Chelsea 3-1 Everton

[Kieran. 6,317]

I think it's quite obvious Drogba is unhappy.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Retention tactics? He's originally an attacking midfielder, do you know what instruction is? Its something a manager gives players....

Do you know of any successful high level squad that plays 4-3-3 without a DM? Hell, how about any successful squad regardless of formation?

We've looked so impenetrable on set pieces so far this season though so I understand why you'd rather have a small light player in the mid instead of a big strong one.

I'm well aware of Mikel's previous position, but let's be fair now, every time we see Mikel get the ball, his instinct is not to go forward. He'll sit back, hold up the play and wait for everyone to be on the other end. This is not a good tactic as it nullifies our chance for counter attack, there were many examples of this in the Everton game.

Until we get a more attack minded DM, I don't see Mikel being a solution. Most teams, use their DM as a spark that begins the attack. Busquets and Xabi Alonso are very good at doing this, because they go forward more and can actually play with the ball.

Our players are stronger than you give them credit for. Especially Ramires.

[Madmax 9,219]

If you looked properly, I only compared Xavi & Mikel because someone compared their stats. Which gave a false image of his role.

Just to be clear, I didn't compare their stats at all. I merely stated the numbers and said that they were in the Xavi category.

They're two players world apart in terms of position, style and responsibilities, which is precisely why I didn't bother responding to the user who ignorantly pointed out that Xavi makes more forward passes. That wasn't the point I was trying to make.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Just to be clear, I didn't compare their stats at all. I merely stated the numbers and said that they were in the Xavi category.

They're two players world apart in terms of position, style and responsibilities, which is precisely why I didn't bother responding to the user who ignorantly pointed out that Xavi makes more forward passes. That wasn't the point I was trying to make.

Nah, don't worry, I understood.

Someone else missed the point..

[GodZola 630]

I'm well aware of Mikel's previous position, but let's be fair now, every time we see Mikel get the ball, his instinct is not to go forward. He'll sit back, hold up the play and wait for everyone to be on the other end. This is not a good tactic as it nullifies our chance for counter attack, there were many examples of this in the Everton game.

Until we get a more attack minded DM, I don't see Mikel being a solution. Most teams, use their DM as a spark that begins the attack. Busquets and Xabi Alonso are very good at doing this, because they go forward more and can actually play with the ball.

Our players are stronger than you give them credit for. Especially Ramires.

Your posts regarding Mikel are spot on LDN, many points I have already raised in the past but got sent to Coventry for! I'm not going to harp on about Mikel as you have summed that up perfectly but I will add that the one thing that I think is pertinent (I stated before) was that we don't need a DM against teams that 'park the bus' & this is especially relevant at home.

For the record, Mikel had a decent game (Saha exploiting his lack of pace apart - could be costly in another game) & can see why AVB selected him, but I think this game was only won because we got that vital second goal at the right time & we have unearthed a gem of a footballer in Mata. In recent seasons Everton have always had that ability to get back in the game when they were only 1 goal behind, the second goal took the wind out of their sails & that coupled with having a player with the artistry & vision in Mata, we have a player that gives us many different options to win games like this.

[Tommy10 478]

goalkeeper: cech

defense: bosingwa - ivanovic - terry - cole

midfield: ramires (malouda 64min.) - lampard - mikel (romeu 76min.)

attack: sturridge - drogba - mata (anelka 64min.)

we won another important 3 premier league points and this vs everton

cool.. we won another important 3 premier league points and this vs everton.. we could not win 6 years vs everton at the stamford bridge!!

cool.. our captain john terry scored on his 350 league appearance!!

cool.. my african ramires scored another premier league goal!!

cool.. my african daniel sturridge scored another premier league goal!!

damn.. my russian diniyar bilyaletdinov didn´t start for everton.. i meen damn what is the problem??

i hope our russian boss roman abramovich will sign this fantastic midfielder!!

