Kornblume

White Sox are a Chicago team, yes. I, for one, am a big baseball fan (rare thing outside the US). Never saw a cricket match, but an Aussie taught me the rules once in Boston, and I later managed to see some highlights. I was surprised that, despite what I tought at first, baseball rules are a lot more complicated than cricket. Would be curious to see it live. I might not last the whole 5 days of a test match, thought. Think I'll stick to baseball.

You're refering to the Toronto Lynx. They used to play in the United Soccer League, or A-League. It changed name almost every year. It's a lower caliber than MLS. It's the league the Montréal team is currently playing in, altho they are considering a switch to the MLS. I'd say Rogers Center.. that was 2 or 3 years ago. When Rogers put a lot of money in the Blue Jays, the baseball team. The Argos won the East division this year, but failed to reach the championship game. They lost in the playoffs to Winnipeg in the East final.

I agree. I'd like to go to BMO field next summer. Looked awesome. And with the prospect of Montréal joining the MLS, the Montréal-Toronto rivalry could grow in a second sport!

He would be great. In the last articles about Drogba, it was mentionned he dreamed of playing with him. Now Drogs would no longer need to leave. And, a hypotetical striker contingent of Drogba, Eto'o, Anelka, Kalou, would be deadly. And even more so if we could add a Huntelaar or a Berbatov. Plus, we'd gain a depth we don't have right now. Given that both Pizarro and Sheva are underachieving.

As the only francophone here (am I??) I can say that, when you understand the voiced over text, it doesn't get any better. hahaha Probably was a really bad promotion of a fast food chain, for the movie Harold and Kumar go to White Castle.

This will sure hurt. I now really hope the Van der Vaart rumour is true.

Loosing Drogba for 2 months sure is a terrible blow, if it happens. No matter how sad it is to say, with 3 strikers with the club, we will need another one. I really can't see Sheva, Pizzaro and Kalou carry that load. I watched the Israël-Russia game and I liked Ben Sahar that day. Mourinho said last year that he'd be first team this season. Could he get a shot? Maybe, but I'm not convinced he'd yet be a long terms solution. In those conditions, I am for bringing in a player like Anelka or Huntelaar.

I am personnaly wondering how well would Ronaldinho fit in Grant's system. As long as we play in a 4-3-3 formation, where do you put him? Center in midfield? That role, in the formation, from what I understand, normally belongs to either Mikel, Essien or Makelele, in a slightly more defensive role, while the left and right guys are supporting the wingers and the attack. I, must I admit, don't know as much about tactics as many of you here, but it's the impression I get. So, unless we change the state of mind and play like the Netherlands in the last world cup, where they used the 4-3-3 with an offensive player in center midfield (Sneijder, Van der Vaart), I doubt Ronaldinho would fit at that spot. Could he be the striker? Certainly not, since (when fit) Drogba holds that spot. I also doubt that Ronaldinho would be a good fit as a winger. (Altho his centers would certainly be better than SWP's) I guess that the best way to put him in would be to change tactics for a 4-4-2 with a diamond shaped midfield. It could look like: ----------Ronaldinho Lampard------------Essien --------Makelele/Mikel This, on paper, certainly looks good. But it creates a huge jam of midfielders. We should also consider that Ballack will be back in not so long now, supposedly. So does he get to play? Where? Right wing maybe? Then Essien goes at the back... leaving no spot for Makelele, Mikel, Sidwell, SWP and Malouda. Just to say that, in my opinion, Ronaldinho would certainly bring a huge change in the tactics. It might be for the best, who knows, but some of our midfielders will have to leave the club. So, if we are indeed in need for an offensive midfielder, I must say I'd rather to see the club sign Van der Vaart, who, I believe, would fit better in the system currently in place.

In another part of the forum it is said that Lampard might well be back, which is very good news. The 4-2-3-1 worked well in Valencia (after a slow start yes) so I'd go with that again. Cech Belletti-Carvalho-Terry-Cole -----Makelele----Essien JCole----Lampard----Malouda --------Sheva Bench: Cudicini, Pizarro, Kalou, Sidwell, Ben Ha?m(Alex, Paolo..)

I believe you are right. And as someone suggested in this thread, the idea of playing with only one striker is a strong possibility. Even tho I posted a 4-2-2 team earlier in the thread, I had before strongly considered a 4-2-3-1 formation. And I must say I would have done it, having known that Pizarro would also play an international game. So I'm changing my mind for something like: Cech Belleti-(Ben Ha?m/Alex)-JT-A Cole Mikel-Essien SWP-J Cole-Malouda Drogba Bench: Cudicini, (Ben Ha?m/Alex), Kalou, Sidwell, Sheva I'd give the start to Kalou if Drogba is indeed injured.

I'm going with: Cech Belletti-Ben Ha?m-JT-A Cole SWP-Mikel-Essien-J Cole Drogba-Pizarro Bench: Cudicini, Alex, Malouda, Sheva, Sidwell (If Lampard is fit he starts for Mikel, who's on the bench instead of Sidwell. Still no Sheva?, then Kalou) Altho I hope that Sheva will finally be in the lineup and get some playing time. A good season from him is imperative to the club's success. Especially with the African Cup coming.

I would agree on that. Just like I agree that he did serve some nice passes to Drogba. But I also expected more from him last season. To me it feels a bit like the "David Trezeguet syndrom", where a player can only be at his top in a system made for him. I must say I would like to see a diamond midfield, with two wingers feeding passes to both strikers. The way Malouda and SWP are starting the season, they could certainly feed some nice passes to them. Getting this type of passes, Shevchenko would certainly feel more familiar, and could exploit his skills in a better way. At the same time Drogba would be there in support up front. We would then have both options of long balls from the back AND the ground passes from the wings. When Drogba and Kalou will be away, it'd be a time for a 4-3-3 with Sheva on top of two wingers, with support from midfield. We have to hope from a good season from him, since we will need it. And if he does provide more goals, it'll be a bonus compare to last season and it'll make us a terrifying contender on both EPL and CL fronts.

What is going on with him exactly? Is he still injured? If so, when is he expected back to playing?