Barbara

fans chanting 'Eden Hazard'

just because Lukaku Torres'ed a few plays it doesn't mean he won't make it. He's still young and he knows he has to show his best now in the pre-season... let's give him some time

Even Malaysian guys can pass by Ryan Bertrand...

kid is trying everything. Keep that mind Bertrand!

Kevin is by far the best player in the pre-season so far. It makes me happy and giddy

Kevin is made of win!

Chelsea on my 'TV' in over 70 inches in HD!!!!!!! Life doesn't get any better

for a moment I was sad because it's clear to me the 1st half team is what could be called the reserves and André was among them... it took me a few seconds to realize he's the one doubling today Lamps is not playing so I suppose he's still in pain. In other news though it seems like Mourinho is sticking with the 4-2-3-1. I hope it works. Thanks for the info on an after thought: the Confeds guys can't be here soon enough. I can't wait to have the complete team working under Mourinho

with someone like de Rossi I think we could have only one man ahead of the defense IF Oscar is part of the midfield. So Oscar could play in the 4-2-3-1 very close to the 3 guys. That way we could have three AM in the '3' (Mata, Hazard and Schürrle or Mata, Hazard and Kevin) and another striker. Which makes me realize the DM is much more deficient than I first gave credit for. If we have someone strong, fairly decent passing and also with great stats and results in the position (our options alternate those traits between themselves), we could 'release' the second defensive midfield to go ahead more often - which is why I think Oscar could play here as he wouldn't have to be so far from the box (letting him be too deep would really be a waste). Let's see if Mourinho finds some DM and FW on his searches. I'm not Rooney biggest fan, so I'm not looking forward to his transfer. I think he has potential to be Torres 2.0 although I rate Rooney (on his best) better than Torres (on his best). Thing is both are from their bests and I'm not sure Rooney would take the turnaround Torres didn't.

you're still amazing in the way you handle yourself here. I'm taking notes As I can't nominate you and this month is the last month I'm even nominating someone... I'll go with @Ankit.

I agree I think we need to have a double pivot. We don't have a big name in the position, Mata and Hazard can't defend (and it's likely both will continue to be in the starting XI as nothing else would make sense) so there's no way we can rely on only one player protecting the defense, otherwise we may have an even worse year on defense stats. The best option for me as of now is Ramires + Mikel. We don't know where Lampard and Essien will be physically during the season, so those two [Ramikel] (what? I'm lazy) even if very deficient on their passing, would continue to give their contributions in the defensive aspect.If we play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 we will still have 4 other more advanced guys among Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Kevin, Schürrle and the strikers. Those guys (except the strikers ) are quality in the attack. If Oscar is in the midfield, one position ahead of the double-pivot he can add quality to the passing that Ramires and Mikel lack (reason why 4-3-3 is my fave). If Oscar leaves the team, then more than ever we need two guys in the DM because Mata and Hazard will add very little (if any) contribution to tackling stats. I don't know André that well to say how much he does it and Torres only knows how to foul opponents when he's pissed they tackled the ball from him. Ba works harder, but doesn't have much better results... I don't know Lukaku work rate and his tackling stats. Also based in what Mourinho said yesterday about David Luiz, I think he'll try to make Luiz work more and more on his passing (long-pass) and he did some amazing long passes for Brazil last month in CC - all while playing as a CB, not a DM. So if Luiz can make those longer passes more often and complete successfully a few of them for match, if Oscar plays a bit deeper (as the most advanced guy in the 4-3-3 we can also make up for Ramires and Mikel complete inability to treat the ball kindly, but we can count on their consistent and exhausting tackling, interventions, pressure, etc... Of course I still think we needed a world class guy to play in the double-pivot, but it seems this guy won't come and if we add Oscar and Luiz like that I think our midfield could be consistent through and through. I have no doubts Luiz will develop a lot under Mourinho and will become a stronger defender and will rely more on his long pass instead of his advances to the attack. I agree. As a squad I think 4-3-3 suits us better, regardless if it suits Mata or Hazard or Oscar better. We have deficiencies in the midfield and in the attack, we have to populate those zones to try to make up for the problems we have. Not ideal, nor what I would have preferred, but it seems to me the best option.

@ Now that the 'serious' stuff started I can appreciate Jason in a whole new level. Always adds to the discussion, contributes with the forum and when he answers you, he never makes it personal, he just gives a few facts and opinions, understanding here is a place to expose opinions, not judge others. And please @, make sure I'm not in the poll (I asked not to be last month, but I guess my post wasn't direct enough). Thanks Which is why I thank the appreciation @Sidzeret, but I don't want to take part of the poll. We can continue to be friends though

good thing we only play them a handful times during the season: two in EPL and the eventual cross in other competitions... I don't think we will be raped because I think City will take time to adapt with so many changes, and that's my unpopular opinion. Everyone seems to think City will destroy the league - maybe they will, but imo it'll take longer than this season already. If I could I would frame this post and like it 1000000 times:

x

OMG he was so blond when a kid!

he's so precious! It doesn't get cuter than that!

you, right there! yeah, you!!! Stop being cute he can't help himself

yeah, as if the last will ever happen... who's going to copy that:

Tito Vilanova will probably resign from Barça today because of his illness That's sad. http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/tito-vilanova-deja-banquillo-del-barca-2517594 (spanish)

I'm still in, but for the previews I might need some data on odds and TV channels, so this thread is a blessing and a great idea, Nour.

all I know is that I know nothing only conclusion I could come to...

Well, a 7+ years marriage, 2 engagements, 6 relationships = 13 years in 7 relationships with at most a couple of months separating one from the other, I guess I can take a break from commitment. Then there's the pseudo-bf Pseudos are great I didn't give up on love, I temporarily gave up on commitment. Very different Do as I do and as I say. I would be blessed to fall in love for real and be loved back... especially if it happened months away from now

and here I thought my work was done Although that lost the purpose the moment I admitted I had second intentions, but well, I thought mission accomplished anyway? Love doesn't suck, love #heartbroken Love is amazing, relationships are great (I just became allergic to them) and you guys are way too young!!!! Enjoy life, have fun, being single has so many good things. But love doesn't suck

I'm already writing news. I'll do one by day Waiting for the nicer stuff before going for the first

Hutcho!!! that's it, sweetie!!!! Wishing you the best! Happiness, love, joy and peace