Barbara

It's not only what he says, but also what he doesn't say, Ron. "I had the feeling that it was the place to come and grow as a footballer." So Chelsea isn't, I suppose? If he wanted to say in general he would have said a place to come and grow, but when he said the, it means here wasn't. Roberto has been very influential. He is someone who knows football very well and he’s someone I can develop under as a player. He lets us play good football This 'he let us plays good football' is a jab on Mourinho's spread antifootball approach some insist on propagating. I told them very quickly that I wanted to work under Roberto and play at this club Again, the main thing here is I want Roberto. It's all okay if he thinks Martinez is better than Mourinho, but it's so clear he wanted to send a message when he insisted on talking about it. The veiled message is that Mourinho and this club didn't play good football or aren't as good as Everton and Martinez. Here I have the confidence in the technical staff and here I can develop and grow. Same as above. “I don’t have harsh feelings against Chelsea. They gave me the oportiutnity to come to England and the hopes of playing European football. Without them I wouldn’t be here, so I want to thank them as well.” This couldn't sound more half-arsed if he tried hard. If he wanted he could have focused on different things, but repeatedly talking about Martinez not personally, but professionally, never mentioning the fans, and when he couldn't find anything good to say about us he said about hopes of playing European football? The whole press conference is a festival of passive-aggressiveness or I'm reading too much in between the lines. There are ways and ways to praise a club, an environment and the staff. He's the guy who's implied for months that he left Chelsea because Mourinho made a decision about him and only when Mourinho said that he had a big mouth and said a lot of things except what really happened, he retracted and admitted asking the loan. It's a lie in my book, but others would say half truths. Choose your preferred, but given his record with his tongue, I think his agenda with this PC was very clear and he aced it, being subtle, something he must have taken express classes during his vacation on how to do it. Again, it could be my bias.

doesn't Jay play for Southampton?

I don't like having to be obliged to vote to a sub to have my vote for the MOTM counted. Matic through and through, but as I couldn't not vote, I went with Boga because I love the kid, but others were probably better. I just couldn't choose. Matic was simply Magic. Pun intended. The moment he was asked to play as the most advanced pivot player he showed nearly the same quality there as Cesc. Of course he doesn't have the same instinct to play those deep through balls, but when he tried them, it was glorious. He was everywhere, completely killed the game. One of our best signings in the last years (I believe Cesc to be the very best tied with Eden). Cesc didn't produce as much as a #10 as he did as a #8 the other day - or even in the 4-3-3 we played in the second half against Olimpija, but that doesn't mean he can't do well in the position. It's just that I think he offers something so special and damn good from the deep that it seems almost a waste to play him as #10 when we could give Oscar another try, or test Willian and Hazard there as well. Cesc isn't bad there, but he's much better as a #8 imo, as I've been saying for a while. It's only one match though and it's the right time for Mourinho to make those tests. Too bad the rest of the AMs aren't here for us to do other tests as well. Costa was amazing. He's been here for two matches and he's already proving me wrong about him and I'm so happy to write it. I don't rate him high but if he keeps the trend I'll do it rather quickly. He could have scored those two goals he assisted, but he went for the assist as he saw someone better positioned than him. He's a striker and one with great finishing, but he's still selfless and think of the team enough to pass the ball to someone better positioned even if he's in a great position as well. I would have never criticized him for taking the shot himself in either or both cases, but I'm sort of touched by his commitment with the team rather than his personal gain. Cech had ups and downs and Luís wasn't as good today as in the previous two. Actually he was a bit sloppy if you ask me, but that's all part of pre-season. It was good to see Eden and Thibaut in the bench and know we can count on them from now. There were a few negatives but I won't waste my time on them. This is pre-season, the players aren't on their best shape yet and the positives were way better. We pressed and played wonderfully, marvelously to homage one of their players (lol forever at someone named Marvelous). The team is starting to show some shape that will take some more matches to be carved, but I like most of the things I'm seeing and I know there's only room for improvement that will certainly come. And let's give a round of applause for Cesc Fàbregas - set-piece wonder. His corners and that goal were also glorious. It feels so damn good to be a fan these days, a lot of great stuff to talk about.

we've just bought Cesc Frigging Fabregas - at his peak, being homegrown too for 27m pounds. We've been making wonders in those deals. Simply wonders. well, isn't it a beautiful symmetric poetic parallel image from the 'New Didier Drogba'? Both had their last touches for us in an European final, against Bayern in penalties shoot outs. One came back - even if I don't approve technically, but my heart hasn't been happier since seeing DD wearing our shirt again - even if only the training kit. Now this one I don't expect to see here again.

as if he didn't fuck up the trust of the staff and fans at this club. He can go to hell for all I care. He's full of shit and someone said that it would took us longer to say shit about him that he'd say about us. And yeah, I'm not holding back at all. Rom, I respect dearly my elders, but sweetie, he didn't waste one sec to badmouth us and the club... I guess you may have been wrong about him.

thank God!!!!!! This thread has been one of my worst experiences in this website. Too bad it's going to be moved to the ex-players section and not locked up. The amount of shit that piled up against our manager, fans, board and whats not because of guy who spoke a lot of shit, who left because he wanted - when we may have needed him the most (bc of the HG status and as a #2 striker (let's not forget what Holland - representing the club - said only a couple of weeks ago about them expecting him to join). He won't be missed at all. Good riddance. I held back while he was still our player, but now that he isn't... he can fuck off.

