Barbara

While possible language could Eden and Diego be talking while cracking up like that? Serious question, lol

Also for the sake of the tests and resting some players that already have had too many minutes during PS, I'd rather see a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 with two strikers with Costa and Schurrle in the second half rather than see Torres + Drogba. Call me completely unexcited for this match. As I have a few stuff to do, including have lunch, I'm now leaving and will catch the end of the first and the second.

I'm tired already of pre-season in all honesty. With a few leagues starting, a few super cups in some countries, I'm more than ready for us to have official matches...

5m euros? Isn't that too cheap even for Marin? How much did we pay for our very own-Messi, pre-season prodigy again? The black stain in the otherwise flawless work the board has been making the last three seasons with our new signings. I'm not complaining about the board at all, it's nearly impossible to hit all targets, but this guy has been a huge letdown.

Yep, Mourinho had Maicon and Marcelo playing as very offensive fullbacks, especially Maicon - who already defended well when Mourinho arrived (Marcelo was much worse than he still is currently). As Maicon has always been very resilient and had tons of stamina too, he used to run the wing up and down the whole match, but if we could find some stats about it (maybe they even exist) I think Maicon probably had more crosses under Mourinho than any other time in his Inter career. Cambiasso mainly, but also Stankovic or Muntari or Chivu (depending on who was playing) offered a lot of cover for Maicon while he was bombing forward. The pivot players were more fixed and Maicon was more free to attack. It worked pretty well and I think what Mourinho did with that Inter team is almost as impressive as winning UCL with Porto. Inter were dominating Italy for a few years because of what happened to Juve, but they were completely irrelevant in the UCL (just like all Italian teams are right now - Juve included) and Mourinho completely changed that for two seasons in a row.

but it also says a lot about us last season as the first half against the Sainds was one of those matches that looked like we were never going to score. Those things has to be taken into consideration too. If we have a tough match - even against a 4th division team, for whatever reason - and don't look like winning it for one hour, whoever completely changes it for the last 30 minutes deserves some credit than just 'it says more about Southampton than us'. Also, Southampton had great moments last season - not saying one of them was against us - they weren't that bad at all. Consistency is a general problem with ALL our AMs if people haven't noticed it yet. Oscar had it, Hazard had it, Schurrle had it and the one who had it less often was Willian - although we can also say that considering their best performances and consistent streaks, he was also the less shining. One because he really doesn't have that great end product we discussed on his thread, two he was following the manager's instructions and performing his tactical role. At the end of the day those are all boys coming to their peak age - except Willian - who had ups and downs during the season and offer completely different things. I wouldn't be surprised if they still have some inconsistency issues even this season. It's a progression in their development curve and they aren't fully developed yet and I don't expect them to be 100% already this season (based among other things on how often they were unimpressive or downright bad last season). And because they offer completely different things, they're all very important for us. Whoever reaches the consistency they all need first or at least extend their good streaks further, will be more present in the first team, but even them, depending on the kind of tactics Mourinho wants to deploy, Oscar, Willian, Schurrle, and even Cesc and Ramires will alternate in the CAM and RW positions as no matter how he performs, Hazard is already an untouchable in the team (as he should imo). It's time for all those three young AMs to step up, and take a big step in their development, and if they do it this season, we'll be happy and very dangerous, as a team with Hazard - Oscar - Schurrle is completely different from Hazard - Willian - Schurrle or Hazard - Oscar - Willian. I really want to see Schurrle - Hazard - Oscar or Schurrle - Hazard - Willian a few times though. Just because Hazard is a must in the first team, it doesn't mean he has to have a captive place in the LW. There will always be the position Schurrle shines the most imo and it's only fair to give him a few matches there.

No, just no. I agree about Eto'o, but Ba is as useless as Torres with a few differences...

they're boots actually, the pants are covering it (totally forgot you have a thing for shoes ) Thanks! Nope. My bf doesn't dance at all. (also as I said the other day, he's 7 years younger than me, Luciano - the guy in the pic - is my age )

yep, that's what I meant unorthodox. As usual my brains and fingers didn't agree when writing. Wouldn't be the first time even yesterday, but thanks for correcting me.

who is Chris Mada? But, no, that's definitely not him whoever that is. that was so funny. I bet he isn't as funny and smart as you though Thanks! As for the heels I can't live without them and my boyfriend HATES them because I wear some very high ones - definitely higher than those. I bought a few new (very cute) pairs of shoes with lower heels so he doesn't feel bad about himself. I'm already 1.72 - won't bother to convert into feet - so I'm generally higher than 1.80 with my fave shoes on. And you're very cute, Lex, I agree with whoever said you grew some years (physically) and it suits you well.

having some fun dancing a typical Brazilian country party - if you could call it that

once a Blue always a Blue. It's incredible how this club captivates the players and earn their love. Everyone just love being back here, being in touch with the staff. If they could I feel like all players would want to work here after they retire. And this man's beard continues to be one of the most epic things in football. #respect

how did I miss this live?

