Smallest squad we've had?

[Tomo 21,733]

Who will replace Essien, Meireles, Benayoun and Malouda (assuming he leaves today) in the squad? unproven youngsters who have never played a first team game

Have we learned nothing from two years ago?

[The Skipper 20,593]

Who will replace Essien, Meireles, Benayoun and Malouda (assuming he leaves today) in the squad? unproven youngsters who have never played a first team game

Have we learned nothing from two years ago?

How many games would those four (bar Meireles and maybe Essien perhaps) even play?

Benayoun isn't even replaceable. We never used him. Essien, Meireles and Malouda... I'm pretty sure everyone wanted them out of the club anyway.

2 years ago we let a lot of key players leave without signing true talent. The four mentioned above aren't key players, and we've signed 5 good players this summer.

The squad is shaping up well IMO, we've got/getting rid of a lot of dead wood who we can then replace in January/Summer 2013 with quality players who can then impact and improve the squad instead of just providing squad depth.

[Tomo 21,733]

How many games would those four (bar Meireles and maybe Essien perhaps) even play?

Benayoun isn't even replaceable. We never used him. Essien, Meireles and Malouda... I'm pretty sure everyone wanted them out of the club anyway.

2 years ago we let a lot of key players leave without signing true talent. The four mentioned above aren't key players, and we've signed 5 good players this summer.

The squad is shaping up well IMO, we've got/getting rid of a lot of dead wood who we can then replace in January/Summer 2013 with quality players who can then impact and improve the squad instead of just providing squad depth.

Its easy to say based on the first three games but eventually every member of the squad will be needed throughout the season.

Belletti for example was never a great player, but would have come in handy in 2010/2011 when Ivan was shoved in the centre.

Maybe the Malouda and at a push Benayoun departing are understandable, but our double pivot is light as it is, now after Lampard and Mikel we literally only have Romeu, unless RDM's plan is to play Ramires there or maybe even utilize Oscar in a Modric lite role.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Rami back to midfield, that has to be it now if Raul is off.

God NO

He needs a few games in the reserves to get his form back, he is playing awful at the minute, so bad I just cannot bear to watch him...

He has been bad since pre-season!

Think he needs some time out to recapture his form and be the player we all know and love...

As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent...

Why play him when he's not performing, that's the biggest mistake we make at CFC...

[Muzchap 8,966]

btw.

Giorgios Karagounis, Jason Culina, Dudu, Royston Drenthe, Juan Roman Riquelme, Owen Hargreaves, Thomas The Hammer Hitzelsperger, Tim Borowski, Mehmet Aurelio, nIgel Reo-cocker and Owen Hargreaves are all free. There is experience and well "quality" in abundance in the free agent market these times. Would be fun to have some Riquelme magic, hammers or Dudu tackles in the Capital One Cup

Drenthe looked great for Everton, wonder why nobody has snapped him up?

Also Karagounis is a solid pro... Bit slow , but solid

Edit: we were linked with Drenthe in 2007 but he chose Madrid instead....

Worth a pay for play contract like Owen surely?

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

why are we worrying about the double pivot? there is no way in hell we are going the whole season with only 2 proven pivot players in mikel and lamps. We will surely turn to 433, its our only option or maybe a 4141.

also, Benayoun&Malouda were gona play what 2 games between them, only one that stings a bit is the mierles one because he was a decent squad player who knew his role. other than that i love shedding deadwood, cant hold to every old player for the 1 out of 50 games during the season we will use them.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Any body else feel something weird is going on??.. All these players leaving. It can only mean we are clearing the decks for something big.. I can't see any other reason why we are thinning out the squad so much.

It just seems weird we are trusting the future of the club on so many young blokes.

[termninja 5,290]

God NO

He needs a few games in the reserves to get his form back, he is playing awful at the minute, so bad I just cannot bear to watch him...

He has been bad since pre-season!

Think he needs some time out to recapture his form and be the player we all know and love...

As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent...

Why play him when he's not performing, that's the biggest mistake we make at CFC...

