Hutcho

He hasn't done anything wrong to have haters... It hasn't been as good a game as the previous one, but i don't think he has had a bad game... Tbf, the whole brazil team hasn't looked as good as they have previously...

I'll second that, always good posts, straight to the point...

I hate this game so much...

Hondurus.

looking forward to seeing oscar play for brazil.. That should cheer everyone up a bit. I am not as concerned as many here, but definately think agaisnt brighton, we should get as full strength as possible, and try to give them at least 60 mins of real game time together, becuase some of our interplay just doesn't seem to be working.. Hazard is doing very well individually, but Lampard is the main person who is trying to spread the play atm, and we need a better connection between them. I will start to get worried if a week from now, and a week before the community shield we have a bad performance against brighton... Another week of training, back in english conditions, where the weather shouldn't be too hot, and hopefully, we can end our pre season with a bang. Also we are still missing our 4 from the olympics. In particular, Mata is a huge player for us and whilst oscar is young, if the alternative is Meireles then Oscar is someone we really need in the team... And thats not overhyping but it should be clear that Oscar is better on the ball and in his passing, which is something we have been lacking, and something that should be very good this season... And we know the qualities mata gives us...

Abramovich definately does what he wants, evident in the constant hiring and scaking of mangaers over the last 9 years...

I think if you are looking for a useful squad player, then 7 mil for demba ba, is very good, all things considered, better than any other striking options we have atm except torres, and with Lukaku going on loan, will do a good job as second choice striker... Rather that, than 40+ mil for cavani i think...

I agree, i think his best position with his range of passing has to be in the middle, but tbh i have only seen him play around 4 times before so am probably not the best to judge, but thats what it looks like to me anyway... Will be a great prospect for us wherever RDM puts him..

If you were going to do that line up i think it would be better to swap ramires with Mata, so Ram can play in his best position, though i think that is too attacking, and would require a lot of defensive work from mata and oscar...

Sorry, yeah i mean i would play Oscar ahead of ramires, but i would probably play Oscar at Cam and Hazard on the right if i was putting it in a formation, though as many has said to me, he plays there for brazil, which is good credentials, so may even play RW/RAM

I agree with Konohas, i think, providing everyone is fit, oscar has to play ahead of him if we play a 4-2-3-1.... It's a shame for one of our best players last season, but has to be done i think. One of our best box to box midfirlders, but it doesn't give us much width and isn't his best position by far.

Ramires is definately more suited in a 4-3-3 as a box to box midfielder, but don't think it would be too wise to have him in there at DM, if thats what you meant. Atm the only 2 players we have who i think can play there are Mikel and Essien (which could be a bit risky after recently getting back).. Definately like tiote, who would be great there. Better organisation in the double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, could solve a lot of the problems, as lamps goes forwards and mikel is left alone as no one drops in... Still think mikel can do it, so a new DM isn't essential imo. Also i forgot to add; a 4-3-3 would give us greater width as in the first half especially i thought we were slightly narrow at times...

Meireles won't be anywhere near the first 11 most probably with several players above him in the pecking order.

I actually think it could well be time, to try out a 4-3-3, i don't think it will happen and we have had a completely full squad to try out the 4-2-3-1, with several attacking players missing, but i haven't been too impressed with Lampard Mikel either, but it is too soon to be definitate about it. Main advantage of the 4-3-3 is that it will suit a player like oscar as well as ramires which could well be good... Still could have similar problems, but there would be less of a strain on one DM. Now whether we will change, i highly doubt, i think in theory the 4-2-3-1 looks ideal, and it may be hard to change it fully with only one preseason game left...

WTF, is up with the camera?

pen?

marin on the right now should be interesting...

What happens when our 2 best defenders arn't there unfortunately...

welcome to the 2012/2013 season fernando... COME ON TORRES....

Put on torres now, while we are playing well...

He is too quick and nimble for all them...

good start...

Marin to score a curler in the far corner after cutting in.

to be fair, only 1 of our 4 attacking players started, as 2 of them arn't even with the squad... Playing with Lukaku hasn't helped atm, Marin on, Raul meireles off. Hazard at CAM, Marin wide.

got to be marin and torres time surely...