Mikel John Obi

[Kojo 4,676]

Kojo where are you?

You can laugh all you want about it, it's just more bad news for this club and if you think that's funny then you must love Benitez and Torres being here.

Like someone said, Mikel wouldn't get into anyone elses team which play in the top 7.

[Amblève. 4,995]

You can laugh all you want about it, it's just more bad news for this club and if you think that's funny then you must love Benitez and Torres being here.

Like someone said, Mikel wouldn't get into anyone elses team which play in the top 7.

I'm not laughing. I just asked where you are because Mikel told me he missed you in this thread.

[The Mak 4,459]

Good god I hate you Mikel. I've been saying for years, there are plenty of DMs out there who can do what Mikel does, except they can also run and/or pass.

Tiote and Cabaye are the two prime examples of what we need in a double pivot; one who sits back, has pace and breaks up play, while the other dictates from the back, getting the ball quickly, up the pitch (not slowly, sideways).

I also blame him for us going out of Europe. He gave the ball away against Juve and then showed no desire whatsoever to make amends. Call it harsh, but as I said, I hate him.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

What a game- without him!

[Blue Armour 4,323]

The attacking build up in 4-2-3-1 is based on the AM's availability in front of the two other midfielders. That's why if he covers enough ground the pattern can be likelined to 4-3-3.

Not sure how it ruins the build up ??!!. You mean we can be more efficient with attackers static upfront ?

That's from my theoretical article about Chelsea's woes that I did mid september and who proved to be applied every game since

http://mypremierleag...els-de-chelsea/

On Diamé's goal:

Mikel and Ivanovic should have switched markings, I'm too lazy to make the full charts as they don't prove any fundamental issue but just lack of communication.

Mikel marked Cole, for some reason Ramires didn't kept an eye on Diamé and was attracted by the ball when it came to Cole and the latter layed back.

Cahill was on the channel and so was Azpilicueta to close both Jarvis (Dave) and Nolan (Gaz) because that was a WH throw in.

That was musical chairs, a player was unmarked because there was a shift in the defensive positioning.

On that goal you've to blame Ivanovic for his lack of communication with Mikel then Ramires who gets caught by the ball. Mikel does okay on that situation, keeps his man until he's said bu the defence leader to switch or change

No, I'm saying our attack would be more efficient if they stayed upfront.

In the screenshot you showed me, the positioning of the players looks better (this was earlier in the season?). What I'm talking about is in reference to situations in which Hazard and Mata track back, almost to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mikel to get the ball and start the buildup play. This has been happening more often in recent games.

Ok, the Diame goal was not the best example as Ivanovic and Ramires are also culpable..Its probably down to bad communication. But you didn't mention Vidal's goal in the Juventus game? You can't tell me Mikel was doing his best there...

[Kojo 4,676]

The attacking build up in 4-2-3-1 is based on the AM's availability in front of the two other midfielders. That's why if he covers enough ground the pattern can be likelined to 4-3-3.

Not sure how it ruins the build up ??!!. You mean we can be more efficient with attackers static upfront ?

That's from my theoretical article about Chelsea's woes that I did mid september and who proved to be applied every game since

http://mypremierleag...els-de-chelsea/

On Diamé's goal:

Mikel and Ivanovic should have switched markings, I'm too lazy to make the full charts as they don't prove any fundamental issue but just lack of communication.

Mikel marked Cole, for some reason Ramires didn't kept an eye on Diamé and was attracted by the ball when it came to Cole and the latter layed back.

Cahill was on the channel and so was Azpilicueta to close both Jarvis (Dave) and Nolan (Gaz) because that was a WH throw in.

That was musical chairs, a player was unmarked because there was a shift in the defensive positioning.

On that goal you've to blame Ivanovic for his lack of communication with Mikel then Ramires who gets caught by the ball. Mikel does okay on that situation, keeps his man until he's said bu the defence leader to switch or change

Mikel was awful that West Ham game, he was getting skinned by Diame all day, and Diame also shown him how to be a defensive midfielder whilst at it. He was on fire that game, and Mikel was staying back to win the ball back in the air, and mr useless couldn't even do that.

[EdenHazard 163]

Glad he's signed a new 5 year contract, Been on good form the past year. Had his ups and downs still, But he's a good player. Not the worlds best in that position, But on his day. He's great.

[Reddish-Blue 2,370]

Mikel was awful that West Ham game, he was getting skinned by Diame all day, and Diame also shown him how to be a defensive midfielder whilst at it. He was on fire that game, and Mikel was staying back to win the ball back in the air, and mr useless couldn't even do that.