Shame Rami relies more on form then on class

[Muzchap 8,966]

Shame Rami relies more on form then on class

LOL - he's not that bad - just think he's trying too hard, or his head isn't right - he's been a bit sloppy of late - but underneath that, there's definitely some talent...

[communicate 2,703]

God NO

He needs a few games in the reserves to get his form back, he is playing awful at the minute, so bad I just cannot bear to watch him...

He has been bad since pre-season!

Think he needs some time out to recapture his form and be the player we all know and love...

As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent...

Why play him when he's not performing, that's the biggest mistake we make at CFC...

Nah ramires is there for defensive reason, we can consider all of his offensive contribution to be bonus.

[warnie_666 1,081]

Squad of 22 is perfect. Although I think the central midfield looks weak. But that may be because of the 4-2-3-1 formation that we will play or the 4-4-2 formation with wingers or the occasional 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree with Lamps and Rami in the midfield.

For now our CMs seem to be Lampard, Mikel, Romeu, Oscar

Forwards are Torres, Studge, Marin, Moses, Hazard, Ramirez., Mata

LBs seem to be Bertand, Cole

RBs seem to be Ivanovic, Ferrerira and Cesar

CBs seem to be Terry, Luiz, Cahill

GKs seem to be Cech, Ross and Jamal Blackman. (HIlario and Malouda are not in the Champions League Squad).

A Squad of 22 looks absolutely fine.

[gary gordon 1,777]

• 1 Petr Cech Was let down by his defenders. He is a goalkeeper, not a magician..
• 2 Branislav Ivanovic Safe as a centre back only.. He should never play on the right again.
• 3 Ashley Cole Our best defender no doubt
• 4 David Luiz Needs to be put in the holding role. He cannot be the last line of defense. Way too risky.
• 6 Oriol Romeu Stuck behind Mikel and Meireles
• 7 Ramires Practically useless in the position he is playing
• 8 Frank Lampard Let's face it, As much as we love him, his style doesn't suit what the club are trying to build
• 9 Fernando Torres Maybe getting to his best, but is definitely no Didier Drogba..
• 10 Juan Mata Won't be long till he gets burn-out
• 11 Oscar Got tons of talent but is still very young
• 12 Mikel Don't get me started..
• 13 Victor Moses Pretty exciting prospect. Has talent but lets see how he goes in a top 4 club
• 15 Florent Malouda Should have been sold
• 16 Raul Meireles Useful squad player
• 17 Eden Hazard Best signing since Frank Lampard.
• 19 Paulo Ferreira Useless
• 21 Marko Marin When he is fit could be usefull.
• 22 Ross TurnbullUseless
• 23 Daniel SturridgeWhen he learns to play for the team and not himself he can be useful. Until then, useless...
• 24 Gary Cahill Will probably captain the side one day.
• 26 John Terry Needs to take his defense to an all new level. Our different playing style means he will be on the run most of the time.
• 28 Cesar Azpilicueta Hopefully the player we have been missing.
• 34 Ryan Bertrand Good but needs a few years.
• 40 Henrique Hilario Useless

Thought i would dig up my post at the beginning of the season where half the dickheads bagged me.. Now lets re-cap..

