The only place to be

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.

Just that?

Exactly. That's why Chelsea supporters loved Makelele despite his role being 'tough to understand or appreciate' according to certain people. He wasn't flash but he did the dirty work efficiently and consistently. Mikel has a similar dirty job role in the team, but Chelsea supporters simply haven't taken to him in the same way because he hasn't been that dependable, reassuring presence. If he was, the Stamford Bridge faithful would absolutely adore him because we've always supported players who play in unfashionable roles, and that's something that some people simply don't understand.

That's not what you said. Either way, Chelsea supporters (and supporters in general) were able to 'appreciate' exactly what Claude Makelele did in the team. They knew just how important he was, yet apparently they can't do the same with Mikel. Why is that? Maybe your premise is just wrong. Maybe you and a select few aren't blessed with a gift of being able to appreciate things 'many people' don't. Just a thought.

Is that all people, or just Chelsea supporters? How are you able to 'appreciate' these gifts when others can't?

Jose's responsibility is to the club, not a single player. Mata had a bad game, there are other players deserving a shot so he gets dropped. No need to cry about one player.

Glad Mata is being dropped. His performance on Saturday was poor and we really missed Oscar. Maybe he's struggling for fitness, but we can't afford to underestimate Basel and play him. Maybe he gets minutes off the bench but players like De Bruyne and Willian deserve a chance too. He might have been player of the season for the last two seasons, but he can't live off those accolades.

Just seemed easier.

Well isn't that a little unfair, especially when your point is about stats without context?

Are you comparing a newly arrived player, completely inexperienced with the English game, with a player with about 250 appearances for the club?

Yeah, things aren't going to change. Like I said, the discussions are getting worse and the really interesting members are around less and less. That seems to be the answer so why fight it? Apologies if people think that's abrupt, pedantic or passive-aggressive but there's a Chelsea match on tomorrow and I'm not going to let a discussion about this site get in the way of enjoying that.

Others have received more for less, but again it's just reflective of this site. That's not a criticism, just an observation. Personally keyboard warriors are somewhat pathetic in my view. I think we all know that he wouldn't be quite that 'bold' in real life.

4

I agree certain members do feel they are above the law, but they're part of this clique that seems to be dominating the discourse of this forum. Henrique says stuff that winds people up, but we all do that at times. I have no doubt that in time there will be another pile-on where he's ultimately banned and a dozen members can just agree with each other 24/7.

So what was WHS punishment for calling two members a cunt?

Kinda agree. Look, football supporters will use foul language. But WHS has called two members 'cunt' in the last two days....how many warning points did he get for it? I'm going to assume none.

I've spoken to them face to face...that's how it works in the real world. You meet up with someone and rather than continuing to talk to them on the forum, you say stuff to them like 'would you like a drink?'.

I've met supporters from this forum at matches. Why does that make me a loser? Ultimately we're all Chelsea supporters so why wouldn't people meet up?

I do, and that's why I mentioned him. He's very mature and reflective of Chelsea supporters as a whole.

Have I called you names? If you want to do that do it in PM or face to face - doing it over the net really is pointless.

Again, he probably would have won an election but that's very much the same issue as the MOTM thing. It's becoming more of a teen chat site and less of a Chelsea supporters forum. CFCNet might look like shit, but the content on there is far more interesting and far more relatable to your average Chelsea supporter who wants to talk about Chelsea Football Club.

I also think WHS's avatar is disgusting - he's using the death of 39 fellow football supporters to take a pot at another group of supporters. If that is the level of discourse/humanity that the mods deem acceptable, desirable even, then again they should let us know. What's the defence for that Alex?

That wasn't pedantry....pointing out it wasn't is rather ironically, rather pedantic though. Rather than making one of the clique a mod, why not look to more mature members like Stingray, Muzchap, TorontoChelsea or Skipper one? It's the same problem as the MOTM issue - this forum is becoming something for a minority, and also a very small number of opinions.