Sideshow Luiz

I have to agree with this. When the Hazard wooing sweepstakes were on, I didn't think we'd be able to get him. Luckily, the board thought differently.

I'd normally agree, but I can't see us getting that many players in. I just think that we can use what we've got instead of dropping more money (that seems to be our current transfer strategy). I'd rather see a huge player come in if we're going to spend (I'm still in the Griezmann dream land) and use players we've already got for cover. It's hard to find dedicated wing backs because not many teams play with them. You have to find the right FBs or wingers where the scout/manager can see the inherent qualities needed for the position. To be honest, they can do just about anything and I'll give them a lot of rope. I just wanted top 4 this season. Even if we don't get it, the joy I have from watching this thoroughly likeable squad play every week is worth it.

Let's see him in the new formation. He was always a CAM forced to play CDM. Get him out there and take the shackles off! Let's see the Mikel that plays for Nigeria,

I don't think that too many CBs is an issue. At Juve (my go to comparison because they've been playing a back 3 for a long time), they had BBC + Caceres + Rugani (who has a lot of potential). No problems.

I think Willian could do a job at RWB. His decision making in the final 1/3 is suspect. His motor is not.

1. Liverpool - entitled fan base. Media made up of ex-Liverpool who shove the club up everyone's ass and make annoying Liverpool supporters even worse. 2. Spurs - Seem to be made up of largely horrible people. Too crass and stupid to be Arsenal supporters. Couldn't make the grade it seems. Seem to think they can win the league, but never even win the North London table. 3. Arsenal - Have embodied Wenger. Whiny, full of excuses. Like to think of themselves as proponents of the beautiful game (they do play some lovely stuff once in a while) and think that makes up for not winning anything. Always get dicked by Barca because they refuse to adjust. Like idiots. This absolutely bothers the fans, but they seem to think that no one else knows that and stick to their "play the Arsenal way" mantra.

It's about Shaw and Smalling, I believe. Shaw should leave. Jose had a go at Utd for spending so much money on him when he was with us. Now, he's calling him out. He's gone straight to year 3. Year 1 is building siege mentality. Us against them, little horses, needs eggs from Waitrose, etc. etc. Year 2, win the major silverware. Year 3, players can't keep the grudge going and Jose falls out with them. He needs a sabbatical. He'll always e a Chelsea legend, but he needs some time off. Things have not been good for him since his father fell ill. I hope he get's his house in order first. Then comes back to management once he's better.

Love how much Conte uses the words "work" and "team" http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37886756

Look at Spurs trying to play the 343. CBs are standing with the ball at their feet, no one showing from midfield or WB to get the ball. Both fullbacks, who received so much praise for their hard work last season, look shattered and they aren't even coming back to help build up play.

I agree with the risk-reward outlook. I was actually in favour of the Pato loan move last Jan. It didn't work out, but I also didn't know he was nowhere near match fit when we got him. I didn't think he was THAT bad when he did eventually play. I actually think he would still be good cover for Hazard in our current front 3. Getting players who are in favourable contract situations is a good way of building the squad depth, IMO. If a player has 4 years remaining on their contract, you're going to have to pay a lot.

For me, the only answer is Griezmann. (Maybe Di Maria). I'm not sure about James. For James kind of money, Id rather see the club push the boat all the way out and go hard for Griezmann.

Had a brief look at his analysis on whoscored and transfermarkt. Seems to be similar to Herrerra and Sissoko. Both of which I thought would be good fits next to Kante. So, maybe not a bad call.

Okay, Spurs and Arsenal. You two can just kick lumps out of each other for the last 40 min, now. Something dawned on me as Kane just put that penalty in. None of our recent 16 goals have come from the spot. I think that maybe 2-3 have come from corners. But the rest are open play.

Maybe. To be honest, Witsel is one of the names that float around all the time, but I don't know his game so well (because I don't watch Russian league, nor Zenit's CL matches). On paper, he looks a good fit. If this was FIFA, I'd try to get in Verratti, Griezmann, Romagnoli, and a RWB. In the real world, I'd actually think that a RWB is the most important position. As far as Witsel goes, if the manager rates him, then yeah, more midfielders would be better. We can't ask Kante to do what he does twice a week when we have CL next year Will need to rotate Matic, Kante, whoever we bring in (I'm confident that we'll get 1 or 2 CM over the next 2 windows). For all of Cahill's follies this season, he's been a great buy. 7M or so if I remember correctly? Been a big part of every trophy we've won since.

That's kind of the thing though. It seems to be very difficult to pick up for an odd match here and there. It needs to be drilled on the training pitch. You'd be better off keeping it the same and filling in for missing players. When you've only conceded 5 goals in the league, just keep it the same. Now, need Spurs to score, draw is the best result for us.

Keep the "switch to 343 is magic" articles coming. It's worked out well for us, but it's really the hard work that the players are putting in on the training pitch that's making it work. In the first couple of weeks the signs were there, but you could see some players getting in each other's way in attacking moves, not quite knowing exactly what to do. We're looking more fluid every week.

I think that Di Maria would be a great fit. That LW/RW position for us is kind of a Wing/CAM/SS role. Would love to see Romagnoli in the LCB spot. Need cover for Alonso since we are short there.

Doesn't make sense. They've got the top defence (statistically) in the league. Why change? Some of our attacking moves were a little disjointed in the first few weeks after the switch. It's obviously quite difficult to pick it up straight away.

He's been kind of invisible for the past 5 weeks. I'd like to see him working more for the team. I haven't seen him do anything apart from a save or 2 against Utd. Poor. Note: This is a joke for anyone who doesn't see it.

Right, I picked that up from around these parts, actually. I suppose that's what I get. Cheers.

So, Pep looked at our squad and said we need 10 new players, didn't want it. No doubt that Pep is a good manager, but he hasn't shaken the tag that he only wants to go to the "best" team (read: most money, best on paper) in the league and isn't up for a challenge. Seems that we only needed 1 CB who can play with the ball, and 1 LWB. Most importantly, 1 manager who can be flexible and get the most out of the players he's got and put them in to position to succeed with lots of hard work.

Looks like it

I agree with this. I'd like to see it too. It's a shame that he wasn't fit before the EFL cup match. I'd like to see it before we deem him surplus to requirements (anyone want Kenedy or Baba back as cover for Alonso?).

I know. I totally get you. Some of those matches during the grind of the second half of the season were tough to watch. I don't disagree with you. I'm just remarking on how strange it is to feel that way. It's totally first-world football problems, but you're not wrong. I'm really enjoying the enthusiasm on the pitch as well. All XI working hard for the team. The play is unselfish, it all feels like team goals and team clean sheets. I'm loving the football this season.

I'm not Jose apologist but those are totally first-world football problems. Not liking the manner in which the title was won? How many clubs would kill for that? I get what you're saying, but it's official. We've become spoiled.