Mikel John Obi

[Tomo 21,733]

Remember that bloke OssiesCorner that came on after the Reading game and lambusted half the forum for criticizing Torres?

Where the fuck he is now?

[DYC. 7,542]

I just finished to watch the QPR-Chelsea game... I'm astonished (one more time) by the amount of criticism Mikel got on that game.

He has been litteraly our best player on the pitch, his ball retention was very good as usual and so were his passing choices. Managed to put rythm in the transmissions as well.

Beside from the end of the game, the front line was static, Lampard had an average game and there wasn't a lot of passing options from the players who were in charge to distribute the play.

Beside the misplaced back pass (Cech could have said to Mikel there was Zamora bombing in his back), I carefully watched and I saw 3 choices which werent especially the right ones: trying to nutmeg Faurlin who was on ground after a tackle, one diagonal ball in the 2nd half, one unaccurate cross for Hazard... and that's all.

I'm losing faith in humanity, really.

What about his defending though? It's a serious question.

[OneMoSalah 8,799]

So drop Mikel and play another frailer midgety person vs Stoke? Great idea. Might as well not jump to try prevent their passes going to their players. If anyone is to be dropped, get rid of Lampard.

[Kojo 4,676]

I don't understand the Mikel excuses, you can say them all you want point out excuses, but it never justifies anything he does on the pitch.

And before we have a huge massive debate Seb, i would just like to know your opinion on Tiote?, just a question not comparing to Mikel want to know your opinion on him. I remember you liked him a while ago before the season started.

[Madmax 9,219]

What's the problem? Instead of reverting to abusive outbursts why don't you say what you didn't like about the post.

Hardly an outburst, tbf. First off, I was a little harsh; you made a good post about Marchisio-Pirlo-Vidal later on which I hadn't read before commenting.

What I didn't like about the post -

• You seem to assume Mikel has been anointed as the destroyer when there has been nothing to suggest this is true. Playing in a two man midfield doesn't automatically turn the components into destroyer-creator like Tiote-Cabaye, they can work with more subtle participants as well.
  
• Even if he were a destroyer, how does intercepting the ball more often suggest he's not doing a good job? That's just bizarre.
  
• Mikel has never been a hardman like Scott Parker; he relies on his positional sense to perform in his appointed role. You'll find he has always intercepted more and tackled less.
  

Prime is also like form, you can just do things but all the time, once you start losing more pace you lost a lot of other things because of your confidence and ability to do things. Terry can still lose a lot of things what aren't even physical.

Judging by that sentence alone, you didn't get my point. The nature of his lapses have no connection to pace or age or slowing of reflexes or confidence. It is about understanding and perception, something that should, on the contrary, build up with age.

[Styles 9,790]

Yes, he's meant to destrodificate the aggressive animation from his adversarial subordinate with a little bit of emotional control.

HAHAHAHAH!

[JDY 1,290]

Hardly an outburst, tbf. First off, I was a little harsh; you made a good post about Marchisio-Pirlo-Vidal later on which I hadn't read before commenting.

What I didn't like about the post -

• You seem to assume Mikel has been anointed as the destroyer when there has been nothing to suggest this is true. Playing in a two man midfield doesn't automatically turn the components into destroyer-creator like Tiote-Cabaye, they can work with more subtle participants as well.
  
• Even if he were a destroyer, how does intercepting the ball more often suggest he's not doing a good job? That's just bizarre.
  
• Mikel has never been a hardman like Scott Parker; he relies on his positional sense to perform in his appointed role. You'll find he has always intercepted more and tackled less.
  

Truth. Maybe we both overreacted in the heat of the moment.

Regarding your post,

• If the season start is anything to go by, then it would suggest he is. I haven't seen Mikel try to get around the pitch as much as he is, ever before in a Chelsea shirt.
  
• I didn't say it means he isn't doing a good job, just that it shows that he doesn't understand the role he's meant to be playing, or that he's trying to do multiple jobs at once, which would be harsh on him. The insane interception stat from the other night is reminisce of a deep holding player, who sits off the opposition, reads the game and makes interceptions. Mikel did that the other day, but also looked like he was given the job as the destroyer also. That may be a fault of Mikel, reverting to what he's been used to doing over the years, or the incompetence of Lampard, so he's forced to do two jobs. It depends what combination you think fits best in the double pivot.
  
