Branislav Ivanovic

[Sheva. 5,373]

He had 2 or 3 games earlier this year when he hit some nice crosses, but overall he's terrible at it.

Definitely not the attacking fullback you need in games like these.

It was disgusting to see him get raped by Bolasie though, small matter of Lavezzi next lol.

[Jase 43,479]

Has he hit a half decent cross in his career yet?

Yeah but the last one was in 2010!

That cross in the second half where he had acres of space and time to put in a good cross but went out for a throw-in (IIRC) sums up his crossing ability. Just shocking!

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Abysmal crossing.

And there is no surprise that most of Palace's counters came in through our right. Poor defensively as well today

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

his terrible

[Strike 7,201]

Yes.

In fact his crossing has been pretty good for the last couple of months, but that all gets forgotten as the toys get thrown out of the pram.

yes. couple of good crosses here and there but not even slightly consistent. It's not his strong point. cross today not the first time it has gone sailing over everyone

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Can't pick him out because the whole team had bad individual performances, but surely you have to notice that almost all the goals we concede from crosses come from his side.

I don't blame him for his crossing, he's a CB, he doesn't have the technical abilities of a RB. Jose should just ask him not to cross anymore.

[Jase 43,479]

but surely you have to notice that almost all the goals we concede from crosses come from his side.

West Brom away, Villa home & away, Stoke away and now Palace away...

I don't blame him for his crossing, he's a CB, he doesn't have the technical abilities of a RB. Jose should just ask him not to cross anymore.

You know we are desperate when we keep on passing the ball to him to cross it..

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

I just don't understand why he insits that Cesar play at LB and stop him going forward. Why not the other way around so Bran can act as 3rd centre back and that allows Cesar to bomb forward on his natural position on the right? Makes no sense.

[The only place to be 11,313]

The guy's had a good season for us. He's scored important goals and he's been a cornerstone of the team, but I think we definitely need to look to get someone in on the left-side to allow Azpi the chance to move back to the right. Can't think of many better right-back/centre-back covers going into next season.

[Strike 7,201]

Can't pick him out because the whole team had bad individual performances, but surely you have to notice that almost all the goals we concede from crosses come from his side.

West Brom away, Villa home & away, Stoke away and now Palace away...

THIS

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I know its bad wishing someone's suspension but I hope Iva is suspended for a couple of games espacially the up comin ones, Mou will never drop him otherwise, his been poor his flank is always open and he does not offer tht much in attack, I prefer AC3 at leftback and Azp at right especially in tight games like the palace game

[Henrique 9,133]

I think Ivanovic is a decent full back (he is certainly better than Bosingwa and Ferreira), but he is not a proper right back you need in games like the one we lost to Crystal Palace, or even for a game against Stoke.

Sure he can play as a RB, but I dont like the idea Mourinho sees Ivanovic as his ideal RB. The man can't cross, and the best definition for him in terms of his attacking instincts is "attack killing machine".

[Strike 7,201]

Don't get why he's been untouchable this season. should be replaced by Azpilicueta at RB next season.

[Vybz Kartel 1,613]

I dont like the way he exposes the right side, it seems his always missing when teams attack us,

[BlueLion. 21,491]

In a game where you're going to have a lot of possession, Bran is the worst full-back to have on the pitch as he has no idea what to do with the ball. In matches against the big teams you need him for defensive solidarity. I hope José has recognised this and goes out and buys another right-back in the summer. It's clear Azpi is his left-back now, I doubt he'll ever start a game again on the right.

[dee25 1,044]

It's not like his technique is awful. It isn't.

It's just that he has absolutely no attacking instincts or flair. Like Alex said, he has no idea what to do with the ball - when to take a second touch, when to cross it first time etc. His movement is quite good but his use of the ball and just general decision making against teams like stoke is terrible.

If Mourinho is dead set on him being his 1st choice right back, that's fine but then he either brings in an offensively strong left back or replaces Ramires with a more technically proficient player. A major part of our problem this season is that we're trying to break down a 10 men defensive wall with iva on the right wing, Ramires in central midfield and Azpi on the left wing. So our attack is literally just Hazard, Oscar and Willian - occasionally Lamps might provide some good support by making runs into the box but that's not enough.

We need far more attacking variation.

[Barbara 15,149]

The thing with Ivanovic is that he's the player that gives the most of himself EVERY SINGLE MATCH. You can't look away from that when half your team (when not more) seems to play heartless. Those things make a difference. I just don't get why Mourinho doesn't try to reverse things. Let Ivanovic play in the left (he'll continue to give his blood in matches, will continue to be a good defender, and will continue to do nothing attacking) and have Azpili go to the right. I wish Mourinho did it at least once and see what happens. They're both very reliable players with a lot of commitment every single match, so why not sacrifice the least technical attacking between the two of them if reversed positions in the flank won't affect the defensive part of the game?

[Chelsea 96 24]

On this day in 2009, Bane scored his first (and second) goal for Chelsea vs l'pool.

I hope tonight will score ....