Yeah, with the latest kids being added to the mix and having had some impact - good or bad, depending on who - not much attention has been paid to him, but your point is perfect. Once again deployed in the pivot, once again didn't compromise and had a solid match alongside Matic. Maybe it's wishful thinking or bias on my part, as I've been a broken record about a midfield with Matic, Cesc and Oscar, but I think Oscar's presence already made the Matic/Cesc pivot look better. Many times Oscar simply dropped deep and allowed Cesc to run higher. It's so natural for Oscar to do that which is why I've been saying since the beginning that he would make up for Cesc defensively and Cesc would maek up for him offensively and they would improve each other. Now I only need to know if that really happened or is if I'm seeing what I want to see

I actually think Oscar is better than Willian and that Schurrle is in better form than both. But those comparisons are harmless, as they're all CFC players and whoever is in better form or fits the tactical plan better for certain matches will play. So we're good, it's good to have three players so different, but also with great qualities to them. Comparing our AMs will always sound okay for me because at the end of the day they're all here and Mourinho knows who's best for each moment and situation.

Actually nearly everyone was - even the ones being so critical of him now. Go read this very same thread at the end of the season. Many rating him lower only than Hazard among our AMs which depending on how we set up the team and given some of his performances in all big matches he took part and in other matches as well, was actually fair. I don't know why he's now one of our most incomprehensible signings. His lack of end product is frustrating, but mainly because he's way too talent to have suck little output, but tactically this man is IMMENSE. When you talk about him as a whole, overall, a lot else has to be taken into consideration and people here used to do that until a month ago. Now he's crappy, trash, same level as Ramires. He's still a very useful player that will set up the stage for others to shine, that will work his ass off for the manager and his teammates and who's tactically committed and nearly flawless. He could be a player of another league if he had better end product, but he's still a very good and useful player either way.

actually I feel we're ahead of Dortmund for sure (even if now most of their injured players will be fit again, but then we don't know how many of them will stay) and maybe even ahead of Barcelona. Yeah, they now got Suarez, but we all know he struggles in the big matches when he faces high level defenses. I don't feel like they're much better than they were last season and despite being runner-ups in La Liga, the Madrid teams were very focused in the UCL (Atlético actually divided it sort of) and still they didn't look impressive. I think they'll get better with Neymar better adapted and a better manager, in addition to Suarez, but I think our new additions still put us a step ahead of them. Domestically we're a bit behind City imo because of their depth in the striker department and having one season with most of their players (while we did add a few key players that will get some time getting used to one another and producing their best level) and I think Real was a great team last season already. Now is anyone guesses, as they were a bit all over the place (as usual) with their signings. If they keep their level, let alone improve it, they're one step ahead of everyone else imo. Bayern under Guardiola lost a lot imo and is overrated by the lack of competition Bundesliga provided. They were humiliated by RM last season and aren't nearly as convincing and deadly as they were under Heynckes.

injured - seemingly a minor one.

he can improve a lot his end product, but yeah, he isn't as bad as been made out to be last page. The comparison to Ramires and Wright-Philips were embarrassing, in all honesty.

I actually agree with all this, which is why I agreed with Hamilton's post after mine too. I wrote it (I guess in Cesc's thread a few weeks ago) that one of the guys that would benefit the most with the new additions (if not the most of all) is Hazard. Back then I said that it was very easy for teams to throw 2-3 sometimes even 4 players to mark him because opposition knew he was our only source of creativity for a while (especially when Oscar's form dropped). So it makes it very easy for opposition to mark the only relief valve when everyone else weren't that dangerous. Now we have Cesc offering assists, Diego Costa being an amazing target man, Schurrle having one season under his belt and being much more dangerous and that will alleviate not only the pressure on Hazard, but also the man-marking on him. If today a team deploys 2-3 players on Hazard, first, they'll probably leave Luís alone to link up and provide a cross or pass to a player coming from behind at the end of the box (the list of good finishers there is nearly endless with Cesc, Matic, Oscar, Schurrle, Costa, etc). Even if Luís is not there or isn't the first one to receive the ball it means Costa and the other two AMs and one between Cesc and Matic coming from behind are left completely unmarked or marked by only one player (in many cases from distance, if they're close to one another, as if the same defender was there to cover both of our players). So I have no doubt he will benefit from that and he will be more active, will produce better stats and will contribute more with other things that stats don't tell - such as the pass before the assist, providing space for others, 2x1 plays, etc), but if he doesn't step up mentally, forging a winning-at-all-costs mentality, he won't reach his potential, which would be a waste, even if he starts offering better stats. It's not only about him having more real impact in our matches, but when you see a gem like Hazard, you just want them to fulfill their potential because it's hard to find a guy that has the talent, the technique and the brains like he has. Those guys are special and not easily found, but I feel like he doesn't have an attitude compatible and I hope being a winner like he is, Mourinho is able to influence him.

