mazacar

He is certainly a man of his words. Trashed Europa League 2 days back and was utter trash on the field today.

1. we were eventually knocked out on head to head with Shakhtar since we had the same points. Head to head, they progressed because they had 2 away goals (yes the two when Willian should have been marked by our DM who "shields the defense") while we only had 1 away goal 2. We were down by 1 goal in that game and the second goal (vidal one) gave them room to breathe. The third was a late goal when we were throwing every body forward and Giovinco (?) had a free run at Cech in injury time I think.

wrong example. Butland would have been the 3rd choice fighting for 1 position. Outfield (esp midfielders) have more chances.

They had to mention Terry-Bridge saga in there.

or If he had tracked Willian on both the goals that Shakhtar scored at bridge instead of standing like a deer in front of headlights or If he had felt motivated enough to track Vidal's run for Juventus's crucial second goal at Turin

YES stats can prove that Ramires's passing was better than Mikel's in this particular game. If anyone says that they can't, then welll..... So I believe you have accepted that I was right. Why would I? You guys clearly don't watch games and are living in a fantasy land, I have no desire to interact further.

You do realize this is a thread that discusses match performance? You are saying "we all know that rami isn't the best passer and cannot hold possession intelligently" This thread is not about what his abilities are or not, it is about what he did on the field in this particular game. Ans as it so happens, he was the better passer of the two (more passes, higher accuracy) He won the ball on more instances (1 tackle, 4 interceptions vs 3 tackles and 1 intercetion). Both were dispossessed once each, Ramires won us 3 fouls while Mikel won us 1. Given all this evidence, one can only marvel at your amazing footballing intelligence.

Ramires did not have his best game but still was better than Mikel.

Ramires: 50 of 58 passes completed with 86% accuracy, 1 tackle, 4 interceptions, dispossessed once, fouled 3 times Mikel: 47 of 59 passes completed with 80% accuracy, 3 tackles, 1 interceptions, dispossessed once, fouled once. So Ramires had a better pass accuracy, more number of successful passes, higher number of (tackles+interceptions) How can any sane person argue that Mikel was excellent (broke up play, intercepted and held possession well) while Ramires had a poor game?? What gives?

Listen, If somebody is saying that Ramires was misplacing a lot of passes while MIkel was not and actual numbers say otherwise, any rational person will know to believe the stats not the opinion.

Yes, the 3 AMs had very poor game yesterday. So are you saying that all Mikel has to do is not make a blunder and he will be the best player on the pitch? Once again, expectations. Luiz held us together. Don't insult his performance y'day by clubbing Mikel in the same breath. hahahahahahahahahaha and you have a direct line of contact with whisky nose I presume.

Mikel: 47 out of 59 passes completed, 80% pass completion Ramires: 50 out of 58 passes completed, 86% pass completion It might be a good idea to watch the game before posting a comment.

If he is getting praise for that performance, it shows how low the expectations are for Mikel.

well done today

3 games. That is all Benayoun has started. After Southampton performance, management can be excused for not giving Marin a chance. Malouda is being treated the way he is because he was given the option to leave the club last summer but he wanted money + free transfer from chelsea and dug his heals in (or so I have heard/read). once again, how does all this come in with regards to Josh McEachran.

Apples and Oranges once again. Marin was a punt that did not work out (at least till now). He has been injured for a long time as well and Benayoun is not a regular starter for Chelsea (only 3 starts this season). How does this all fit in with the Josh conversation, I don't know. I can remember the away game vs Sparta Prague where Mata, hazard and Marin started and we were rescued via a late Oscar goal who came in as a sub for Marin.

At his age, Josh has to play every week to develop and realize potential. Apples and Oranges comparison.

What an absolutely wonderful ball over the top for our first goal last night by David Luiz.

Are you surprised? All this guy posts is potshots at Torres.

Considering Oscar and Mata both played 2 games during the int'l break and Mata only came on for a few minutes for Spain, you can't doubt FSW's selection.

Nemanja Matic: One of the standout performers for Benfica this season. Rumours are that Manchester United are also scouting him.

Actually that 1.7 mn is more of some one-time payment. That is not his annual salary. Ryan Bertrand, a fairly regular member of our first team is on 1.75 million. No way RLC will be paid similar amounts.

I would rather Marin than Moses. Moses can be saved for when we play sides with very poor full backs.

That must have been a long time ago. I have seen him slag off Mikel plenty of times this season.

He is our most effective player in both positions (CB and DM).