Barbara

@Bir_CFC, I knew I had misspelled your member id! Too many letters that don't form a word my memory just skips. I enjoy your posts a lot, mate. You should definitely post more if you have the time edit: I don't think The Pub is a problem. It's only a thread, if you don't like it, don't go there. The thing lately it feels like The Pub style has been brought to other places... who wants to talk seriously about Chelsea is spammed with gifs and jokes, not to mention the members-wars that more often than not involve a poster from there. If you criticize it, boom, you're the anti-fun member who hates the pubbers. Which is not true in many cases I'm sure. There should be certain rules to allow the gifs only in the community board for example as it bothers people who don't really see the purpose (other than overload the server), the fun or whatever else in other parts of the forum. Also others have a slower connection and they slow loading a page a lot. The exception of course would be CFC-gifs related like goals, or when Mourinho kissed the badge during the press conference... but the joke gifs shouldn't be brought to the CFC board. Just a suggestion though. But the problem goes deeper than that imo, but maybe that's a first step... Another one would be going to a real pub to have some real fun

so I know I'm shameless to ask this - but for us living literally overseas it's hard to get a copy (if the packaging is terrible there, imagine until it arrives on brazil) but I'd love to read Oscar's interview and Mourinho's Q&A - so if it's not too much to ask, could any of you guys maybe scan those?

btw, if this about democracy I feel like the option "abolish the award" should have been included in the poll.

this, everything, but especially the bold. Just like in high school - and I wonder how much that influenced on this award existing in the first place - it comes down to popularity. Guys like Peace. don't feel the need to be popular and consequently isn't the kind of profile that will make it to the poll or win it. It's been quantity over quality as you suggested in your previous post. The Skipper is a guy who has both things imo. But I guess their main point here is that not only contributions about football should be taken into consideration. I think the staff should take it a little bit more seriously when many different people are complaining about how things are here right now and where they're heading and stop to think just for a little bit why is that. You're not the 1st, 2nd, 5th or maybe not even the 10th member I read complaining how things changed around here (in the last 3 weeks or so). Some quantified it saying the change happened about 1 or 1-1/2 year from now (I can't say because I'm here only for 3 months). More often than not those people complain about quality. I guess it's obvious what's happening and it seems it'll only get worse. But hey, at least it will be fun, right? The thing is I've never seen anyone saying the 'old days' here used to be boring or lacked fun. It's just a new trend that invaded it here and it seems like now it's supposed to be 'fun' (I can think of another word that would be more appropriate) more than it's supposed to be about Chelsea. It affected even the football discussions... I understand that the club became global in the last few years and that there are a lot of new football fans all around the world and it also has an influence, but I think it's the vision that is changing. At some point people won't bother to complain anymore and will leave. And then the least relevant thing - or among the less relevant things - might be football - which is a shame and also sad as this still is the best place to talk about Chelsea among the other CFC forums I know. And then the people like you who complained based in the past - or me who complains based on what it is now without a reference of how it used to be, but enough to know things are weird - are labeled many things. but I've never exchanged a PM with you or with any of the guys I've seen complaining about the same thing (Amels just had the same complaint a few posts after yours). We aren't a secret club targeting a certain group. It's happening for everyone to see, but then we're moaners, the anti-fun committee, the pretentious or whatever else I've read around (can't remember), but it's odd to see a place named Talk Chelsea reinforcing some of things being reinforced here lately. But nobody stops to think that people from different ages, from different countries, who joined the forums on different times are all complaining about quality... It seems people just roll their eyes and think 'there come the moaners' (or whatever), but won't stop to think the moaners are growing and they might as well as leave at some point... Also people shouldn't confuse fun with silliness and childish behavior. Though those three things may be easy to be mixed, they are not the same. and I see more of the last two than the first here... But you make a complain about the environment here and 10 people come saying you're whatever they want to think you are and don't even stop to think if your complaint makes sense in the first place... Also most people don't care about this poll. There are about 150 registered members (statistically speaking it's probably much more - just compare the amount of votes in the Man of the match) coming here every day and this poll has about 30 votes, sometimes 40 votes (like this month that was nearly 50 I guess). This is how much people care about an award that only exists in TC (at least I've never seen something similar in the many tennis, movies, literature, TV shows, Chelsea and football forums I've been part throughout the years). And before a word is said about 'this kind of post' I'm not here supposing I own the truth or that I'm better than someone else or whatever... it's just that people seem to overlook the many complaints in different threads and boards that are slowly spreading throughout the forum. I can't say for someone else, but I'm not against fun - and even some mild silliness (I'm the queen of silly, it would be contradictory to say I hate silliness when I'm a silly person). But Talk Chelsea is changing and I wonder if there will be a breaking point where it'll be less to talk about Chelsea in a realistic and thoughtful way than it'll be about something else... /rant edit: only after I posted I realized this thread already had two pages. So many quality posts here by zolayes, DDA, Amels, Term X. So yeah, it seems a lot of us still want to talk Chelsea mostly here... And one thing about the quantity... as I said The Skipper posts quite often and it isn't too much - sometimes I even want him to post more. (he isn't a babbler like me, although I really posted too much during my first month, getting used to the forum, getting to know people, etc... [it was a shameful amount of 1200 posts in one month and then 1100 split in the next two - and if things continue as they are, it'll be less and less]). So the quantity someone posts isn't a problem, it's what it's in those posts regardless if they're 70/day or 7/day. If TorontoChelsea, The Skipper, bir_c (I guess I misspelled it), Peace., DDA among others decide to post 100 posts a day I'll happily read them all. Sometimes I even re-read their posts and I've learned so much about football in those three months with you guys, for real.