as Skipper describes Diego Costa, he has an unorthodox style. I see Oscar also having one for an AM, especially one with such a small frame. He has his trademark way to pass and to shoot - you can shadow a match, covering all guys with black ink and you'd still be able to tell who Oscar is for a certain kind of touch, pass and just the way he moves. He's that kind of guy that you look and give nothing for him, think he can't offer much, and then he just does what he does - either offensively or defensively.

if he's in a goals drought giving passes like he gave for Salah and Matic at the other game (instead of going for the shot himself) and linking up well in general as he did in all matches he's played for us, it's still a great addition. And I must admit, I had a lot of doubts about this guy and I made them clear. Pre-season isn't the time to judge a player's capability (Marin anyone? Hazard anyone?), but I'm sold. All the reservations I had about him he already proved me wrong, very, very wrong. If he'll fit, if he'll struggle with the league, if he'll go through a goals drought are different matters all together, I'm not saying those things won't happen, but I can easily say my reservations with him are done. And I nearly committed a crime, a real atrocity when I said he and Lukaku were the same kind of striker. They look like the same kind of strikers, but Diego offers a set of skills I didn't see coming (or didn't know about) and that I don't think Lukaku can offer (at least not yet). I hope to never read again that he and Lukaku are the same kind of strikers because they just aren't.

He was good today, nothing we haven't seen before. I don't think Oscar shows a lot of trouble early in the season, although we don't know for sure how fit he is - whether he's burned out or not - or how confident he feels after the humiliating two last matches in the WC and those things could impact his early form. But it seems - and it could be premature, because the same way I can't define Willian for one match after a couple of training sessions, I can't define Oscar either - like he's back on track. I think he gave the stability we always talk about, especially in the midfield. He ahead of Cesc alternating with him when he had possession (going deeper), providing good passes in the final third and showing his usual good finishing, were all positives. He seems to link up with Luís and Cesc very well (so does Hazard) and he played in every AM position today (right, middle, left). I'm stubborn and I still want to see a 4-3-3 with him, Cesc and Matic and I hope that's one of the tests Mourinho is planning to do on pre-season. They showed a lot of consistency today in the midfield in the first half - which is why I can't understand mesousa's conclusion that our midfield was better with Ramires when it clearly wasn't (imo, of course). We were very strong, stable and direct in the first half, with a combination of Cesc great balls from behind, Oscar adding stability to the midfield when he we don't have the ball and being useful in the attack when we do, Schurrle being very direct and fast, Hazard having more space, as opponents were more distributed, covering those other guys and all on top of all that, Diego Costa ahead of them, sometimes having more space than opposition should give him (but then if they double mark him Hazard or Schurrle are probably with more freedom in the wings) and receiving good balls from almost all those players behind him. I think if Oscar keeps up this level and is able to play well through the winter, our first half formation with the exception of Cech/Courtois and probably Iva/Luís, is what we should be playing most of our matches the upcoming season.

lol, what do you mean pick a pass? He's one of the best passers we have. He fails with the end product, but he holds the ball greatly and he rarely is dispossessed, either passing or holding it. ****************************************************************************************************** I criticized him in the match thread, I criticized his shallow thinking earlier this week, but the amount of knee-jerk reactions, childish stuff that not even my four-year old students show on class when they're jealous of each other (and just to be clear, this comment has nothing to do with you, Tom) are laughable. All of sudden he's a terrible player - most of that over 45 minutes in his first pre-season game, after training less than a week. Instead of provocative, annoying and smart it looks just childish - really, really childish. The comparisons made here are also very much laughable.

I think he was better than he usually is, but to say our midfield improved with him in the second? That's crazy and something I can't see even if I try hard. We didn't improve our midfield in the second, actually the distance between the lines and his uselessness in the attack was what caused the match against Besiktas to look so much like last seasons. He was played in the wrong position imo and somewhere I hope to never see him again. If we're going to play 4-3-3 with him, Cesc and Matic in the midfield, Ramires CAN'T be the most advanced midfielder. He doesn't have the offensive ability to produce anything creatively and his passing accuracy is still his biggest shortcoming. I'm not saying he's bad (although I don't rate him too much), but he can't play there. Play him - if Mourinho must - against the strongest sides, but play him BY Matic side, not behind the attackers. We actually have a striker now and we have someone to linkup in the left and someone to play through balls from the deep. We need more quality in our front and that isn't Ramires.