Fernando Torres

[Tomo 21,751]

Most of our games Tomo? How many of those appearances are from the bench were Torres gets 10 or 15 minutes or less, in others he gets taken off when there are other players who are having a mare? I'm up with the very best on being critical of our players performances so have no reason to cut him some slack, however when are other CF's aren't scoring either & haven't for the best part of 2 seasons then you have to look deeper than just our out form 50m striker & there lies the problem as the media & fans are too quick to judge without looking at the bigger picture.

I will reiterate what I've said many times on here in that we should change the formation to an all out attacking one as most of the teams we play sit with 10 men behind the ball & hit us on the counter or a set piece, West Brom were the latest to achieve a result like this. We need to get rid of the DM role & 4 or 5 poxy defenders sat with him & play 3 centre backs with 2 wing backs flying up & down, 2 hard working midfielders in the middle & Mata infront of them orchastrating things & then 2 of our Strikers will get lots of service as we are committing more players in advanced positions. The way that Bilbao played last night is exactly how we should play against the sitting teams, my point is the likes Drogba & Torres would start to get more chances created for them instead of feeding of scraps game in game out.

Allright then just pretend for a minute he didn't cost £50m from Liverpool and was signed for £3m from Twente.

We would be moaning every time this guy was on the bench let alone the first Xl. The bottom line is he just hasn't been good enough.

[GodZola 630]

Allright then just pretend for a minute he didn't cost £50m from Liverpool and was signed for £3m from Twente.

We would be moaning every time this guy was on the bench let alone the first Xl. The bottom line is he just hasn't been good enough.

Whether he cost 3m or 50m its makes no difference whatsoever when you are fed scraps, I cannot disagree that he hasn't been anywhere near the player he was 2/3 seasons ago but there are fundamental reasons why he is not scoring for us, his performances haven't been half as bad as you lot suggest - heck I hope he plays shit throughout every game from now on & starts scoring with a deflection here & there, but then he would get grief for doing nothing else but score! He can't win either way!

You're right about the lack of chances being created for our strikers. But the point of contention here is regarding Torres' performance. You talk about game-time, but the fact is Kalou gets even less (I'm not going to complain though). You say that even other CF's can't score, but the fact remains it has just taken 2 games for our 34 yr old Drogba to get back on the scoresheet since his return from AFCON. The chances, though meagre, are there. Its just that Torres never makes the most of what he gets.

How many goals has Drogba scored this season? Hardly any, yet I don't see too many posts putting his head on the chopping block? Anelka's goal ratio was piss poor too, they can't all be bad players overnight?! Yes he has had some chances but they are very few & too far in-between, I'm pretty sure if Torres was playing for Spurs, Arsenal, Utd & perhaps City then he would be scoring maybe not at the rate he was for Liverpool but certainly more than he is scoring for us. Maybe Shearer is right he may need to move before he recaptures his best form.

[Santiago. 1,500]

[English Freak 456]

I will reiterate what I've said many times on here in that we should change the formation to an all out attacking one as most of the teams we play sit with 10 men behind the ball & hit us on the counter or a set piece, West Brom were the latest to achieve a result like this. We need to get rid of the DM role & 4 or 5 poxy defenders sat with him & play 3 centre backs with 2 wing backs flying up & down, 2 hard working midfielders in the middle & Mata infront of them orchastrating things & then 2 of our Strikers will get lots of service as we are committing more players in advanced positions. The way that Bilbao played last night is exactly how we should play against the sitting teams, my point is the likes Drogba & Torres would start to get more chances created for them instead of feeding of scraps game in game out.

Don't think our midfield has the technique, composure to play like Bilbao did against United or the various other La Liga sides they've beaten this season.

I'm guessing you're formation would look something like this:

-----------------------Cech----------------------

-----------Cahill----Luiz-----JT/Romeu--------

Ivanovic--------------------------------------Bertrand/Cole

-----------------Essien---Ramires--------------

----------------------Mata-------------------------

-------------Sturridge----DD/Torres------------

[St Abramovich 175]

Don't think our midfield has the technique, composure to play like Bilbao did against United or the various other La Liga sides they've beaten this season.

