Barbara

Can you see the word think in the sentence? I don't know in Hong Kong, but around here 'think' means something you guess will happen, not a fact. He's an amazing player - something I don't think Moses is btw - and I said I think he'll prove himself in the team. Should I draw now, or it is clear enough for you? Also did you ignore the part I said that André and Kevin alone proved they fit the team better or were you only worried about nitpicking (badly)? I think he fits better the team and is producing well - given this is his first season in EPL. He's bad on finishing, but he has created a lot for us. Also I saw the post about the Brazilian thing... well, I'll have to ask you to do the same I asked the girl to do, and that is reading my post: I think Moses should leave because of André and Kevin alone. People were commentating on Willian so I did too. But if you want to think I'm being biased, be my guest. I couldn't care less, mate. I won't deny though Brazil has the best record on producing footie players in the history of the sport... just look throughout the years... the 5 WC titles might testify to that. Both Ronaldo's, Kaká, Romário, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Lúcio, Juan, and now Thiago Silva, Neymar, Dani Alves, Marcelo... I can't complain. But Chelsea have enough of them. Real Madrid and Inter could use some (or more) Brazilian pedigree. Because if I'm going to be labeled biased, I might as well be cocky about it.

my Oscar shirt was delivered today will take pics tomorrow

that must be why I can't understand half of the things he said after 'Ashely Cole was a winger'. But he does have a point. Except in Brazil. Kids in Brazil want to be the next Roberto Carlos (although of course, they'd rather be the next Neymar) because FB are seen as attacking players in Brazil (sort of wingers, but not quite) which is why most FBs that leave to Europe have to learn how to defend, but they can cross the heck out of everything. Which is why when I first joined here I suggested Kevin to replace Cole That's how we see the thing. A FB's main responsibility for the fans is attacking, linking up plays, making runs, crossing balls. Managers of course demand them to defend as well, but most of them will overlook the defensive deficiencies if they can perform well attacking. So yeah, kids here want to be FBs Nobody wants to speak like Jamie Carragher though

Every player that leaves us automatically becomes overrated so we can bash the board. If a player doesn't perform for us - or is inconstant, he might as well leave... maybe allowing them to go to EPL teams might not be the best deal because they can fit their system perfectly, so I'd rather not loan/sell for them. But fact is, Willian or no Willian, Moses had no place for us in our squad with both Kevin and André alone because both of them are much better than him. André has performing better than Moses did for us if you ask me. So I'm not going to complain the kid left. Maybe I'll complain he left to Liverpool, but he should have left, end of it. Willian is amazing and I think he'll end up the season either playing in the starting XI or being a super sub. Don't ask me who'll leave the team for that to happen, probably André or Mata.

some of the British accents are so annoying to hear... thanks God I don't have to hear Jamie commentating matches in Brazil.

Well if Mata (and the team) continue to perform like they did with Mata on, I guess he'll see the bench a lot of times this season. People are making a capital mistake by giving Mata the credit for our last 30 minutes. Mata did absolutely NOTHING in the almost 60 minutes he played. Oscar amounted the same in the 30 minutes he played. The reason why we dropped after the subs was because Schürrle - not Mata - was subbed. Schürrle is the guy that was more involved in our attack - along with Eto'o. In 60 minutes Mata took part of one successful attack play in the middle of the first half. That was his contribution. Oscar was just the same. Mata is very creative and he has the best vision in our team. That's about it though and if he doesn't deliver the creativity he's a liability because he's slow, small and can't defend for his life. Some people would rather keep him in the team because you never know when he'll work his magic with a great pass or even scoring. In the 200 minutes he played for us it haven't happened while all other AM we have had produced many key-passes and a couple of assists and goals. Also it's easy to blame Mourinho, but it wasn't Mourinho who tired him out for 2 years, it wasn't Mourinho who caused his injury during the pre-season, it wasn't because of Mourinho he was completely unfit during the Aston Villa match and Mourinho has little or nothing to be blamed for his more than forgettable match against Everton. Mata isn't playing what he used to. He admitted this injury was the first in his whole career, so who knows if he needs time or if he's lacking confidence to move. The former seems more likely as the injury was too light for him to be insecure about his moves. He's our most creative player, we need him, but we need him playing in high level... otherwise we don't need him at all.