Matic deserved that goal As for Costa, 2 matches, 1 goal and two assists (could have been three goals if he wanted) Amazing from him

I also think Cesc plays better from the deep Matic is doing the through balls Cesc did for us last match. Which is no problem for the team, but Cesc is much more useful and offers more impact from the deep than he did in this first half. His set piece - direct or assisting - are just huge. He's the biggest addition to the team this season. Costa is great - as we had some chronicle striker problem, but Cesc just bring us to another level of team for all he can do, including assisting Costa

I saw him destroying a great counter around 35-40 mark with a basic pass he couldn't make

and no more fasting, so it can't be the excuse

can you guys kindly share the links again? the one I have, the ifeed stops and goes every 2 secs

in theory yes, but in the pitch the others were better organized defensively. They don't seem to be able to move from their first third edit: and as I write this Cech makes a wondeful save, lol

Vitesse is clearly the weakest overseas team we've played so far in PS, right? We're playing way better than we did the last two imo - despite having Torres (and yeah he's the weak link) but Vitesse seem so poor

I honestly thought so. He's been far much better than I expected and that's not even a full match since his first touch for us...

#mybodyisreadyforcesc

Matic is killing it! <333 Our squad is beautiful and sexy football wise

I'll requote myself for that goal

Fàbregas set-pieces are insanely good. That corner was just in Iva's hair

u sure? look at the dates And as we're going through memory lane. I still stand by my words about Spain as well. It's not the young talents fault that del Bosque stopped in time and insisted with outdated tactics and didn't trust them.

I agree with everything you said. But faster players in the pivot (or FBs) would help us make up for our CBs slowness.I don't think Matic and Cesc in the pivot would jeopardize or compromise our defense, but Terry is very slow and Cahill isn't that fast either. If we're in the receiving end of a counter-attack with through balls, we could be in a precarious position. We don't need to necessarily play Ramires in those matches - if anything those are the matches we'll play with Cesc and Matic as for a team to play counter-attack more often than not they have to be set up from defense or at least have a high pressing system and the likelihood of small teams being successful in parking their buses and surprising our defense with pacey, lethal counter-attacks isn't that high. Now against stronger, attacking minded teams, we'll be less exposed to counter-attacks as we'll probably be the ones doing it. That's when I see Jose deploying Ramires - hopefully in the pivot instead of the wing - although the whole point of playing with Ramires in big matches is to add a defensive player in an attacking position anyway. Luiz's absence should help us here, as Ramires only moved to the wing because there was someone like Luiz in the pivot. I don't think it'd work as good with Mikel playing the Luiz role. At the same time I don't doubt for a second that Mourinho won't deploy Iva in the RB, Azpili in the LB and Luís in the pivot. I can already see us playing like this against City, for example.

and I don't think he ever will if he doesn't change a bit his attitude and has more drive as @Weckerz suggested. There's only so far your talent can take you if you're lenient (not on purpose) about your goals and how you get there. This is for his own good more than anything else. If he's capable of being more motivated (for himself) and driven and decides to move earth and sky to reach the highest of his ceiling, he'll be another level of player compared to where he could reach if he continues so... relaxed.

I'm not one to defend Mata's permanence. I think he had to go despite liking him as a person a lot and thinking few players in the world are as creative as he is. But I wouldn't call him a coward. It was a situation he was never going to win. Oscar wasn't the reason why he left (Mata is a better playmaker). He'd never fit the system and there isn't a system in EPL that he can fit without exposing the midfield behind him. He left because of inadequacy and that's different to giving up the fight. It was a lost fight and being the very smart guy we all know he is, he noticed it soon (and so did Mourinho). He leaving was a good thing for all involved, except going to a rebuilding United was a mistake imo. He should have left England, but in case he really wanted to stay, I think he chose the worst possible option among the top teams. Even with van Gaal here, the shortcomings of him as a player and athlete to play the EPL will be the same and a team being rebuilt not only in the management perspective but also with the players - a whole generation is being left behind - makes it all more difficult for him. I think for him personally going to United - even if he was granted more minutes - was worse than staying at Chelsea.