I'm guessing you're formation would look something like this:

-----------------------Cech----------------------

-----------Cahill----Luiz-----JT/Romeu--------

Ivanovic--------------------------------------Bertrand/Cole

-----------------Essien---Ramires--------------

----------------------Mata-------------------------

-------------Sturridge----DD/Torres------------

There's a big difference in that only the biggest teams really open up when we play them so Bilbao have an advantage there.

[Beirut_Blues 306]

For the last time...we have someone like that in Kalou as well!!!And that guy actually scores...

loool ok..

But this guy was one of the best, and he's gona stay till he lives up to his reputation.

[bababoom 4,478]

Torres has been shit for most off our games for us that is the bottom line, ok he may work hard but that leway isn't granted for Kalou so why should it be for the 180k a week man?

What's with all this 'Kalou works hard for us' nonsense... he doesn't.

Even this shit Torres is miles better than Kalou.

I have to ask you this question, is Kalou paying you to stick up for him?

[The Big Drog 1,110]

I find it amazing that in a game where we are trying to break down a 10 man Stoke team at Stamford Bridge whose sole intention is to park the bus and with the manager making 3 (seemingly) tactical substitutions in an effort to find a goal, Torres is left on the bench. He has had some pretty low ebbs here but today might be the lowest. These days, he isn't even considered a decent impact sub, to bring on and find a goal. If he isn't even a decent impact sub then what in the name of God is he doing at the club? He cost 50 million pound, he is on monster wages and yet he isn't even worth bringing on when chasing a goal? It is well and truly time for him to go.

[francozola 2,040]

He should have played a part today. I agree with the substitutions but the first XI was abysmal so we should have been able to save one substitute and use it to bring Torres on. Mata, Sturridge & Torres ALL left out?!?! That's crap. You have to play at least ONE of them.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

He should have played a part today. I agree with the substitutions but the first XI was abysmal so we should have been able to save one substitute and use it to bring Torres on. Mata, Sturridge & Torres ALL left out?!?! That's crap. You have to play at least ONE of them.

Thing is, I dont think you do. Torres has done nothing to justify inclusion in the side, Mata and Sturridge are key players (Mata probably being the key player in the whole side) but aside from his pricetag, there has been nothing else that makes Torres warrant a starting place, Drogba scored today and played quite well, he fully deserves his place ahead of Torres.

[francozola 2,040]

Thing is, I dont think you do. Torres has done nothing to justify inclusion in the side, Mata and Sturridge are key players (Mata probably being the key player in the whole side) but aside from his pricetag, there has been nothing else that makes Torres warrant a starting place, Drogba scored today and played quite well, he fully deserves his place ahead of Torres.

I don't mind Torres being on the bench. But the fact that the other 2 were there itself automatically means that 2 substitutions are used up.

Why were Mata & Sturridge on the bench? Especially Mata? Premier League should be our priority.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

RDM plan worked. We got three points and our two main players got a well deserved rest in stead of 270mins in 10 days. And, to get back on topic, we managed to not play Torres; lets hope the stories about him stop for a couple of days.

[termninja 5,290]

He should have played a part today. I agree with the substitutions but the first XI was abysmal so we should have been able to save one substitute and use it to bring Torres on. Mata, Sturridge & Torres ALL left out?!?! That's crap. You have to play at least ONE of them.

Don't worry RdM is resting him for the Napoli game where he will lead us to victory !

[Sheva. 5,373]

Thing is, I dont think you do. Torres has done nothing to justify inclusion in the side, Mata and Sturridge are key players (Mata probably being the key player in the whole side) but aside from his pricetag, there has been nothing else that makes Torres warrant a starting place, Drogba scored today and played quite well, he fully deserves his place ahead of Torres.

You never cease to amaze me.

[Blue Armour 4,436]

Thing is, I dont think you do. Torres has done nothing to justify inclusion in the side, Mata and Sturridge are key players (Mata probably being the key player in the whole side) but aside from his pricetag, there has been nothing else that makes Torres warrant a starting place, Drogba scored today and played quite well, he fully deserves his place ahead of Torres.

You never cease to amaze me.

From a neutral perspective, and because I didn't watch the match, how good was Drogba's contribution? How was it compared to Torres' last Tue? And more importantly how useful was Lampards? I'm beginning to feel a strike partnership might be the best formation for the rest of the season, especially if the extra man in midfield is of not much use..