FormerRussianSpy

deadline day stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-pd-show/theater

Absolutely imperious performance by Lewandowski. Brilliant to witness that...

This is absolute quality!

Didn't catch the game, but saw Oscar in the double-pivot with Lampard if im not mistaken... By the score it looks like it worked, any thoughts?

2:30 am... So damn late, but so worth it!

Almost as disappointed to see him go as Robbie. Two men who understood the culture of our club and the supporters, true fuckin blues. !

What I would like to see tomorrow and from Rafa as a whole is some managerial balls. AVB uncompromisingly tried attractive football and lost, RDM wen't back to basics (won) and then tried attractive football (with a similar amount of stubbornness, and lost); I want to see Rafa insert a style that is new and flexible, and not just the same damn cycle our managerial trend has encouraged. With that being said, I'm not really sure why all the pundits are expecting a big win from us, I just can't really see us toppling City's league form in this context. Love to be proven wrong...

Hard to say, but it might not actually be an ACL (worst case scenario...6-9 months out at the quickest) because they are usually the result of a twisting hyper-extension. JT's was essentially straight backwards...could be a minor ligament, could be a basic hyper-extension etc. Finger's crossed guys!

Im in the same boat... lesser of the two evils mate

Besides the Moses-Sturridge sub, I really don't think RDM cocked up his tactics at all. If that ball doesnt deflect off of our defender to pablo perfectly set up for him to smack it, we'd all be singing about a brilliant tactical performance from RDM...a lesson in holding a one goal lead... Give it a break, they got a lucky bounce and we were missing an integral part of our midfield; why is RDM always the scapegoat?

Tactically we are superior, and man for man they can't match up. They probably won't get momentum an early own goal, VP will most likely not have as much space, they won't be playing against nine men, and offsides will return to the normal rule of behind the first defender. They knew what Oscar/Mata/Hazard could do and they couldn't stop them. I'm feelin confident

We had all four Spaniards on the pitch at the end Mata showed again why he is our little magician with his assists today, Lamps with a signature goal, Torres with a nice header, and Ivan smashed a real beaut. Plus, who knew Romeu had such a shot on him?

That backheel click to Brana was sublime. Mata is a magician

Man Rambo+Mikel were playing the double pivot so well. A true double pivot, where both players can assist in the defensive third and final third shifting constantly and always proving cover. I couldn't keep track of how many times Mikel was leading the ball to the top of their penalty area in the first half. Real tactical awareness all game, very pleased with how our midfield played against a well organized defensive team.

Mata, Oscar and Hazard all on the same pitch at once...bonerrrr

Word. They haven't won an away game since January! They are a relatively shit team and manage to stay top 10 with their impeccable home form. You're right, blast em early...they have no pace on the counter.

A win against Stoke is always a scrappy win, but they have never been a good away team. I'm confident about this one, I'd like to see the variant formation we used in the first half against Juve (something between a 4-3-2-1 and a 4-4-1-1). Oscar, Danny and Moses deserve a start...Hazard deserves a breather. I'd love to see Azpi get a shout down the right...I have a feeling his pace could give Kightly and Wilson nightmares.

Yeah! What a cheeky little comment. Good lad

Anyone consider him to run the double pivot? I swear he could boss that

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8095341/Midfielder-Jack-Wilshere-returns-to-full-training-with-Arsenal-after-injury-nightmare Jack Wilshere back to full training after almost 15 months on the sideline. Can't say I'm excited for arsenil or anything, but I'd love to see him back in the rotation for England.

It was refreshing to see Ramires back in the midfield, he really can be magic sometimes. Oscar's performance marking Pirlo was world class. Other than that, the result and the way it happened had an inevitability about it. The usual defensive mistakes by our central two Lamps-Mikel and the impotence of our build up play let us down in the end.

I was speaking based on what I saw on Saturday. If what you say is the case, he looks to have strengthened that aspect of his game. He had a good shot and two dangerous crosses, namely the one that Hazard fluffed

I was well impressed with him on Saturday. Lots of energy and determination...a real old school dropped-shoulder winger with two good feet and an eye for the final pass. Edit: Sweet squad photo

He did on the wing what Ramires has not shown this season...effective dribbling, accurate crossing, use of both feet, and positive decision making. That being said, if Hazard converted that very first break we would've been praising Ramires because that play was made by his ball. But I think Moses can have an impact on this squad above just a substitue/squad player role. He's got a killer instinct

Saddened by the lack of a sub. We were fine defensively...why not change out Bertrand or Ramires? Why not ?