Mikel John Obi

[Shaan 263]

Gary Cahill : “I had way too much [to
do]. Normally at a big club, in a game you probably get asked to do three or
four important things in a game. [Against City] we probably had 20 or 25.
Unfortunately, if you keep getting asked the question, ultimately there’s
going to be a goal.”

This is what happens when a team plays with two makeshift dms Mikel and lamps... one who cant defend and one who doesn't defend....its not hard to imagine the opposition will get more chances...also not helped by the fact mikel more often than not gives simple passes backwards creating pressure on our own defenders...

we really need some hard working mobile midfielders who can pass forward quickly towards our attackers and mantain our counter-attacking style of play....

[Jype 6,398]

Gary Cahill : “I had way too much [to

do]. Normally at a big club, in a game you probably get asked to do three or

four important things in a game. [Against City] we probably had 20 or 25.

Unfortunately, if you keep getting asked the question, ultimately there’s

going to be a goal.”

This is what happens when a team plays with two makeshift dms Mikel and lamps... one who cant defend and one who doesn't defend....its not hard to imagine the opposition will get more chances...also not helped by the fact mikel more often than not gives simple passes backwards creating pressure on our own defenders...

we really need some hard working mobile midfielders who can pass forward quickly towards our attackers and mantain our counter-attacking style of play....

Mikel doesn't defend? Now I've seen it all.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

You mean the ones who got sacked for underperforming?

Now he's just got to convince the people who pay their hard-earned money to support the club week in and week out.

No he doesn't. The manager picks the team. He is given that job because he is better at that than fans or else all teams would hire fans instead of managers. Would be much cheaper at least..

[CHOULO19 24,332]

There are 3 types of DM, deeplying playmaker, box to box and sitting DM.

Deep lying playmakers are xavi, pirlo, benat, modric,- they are allowed mobility and control the tempo of the whole team

Box to box are vidal khedira, ramires, sandro, essien. - They enter challenges frequently and their energy help the rest of the team in defensive situations.

sitting DM are xabi alonso, schweinstiger, javi martinez, busquets, carrick, mikel - They are good on the ball, threat from outside the 18box with shots, spray long balls to the attacking wings and can tackle

Mikel is in the sitting DM position but lacks shooting and long range passing to spread the play. I think thats the main problem

That is an absolute myth. Mikel's range of passing is much better than people give him credit for but a pass takes two players: the passes and the receiver. Go back to 09-10 when we actually had proper movement among the forwards, Mikel played the most long balls on a regular basis. He certainly has the ability. Just look at the Sparta game for example; Mikel completed and astounding 12/13 long balls, at least twice as much as any outfield player.

[Shaan 263]

Mikel doesn't defend? Now I've seen it all.

I said one who cant defend mate not doesn't defend...

Still Maybe I exaggerated beyond a little there but the fact remains there he is not a quality level of dm to be a starter for us simple...

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I said one who cant defend mate not doesn't defend...

Still Maybe I exaggerated beyond a little there but the fact remains there he is not a quality level of dm to be a starter for us simple...

No, that's your opinion. I believe Mikel is very good. But I never claim that to be a fact.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

That is an absolute myth. Mikel's range of passing is much better than people give him credit for but a pass takes two players: the passes and the receiver. Go back to 09-10 when we actually had proper movement among the forwards, Mikel played the most long balls on a regular basis. He certainly has the ability. Just look at the Sparta game for example; Mikel completed and astounding 12/13 long balls, at least twice as much as any outfield player.

Around 09-10 we used 4-3-3 more and for nigeria they play with 4-3-3 too. He is suited to this i feel, but now he is in a 2 man pivot so he should attempt more long balls so that our players start making movements when he is with the ball expecting passes from deep.

i didnt really take note of the long passes he gave in the sparta game but maybe that could be why we created so many chances for ladyboy in that match.

I know mikel has long range passing in his locker, but his reluctance to use it baffles me sometimes. I feel he is too scared to lose the ball but if our players realise he gives long pases every time, they will definately make run behind the defence(which have been lacking in our side) expecting his pass. Then the opposition defence have something extra to do, and not just marking out juan mata.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Around 09-10 we used 4-3-3 more and for nigeria they play with 4-3-3 too. He is suited to this i feel, but now he is in a 2 man pivot so he should attempt more long balls so that our players start making movements when he is with the ball expecting passes from deep.

i didnt really take note of the long passes he gave in the sparta game but maybe that could be why we created so many chances for ladyboy in that match.

I know mikel has long range passing in his locker, but his reluctance to use it baffles me sometimes. I feel he is too scared to lose the ball but if our players realise he gives long pases every time, they will definately make run behind the defence(which have been lacking in our side) expecting his pass. Then the opposition defence have something extra to do, and not just marking out juan mata.

I feel it also has to do with the manager. Movement up front is something you practice in training and we've been suffering from it all season and not just for long balls. Ball distribution against teams that press has been one of the major issues for us, imo.

[Korea 734]

Having drogba can make any person pass seem good...... Haha

[JDY 1,290]

Mikel is a decent player but he's overrated as he's the only viable option we have for the pivot at the moment. It's questionable whether he is good enough to be a regular starter for a team aiming to challenge on all fronts. The general consensus is that Mikel is an undervalued part of the team, and I would agree to an extent. But his flaws outweigh his strengths for me, especially if we persist with the 4-2-3-1 which requires a lot more pressing than Mikel is capable of.

We could certainly get better than Mikel, and there are a number of players out there who would significantly improve our pivot.

[The Skipper 20,609]

We've won a lot of trophies with Mikel as our starting DM.

[Santiago. 1,500]

Would love to see both Mikel AND Ramires sold in the summer personally. Use the funds for Fellaini and Benat.

That would be beautiful but we would be getting rid of them so unceremoniously

[JDY 1,290]

We've won a lot of trophies with Mikel as our starting DM.

In a 4-3-3 where he's more suited.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

In a 4-3-3 where he's more suited.

How about the FA cup and CL last season? Everyone seem to have forgotten that the pivot of him and Lamps was one of the main reasons for last year's triumphs.

[JDY 1,290]

How about the FA cup and CL last season? Everyone seem to have forgotten that the pivot of him and Lamps was one of the main reasons for last year's triumphs.

One of the main reasons for last years triumphs was luck and the way the team was set up. Mikel was our best player in Munich. Why? Because he was deployed so deep that he was almost playing the same role he does in a 4-3-3. In the 4-2-3-1 you have to have two competent ball winners, neither Mikel or Lampard are this. Mikel is an excellent positional player, but doesn't have the domineering presence to be great in the pivot. Lampard's defensive contribution is non-existent, the only reason he hasn't been scapegoated but Mikel has is because he's a club legend and scores a lot of goals.

Lars Bender/Etienne Capoue/Maxime Gonalons/Sebastian Rode/Ignacio Camacho/Morgan Schneiderlin would all be good options to displace both, or play alongside Mikel in the pivot. Lampard is the main problem here, whether or not people don't like to admit it.