Yea, even after some truly awful performances over the years, we somehow manage to give Mikel a new 5 year contract. We're stuck with Mikel now, even though he'll never be a great DM.

[JDY 1,290]

Mikel was awful that West Ham game, he was getting skinned by Diame all day, and Diame also shown him how to be a defensive midfielder whilst at it. He was on fire that game, and Mikel was staying back to win the ball back in the air, and mr useless couldn't even do that.

Diame didn't play as a defensive midfielder when he came on. That was Noble, and he has done all season. More of a box-to-box role for Diame as he also has good attacking qualities.

[Amblève. 4,995]

What a game- without him!

What a game - against Nor... what's the name again?!

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

What a game - against Nor... what's the name again?!

The same i said about torres goals...

[Kojo 4,676]

Diame didn't play as a defensive midfielder when he came on. That was Noble, and he has done all season. More of a box-to-box role for Diame as he also has good attacking qualities.

It doesn't matter does it if he still goes back and defends, that's not really my point, the point is Mikel never done his job good enough at all.

Mikel seems to escape every bit of critcism he gets, and people on here have the nerve to go on about how Mikel is under appreciated, yet he's our most overrated player on this forum.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Good god I hate you Mikel. I've been saying for years, there are plenty of DMs out there who can do what Mikel does, except they can also run and/or pass.

Tiote and Cabaye are the two prime examples of what we need in a double pivot; one who sits back, has pace and breaks up play, while the other dictates from the back, getting the ball quickly, up the pitch (not slowly, sideways).

Someone that finally sees what I see.

What a game- without him!

With mikel we would have scored less for sure, without mikel 6-1. He is only good for us in big games where we need to be conservative. But in small games like nordsjaeland, we don't need him to slow our game down and we can murder teams for sure.

[Blue Armour 4,323]

It doesn't matter does it if he still goes back and defends, that's not really my point, the point is Mikel never done his job good enough at all.

Mikel seems to escape every bit of critcism he gets, and people on here have the nerve to go on about how Mikel is under appreciated, yet he's our most overrated player on this forum.

That's what I can't understand either. Fair enough he has his qualities, but the way he's defended sometimes, its as if he's the perfect defensive mid.

[communicate 2,703]

It doesn't matter does it if he still goes back and defends, that's not really my point, the point is Mikel never done his job good enough at all.

Mikel seems to escape every bit of critcism he gets, and people on here have the nerve to go on about how Mikel is under appreciated, yet he's our most overrated player on this forum.

I think because the role that he played sometimes he escape criticism.

For me he is just a decent player, good enough defensively to play as dm but not mobile enough to be great. He can pass a little bit but not good enough.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I think because the role that he played sometimes he escape criticism.

this made me laugh so hard!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Delighted he's signed a new deal. This thread goes to prove how under-appreciated he is, and how some people miss the very obvious qualities Mikel brings to the team.

[The only place to be 11,313]

I've the feeling that most of the Mikel haters are actually thinking Fellaini would do a far better job. If so that's so clueless...

I don't think it's clueless at all. The main criticism I have of Mikel is his attitude. In the position he is in, he can't let his head drop or disappear in big moments. He can't get lazy and lethargic on the ball and he can't be sloppy. Whilst he's good most of the time (and he deserves credit for this) I think he can revert to type in key moments.

Fellaini on the other hand is a guy who has stepped up for Everton this season and looked for the ball in high pressure situations. He's tidy on the ball and moves it on quickly, he's fantastic in the air (like Mikel) and has a tremendous physical presence.

But it's the aggression that he has that I really like. Look at Mikel against Juventus - that to me is his defining moment. He gives the ball away sloppily when we're in transition (which I'm sure you will understand the severity of considering your obvious tactical nous). Then he has two choices. One is to pressure the person on the ball to win it back and the other is to move back into his position now that we are defending and pick up Vucinic.

Mikel does neither.

Instead he stands still for about 5 seconds (might be a little either side because I can't quite remember).

Luiz picks up his marking job creating a space in the defence for Quagliarella to run into, Terry makes a second mistake by jumping out of defence and Juve score the equaliser.

Now it might be unfair in some people's eyes for me to blame our CL exit on that one mistake but top level sport is so tight nowadays that trophies are won and lost on individual plays. You can't fall asleep for one second because you will be punished, and that's what happened here.

I'm glad he got a new contract because I think he can do a job for us against some of the weaker teams, and maybe in a different role that requires less responsibility. But right now he's playing in arguably the most demanding, important position on the pitch and I simply do not think he has the mentality to play it.

And here's an interesting point someone else raised - what other top team could you imagine him playing at, week in and week out?