Django

If I was RDM, and thank god I'm not, I'd go for: GK: Petr Cech RB: Branislav Ivanovic CB: David Luiz CB: John Terry LB: Ashley Cole CM: Frank Lampard CM: John Obi Mikel CAM: Juan Mata RW: Ramires LW: Eden Hazard ST: Fernando Torres

I really don't understand why people keep going on about us defending for our lives. We didn't do it against Napoli (2nd leg), Benfica, Liverpool, Spurs amongst others. It only really happened in 3 games and in 1 of them we were down to 10 men for the majority. And the fact that it's been suggested that RDM only knows how to 'park the bus' is awful. The man hasn't even had a real chance yet.

Guardiola is a great coach, but I'm proud to have a former Blue, and such a beloved one, as our manager. That's special.

The pessimism is unbelievable, you'd think we defended for our lives in every game last season. Hoping to see the lads give it a good go and get in City's faces, give them a real challenge, take them on properly and with pride. Keep The Blue Flag Flying High.

Lampard has to play. Tactics aside, his presence is so vital. Surprised a fair few wouldn't pick him.

Not like we've made 3 signings already or anything.

Despite their differences, most agree it's one or the other in the first team.

Other than Mikel, I don't think we have a player who splits opinion as much as Romeu does. Some say he's destined to be world class, others think he's mediocre. And to be honest, he's shown hints of both in his time here. He's not close to Mikel right now in my mind, but is solid cover for that position. He seems pretty committed to the club at least in the short-term too, so I'd like to see him get a few chances to impress from RDM.

Depressing all round. Hopefully once we get to Wigan on the 19th there'll be a turn around. Can't really know anything until the season starts.

Didn't they lose to Oldham the other day.

We're all Blues regardless, so let's not get into glory hunter stuff. Talk about the match.

Knowing Chelsea, they'll probably go out and win the Community Shield after this.

Hazard seems like he'll be a tough one to man manage. Wandered out of position a few too many times, he's trying to play like a number 10.

The 'LOL' post when we conceded was the one that made me post, but a general attitude of abuse aimed at certain players is going round. Not every poster mind.

Half of you just need to go an support City. Disgraceful. You're allowed to be negative about your team, but it seems some people actually want us to lose.

Just as I was losing faith in our fanbase, a sensible post like this comes along.

How dare a manager use pre-season to try out players in different positions!?

I still think he has a role to play, both on and off the pitch. Can be a useful squad player, and a good mentor for the lads who haven't been there and done that when it comes to major trophies on a consistent basis.

Major injuries at a young age put teams off signing players out of worry it can happen again and hamper what potential they have.

Undoubtedly talented, but has a history of injuries and would be expensive.

Can do a job, for a price. I think the board has a figure they're not prepared to go over, and I'm more than happy with that. If Whelan wants too much, we can look elsewhere.

Good read but overly pessimistic in my opinion. For what we are trying to achieve, our squad looks pretty healthy from top to bottom. To win the league (which should not be expected this year, after all we did finish 6th last season) we could do with adding a more prolific goal scorer. But they don't come cheap and Roman has already invested heavily this summer. I think if we can secure 4th this year, perhaps bringing in a young-ish forward below £12 million before deadline day, we can be pretty happy and put the feelers out for an out-and-out scorer in that summer window, should one not have emerged from our current squad. One thing that does annoy me though (not so much in the first post, but in general) is the negativity around players like Meireles and Essien. Both are international quality and we are lucky to have players of their calibre as squad players. If they were automatic starters, I could maybe understand, but we are never going to have a team of superstars. A lot of our fans put down what we have, and romanticise the players we do not.

2.30pm tomorrow, British time.

I understand every argument why we could/should, but I never want our club to leave Stamford Bridge. It'll probably happen one day, and it will be for the best, but it'll still be sad.

Sorry, I didn't realise this was the Cesc Fabregas thread. Drop it fellas.