now that's how a player who is professional and aware of his age behaves in a situation like this. I'm impressed by his maturity and patience. If we rejected loans on him is because they have plans for him, as they should!

the first good news coming from international football week.

Willian is a winger - or a striker (played like that on few occasions). When he played through the middle it was more often like a false 9, or a second striker than as a #10. He's a not what I would call a #10, even if plays through the middle. He belongs to the wings though and unlike a few players we have in our team that only have one foot, he has two football feet, which doesn't compromise switching wings during the match. Of course he's not terrible in the #10, but he's far from Oscar and Mata level, so why? That's the main reason he played in the wings or as a second striker in Shakhtar more than as a #10

it's 5pm and I've just arrived home. It took me five minutes to understand it. I completely forgot you're from Portugal, Well, I think the 3-4 players we may not have (compared to the first list of players called) may be less important than Cris not playing for you. Also you guys always beat us (lately) so it wouldn't be a surprise I just don't want Oscar to get a knock - winning or losing is the least important thing in a friendly 10 months away from the WC

yep

Oscar said after the match that he hopes to play against Portugal because according to him is an important match. He also said if today's was important he would have played, but the physios decided to give him a couple of days more of rest. He said he isn't 100% yet, but he's ready to play. I wish he didn't play - I really can't consider a match this far from the WC to be important, but I think he will play even if he isn't 100% fit. He said yesterday he was 50% and it continues to progress, so he'll probably be close to 100% against Portugal though I'm not sure when (tuesday or wednesday) the match is

thank you! I really like gifs now and then, but it's been completely overdone lately (among other things). I don't mind them in threads like this and in threads in the Community board (one I visit less and less), but in the CFC board sometimes they're annoying as heck... but you know, nobody will say it although a lot of people think the same. so I'm glad you did because of course, if I did it first I would get retaliated - I still will, but I won't read it either way depending on who it comes from. I also agree with the first part, it's a silly thing (juvenile even), but believe me some people take it very seriously... I remember I upset people with my first vote here. I always vote for The Skipper. When he wins, if this still happens (I still don't know if this month's is the last or not) and I still bother I'll vote for Peace. then. I love Peace.'s posts to the bits, but I decided to stick with The Skipper until he wins. And then I decided I wouldn't take part of the silliness anymore... but for Peace. I could make an exception thanks for the mention

yep

normally I'd rate it 6-7 out of 10, nothing exceptional, but still much better than when he left Brazil. Both Hazard and Oscar picked minor injuries. Hazard's seems a little bit more complicated as he said it's something that's been hurting him for months now, it went and came so I think it'd wise to give him proper time to heal, but I don't believe it'll happen. I have no idea what Mourinho has in mind and as a few guys - like Brazilian and English - have two matches in the international football break and won't come back until by the end of the week, I'd say we may see a few changes. Cech Ivan - Terry - Luiz - Cole Ramires - Lamps Schurrle - Mata - Hazard Eto'o He improved a lot on it since the season started. Some of the best work rates in the team currently imo

