Branislav Ivanovic

[Leif 6,006]

3 hours ago, Darogba said:

I don't really buy this rubbish about Roman keeping a player in the team because he's a favourite of his. The only thing he cares about is results and I seriously doubt he'd encourage a player who's costing us a place in the champions league and therefore money to be allowed to keep playing simply because he likes him. The managers have a free reign on who they pick. 

Why do you think Torres played over and over and over again? You think the managers saw something in him? Or do you consider it more likely that there was pressure from Roman to make it work? I believe the latter. 

Whose choice do you think it was to employ 'out with the old, in with the new' and ensure that Courtois would be our starting goalkeeper, regardless of the fact Cech still performed better? It wasn't the managers buddy.

[lucio 5,418]

3 hours ago, Darogba said:

I don't really buy this rubbish about Roman keeping a player in the team because he's a favourite of his. The only thing he cares about is results and I seriously doubt he'd encourage a player who's costing us a place in the champions league and therefore money to be allowed to keep playing simply because he likes him. The managers have a free reign on who they pick. 

Either there is no meritocracy, or the managers are hopeless at picking lineups. Either way it's no good

[Darogba 112]

2 hours ago, Leif said:

Why do you think Torres played over and over and over again? You think the managers saw something in him? Or do you consider it more likely that there was pressure from Roman to make it work? I believe the latter. 

Whose choice do you think it was to employ 'out with the old, in with the new' and ensure that Courtois would be our starting goalkeeper, regardless of the fact Cech still performed better? It wasn't the managers buddy.

But Torres was different because we had spent that huge money and wanted him to work. Ivanovic is old and past it so I really don't see the point in the board destroying their relationship with a manager just to see him play. Both situations are completely different. 

[Milan 17,859]

Finally.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

MOTM 

[MefiX19 1,092]

Just now, kellzfresh said:

MOTM 

Was fucking brilliant, more of those please

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

Long behold he starts the next game and will be at fault for two goals before banging in a winner in the 90th minute. Then you'll get those who claim we should have never doubted Iva the 'Tank'. (Who dives... )

[manpe 10,861]

On 9/26/2016 at 8:14 PM, Leif said:

Why do you think Torres played over and over and over again? You think the managers saw something in him? Or do you consider it more likely that there was pressure from Roman to make it work? I believe the latter. 

Whose choice do you think it was to employ 'out with the old, in with the new' and ensure that Courtois would be our starting goalkeeper, regardless of the fact Cech still performed better? It wasn't the managers buddy.

You are forgetting that Courtois was in brilliant form when the decision was made and he'd just established himself as the most promising goalkeeper in the world in Atletico. Majority of the people agreed with the decision, Cech wasn't performing better and was in decline.

[Milan 17,859]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/branislav-ivanovic-says-doesnt-mind-8978770

Quote

“I think that the status of players cannot be concluded on the basis of an unplayed 90 minutes. Today’s football means that every day you have to fight and prove yourself."

And what about a conclusion based on a very, very, very bad year without being benched?

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

[manpe 10,861]

One game on the bench and everybody is talking about it. Why?

[robsblubot 3,529]

This guy has been a starter for so long and been playing at a high level for a long time. He's been poor lately, but let's not forget how good he has been for us in the past.

On his current form, I wonder whether he could've done more to keep playing at a high level. As players age they lose mobility, so they have to work harder and sometimes also drop weight to keep the fat ratio lower than usual - seen players do that which kept them playing for a very long time.

[Blue Armour 4,311]

18 hours ago, xPetrCechx said:

Whether he needs to be on the bench or not, that's a good attitude.

 

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

I'm actually hopeful that he can be a sturdy back up to Dave as the RCB.  It may suit him.  Not fast enough to be a RB, can't cross.  Not really tall enough to be a CB (for the way he plays), so RCB in this back 3, may be okay for him.  Injuries will happen, need to have dependable cover.

[Unionjack 7,531]

Look. Theres been many times since he's been with us Ive shouted his praises. Jes been full of that fighting spirit that I always loved in a player. But even if you was his biggest fan you've got to agree that the team / this new system just isn't right for him.

Mot for a CB but now way on earth is he a soddin WB. So with the football head and defensive master that Conte is how the fuck can he think of putting him in as one? I'm at a loss. I know we are stucj for WB replacements IF Moses/Alonso cant make it but thats scraping the barrel surely. :et alone Pedro in defence

Conte reveals Pedro, Ivanovic and Aina are alternatives for wing-back positions
http://www.squawka.com/news/conte-reveals-pedro-ivanovic-and-aina-are-alternatives-for-wing-back-positions/813549#DgD5wqWMW10eTAJf.99

 

[manpe 10,861]

11 hours ago, Unionjack said:

Conte reveals Pedro, Ivanovic and Aina are alternatives for wing-back positions

What about Willy? He also looks tailor-made for that position, as he's not really prolific enough for a winger but has the work rate and defensive work needed to be a WB. Ivanovic is anything but a WB.

[Unionjack 7,531]

23 minutes ago, manpe said:

What about Willy? He also looks tailor-made for that position, as he's not really prolific enough for a winger but has the work rate and defensive work needed to be a WB. Ivanovic is anything but a WB.

Yeah if necessary. I'd even put Oscar there over those 3. Not sure about Aina yet.

But we do need to look at a player thats used to the role. We have tended to start using players outside of the position theyve played their careers in. We treat them like Swiss army knives instead of getting a proper tool for the job.

We have lucked out on occasions with players that are versatile but if we are going to be serious in Europe its summet we gotta look at.

I think anyway.

[kmk108 1,186]

9 hours ago, Unionjack said:

Yeah if necessary. I'd even put Oscar there over those 3. Not sure about Aina yet.

But we do need to look at a player thats used to the role. We have tended to start using players outside of the position theyve played their careers in. We treat them like Swiss army knives instead of getting a proper tool for the job.

We have lucked out on occasions with players that are versatile but if we are going to be serious in Europe its summet we gotta look at.

I think anyway.

The club was built for a completely different system and the board didn't get all of the targets needed to seemlessly change. There's going to be a lot of players playing out of position for the rest of the year and season. With that much time to adapt, the players that do will stay. The ones that don't fit anywhere will be shipped out. For now, we have to make do with what we can.

If Conte means that they could be long-term replacements, then they must be doing something well in training to hint to Conte that they could be useful in that role. I don't think Pedro defends well enough and I haven't seen enough of Aina to judge. With Ivanovic, I just want him to leave.