I thought so too - that's who I am, but well, maybe some of the people wouldn't skip my long-ass posts if I was brief. I could try to find some common ground. But I know what the problem is. I don't let people fill in the blanks - especially on internet. 1) because they may fill it in a way I didn't mean 2) they may not fill at all and not understand what I meant. I'm a teacher, I aim to be didactic even without realizing it. But the main thing is that I don't allow people to fill the blanks in their heads, I fill them all by myself. Yep, it's a risk that many variables could factor in. I don't feel confident and I'm not as convinced Torres+Didier is better than Etoo+Torres+Ba (as the probem presents itself if Costa doesn't play or produce). I guess it's too risky and it could waste all the perfect signings we did and the team's chances in winning tittles, and not only fighting til the end for them.

ok, it wasn't just a few. I mean it was a few, I only had 6 points to make (for a girl like me six is such a small number) but developing them wasn't as objective as it could. It never is, but I'll try for the sake of it. 1) Lukaku left afraid of not displacing Etoo, Torres and Ba in hopes of with more playing time he'd displace Benteke who's better than all those guys, Lukaku included. 2) He has attitude problems such as thinking of himself more than he should, wanting things given to him without him earning them when all he did was score double figures in mid-tables team. So did Ba. Also he was burned out after only three months of playing week in and out. So he wants what his body doesn't seem able to deliver 3) The comparison with Sturridge isn't a good one. We messed up with Daniel sacrificing him to keep an useless Torres. He proved here he could score and he's way better than Lukaku is (or could even be). We didn't treat Lukaku bad and letting him go isn't a mistake even if he scores as many goes as Daniel because he's a package that comes with bad attitude. Also a guy like him that thinks he's earned his spot when he barely featured for us and never played in a top team could disrupt a dressing room the same way paying a fortune to a 19yo FB can. It's a risk 4) He isn't either good or suitable for us anyway. He's suited for what mid-tables teams face defensively and he could struggle even harder against extra-defensive teams than Costa would do if our AMs have problems creating them clear cut chances. Neither of them is technical, except Costa is already much better. Offering 15 goals a season may not be worthy all the headache he brings because players such Oscar and Schurrle should be bringing each almost as much if in form. We've been surrounded of so many bad strikers that 15 seems nice when it isn't enough for a striker 5) If he leaves it'll either his decision or the club's - if not a combination of both. In either case I trust Mourinho's assessment of allowing (or wanting) it to happen. I even agree and I'm not a world class manager... 6) The problem isn't letting him go. The problem is staying with only Torres and DD as backups to Costa - who could become injury prone, we don't know. And as we're at it, let's try to get a young prospect, with a different set of skills, more technical, that could not only offer around the same amount of goals as Lukaku, but also offer different tactical options. There, I've done it. It may have been succinct and even had the same effect. But I don't feel accomplished. Actually I feel like my tits are shrinking and in the place of my lady parties a dick is growing. A girl needs her words!!! objectiveness isn't part of our world. But at least I guess I could do it if I tried It was fun doing that. Should I keep the style? I'll make sure to do other things live to remind me I'm a girl and not a boy

1) You're undermining the role he could have here. Torres and Ba started matches... Torres too many. If Lukaku proved he was a best scorer than they - which isn't that hard he could have started many matches. Who said he was destined to play 10-15 minutes for a whole season? I've never expected him to be a super sub throughout the whole season and that the fear that made him move. For someone that believes he's so great he doesn't have proportional confidence in his game. It's almost like he has to convince us with his words because in the pitch he's not sure he will. You misunderstood my point about Benteke, what I meant is that he's much better than all the three mentioned (Lukaku, Torres and Ba) although he isn't an Aguero, let's say. I may even like him better than Costa as I'm not that much of a Costa fan... 2) Again with the assumption he wouldn't play. Last season he would have played a lot of minutes. This year with Costa it's more difficult, that's why last year was his chance and HE wasted it. And yes, he's 21. Why should he have more than a few minutes until he gives José a problem about who should start. You talk of him being 21 as if he was 25. A 25yo has to start every match because he's at his peak, a 21 has to grab every chance thrown his way. Sorry if this offends you, but you seem to think a lot like he does, and that's my problem with him. You earn things, you aren't handled them. A 21 has to prove his value and fight, that's how at age 24/25 you have a guaranteed place, because you fought for it, you worked for it. Lukaku hasn't done that in a top team yet and he will have to do it somewhere if he wants to reach the top. 3) It's not even about being better (although he is better, but he's also older). He was sacrificed for Torres. That was our main mistake. He's scored goals while being here while being second to Didier and Torres (sometimes he was third actually). We made a mistake, we had a gem but we sacrificed him for some blondie. You can never predict precisely a player's future. I didn't expect him to become so good so fast after he left us, but we treated him really badly imo, something we haven't done with Lukaku yet. 4) He does have his qualities, I said as much, but the last one you mentioned is that kind that he isn't willing to offer because to play against tired defenses he has to be in the bench and he (and you seemingly) thinks what he needs now is to start matches. What he needs and what he deserves can be completely different things. 5) Nothing to say about it. we definitely agree on that. I like Rodriguez he would be perfect. We already have 20 non-HG players for 17 spots, if we let go of a HG player we need to replace him with another one. I'd say bring Jay. It doesn't matter much of who (as it can hardly get worse than Torres), but the profile. A younger player tutored by DD and even Costa, willing to fight his space in the team with some quality will already help us immensely. Of course it can't be a guy that doesn't seem to be promising, but I mean we don't need another WC striker.