I think this season might be the most interesting in the past few years. There are too many changes and a hint of unpredictability is in the air. New managers, new stars playing for EPL. I'm really looking forward to the best league in the world - and it only keeps getting better

there's a reason why nor the club or the players divulge the information. I don't buy it from English media... or French... or Belgian or whoever else. This is confidential info anyway...

I have another concern in addition to them being fit in 10 days... they're important for their NT's (Oscar has no direct replacement in Brazil's squad - Hernanes may take the playmaker hole, but Felipão usually plays him a bit deeper) and Belgium is in the middle of a WC qualifying, even if they're leading their group. So I'm concerned the managers will decide to play them - because of their importance in the teams - and only worsen the minor injuries they have now. They should rest and properly let their bodies heal instead of making sacrifices... especially Oscar as Brazil is only playing a couple of friendlies. It's one thing to be fit enough to play - or in their case with manageable pain, another completely different thing is to actually be completely healed. I hope Wilmots and Felipão have common sense and are sensible about it.

well it already started with Oscar and Eden picking up minor injuries... squad depth is never a problem in my book. Never. Whoever (in the squad) is unhappy in the bench will leave... I mean, if others are better suited or just plain better, there's nothing the manager can do...

@, oh dear, which is why I said I sort of agree. Sort of being the key expression. I agree more people should be nominated (which is why I agreed with your suggestions last month), people that are never nominated because they aren't popular enough, friendly enough, funny enough. As I stated I have no problem with it being about popularity, friendly behavior, memes, or whatever else. I just said more often than not it isn't about football - which is odd, but not wrong. My feelings are more about the people being left out than the people being included. Some are here to pass time, others to talk about footie, others about Chelsea, others just to read, others to have fun, others to play the jester, etc... nothing wrong with any of that. I just find it odd people that talk about football are not mentioned much because this is primarily a football forum.

I meant Juan over Oscar thanks for picking it

I sort of agree with @Kojo. This might be the last month I even vote. It's more like a popularity contest than deciding a member who really contributed to the forum - and consequently something I don't take seriously... In my opinion there's nothing wrong with it being about popularity, or non-football related stuff, or just how friendly someone is, I just don't give much credit to this kind of 'award'. It seems more often than not this isn't about members who contributed with football stuff. As much as I like the Community board, the main reason I'm here is for Chelsea related stuff and so many members say a lot of interesting things, bring news related to the team, videos related to the team, and others write articles, and many of them never have their name even mentioned here. Which is a shame, really. So yeah, never took it too seriously, but after Alex's suggestion last month I thought it would maybe change. It didn't.

Translating: Chelsea's midfielder twisted his right ankle during the training session and had to retire from the activity According to CBF PR team his ankle is swollen and only within 48h they'll only be able to say if he'll play or not against Australia btw for those who might be interested... today he trained in the pivot - before he got injured.

my example using him and Kevin was completely random. I could have said Willian and Mata, or Eden and André. I just used the first two guys that came in my mind. As for Mourinho's decision... I think we can only guess at this point, as it's been only 4 matches so far - Mata is unfit and now Oscar is injured and Mata is a great player - horrible work rate, but amazing creative player. I'd start both, but I wouldn't be surprised if José decides to play Juan over Oscar. If I had to guess I'd say Eden, Ramires and Oscar are the three outfield players Mourinho likes the most although he trusts Terry and Lamps a lot as well. But maybe even liking Oscar more than Mata, maybe we'll miss having Mata and his assists... I don't think Oscar is better than Mata, Mata is the best out of the two, I think Oscar is better suited for the starting XI though. At the end of the day Mata may not even compete with Oscar if Mou sticks with his idea of playing Mata in the RW

