Bjmel1

I think the 4-3-3 is more to do with Frank than Drogba. The 4-3-3 allows Lampard to get forward more and do what he does best score goals. Drogba is best suited to the lone striker role but I think as others have said play just aswell in a 4-4-2. While in a 4-4-2 Frank would not be allowed the freedom to get forward. Anyway getting back on topic, I would love to sign Aguero. Prefer him to Pato but no complaints if we get either. It seems Pato might be unattainable after Kaka leaving.

Im sorry winning is implied. Winning isn't everything, its the only thing. :) . My question is, how do you know that they are ready?? Surely training can only show you so much but until you get in a match pressure situation you won't know. Therefore to give them a better chance to succeed (obviously only very few make the grade) play them when we have the game won or against very weak opposition in the Carling Cup. Im not saying play 4 or 5 kids at once, put the kid that they think is good enough to get a squad number on when we a 3 nil up with 30mins to go or go with 2 or 3 in the Carling.

I agree with Carling Cup, It amazes me how Arsenal always field a youth team early and united using squad players and talented youngsters. It works two ways aswell as giving older players a rest and developing youngsters. As far as I see it for next year, Mancienne will have less than 10 starts had 1 start last year. Thats even with injuries to almost all our defenders. Di Santo had no starts and will probs have under 5 because of at the moment Anelka, Drogba, Kalou(emergency Striker) and a signing in front of him. I can't see any other youngster currently in the squad getting a look in. Just a bit disappointing, in my opinion. Im not saying make the team really young because we all know experience campaigners win titles. Remember it is almost exactly the same starting 11 as when the Special One left.

I love going back to great moments of Chelsea, this time I watched our great comeback against Stoke and it made me think. With Scolari still in charge, we were 1nil down and we brought on Stoch and Di Santo. Stoch looked very lively out on the right and had some key moments late. While Di Santo somehow won a header in the box to setup the equaliser. And from memory he was very good in the air during that game. I am really disappointed with how the rest of the season turned out for these boys. Not many chances with the first team at all and throw in Mancienne, we continue to not give youth a chance. Everytime we sign a youngster, he is apparently one of the best talents in the world. Yet we see none of these in the 1st team. e.g. Kakuta (love this kid), Tejera, Stoch, Woods, Sahar DiSanto and Sinclair. Probably more examples aswell. Now most of these kids are 19/20 so to expect to break through is a pretty hard order but thats not what Im asking. With the change to 7 bench players it should provide more opportunity for youth. When games are sewn up early, these kids should be brought on. Therefore I think we should have a policy that 1 or 2 of these kids should always be in the team list on the bench. And when we do have games won, they should be automatically brought on instead of an older player. Nothing gets a club and its fans more excited than a talented youngster playing well. Would love to see Di Santo loaned out to another premier league club next season but I don't think he has shown enough for anybody to be interested. And Mancienne will need injuries to play and I hope we can hold on to him. What are others thoughts on our youth development or lack of? Any other processes we can do to try and develop youth and still compete in all 4 comps?

I understand why a lot of fans want to get rid of Drogba, but I see him as our only chance of title success. At the moment he is a distraction and when he does play, he is playing well below his best. But Drogba at top form his our only chance at success this year and the only way for him to hit top form is if he plays. At top form he is virtually unstoppable. Very happy to see Franco and Stoch play well as their opportunities will increase with Joe being out for the season. We need some wide flair players that can generate excitement as Deco (obviously not a wide player) has certainly not turned out that way. Hopefully the young kids can provide that excitement and kick start our season again.

Make some subs, we are playing terrible

Hav not seen Lampard boss a game like Ballack has done tonight for a long time. Ballack is just so dominating, especially with Claude playing behind him.

Ref better start protecting our players before they join the injury list.