I'm a very patient girl... I'll work with the free transfers because I want to change only 2 players, so I'll wait a couple of weeks and do the transfers I want. My team isn't bad... it's just not yet what I want. I want to change the reserve goalkeeper - it has to be my main goalkeeper direct substitute so if McGregor is injured, I won't be zero'ed I don't like my midfield much so I'll probably offload Hazard and Mirallas and get Oscar and someone else. I'm giving Hazard this month. If he continues to be pathetic in fantasy footie he's totally getting replaced. I already lost 0.2 on him, that motherfucker.

I'm doing terrible - as expected - but I refuse to use my wildcard. When I'm too tempted I resort to Ankit PM and he quickly convince me to let go. Actually the only reason I was tempted to use it is because there were two weeks without no football that matters - sorry but I hate international footie - so until the next break early in October, I think I won't be tempted to make drastic changes. And if Eden doesn't warrant me some points this month I'll drop him. Good for nothing 9.5 until now and I could have had someone else. He's already 9.3 and dropping - as really he's been awful fantasy wise so far. Robin is my eternal captain and Özil is going to be my eternal vice-captain. Forever and ever those two. And dear Giroud, I now have you, so please, keep it going

actually I don't mind the off topic - I'd be an hypocrite if I said I did - but people tend to think that Oscar is the problem and the reason why Mata is on the bench and under-performing so far. And things here lately get heated quickly, and it seems that there is a competition between the two of them. So I was thinking ahead and hoping to avoid another fall out - not between you and Jason, but others. I think Oscar is taking advantage because of what Mourinho prefers, but no one other than Mata (and Mourinho himself, of course) are responsible for what happened with the Spaniard this season.

Why do I click on Oscar's thread and all I can read is an ongoing conversation about Mata? Please move it there

there was a rant written and about to be posted... never mind.

I think he'll surprise many people this season... I even think I underrated a couple of things about him and I guess we're in for a surprise

Essien isn't even part of the CL squad I hope we start someone + Marco. I don't care if it's Mikel or Lamps. I'd rather Mikel, but I guess Mou will start Lamps. this is my preferred lineup Cech Azpili - Luiz - Cahill - Cole Mikel - Marco Kevin - Mata - Hazard Eto'o

I thought that was Manchester United... you know... the defending champions, at their turf and all. I'm mistaken I guess.

there are two things: the fact know Mata is quality and the fact that he's been lacking it ever since the Confed Cup. I personally ain't saying he's crap. It doesn't change the fact that he did nothing for us in two matches and did all but one good play in the Confed Cup's final... I don't know what the problem is, he wasn't injured during CC - maybe tired, but not injured. I think with time he'll go back to his usual, doesn't change the fact he's been invisible - to say the least - in the two matches he played. Kevin had one good match and a so-so match. The fair thing would Hazard being treated by Mourinho like everyone else, but he isn't and Mourinho said in his post-match interview that he thinks Hazard is going great (I don't know which matches he has been watching except for the Bayern match and a few good plays that wouldn't make a 10m vid. But as Hazard has preferential treatment because he's Mourinho's untouchable, it leaves Kevin with option to play only in the right where he has Willian and André for competition. André played better than Kevin if we sum all their matches. If we compare their best displays, Kevin first half against Hull was better than André against Bayern imo, but André has been more constant as he played well in other matches while Kevin wasn't necessarily good against ManU and when he seemed to finally be improving, he was subbed. Anyway, it's too early for most of our players. Some because they're adapting (Kevin, André - and Eto'o and Willian will go through the same), others because they're still to find their best form (Mata and Eden). We need time.