• Exactly, which is why he's not suited to the role he's been given. I was being slightly harsh on Mikel before, which in some ways shows the faults of his midfield partner, rather than Mikel himself. If you had a more defensively adept midfielder alongside him, you'd see the difference.
  

[J.F. 1,484]

John Obi Wan-Kenobi Mikel.

[Kojo 4,676]

Hardly an outburst, tbf. First off, I was a little harsh; you made a good post about Marchisio-Pirlo-Vidal later on which I hadn't read before commenting.

What I didn't like about the post -

• You seem to assume Mikel has been anointed as the destroyer when there has been nothing to suggest this is true. Playing in a two man midfield doesn't automatically turn the components into destroyer-creator like Tiote-Cabaye, they can work with more subtle participants as well.
  
• Even if he were a destroyer, how does intercepting the ball more often suggest he's not doing a good job? That's just bizarre.
  
• Mikel has never been a hardman like Scott Parker; he relies on his positional sense to perform in his appointed role. You'll find he has always intercepted more and tackled less.
  

Judging by that sentence alone, you didn't get my point. The nature of his lapses have no connection to pace or age or slowing of reflexes or confidence. It is about understanding and perception, something that should, on the contrary, build up with age.

Then obviously you don't understand my post, read it again.

Life isn't that one dimensional, so stop wishing it was.

[Kojo 4,676]

I knew Mikel would be still useful next to a player who can do the job, i bet if you put Romeu there he would play decent.

Mikel has been pretty good, the best game he's had so far. Game isn't finished but he's looking a lot better. Ramires has taken all the reliability and can cover his pace. That's good stuff right there, hopefully Ramires can establish a position there.

[Madmax 9,219]

Then obviously you don't understand my post, read it again.

Life isn't that one dimensional, so stop wishing it was.

I like how the homeless guy turns to dispensing life advice when he has no logical response to a clear enough observation.

[Kojo 4,676]

I like how the homeless guy turns to dispensing life advice when he has no logical response to a clear enough observation.

Cheers mate, nice way to insult someone when they have done nothing too you. Also how was that torrent i gave you a while ago when you couldn't find one for FM?, disgraceful post and I'm reporting it.

[Madmax 9,219]

Cheers mate, nice way to insult someone when they have done nothing too you. Also how was that torrent i gave you a while ago when you couldn't find one for FM?, disgraceful post and I'm reporting it.

Sure thing!

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Critics can now just shove a donkey's cock up their asses.Mikel was terrific.

[zolayes 14,489]

Critics can now just shove a donkey's cock up their asses.Mikel was terrific.

crudely put but basically correct

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Critics can now just shove a donkey's cock up their asses.Mikel was terrific.

Yeah, but you know it doesn't matter. Mikel will have 10 very good games then have a bad game and we'll get the "see, he's horrible we need ....instead".

[Mceachran 109]

Did anyone watch Essien play for Real Madrid lately? For me, watching his quality, precision, and movement really made Mikel look sub-par. I don't think he's horrible, but I don't think there is any reason for us to have a weak link on the pitch. Compared to the talents of the other starters in their positions, and the results they produce in games, I think we have better options.

[True_Blue 469]

Did anyone watch Essien play for Real Madrid lately? For me, watching his quality, precision, and movement really made Mikel look sub-par. I don't think he's horrible, but I don't think there is any reason for us to have a weak link on the pitch. Compared to the talents of the other starters in their positions, and the results they produce in games, I think we have better options.

Essien was always a better play than Mikel.Still it doesn't make Mikel shit,i find them very different with both of them having their duties.Mikel is shinning when we play and you don't notice him.His job is not to score or assist,his job is to start attacks hold the ball and make clear passes which he does.Romeu is also a different player than him but on the same position.He is gifted with dribbling skills like most Spanish players,and he has a bit more pace.They are both needed and we should play Romeu a bit more since he can do the job.I felt we should have kept on to Meireiles since we are now left with Lamps,Mikel and Romeu until the end of the season.