MANoWAR

I wonder if or when we'll use a youth player that was brought on when he was really young. I mean, Terry is a youth product but we bought him at 16 from West Ham where a lot of his development would've been. Josh -- didn't he get injured numerous times or something that hindered him? Shame he's fallen though. Hope the same doesn't happen to Chalobah :( Big problem is the managers though. None of the youngsters will impress or earn the managers trust if we keep changing them every so often. Sustainability is often what gets the youngsters through and given a chance.

Well, if he does as good as the others players we signed from Porto in the past, I think it'll be worth it!

Not sure why we bought Van Ginkel as our holding mid (I believe he played there for us, no?) when we have promising youth already in Aké and Chalobah. :|

Liverpool are a disgusting club. Don't follow them.

I don't know if people have even heard of him, but Stipe Perica has scored 3 goals in 6 apps for NAC Breda. Pretty good for an 18 year old.

^Agree to an extent. I don't think he did a 'fantastic' job but he did do well and deserves more credit than some people give him.

Don't want Falcao. We need a Lewandowski/Suarez-esque striker or someone like Rooney.

Suppose. Maybe I should try the shed end/MH sometime. I've tried east/west upper and lower to see where I feel the best view is.

You're right. I just wonder who could comprise the spine because of some uncertainty in positions and whatnot. How long will Terry last? Is Cahill good enough to be a leader at the back and the game like Terry? Can Luiz overcome his lack of concentration? Who truly is our #10? Does Ramires have that influence on us like Lampard did? Out-of-form strikers like Eto'o/Torres vs Drogba? Tbf though, back then, we had some proper balance so everything clicked. Here it may be harder to find the right spine because the team hasn't really fit together greatly in many games.

I agree. I went to the game vs West Brom a few days ago and no one was chanting or singing or doing anything where I was (west stand upper). Annoyingly, there were lots of people who looked like tourists who just spent the majority of the match on their phones doing whatever. I mean, if you're going to spent £60+ to go a match, then at least watch it ffs! Even a 5 year old behind me was making more noise then them. Then when I try and start something I end up looking like a mug because no-ones doing anything in response lol >_< Also, I don't mean to be sexist but the number of women there kind-of takes away from the atmosphere as well. Although they need to relax on some rules tbh + stadium designs here vs places like Germany don't really help.

Pogba would definitely be sold if we offered them something like 35-40m. Maybe even less. Juve really need the money. Anyone see his goal yesterday? Brilliant.

^^We lack a spine tbh. In the past we had Cech/Terry/lampard/Drogba and now what is it? Cech/Terry ...? We need to fix that.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1845514-jose-mourinho-slams-stamford-bridge-atmosphere-after-chelsea-vs-west-brom

ATM playing -- on Sky Sports 1 if anyone's interested.

Don't need a striker right now. CM + DM moreso. German duo of Gundogan & Bender. My oh my that would be something.

I don't think we'll lose but we won't win if our attacking threat comes from the likes of Ivanovic (as it often was today).

Good comment. Heck, you could even make a case that Mata was the best player last year. Individual performances by Suarez, Bale and RVP may have been better, but Mata was consistent throughout the whole season with regards to his great performances. Mata needs to come back to the starting 11 :(

I like how we've tried various formations this season, last season we were a 1 trick pony with the 4-2-3-1. But now we have the players for a 4-3-3, a 3-5-2, a 4-6-0(at a stretch) and a 3-6-1. It means that we'll be much more adaptable and harder to read. However, I still think that we haven't been playing too well this season, can't think of a single game we've dominated really badly bar the first half an hour vs hull. Hate to say it, but we've been a bit united like this season under Mourinho. Doing goodish in the league but not really been playing amazing football, just been playing winning games (sort of...) for the most part -- although United were better at it than we were and were top this time last year... :S Idk. I understand what you're thinking Enigma but I don't think he isn't passionate, but it seems Madrid may have affected him somehow -- a bit different this time round.

Haha of course -- always good to see reds for those guys. I wonder if they will be able to carry this for the whole season. They're known for crashing and burning despite good starts but I've been more convinced by them this season. If they're still top by January then I'd be a tad worried. Seeing Liverpool near the top is rustling my jimmies too. They'll fall eventually but I didn't expect them to be this high so far.

Big Sam will play his 4-6-0 formation so I really hope we've got some sufficient attacking threat + width. No Cole or Branna please.

So what do we want tomorrow following this result? Arsenal win they become 7 points clear which is a bit annoying. United will be a point behind us and we'll be 4 points behind Arsenal if they win. Draw means Arsenal go 5 points clear and United 2 points behind us. Honestly don't know. A united win IMO.

Despite the fact that he hasn't been great, he's still our leading goalscorer lol.

Looking at performances like ones vs West Brom highlights why we really need one (or two)!

Disappointing to see Lampard start instead of Mikel but the rest is fine. edit: Oscar again he's clearly tired! Mata :(

1. John 2. Oscar 3. Ramires 4. Branislav 5. Fernando