are you for real? I honestly can't say because the lack of sense confuses me...

somehow I missed this post, Thomas, and as usual I agree 100% with it. Perfect assessment. except that it wasn't him who produced that... the best players we had upfront in my opinion were Eto'o, André and Ramires. Mata had missed passes 3 meters away from the guy he was passing to, he didn't create anything - except for one nice play I remember, he held the ball and most time did nothing with it. So yeah, we created chances while he was on the pitch... simply because André left at the same time he did...

a summary of what he said by the end of the match. I agree with most. He did made a mistake with the André sub imo. Something any manager in the world does once in a while. Some more often than not.

came here just to post it, and then I find you requested it I'd be afraid if I were the guy he was screaming at. He looks like a psycho ready for the kill in the second - and I say this lightly, as a joke, so don't take those words seriously

I think it wasn't one of his best matches, but the disgraceful, pathetic or whatever were the other three adjectives used seem stretching it a bit. Something I always praise him about was off today: his long passes. When Everton started to overcrowd the second third, he tried a few times, but they didn't go as he wanted - except one time if I remember correctly. He should have stopped with them then and admitted that he wasn't feeling the ball well today to make that kind of thing. Our defense looked sort of clueless in their positioning more than once and he wasn't the only one. It was a hot mess in 2-3 occasions. I had problems particularly with Luiz when he left the box and came to mark the guy in the flank while Everton was setting up the play. It wasn't counter-attack or anything, but when they were high in our field. He's a CB his main responsibility when the opponent is retaining possession in the attack and looking for a break is inside the box. I don't like when he goes outside the box, especially too close to the side line because Terry is slow - although normally good positioning. This is Cole and Ivanovic jobs helped by Hazard and André/Ramires. It happened a few times in the second (early in the second). It bothers me. What doesn't bothers me is when he goes higher - but still through the middle, trying to anticipate and intercept. He's an aggressor kind of CB, not the one that sits deep and waits to tackled. I like it that he steps up going 2-3 meters out of the box - in the middle - because he has a high rate of interceptions there, and it's easier to recover if he fails, there are normally our double pivots there and when Oscar is playing he's closely by, so David can try and anticipate taking matters on his hands. But please don't go to the flanks mark their wingers and FB because leaving only Terry (and Cole or Ivanovic depending on which side he's moving to) is a liability, not only because of Terry, but because normally there isn't someone to quickly cover him because the other players aren't too close to the box and it's one thing to have Oscar for example tackling a few meters outside the box, another completely different is expecting him to enter the box and mark a striker for example.

wow... I came here to post about his match today and maybe have a debate with you guys about us using a 4-1-4-1 with him being the holding DM '1', but I came across the weirdest posts posted yesterday (09/13). I don't even read beyond page 180 because it seemed I was entering the Twilight zone... Anyway, the 4-1-4-1 thing. It doesn't make much sense, I'll be the first to say, but he was good defensively today - as he is usually - that I thought maybe that would be the solution for our AM in some matches and a good alternative for when the 4-2-3-1 isn't working (I'm still convinced our players fit better a 4-3-3 formation than a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Mourinho will insist on the latter) What if we play him ahead of the defense and ahead of him Hazard - Oscar - Mata - André/Willian/Kevin and a striker ahead of them. Oscar and André are options against more dangerous team as they have impressive work rates - like for example ManUtd as their midfield wasn't exactly threatening. Willian for matches when we need a fast-dribbling player in the wing (some of our home games against weaker sides that will sit deep against us) and Kevin for the matches in the between of both scenarios (matches against mid-tables teams at home or cup games) . It does sacrifice both Ramires and Lamps at once (reason alone why it will never happen, sadly), but this is not something I think we should play at all matches, but when we want to bring something different, have an unexpected game play or fix matches that aren't going our way. It could have been the case today as I see Everton the kind of opponent that we wouldn't miss much having only one player in the pivot. There was so many players Barry could mark by himself especially if we have both Oscar and Mata in the middle. As I said, as an alternative, not our most used formation. I can envision it working and the only CM that could make it work for us is Mikel.

