfect position for him. He would have been a beast there many years ago. But, I still think he has enough for cover. If he wants to move on and be a guaranteed starter, I wish him all the best.

I think Zouma is right footed. Pretty sure that's why Conte wanted Romagnoli.

I get that. I was alluding to the fact that he plays a more all action midfield role with Nigeria. A CAM who can play CDM is kind of box-to-box in my eyes. Like what we use now.