1) well the young players can always be loaned - where they'll complete their development and come back if they or the club see fit 2) if they're this kind of professionals, the sooner they leave the better. Chelsea isn't here to have their friends play. The best play. End of story. A good professional understands that and either decides to work harder and fight for the position, or gets lazy and doesn't mind the bench, or leaves. 3) I do agree with this point. Again a loan is a simple and efficient solution to remedy that 4) They train together 5 days a week for 9 months, Mourinho's training sessions have many drills where players from the same zone execute the activity - starting players and bench players. He trains by drills, not mini-matches or reserves apart from titular. Actually most managers these days (in Europe) do it. There aren't reserves x titulars. 5) I don't care about football in general. I care about Chelsea FC (and Real Madrid and Internazionale). Also if they're unhappy, they'll leave and will improve football in general somewhere else. Horrible example with Kaká, but one you were unlucky as he addressed his situation just today. He said he lost the passion to play football and he said it wasn't RM fault or Mourinho's fault. He blamed himself and the injuries. Also he was already on a descending when he joined us - exactly because of injuries. Injuries took Kaká away from football, not RM or Mourinho. His words not mine. Bottom line is, if the player doesn't play and is angry because of it and is destroying the environment or is just unhappy, they'll leave. If they weren't playing in the first place, it means they won't be missed much. If they're young, they'll have the chance to develop in their new club.

if so, what's the problem? I fail to see it. If the player is unhappy he'll leave - and then we'd have the amount you consider ideal to the team (I suppose). The best will play because Mourinho is quite fair and players under him play when they prove to be better than their teammates. If the best play, it means the second level will play less. If they become unhappy because of it, they'll leave - on loan or transfer. Either way the best players continue here. I fail to see what's the problem with a player leaving the club. Look at the Marin situation. The only place I see we're really crowded is in the AM - so we have Eden, Oscar, Mata and now also Willian, Kevin, and André. It's two for each position just fine. If among them let's say Oscar e Kevin play 8 matches as you suggested - is because Eden, Mata, Willian and André have played much better. Oscar would have no problem being benched - Kevin I don't know, but supposing they do have a problem. Well, if they want to leave they will and we'll have the other four who are surely the best players - reason why they played more. Players leaving a club when we have better players for the position doesn't sound like a problem to me. Where is the problem? For me the problem is when a player doesn't produce what you expected him to produce (again Marin example), or is way too inconstant (Moses - great matches and horrible matches) or when a player is injured and we don't have alternatives to replace said player. Having too many options will never be a problem and the unhappy player will leave and Chelsea will continue to have quality players and if the club see fit, they'll replace or if not, they'll keep the ones that played 80% of the matches anyway. Minimal loss. Also amount of starts is one thing, amount of matches played is something else. I'd love to see the # of matches those played because second half subs should count as well to make it a little bit more reliable. Players that are super subs and enter often in matches are normally happy with their condition, as among the many matches they play they also start a few... edit: let me illustrate the whole matches played x matches started. Last season Oscar is the second outfield player to have played more matches for us. He played 64, starting 43, coming as a sub in 21 = (64; 43/21). It doesn't change the fact he played 64 matches. Our midfield was mainly Ramires (66; 56/10) - Lamps (54; 42/12) - Mata (64; 55/9) - Eden (66; 52/14), Oscar (64; 43/21) The others players used in midfield: Mikel (41; 34/7); Moses (43; 27/16); Marin (20; 7/13); Romeu (9; 7/2). I'd say Mikel and Moses played quite enough, and Marin is decent - as he was injured and never really showed to fit.

According to Mourinho himself we have two players for each position, 3 strikers and one extra mid-fielder (in the '2' of his 4-2-3-1). That's totally okay imo... I don't see it being too much at all. I mean it's a lot, but not much to a fault. If it ever becomes a problem to any of the players, then I'm sure they'll handle it, but as of right now I think it's how big clubs are... it's been like that in Barça and RM for years now. The best players stay while the second best either stay happy in the bench with the chances they actually have to play or just leave the club. It's such a natural process that I don't see where we could have problems.