The Big Drog

Thanks mate I didn't think it was on today, I have it on now.

I absolutely agree with all of that. Sturridge and Romeu also give us options.

Are Brazil playing today? I don't think they are.

A lot of problems. The first 2 goals in the game show the good and bad of Ramires. Great in the counter attack but then his dreadful control gives Brighton the ball and they score. Their second is dreadful defensively. The third is even worse. The 4-3-3 didn't work. The 3 man midfield is plodding, hard working but distinctly average on the ball. Then a lack of width and penetration down the flanks didn't help. I also don't think the 4-3-3 is Torres favoured formation. There are players to return. Mata and Oscar are so important to get integrated into the side as soon as possible. Romeu would be a good option in midfield and Stirridge is a very good option to have as a striker. On top of that there's Marin and maybe 1 or 2 signings. I think another quick winger and a technically good attacking right back are important to get into this side.

Bridcutt looks a better player than our 3 midfielders.

Meireles is so mistake prone.

Tbf with no Marin who else, that's available, could play right wing?

Where is Marin?

With no Mata or Oscar it's not that surprising that Meireles gets the nod. Encouraging to see Hazard out wide.

I think it's one to just enjoy. Hopefully we get a few strong performances, I'd like to see Hazard/Marin/Torres to all get a good bit of time on the pitch together. Let's remember that not everyone is fully fit and we still have some very important players to return.

I've got so much respect and admiration for Juan Mata. He plays so much football, Winter and Summer, his attitude is exemplary and he is incredibly talented.

I can asure you, there was tiki taka at the World Cup in 2010. Why were they lucky to play against Italy? It wasn't some random coincidence that Italy were in the final, Italy were in the final because they qualified from their group, they beat England, they sweeped aside Germany and they earned their place in the final against Spain. As highly rated and occasionally wonderful as Germany are, if they were that good then they would have made the final but they were a clear second best against Italy. That's mere guess-work. I think Sebastian Vettel will win the F1 drivers championship in 2014. What am I basing that on? He's a good driver, sure there will be other good drivers about and we wont know the circumstances which he and the est of F1 will be in come 2014 but Im still going to confidently back my prediction. Not content with predicting the future of F1, I've decided that Juan Martin Del Potro will win at Wimbledon in 2014, how do I know that? I just do. And finally, while I think Brazil, Germany and Argentina are all very talented sides who could win the World Cup in 2014, I've decided that Spain will win the competition.

Or this was a one off bad tournament. There are so many talented young Spanish players, all schooled in tiki taka(particularly at Barcelona) one poor Olympic tournament doesn't mean Spain are gone. They are the team to beat, the greatest team in the world.

I don't care, I like this man. He does a cracking job. And hail Roman, while Man Utd are dithering about whether or not to float Man Utd shares in the NY stock exchange, Roman is supplying is us genuine, top quality footballers while his club also secures sponsorship deals with wins the trophies necessary to beat the financial fairplay rules.

Very poor performance from the ref, Spain justifiably upset. Mata again did very well, created a couple of brilliant chances, one a dinked cross which Rodrigo contrived to miss. On the bright side we get Mata back early, definitely something to look forward to.

If Torres doesn't work out, he isn't the worst replacement in the world.

To end a debate, how do you properly pronounce his name?

Get that man to Chelsea quick! Awesome finish after great work from Neymar. He got better and better as the game went on. His whole game is so good, so mature and his decision making so good. I'll say it again, unbelievable signing by our club.

Excellent freekick.

His influence grew as the half went on. Not as much influence as the last game but you could probably out that down to how well organised Belarus are. He looks very dangerous when he drifts out to the right and, as expected, his touches and passes ooze class.

Mata and Oscar can't arrive soon enough, without them this could very well be labelled a 1 man team (Hazard, who was head and shoulders above the rest)

Agree with the CTV commentary, Ivanovic's positioning and decision making were poor there.

Has Jason Cundy completely forgotten about a certain Brazil number 10.

Why do people think he will play Meireles on the wing? It would seem pretty obvious that Ramires and Hazard will occupy the wide positions with Meireles as the number 10. Strong lineup, hopefully we get good performances all round. Looking forward to seeing Torres at some stage too.

If anyone can do the number 11 jersey justice it is Oscar. A completely different player to Didier but I genuinely believe he can have just as big an impact at Chelsea as Drogba.