Corner

I'm not sure if he is even going to get chemo? I haven't seen any reports on it. Sandro Rosell (Barca president) did say that Tito will be back as full-time manager within the next two weeks, so I can't imagine he would be getting chemo. You're welcome to prove me wrong on this though, as I'm not sure. And yes, Pep makes perfect sense. I'm not going to say why now but if you look back in the thread I left a post about why I think he would be great for us. @The only place to be made a great point earlier. He said that Pep would be unlikely to be sacked if we were to go through a blip for a month or so because if Roman sacks Pep, then who's left that's a better option? Roman has been chasing Pep for a long time now. When the likes of AVB and RDM were sacked, Roman still had Pep in mind (which is probably why he didn't hesitate).

There's no truth in that at all mate. Just some really childish speculation by the media. Vilanova is breaking records with Barcelona this season and has had more points in the first half of the season than Pep ever had. He's doing extremely well. It's highly unlikely that Pep is going to go back and Vilanova will become his assistant again. Barca don't need Pep and Pep doesn't wants a break from football, followed by a new challenge. Also, Tito is recovering very well and has been at the last four training sessions and was in charge for Barca's game last night against Espanyol. Sorry for quoting you by the way, I know you said not to. But I'm not arguing... just clearing things up I guess.

Rapha then.

Since when is purposely handling the ball considered 'making your own luck.' It's flat-out cheating, and that's all it is.

It has already happened mate. It was inevitable though. People were always going to react that way.

True, there probably have been a few over the years that have grown tired of it. But do you think Drogba thinks to himself before going to sleep every night: 'I really wish we had less managers.' I'm willing to bet he thinks about all of those trophies, most importantly the CL.

Mansfield are all over Liverpool. Suarez getting ready to come on though.

A lesson to the board? What do you think is going to happen? Sturridge is going to become a legend and the best striker in English football, and the board will be kicking themselves? Highly unlikely. The board are never going to regret the decision to let Sturridge go. It was a good piece of business. And while I agree that he should have been given more chances, he has always been a player with more arrogance than potential.

I wouldn't feel too sorry for them to be honest. I doubt they even feel sorry for themselves. Look how many trophies we've won over the past 10 years and how many winners medals they've picked up.

I hate that stupid dance he does.

I guess the hatred for Barcelona is bigger than the hatred for Liverpool/Benitez on here. It's the only plausible explanation that I can think of as to why anyone would think Benitez is more suited to us than Guardiola.

It's no secret that Abramovich has been chasing Guardiola for the past while and he's going to do everything he can to get him. We bought a bunch of technically gifted players over the summer and we're moving further and further into the direction of possession football. Guardiola had previously stated that he was a big fan of Oscar and wanted to bring him to Barca. What does Abramovich do? He buys Oscar. The squad is bring trimmed down and the players he once had a lot of influence in the dressing room will be gone (Lampard, Cole etc.) It's rumoured that Abramovich doesn't want any players with too much influence so that the next manager (Guardiola in this case) will be able to stamp their own mark on the squad and build world-class team. The club is focusing a lot more on youth now and it's only a matter of time until we see more and more academy players breaking into the first team (which will be a big advantage if FFP does come into play). We have world-class youth facilities just to top it off. If there's one man who knows how to instill a philosophy and style of play at a club, it's Guardiola. He has proved that much at least. Investing in youth is now more important than ever, and not just for top clubs like Chelsea. It saves a lot of money over a long period of time and for the first time, Chelsea are focusing on abiding by FFP rules (the club released a statement to announce this fact). Guardiola has said before that he would like to manage a club in England and that England has always been a major attraction for him. He's currently spending a year in New York so that his kids could learn how to speak English before they make the permanent move to England. Looking at the clubs who could afford Guardiola, there's Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and possibly Arsenal (although I can't see Arsenal breaking their wage structure). Guardiola's agent has already said that he will be looking for a job in the summer. Ferguson has announced that he will not be retiring for another few years (and it's highly unlikely that he will be sacked), so that rules out Guardiola going to United. Manchester City still seem to have faith in Roberto Mancini and unless they don't finish in the top four this season, I can't see Mancini being sacked. City still have a long way to go to meet the regulations of FFP and they can't afford to sack managers here and there like Chelsea have been able to. That leaves Guardiola one option: Chelsea. A team that is brimming with talent, can offer him the freedom to build whatever kind of team he wants and one hell of fat contract.

It would be even more of a treat to see Ba playing up top and Torres on the bench.

Sturridge scores after seven minutes.

Chelsea will be away to either Southend or Brentford.

Also, is anyone else surprised that Benitez is joint second in this poll? Strange.

That's your opinion and all... and I respect that. But why does everyone keep saying Pep doesn't want to come here? There hasn't been anything that he has said that suggests this. I actually think it's highly likely that he will come here. Everything is set in place for him to be manager and it seems inevitable at this point.

Guardiola gets my vote without hesitation. I've stated many times on here why I think he is the best option, and @The only place to be pretty much summed it up perfectly. If our bid to get Guardiola fails, then I would like to see Klopp or Bielsa (even though he is insane). Klopp is an amazing tactician, is great at raising youth prospects and gets on great with all of his players. Pretty much exactly what we need in terms of a long-term manager. And Bielsea, well, need I elaborate? I've heard that Manuel Pellegrini is also on our 'back-ups to Guardiola list' as well, and he wouldn't be a bad appointment at all.

An extra match for Swansea then... this is good for us.

You and me both mate.

Michu, you fucking legend!

If we were to buy Isco, I could imagine us loaning out Marin instead. Isco is miles ahead of Marin as a player and could play a big part in our team straight away (if we were to sign him).

If that means Ba starting against Stoke, I can live with that. I'm pretty sure we can beat Swansea even with Torres on the field, but I don't think we can beat Stoke with Torres playing instead of Ba.

Congratulations Spike!

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