I keep expecting and saying to myself: today is going to be the day Eden will flourish... I keep being disappointed *sighs* but I'll wait patiently because I know the day will come. He needs help not to find himself stuck between 2,3,4 players all the time, and he also needs to just step up and face them off a few times. yeah, if I had to blame anyone for the lack of link up it would be Cole, but also Oscar and Mata. It's not only the LB that can link up with him, but also the CAM and even the striker. I think there are two issues right now: he's not confident enough (or whatever is the reason) to pass by opponents, by dribbling or running (preferably both) and he's too isolated in our left side, except when he's near the corner. Players should approach him a bit higher - by the upper corner of the box and link up with him there. So I partially blame him and partially blame the rest of the team that seem to just expect him to work his magic and simply get rid of 3-4 players all by himself. ITA. That's what I mean in the posts I had earlier the week. I want to see a bolder Eden that isn't afraid of facing off the opponents. He's been playing sub-par to his own level, but somehow he still accounts to himself at least MOTM 15 votes for each official match we played this season

higher work-rate than Oscar? I'm not even sure his work-rate is better than Schürrle's - who is a very tactical player, mind you. I'm the head of Kevin's fanclub, I like him a lot, but there's a reason why he plays better than Hazard - who is much better a player - in Belgium NT and only there. Different games plans, different players, also different leagues. NT football is much easier to play (if you're talented of course) than EPL. He had a great first half against Hull and was invisible in the following match he started (although he showed some improvement in the second half just before he was subbed). So I don't take into account whatever he does for Belgium NT - especially against the likes of Scotland, Serbia and other light and weak sides they play. I've watched the France match - and France is far from their best, really, really, really, really far, but still better than what Belgium have been playing in the qualifying - except maybe for Croatia, but if that's the case it's close and Belgium struggled more than I expected in that match. Don't particularly remember how Kevin did then, but I guess the lack of resemblance might be saying... That said, I think he should have been used instead of Lamps which led Ramires to be moved to the wing. He needs more matches to get used to the league. I think he's one of our best players in theory and I can't wait for that to become reality - and given how Hazard has been playing for us maybe he might outshine Eden here as well, because I liked the best of Kevin much more than I liked the best of Eden for us this season so far, but it's too early to tell. I just disagree immensely about the work-rate comment and the fact that playing well for Belgium NT (or any other NT, really) should be the reference when the kind of football played in WC qualifying can't differ more from EPL

dude this is his first match ever in EPL... the same is to be said about Willian, was about André, and will be about anyone who comes from other lighter leagues. How about in January if he still can't find his right feet then you bring this premature as heck argument? Today he was much better than Torres + Ba + Lukaku in all three previous EPL matches, so I guess it's one step forward. Gosh these threads really are annoying at times... most times when we don't win.

I think he's the player that worked the hardest there - which he also did in other matches. Can we give the lad months to adapt? Yeah, his finishing is lousy more often than not, but he has time to improve it. He's so useful in many other things. I only voted on Eto'o instead of him because somehow I felt like voting for Eto'o. He missed chances, but at least he was there to create them and to have them - which is more than 95% of the others players we had today. When he was subbed I think he was in a crescendo, he was getting better and I would have kept him longer. We need him to play. Willian can warm the bench with Mata (what? it will happen, we all know it will, so preferences aren't even relevant) because we need André to start games so he can adapt and someone should send him a memo about extra training. The guys that have the best finishing around more often than not admit to go train finishing after the rest of the team leaves. He isn't as talented as Hazard or Mata - far from it actually - but I feel he's been more useful than both for us this season. Offensively and defensively. I'm very happy with this signing.