GermanBlue

Yes, we discussed that already in the other thread, but as you said, there are two side, one is your argument, and the other is that the team was still strong enough to beat QPR. I think both - the team and Benitez - underestimated QPR.

Saw that comming in some way. He was doing pretty bad in the last matches he played, too. Might be a candidate for Milan? Also, I can imagine PSG. Ibra and Balotelli in one team.

Every player needs a rest. Even a human monster like Mata is in his core just a human. The squad we played last night should've been good enough to beat QPR.

Oh my god, please not Sahin! I think he's way overrated. He was a star in the Bundesliga carrying Dortmund to their title, but he's not Real Madrid or Chelsea quality. Yes, he was injured and didn't play much, but he'd never make it here. I don't know, maybe he needs his private surroundings to perform as he did in Dortmund, who are btw thinking about making a move to get him back. Watzke said: "We'd want to have Sahin back here, if it can be done", so I think if he leaves LFC/RM, he'd go back to BVB which would be the best for him, because he'll never be better than he was there.

Just that 70 vs. 33 shots stat is interesting. Shows what a lazy ass Torres is, and you have to think about it: Ba gets these 70 shots out of midfield of a 15th placed team. Just imagine that with our midfield.

It's München, but you probably don't have the right button for it. Yeah, but I don't think Dortmund would agree on that, they are doing their best to keep their squad together. I think nothing's impossible, but I can't see Götze leaving Dortmund, and if, then not before the end of his contract in 2016. And I'm pretty sure he'd join either Real or a Premier League club then, but that's so far away.

I was at a birthday party last night, so I couldn't watch the game and had to follow a liveticker. Now, I'm actually happy, I didn't saw it.

Yup, they also wanted to have Reus, but he joined his former club Borussia Dortmund. Also they said anyday soon, it's quite probable to see Mario Goetze in a Bayern Munich trikot as well. Right now, as it's announced that Holtby won't renew his contract at Schalke, there are rumours that Bayern may want him. But I think that's just wild guesses, as he wouldn't be a real improvement to their squad IMO. Just to give a few examples.

Just like me.

This. I think he'll arrive at the weekend.

Very similar player to Ba IMO, but still needs some time to be at his level. A good alternative though.

I've been watching Marin for years here in Germany and he's definitely no playmaker. He maybe claims to be one, but even in the Bundesliga he didn't have a real impact on the central attacking midfield position. I think he's best when used as a winger to get the most out of his dribbling skills. I agree with you though. Another attacking midfielder is needed, but first, a striker.

Negotations with Leverkusen are like those with Bilbao. I don't see any chance in Schurrle leaving with a transfer fee anywhere near his market price. Not only we offered them 30m for Schurrle at the beginning of the season, but Munich offered them 40m for Bender and they rejected. They could've made a profit of 70m (!) and you'd get a lot better players for this price.

Honda would be a great addition to me. Creative and variable player and even on a free deal. Also, he's 26 years old and seems to be on top of his carrier. He'd make a good squad player and we can rotate a lot more. Sign him up for next season! 24 year old left winger from Metalist Kharkiv. I don't know him, but other users here said he's more average than a real improvement to the current first team. I don't see the point in signing him. With Marin and Piazon we already have 2 talented wingers mostly benchwarming, so why add another? Especially if he doesn't seem that good.

To be fair, I think Ramires has done really well against Everton, I wouldn't mind him playing on the right side more often if he does like that. But I do think Hazard needs to be involved more often, or at least he should've against Everton.

Did anybody notice that in the last weeks we're attacking soo much down the right side? IMO that's one of the main reasons why he wasn't such an outstanding player like he was in the first matches of the season. But tbh, nobody could expect the story to continue after winning all MOTM awards in his first 4 (?) BPL appearances.

Haha, just imagine we get a fast let's say 2-0 lead and after 20 minutes Mata comes off. No, seriously, yes, you're right. Forgot the cup matches next week.

Should be easy, but you never know. An early goal might be important. I just hope we can bench Mata for this one and don't have to bring him on to win it. Nope, if I remember right, he's out for 2-3 weeks.

Well, partly, I think yes. Ofc, the matches are always different and stats often aren't that meaningful, but a central midfielder has a much bigger impact on the overall match than a right back. If he fucks it up, every defending side struggles. And also, I wouldn't compare a legend like Lampard with a new signing like Azpi. Yes, Azpi plays his part, too, and he's getting better every game, but Frank just has a very different impact on the team in terms of psychology. He's a leader and was just what we needed in that bad run, when JT was also missing.

No, just no. I mentioned it in this thread some time ago, he had the chances and played for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga 2 (?) years ago and was more than disappoiting and ended up sitting on the bench after 7 appearances and no goals. He had his chance to play in a European top league and failed, so I think there are far better options for us. At least there should be.

Not feeling very positive about this one. Ba would be a lot better option, if his wage demands would decrease. Is there any reason this is just a trick of the management for the negotations with Demba Ba? Like "Well, if you want such high wages, we're not gonna sign you, we have another good striker in hand" (which is likely to happen at this stage btw).

If that's true, what a greedy cunt. I really hope we don't offer him that much. What a dilemma, we need a new striker very quickly and Ba and his agent seem to know that. I hope this is just to make the most out of a fast transfer and his wage demands will decrease as the January draws to a close, because he seemed like the perfect January transfer in contrary to most of the other options that are discussed in the media.

Paying Malouda for nothing, but we can't afford to give Lamps a new contract because of high wages? No way, and I'm sure he'd accept a decrease of his wages. Our midfield indeed will be crowded next year, but I think especially in the pivot, we still have a place for him. Essien and Josh will come back, but that's ok, so we can rotate a lot more.

Why can't we? He performs well, has experience is a leader and for his age is still quite fit. Why can't we offer him a new contract? Even if it's just one more year with an option based on his appearances.

The team really showed character to come back after aweful first 25 minutes. Besides Lamps, I think Ramires was our best player because he and Mata created most of our chances. I don't think Mata was bad at all, the whole team sucked in the beginning though.