Nemanja Matic

[The only place to be 11,313]

We probably would have lost or drawn the game had Oscar played.

We lost the midfield battle up until the moment Everton decided to go hell for leather.

We simply couldn't control the tempo of the match from the 3rd minute on.

[lionsden 4,689]

We lost the midfield battle up until the moment Everton decided to go hell for leather.

We simply couldn't control the tempo of the match from the 3rd minute on.

And Oscar is well known for his ability to dictate and control the tempo? LMAO. How come he couldn't influence majority of the matches we were either thoroughly outplayed or played poorly in since he joined like against Shaktar (H &A) ,Juventus (away),Liverpool 12/13, Man city 12/13 and 13/14 (H), Basel, Swansea 12/13,QPR 12/13,Newcastle away 13/14 and many many more if he's such a big impact?. Your claim/argument is not only daft but also baseless.

[The Skipper 20,609]

And Oscar is well known for his ability to dictate and control the tempo? LMAO.

To me, it's not even about that anymore tbh. I've accepted that Oscar is an unconventional, unorthodox number 10, with a different role compared to your traditional number 10. What Oscar allows is a platform for someone like Fabregas to dictate the game at a more effective rate. Frees Fabregas from his defensive shackles a lot.

[lionsden 4,689]

To me, it's not even about that anymore tbh. I've accepted that Oscar is an unconventional, unorthodox number 10, with a different role compared to your traditional number 10. What Oscar allows is a platform for someone like Fabregas to dictate the game at a more effective rate. Frees Fabregas from his defensive shackles a lot.

Ramires, willian, Van ginkel (who we have loaned out unfortunately) and Schurrle do that as well. Oscar offers absolutely nothing unique, i have tried to limit the "bashing" but when people try to overestimate his impact and importance to the team, then I have to say something

[The only place to be 11,313]

And Oscar is well known for his ability to dictate and control the tempo? LMAO. How come he couldn't influence majority of the matches we were either thoroughly outplayed or played poorly in since he joined like against Shaktar (H &A) ,Juventus (away),Liverpool 12/13, Man city 12/13 and 13/14 (H), Basel, Swansea 12/13,QPR 12/13,Newcastle away 13/14 and many many more if he's such a big impact?. Your claim/argument is not only daft but also baseless.

Actually in the first two games of the season he completed around 85% of his passes. What he's been doing is taking some of the defensive burden off of Matic and some of the creative work off of Fabregas.

Now I'm not going to say he's been fantastic in those games you mention because he obviously hasn't. I've even criticised him for his performances over the second-half of last season, but he's playing a different role now and he could become an incredibly important player for us.

Of course I could dig through the matches he played where he showed an ability to control the match but with you there's no point. You have a view and that's it.

By the way, is Courtois still 'flavor (sic) of the month'? You won't answer this.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Ramires, willian, Van ginkel (who we have loaned out unfortunately) and Schurrle do that as well. Oscar offers absolutely nothing unique, i have tried to limit the "bashing" but when people try to overestimate his impact and importance to the team, then I have to say something

They don't do it as well as Oscar does.

[didierforever 7,349]

To me, it's not even about that anymore tbh. I've accepted that Oscar is an unconventional, unorthodox number 10, with a different role compared to your traditional number 10. What Oscar allows is a platform for someone like Fabregas to dictate the game at a more effective rate. Frees Fabregas from his defensive shackles a lot.

i would say that would be the exact thinking of playing RAMBO-MATIC. freeing fabregas.

this match was a one-off. everton were 2-0 down in 3 minutes and played exactly like they should, "a nothing to lose mentality". we are not going to have many matches where our mid gets dominated this way and almost all of our 3 mids have an off-day defensively.

[The Chels 2,502]

Oscar bashers underestimate his football intelligence.

[zolayes 14,489]

Oscar bashers underestimate his football intelligence.

I dont think there are many Oscar bashers ,, Lionsden yes but I think we all know his intelligence

[Nike 373]

I dont think there are many Oscar bashers ,, Lionsden yes but I think we all know his intelligence

I remember people wanted coutinho over Oscar, yet its Coutinho thats losing his place on a midtable team.

[The Skipper 20,609]

i would say that would be the exact thinking of playing RAMBO-MATIC. freeing fabregas.

this match was a one-off. everton were 2-0 down in 3 minutes and played exactly like they should, "a nothing to lose mentality". we are not going to have many matches where our mid gets dominated this way and almost all of our 3 mids have an off-day defensively.

But Fabregas operates better when his starting position is from deep. Oscar thus provides a much better platform for Fabregas to have a bigger influence on the game, and also aids us a lot better in ball retention.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

But Fabregas operates better when his starting position is from deep. Oscar thus provides a much better platform for Fabregas to have a bigger influence on the game, and also aids us a lot better in ball retention.

Fabregas isn't tested in that role behind the striker in the PL, yet. For all I know, he could work his magic more effectively from there.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Fabregas isn't tested in that role behind the striker in the PL, yet. For all I know, he could work his magic more effectively from there.

In our system, it's much better he operates from deep simply because he'll have more time and space to pick out his runs from deep and also more vision on the pitch. I'm not basing this on what he's done here, just basing it on his attributes as a player. He'll be able to ping through balls better instead of constantly being surrounded in tight spaces by their CMs and CBs.

[didierforever 7,349]

But Fabregas operates better when his starting position is from deep. Oscar thus provides a much better platform for Fabregas to have a bigger influence on the game, and also aids us a lot better in ball retention.

fair enough. but against big teams and specially against teams like everton who are quick in their passin and against whom we will have to do our share of defending, ramb-matic will be much better option.

also, while cesc's strength would be playing deep, he would be a great no.10 too. while oscar gives us workrate, cesc would give us clinicality in that role.

[The Skipper 20,609]

fair enough. but against big teams and specially against teams like everton who are quick in their passin and against whom we will have to do our share of defending, ramb-matic will be much better option.

also, while cesc's strength would be playing deep, he would be a great no.10 too. while oscar gives us workrate, cesc would give us clinicality in that role.

Yup I agree. Ramires is a must for me in big games because of the legs he adds to our midfield. He needs to improve defensively though, he's a lot better than what he showed against Everton.