• 1 Petr Cech Was let down by his defenders. He is a goalkeeper, not a magician.. Best keeper in the world imo. WE miss him a lot when Fatbull is in goals.
• 2 Branislav Ivanovic Safe as a centre back only.. He should never play on the right again. Cesar has proved he is much better in this position. Cost us the Carling Cup and was shaky in the second leg.
• 3 Ashley Cole Our best defender no doubt STILL OUR BEST DEFENDER
• 4 David Luiz Needs to be put in the holding role. He cannot be the last line of defense. Way too risky. OH MY GOD! NO WAY!!! That fat fuck must have read my post..
• 6 Oriol Romeu Stuck behind Mikel and Meireles OUT FOR THE SEASON
• 7 Ramires Practically useless in the position he is playing CORRECT
• 8 Frank Lampard Let's face it, As much as we love him, his style doesn't suit what the club are trying to build. As much as i love Lamps and still agree to keep him, Must be our plan B..
• 9 Fernando Torres Maybe getting to his best, but is definitely no Didier Drogba.. NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO CLEAN THE MUD OUT OF DIDIERS BOOTS
• 10 Juan Mata Won't be long till he gets burn-out. Hmmm, won't be much longer
• 11 Oscar Got tons of talent but is still very young CORRECT
• 12 Mikel Don't get me started.. CORRECT
• 13 Victor Moses Pretty exciting prospect. Has talent but lets see how he goes in a top 4 club. Done well, needs to start every game when he gets back.
• 15 Florent Malouda Should have been sold. PRACTICALLY GONE
• 16 Raul Meireles Useful squad player GONE
• 17 Eden Hazard Best signing since Frank Lampard. Still settling. Has been awesome in most games we win.
• 19 Paulo Ferreira Useless CORRECT
• 21 Marko Marin When he is fit could be use full. Wrong, useless garden gnome that looks like a 10 year old girl.
• 22 Ross TurnbullUseless CORRECT
• 23 Daniel SturridgeWhen he learns to play for the team and not himself he can be useful. Until then, useless... GONE
• 24 Gary Cahill Will probably captain the side one day. I have no doubt
• 26 John Terry Needs to take his defense to an all new level. Our different playing style means he will be on the run most of the time. Copped and Injury, needs time.
• 28 Cesar Azpilicueta Hopefully the player we have been missing. Has been our best signing IMO. Hasn't let us down
• 34 Ryan Bertrand Good but needs a few years. Needs to believe in himself and make a pass that travels more then 3 yards (usually to Ashley Cole)
• 40 Henrique Hilario Useless CORRECT

Only Signing since

29 Demba Ba Good player that gives us depth. But replacing a striker with one that was second fiddle to Torres isn't exactly encouraging for Ba. Will always be a second option as long as Rafa is around.

So since this post, we have lost 2 players in transfers and one to injury. We have replaced them with one $7 million striker. Hazard is suspended for a few games, Mikel and Moses are in Africa, Marin is garbage, Mata is running out of tricks and Torres is still shite..

[Spike 12,049]

I will never buy into the idea that Cahill is captain material, I'll have to see it to believe it. I think people get caught up with the fact that he is English and similar to JT, but the fact is: he isn't JT. JT was/is world class, Gazza is solid.

[Stingray 9,441]

Thought i would dig up my post at the beginning of the season where half the dickheads bagged me.. Now lets re-cap..

• 1 Petr Cech Was let down by his defenders. He is a goalkeeper, not a magician.. Best keeper in the world imo. WE miss him a lot when Fatbull is in goals.
• 2 Branislav Ivanovic Safe as a centre back only.. He should never play on the right again. Cesar has proved he is much better in this position. Cost us the Carling Cup and was shaky in the second leg.
• 3 Ashley Cole Our best defender no doubt STILL OUR BEST DEFENDER
• 4 David Luiz Needs to be put in the holding role. He cannot be the last line of defense. Way too risky. OH MY GOD! NO WAY!!! That fat fuck must have read my post..
• 6 Oriol Romeu Stuck behind Mikel and Meireles OUT FOR THE SEASON
• 7 Ramires Practically useless in the position he is playing CORRECT
• 8 Frank Lampard Let's face it, As much as we love him, his style doesn't suit what the club are trying to build. As much as i love Lamps and still agree to keep him, Must be our plan B..
• 9 Fernando Torres Maybe getting to his best, but is definitely no Didier Drogba.. NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO CLEAN THE MUD OUT OF DIDIERS BOOTS
• 10 Juan Mata Won't be long till he gets burn-out. Hmmm, won't be much longer
• 11 Oscar Got tons of talent but is still very young CORRECT
• 12 Mikel Don't get me started.. CORRECT
• 13 Victor Moses Pretty exciting prospect. Has talent but lets see how he goes in a top 4 club. Done well, needs to start every game when he gets back.
• 15 Florent Malouda Should have been sold. PRACTICALLY GONE
• 16 Raul Meireles Useful squad player GONE
• 17 Eden Hazard Best signing since Frank Lampard. Still settling. Has been awesome in most games we win.
• 19 Paulo Ferreira Useless CORRECT
• 21 Marko Marin When he is fit could be use full. Wrong, useless garden gnome that looks like a 10 year old girl.
• 22 Ross TurnbullUseless CORRECT
• 23 Daniel SturridgeWhen he learns to play for the team and not himself he can be useful. Until then, useless... GONE
• 24 Gary Cahill Will probably captain the side one day. I have no doubt
• 26 John Terry Needs to take his defense to an all new level. Our different playing style means he will be on the run most of the time. Copped and Injury, needs time.
• 28 Cesar Azpilicueta Hopefully the player we have been missing. Has been our best signing IMO. Hasn't let us down
• 34 Ryan Bertrand Good but needs a few years. Needs to believe in himself and make a pass that travels more then 3 yards (usually to Ashley Cole)
• 40 Henrique Hilario Useless CORRECT

