The only place to be

What's funny about the Everton game is that we did well when they were trying to play possession football - I'd argue that their win came from the point when they reverted to a more pragmatic, counter-attacking style. Like you say it's about a cohesive structure and that isn't something that comes overnight. Then Mata will have to leave. If you look at the players we have in the academy and the style of football they're trying to play then it fits this club. Boga is a young Hazard/Oscar, not Mata and we desperately need a 24 year old Chalobah or Loftus-Cheek. It's going to take time, and that's going to require patience on our part.

I'm offering my opinion on the player, and on some of the comments made about him by people. Don't take it personally. We had Ramires out, Essien not registered and Mikel with a slight niggle so it made sense to play him, especially considering his lack of playing time this season after a very impressive pre-season. He's a young lad so there will be nerves whenever he gets that first start but I thought he showed some good flashes in a game where we were somewhat disjointed. He wasn't the only one though and far more experienced players have had far worse games in the last 5 days. We simply have to support the guy, understand where he is right now and look for him to improve in the next game.

And people don't need to paint Basel as this amazing side who did anything remotely special. They just new their jobs. Our players are still learning their roles and mistakes will happen. With practice and time the execution of these ideas should improve, but it's going to be a bumpy ride. Anyone not prepared for that might as well jump off now.

That happens when you win stuff. Just like posting nonsensical drivel might get a person a reputation as a bit thick. Support and patience from the proper supporters. We're a young team in the process of being built. City lost away to Cardiff despite being a 'build team'. It's going to be painful at times but supporting a football team isn't all about glory and gloating to your mates. It's hard at times, something that a lot of people probably aren't aware of because for the last 20 years we've been on an upwards trajectory. We have one of the best coaches in the world. People need to stop expecting miracles overnight.

He's played well at RB and I've seen plenty of people criticise him last season when he was at CB. He offers so much in the box from set pieces too that I think he's probably one of the few nailed-on starters that we have.

Like Nani? Or Valencia? Or Young? United's wingers have always been hard-working players (Beckham being the archetypal one) but they're by no means all successes. Hazard is starting his second season after an impressive first one where he's being asked to do a lot of new things. People need to be patient, much like United fans had to be with Ronaldo.

Exactly. He's a young lad and this needed to happen at some point. He'll learn from it and hopefully be better next time. All this patronising 'rabbit in the headlights' bullshit isn't necessary.

Starting to really come into his own when given the chance at the number 10 shirt. Works hard for the team, is strong, has vision and the ability to finish. Too much concern about Mata is obscuring the unveiling of a potential new star.

First game, new system. He showed a lot of promising stuff last night both going forward and tracking back.

You at least work your bollocks off on the pitch like Oscar does every game. I like Mata. I like how he's a lovely bloke and at times he's looked Zola-esque but I can't remember a player so lazy in defence and so easily swatted off the ball. The other five AMs are dynamic, strong individuals so maybe he no longer fits what this team is trying to do. It's too early to say...but I must've been one of the only people in the ground last night who wasn't happy to see him come on.

Except for the assist for the goal...and that ball through for Eto'o to 'run' (as well as a 32 year old Eto'o can) on to.

Nothing new in the group stages...lots of tourists who need the words to songs printed out for them and a cattle prod up their arse.

Fair enough. Your point really isn't answering the larger point. Maybe you can answer the same question I put to Choulo - why isn't Mikel popular with the fans? Is it because we're too dumb to recognise his contribution to the team because it doesn't come in the form of 30 yard screamers and mazy runs?

I do want to read opinions, but you made assumptions about the Stamford Bridge crowd that were just wrong. I can speak to why Mikel has never become a beloved figure because I've seen it over years. You can just make guesses. Your guesses were wrong by the way. Back to the village with you. What season?

Not true in the slightest I'm afraid, and that's without referring to what kind of 433 or 4231 you're talking about or even the personnel you're using. Again, formations are complex things and what is a 433 in attack becomes a 451 in defence, whereas when we played 4231 under Benitez it would often become a 442 in defence. That's not 'my way' but just football.

OK. I would respond to the rest of that post, but you seem to be making assumptions about Chelsea supporters, another thing you simply don't know. I will add that the Stamford Bridge crowd has always been a knowledgeable bunch, respectful of players who did the dogged work. Honestly when you try and make assumptions about what they think, you're usually VERY wrong but that's not your fault.

It's really not that simple. Formations aren't static things, but that's really not a discussion for this place.

He was appreciated though by the supporters - it was Perez who didn't seem to understand how important he was. And that's not answering the question. Why has the STAMFORD BRIDGE FAITHFUL never taken MIKEL to their hearts? (I've put the most important words in capitals so that you don't veer off into talking about other teams and players, m'kay). Saying you don't understand why Chelsea supporters think something is a totally understandable answer by the way, so don't be afraid to say you don't know.

Choulo, simple question. Why has the Stamford Bridge faithful never taken Mikel to their hearts?

I asked him why he'd change it, he turned it into something it wasn't. No need for you to get all hysterical.

I didn't say it was a minor change. I said it was a change that impacts on every phase of the game. Wasn't even arguing, just trying to discern your logic for wanting to change the formation at a fairly critical point in the season. Apologies if having a discussion about football and Chelsea fucked you off.

So why bother changing it then? It's not like FIFA where it's simply a small change because it impacts on every phase of the game. Again, we have players trying to learn the new system and people just want to change it for no clear reason.

Where's the value in changing formation whilst the team are trying to learn a new system, right at the start of the season? Is this just a case of people panicking already?

In his early days he was a bit more reckless, but he's been a stroller for years. I think that's one of the reasons the fans don't like him, because he very rarely seems to give a fuck. The Rubin Kazan game was probably his lowest point in that regard. I agree with your other point, and I think that role requires more rounded players nowadays. Mikel is probably one of the more limited players in that role when he plays for us compared to his contemporaries at other clubs. Even at this club the young guys like Chalobah and Ake seem to be capable of doing far more in that role, although they're obviously just starting out.

Exactly. The arguments are usually that we supporters can't 'understand' Mikel's role in the team because he isn't dribbling past opponents or scoring goals from 30 yards, or that we just need to scapegoat someone. Mikel's defenders can never quite answer why Mikel simply isn't liked by the vast majority (in my own personal experience) of Chelsea supporters.