robsblubot

double

Cahill did just that once again...

Plus David even runs like a defender, because his training schedule does not include running x numbers of miles like the midfielders. Here are the facts though: we were losing, down one man at half time then Luiz comes in as a sub and we end up winning the game. So, focusing on his shortcomings in a situation like this is disingenuous, especially knowing hes covering. He was an integral part of the win today. Once again, I'm going to say ppl are overemphasizing the wrong aspects of the game.

No people really are insane... expecting a defender to play in the midfield without giving him time to adapt, all that at the highest level, is

I'd take the Rooney from 2-3 years ago in a heartbeat, but his form is clearly (and visually) dipping. My guess is that someone at United started the rumors the same way someone at Chelsea would talk about Torres leaving; extremely expensive players who are/have been surplus to requirements. It's more like wishful thinking as they are both going nowhere.

So a player is no longer good enough to start for our toughest opponent. So, we are going to get him to start for us which will enable us to beat them... defies logic.

indeed...his first touch is perfect! He started his career playing futsal in indoor courts with smaller football. That's why he is comfortable even in small spaces when exchanging passes with Hazard and Mata. Like ppl have been saying, confidence and other factors will affect ones game one way or another, but his technique is flawless. He does lack strength and acceleration (not so much pace), but we've got that in Hazard, plenty. Been watching him at Internacional, Brazil, and now Chelsea. Can't wait to see him develop under Mourinho.

There was no mistake... there was no 'simulation'. There was an added emphasis on an aggression when the ball was nowhere near David... It was a red. Players do what you call 'wrong' 99% of the time, or do you think that every fucking time someone gets kicked he could not have stayed on his feet?! They "decide" to go to the ground because they feel getting the freekick/PK is more advantageous than continuing the play AND/OR to protect themselves because when you get kicked you want the leg being kicked to be off the ground. BTW, something very similar to this incident happened to me and I reacted similarly. First I was holding my ear because I didn't know whether I was hurt or not. Then I was smirking because a) I couldn't believe what the guy did (elbow) and I knew I got him and since this was a 5x5 tourney we also won the match.

Not sure we are all agreeing on what Luiz actually did here... He did get kicked so there was no playacting for that. His smirk was obviously a "gotcha!" because at that moment in the game he wanted to kill some time (red card hadn't been shown) and Rafael lashing out provided just that. Rafael is also his teammate for Brazil and that could've been some rivalry going on too, but all in the game. Now let's just say Luiz had gone easy on Rafael allowing him to take the ball and United eventually scored, would that make people around here happy? You can't be too nice in tough matches like this one, at least not if you want to win.

lol actually thought Anderson was having a pretty good game and was very happy with SAF for subbing him for lethargic Rooney. I was very disappointed with Ba. Contrary to most around here I don't think much of him aside from his finishing. However, I do expect him to stay on his feet. He's a big guy and I was wondering exactly what he was trying to accomplish by going to the ground on every dispute. Moses was just as poor with a single good play when he beat his marker but produced a terrible cross.

What exactly did Luiz do wrong? He got kicked by stupid Rafael when the ball was no longer in play and ppl are talking about a smirk by Luiz?! Who gives a shit?! What about the fucking kick?! It's apparently one of those 'beam me up' days... BTW my rant is against the (lol) press...

Looked a lot better than Ba who was on the ground for most of the game. Torres not being good enough - he's still better on the ball than Ba - does not make Ba good enough either. Ba looked pedestrian to me.

which could become (451) Cech Azpilicueta - Luiz - Terry - A.Cole Mikel Ramires -Oscar Mata Hazard Ba if needed

Being originally from Brazil, I've played plenty of football (not professionally I'm happy to say)... I've played with excellent players, like Ronaldinho, and others well known in Brazil only (Carlos Miguel, Danrley, Jamir).Don't see the relevance myself though - Mourinho never played much himself. Let's just say I couldn't disagree more with the following statatement: "The toughest thing for a football player is discipline." The toughest thing for a football player is technique. Technique comes first. Only when technique is good we can begin talking about other aspects, physical and mental. Of course a good player must be well rounded, but technique is king. We prob should stop now, because this is a very fundamental disagreement.

How do you know they all actually instructed Luiz to refrain from making too many forward runs? TBH, I find this idea that being "composed" is so difficult and needs so much work a bit silly. David *can* make forward runs because he has the quality to do that. Most other defenders don't have such quality and some are even extremely poor on the ball (that's a bad player in my book). Whether he makes the runs and how often he makes them is all up to the manager otherwise David would lose his starting spot, would he not? Players are released for less than explicit disobeying instructions from their managers. I've heard Luiz saying managers encouraged him to make the runs--not surprising. Now, if we are going to talk about his real deficiencies, which are heading and positioning; and defenders work on their positioning all their careers. Frankly, havne't noticed any crazy improvement in either one. Luiz remains the same excellent player he was since his first game for Chelsea, with his immense virtues (mental and technical) as well as his deficiencies. Of course, that's just my humble opinion.

Benitez, "Oi Luiz! Could you refrain from making forward runs a bit? Especially when your DM and/or FBs are not behind you." Luiz, "Sure boss!" Done! Seriously, players improve as they play and gain experience. Managers and coaches can speed up or slow down their development, but it's a natural process. While Benitez must be given credit for it, one cannot say it was *because* of Benitez.

If you been watching football, like me, long enough you see these systems come and go. Ajax in the 90s wasn't much different than Barcelona of today in terms of style. Invariably though, a counter attacking side will occasionally beat the "flavor of the month." It's just like a game of rock-paper-scissors...

Well, that's exactly my point: I hope we've got the right people to judge whether Essien can regain some of his form back or not. Though the fact we keep on insisting with Torres suggests we may not have such talent in our staff.

Essien can be the very best in the CM/DM role, but questions remain whether the many nagging injuries are behind him and whether they've taken a toll on his body. Perhaps if he no longer played in the African Cups... how many times has he come back injured?

Think they are not comparable as they complement each other very well. Hazard is a dribbler, a very aggressive and direct CAM/Forward. Oscar, on the other hand does not posses the pace, acceleration, or balance to beat defenders the way Hazard does. However, Oscar can move deep while Hazard is not as effective doing the same. Oscar started his career playing futsal (smaller pitch/ball indoors) in Brazil and has great short passing and controlling skills, perfect for center of the pitch as he does not need much space to operate. He does need to bulk up a bit though. Mata also is not very good playing deep and shines when positioning close to the opponents goal, for either a cross or a shot.

Mikel plays rarely... I guess someone at chelsea agrees with some of us here. While David plays every freaking match, twice a week.

you can't see a 21 year old who is that confortable on the ball becoming a world class player in the future... wow! Then I hope you make around $400K a month because that's what you'd be making down there. Most starting XI players make over $50K a month these days especially with the big clubs.

exactly! let's just fix what *is* broken... the midfield.

Getting a player after he has shown the absolute best he will ever deliver is a mistake, from both business and footballing perspectives. We'd pay inflated prices and there is no way he can go anywhere but down from his absolute top. Torres is essentially the worst case scenario right there, so I can only hope we've learned from that.

Gisele Bundchen and Alessandra Ambrosio are both from my state (RS) in Brazil... just saying. Porto Alegre, Ronaldinho's hometown, is the capital of the state. I'd still vote for Stockholm though... amazing city with beautiful woman!