Only Signing since

29 Demba Ba Good player that gives us depth. But replacing a striker with one that was second fiddle to Torres isn't exactly encouraging for Ba. Will always be a second option as long as Rafa is around.

So since this post, we have lost 2 players in transfers and one to injury. We have replaced them with one $7 million striker. Hazard is suspended for a few games, Mikel and Moses are in Africa, Marin is garbage, Mata is running out of tricks and Torres is still shite..

I shouldn't laugh but the comments are Hilarios :-)

[BlueLion. 21,491]

We had a smaller squad in 2006/07 in size terms. Remember Michael Essien playing everywhere but in goal; having Hilario as first-choice goalkeeper and having the legendary Magnus Hedman as our number two; Wayne Bridge playing as a striker against Wycombe...?

However back then we had more 'utility' players, like Diarra, Essien, Joe Cole, Kalou, Boulahrouz, Wright-Phillips, etc., who could play in a variety of positions. In the current set-up, we only really have Luiz who you could qualify as being a utility' player. We have so many like-minded players (Hazard, Mata and Oscar are all number 10s, for instance) now that whilst the squad is bigger in terms of numbers, it is smaller in terms of its overall utility.

That is not our biggest worry, though. Our biggest worry is Benitez and the board won't do anything about it. We've gone one-in-one-out. We need another striker, a central midfielder and a winger, in truth. But of course the board think otherwise and that 2-2 draws with Southampton and Brentford are acceptable.

[gary gordon 1,777]

We had a smaller squad in 2006/07 in size terms. Remember Michael Essien playing everywhere but in goal; having Hilario as first-choice goalkeeper and having the legendary Magnus Hedman as our number two; Wayne Bridge playing as a striker against Wycombe...?

However back then we had more 'utility' players, like Diarra, Essien, Joe Cole, Kalou, Boulahrouz, Wright-Phillips, etc., who could play in a variety of positions. In the current set-up, we only really have Luiz who you could qualify as being a utility' player. We have so many like-minded players (Hazard, Mata and Oscar are all number 10s, for instance) now that whilst the squad is bigger in terms of numbers, it is smaller in terms of its overall utility.

That is not our biggest worry, though. Our biggest worry is Benitez and the board won't do anything about it. We've gone one-in-one-out. We need another striker, a central midfielder and a winger, in truth. But of course the board think otherwise and that 2-2 draws with Southampton and Brentford are acceptable.

Let's not forgot, Drogba was killing it that year! When you have a striker that can pretty much score goals on his own, it makes a huge difference! We had just spent 35 million on Sheva, Lampard was owning the park and players like SWP were scoring goals too. We were pretty much in it until the Arsenal game. Jose was also a huge difference. The man got shit done. It's not easy winning 3 Premier League titles in a row, and we came very close. Jose even said in an interview, the second title was harder then the first because every team wants to knock off the Champs. To be honest, i think we were a better side in that season then the season before, It's just that everybody lifts to beat you.

[Kojo 4,676]

Board are idiots, and I don't want to hear all the bull shit about it's harder than it looks and signing a player is much harder than it seems, no It's never stopped City, but we don't seem to want to challenge for title anyway.

Instead we will end up playing Torres upfront and Mikel as our star midfielder in the year 2016 whilst battling in relegation...

In league one.

[J.F. 1,484]

Good squad, stupid manager.