[blue out west 27]

I'm well aware of Mikel's previous position, but let's be fair now, every time we see Mikel get the ball, his instinct is not to go forward. He'll sit back, hold up the play and wait for everyone to be on the other end. This is not a good tactic as it nullifies our chance for counter attack, there were many examples of this in the Everton game.

Until we get a more attack minded DM, I don't see Mikel being a solution. Most teams, use their DM as a spark that begins the attack. Busquets and Xabi Alonso are very good at doing this, because they go forward more and can actually play with the ball.

Our players are stronger than you give them credit for. Especially Ramires.

Why do we even have defenders??? Why don't we just start 5 forwards and 5 attacking mids?

Mikel plays the way he's instructed to play, just like all the players. His job isn't to give possession away, period. Alonso and Busquets play in a really weak league which barely pressures any DMs ever and also the games have a very slow pace compared to the EPL. So its fine for them to ping balls up field because there is space and if possession is lost no one is going to threaten on the counter. I mean, this stuff goes without saying...

[Kieran. 6,317]

lmao, tommy brightens up my mood every time.

[The Rising Sun 711]

How is Daniel Sturridge his African?? he might be black but every black man isnt african

[Steve 10,227]

How is Daniel Sturridge his African?? he might be black but every black man isnt african

If Tommy says hes African then hes African!

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Tommy for President of the World!

We can then ALL be African

[Spike 12,049]

I always thought Sturridge was of Jamaican heritage (or any other of those isalnds), but I don't really care because he is a great player and that is all that matters.

[daBlackMamba7 174]

Every black man's heritage can be traced back to African, maybe a couple of generations back but they all definitely have black heritage...That's also they are called African- Americans in the US....So every black man anywhere can be Tommy and our African :yes: ....

[Peace. 4,352]

^ We also can say white men are Africans, by the way...

[warnie_666 1,081]

Mikel : Passes completed - 94 out of 97.

Those are Xavi-esque numbers.

Chelsea : Passes completed - 733 out of 831.

Most of them were back passes or lateral. Xavi makes his passes around the opposition box

[Peace. 4,352]

Most of them were back passes or lateral. Xavi makes his passes around the opposition box

This :

Just to be clear, I didn't compare their stats at all. I merely stated the numbers and said that they were in the Xavi category.

They're two players world apart in terms of position, style and responsibilities, which is precisely why I didn't bother responding to the user who ignorantly pointed out that Xavi makes more forward passes. That wasn't the point I was trying to make.

[Tomo 21,751]

Mikel does a lot more forward passes than people give him credit for these days.

I really don't get the Mikel bashing that goes on at-all, he had a few bad games as a youngster but since Scolari's era he has really came into his own IMO. His improvment was one of the few positives from that disaster.

[xPetrCechx 13,571]

good.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Mikel does a lot more forward passes than people give him credit for these days.

I really don't get the Mikel bashing that goes on at-all, he had a few bad games as a youngster but since Scolari's era he has really came into his own IMO. His improvment was one of the few positives from that disaster.

It wasn't bashing.

It was criticism. I have been a big fan of Mikel before, I'm sure you'll remember. It's like I said, that was in the old system.

[warnie_666 1,081]

Mikel does a lot more forward passes than people give him credit for these days.

I really don't get the Mikel bashing that goes on at-all, he had a few bad games as a youngster but since Scolari's era he has really came into his own IMO. His improvment was one of the few positives from that disaster.

Look there are two aspects to his game.

1. The defensive and holding ability. There is no doubt that he is superb at that.

2. Distribution of ball and set up counter attacks. Something he lacks a great deal.

My problem is with the second point. How many times have u seen Mikel set up counter attacks? Something that makalele was superb at. Win the ball and pass it forward.

Mikel wins the ball takes few touches and then either passes it back or laterally. He very rarely plays the ball upfront. Something even Ancelotti admitted that he has been telling Mikel to do more often.

I think it was against Swansea and the commentator rightly pointed out couple of instances where he wins the ball and takes three touches while Swansea players move back to their positions.

But his other aspect of the game Whig is winning the ball and holding it or defending it is without a doubt superb!!