ethicalstrategy

Wow. Never ceases to amaze me how revisionist people can be. He was one of the best players we have seen at the Bridge. He was capable of turning a game singlehandedly. Since he left us he has had continued success. Granted, his injury record counts against him, otherwise he's been one of the best players in the world for the last ten years. I don't hold a grudge on the basis of one interview straight after a defeat.

It seems the district line will operate a reasonable service tomorrow from Wimbledon to Upminster. The strike ends at 9ish. London Overground from West Brompton running normally.

Cech won't be playing.

We need both clubs to lose a match realistically. That's why it won't happen. Hurts even more that we didn't even scrape a point against Sunderland. Each team to draw a match is much more likely. And in any case, if we can't beat Norwich and Cardiff then we deserve nothing.

He scored and you can't argue with that. But, if he didn't have the touch and awareness of a donkey then we would have had more.

It may be a little quieter here. Redandwhite3 might be having a bit of difficulty logging in. There's only so much sh*te that can be tolerated!

I'm sure Loz has matters in hand.

I'm ok with him being ugly and annoying. The bit that worries me is where his strengths and weaknesses lie. He is great in a team that plays like Atleti. Very fast and aggressive. He struggles when teams sit deep. That's exactly where we need help. Against teams that want to play against us we do just fine. It's when they sit deep and deny us space and make us work that we struggle and I suspect Costa won't help us all that much. Yes, he'd be an upgrade on what we've got, but I don't think he is necessarily the answer. I actually think the solution lies more in our full backs but that's a whole different philosophical question.

I just wanted to post because you seemed to be talking to yourself

I like that kid!

Personally, I would let him play. I don't like all this nonsense of loan players not playing against their parent team.

And yet, we have the third best record in terms of goals scored from set pieces. Only Man City and Liverpool have a better record. Set pieces.tiff

I still find him a bit of a conundrum. He does some brilliant things but at other times he looks a bit lost. In particular, he looks very uncomfortable when he is pressed on the ball. Usually, out on the right. He has a tendency to dither and then play it back to Cech. I'm not sure he is a natural leader.

Great team performance. We played to a plan set out by an experienced and gifted manager. Close call for me between Schurrle and Luiz. Schurrle gave us the boost we needed with his drive and scoring that vital first goal, but Luiz really had his game face on and singlehandedly monstered the midfield, especially in the last 30 mins when we were pushing on. So I have gone for Luiz.

Always watch out for anyone called Liam.

If Jose fancied Lukaku then he wouldn't have gone out on loan. i don't think we will see him back here next season.

Has to be Courtois. Cech is starting to look like Carlo did when he first arrived. Not commanding his box. The first goal last night should never have happened. Terry should have been left in no doubt that there was no danger. Cech should have come and collected it. Second goal was more difficult because it was a good ball in, but Cech didn't know whether to stick or twist. The third was very poor. Of course Pastore shouldn't have got that far, but you can't let the ball in at the near post. You just can't. If you add on to that the fact that they looked like scoring from every corner and Petr flapped about like a hyperactive chicken then questions have to be asked.

It was interesting listening to Jimmy Floyd on Sky last night. He was asked what he would do re Courtois and Cech and he said that he would choose the best keeper and that is Courtois. I think we have to bring him back to Chelsea and let him compete with Cech. If Cech can hold him off then it means we will have a fantastic keeper and if he can't it still means we will have a fantastic keeper. Win, win.

I'm not sure Moyes ever went for the win. He did set the team up well though for this match. Not so surprising given that's what he was used to at Everton. It's a much taller order to set them up to be more offensive. I thought that they looked better with Kagawa on for Giggs and they pressed a bit higher in the second half which made life tougher for Bayern. I think it was Rummenigge who said that Bayern were in danger of becoming boring by playing too many passes and I tend to agree. Pep is turning them in to Barca mark II. All possession, but little penetration. I thought they were better last season when they were more dynamic and direct. I would still expect Bayern to go through, but if United can stay in the game until the last 20 then anything could happen.

I seem to remember that we had a ban imposed over the Kakuta deal. That was subsequently overturned. The problem is that I don"t actually know what they are supposed to have done wrong. They can't be the only club that has signed under 18 players from abroad.

Watched episode one - not sure yet.

Poor Liam. Empty handed again!

That's funny. I heard Liam's brother ran off with them!

Fail Mod. We all know that's not true!

I may be deluded but I'd be very tempted to go with a team along the lines of: Hart Walker, Cahill, Terry, Shaw Henderson, Milner Sterling, Lallana, Townsend Sturridge Obviously, JT isn't going to play but he would be a good experienced head amongst the younger players. Walker at right back is a bit of a gamble but Shaw looks a real prospect. Henderson has done really well for Liverpool and we will need plenty of energy and work rate in there. I know a lot of people slag Milner off, but I like him a lot. He's a real hard worker and can play a bit too. Lots of pace on the wings and Lallana is a very clever player. Sturridge seems to know where the net is. Just a thought...