Nibs

I'd go for Man City as I've always likened them to us - with them being our Northern equivilent for many years. Just as we struggled to be the big London club with Arse & Spurs, they have always been in the shadows of the Northern giants- Utd, Liverpool & Everton and Leeds (ha - how the mighty fall). And I like them even more after the 6-0 thrashing

Ditto. It's far too easy to forget just how poor we looked in those games earlier in the season. We look a totally different side again now.

Well said Evissy - totally agree. Still gutted in some ways that Mourinho went - especially in the manner and the timing. But if the football continues to improve as it has of late, he will soon be - well not forgotten exactly, but maybe not missed so much.

No argument there - it would be a massive blow to lose both of them - especially if they both left at the same time - it really mustn't happen. But if we do lose both, we will have to learn to adapt. This is where the club should have some kind of contingency programme in place so we are prepared for such eventualities. Just like Arsenal have done in losing Vierra, Henry, Bergkamp etc etc and yet they are still playing football that some would argue is better than ever. Hopefully the usefulness of the likes of Frank Arneson will become apparent or of course Roman will need to get the cheque book out big time!!

Spot on. What'll we look like without them next year if they leave? I knew we could rely on you Bluenut to find the down side following a 6-0 win!!! Any good things to say about Grant yet?

Two great assists for Lamps - he's having a great game. In fact we're all playing pretty well. Keep this up lads - lets blow Man City away and show the Gooners they're not the only ones who play good football. Come on YOU BLUES!!!!

What? You mean try his hand at darts?

Actually that was a couple of seasons ago.

Love the confidence people - hope that is confidence and not complacence!! Personally I fear Man City. Hopefully we will be too strong for them but we'll certainly have to be a lot better than we were last night - especially can't afford to give the ball away like we did, so looking for huge improvements from the likes of Essien, Alex (if he plays) and Joe.

They were exactly the three I thought of and it that order. But thinking about it, I'm not sure a midfiled of Fabregas & Kaka would work so instead of Kaka I'd have to go for a striker. Not many great strikers out there at present, but if we held on to Drogba, I would love to see Rooney alongside him.

I thought this was going to be about Ballack choosing a house in Esher rather than the much more favoured Cobham area with the more established players.

Think it's pretty much agreed that Essien & Alex were the "dodgiest" two players last night. Not sure what has happened to Essien this season. The energy is still there but he gives the ball away at an alarming rate and in very dangerous areas. Against better oppositon this will cost us dearly. And Alex at times looks way too casual - not a great attribute in a central defender. Guess that's the Brazilian blood!

Don't think anyone really stood out again. OK performance but against a side who had a fair number missing. I know Cech didn't have loads to do but I just love the fact he's there and always looks so commanding. I didn't vote for Joe by the way. A game he will want to forget. Looked totally shagged after 75 minutes.

So well put Liam (except that last bit!!) Your finest ever post.

Have to say the Gooners looked pretty good tonight. Of course the commentators went well OTT but some of their football I have to admit was a joy to watch (well it would be a joy to watch if it wasn't for the fact it's f**king Arsenal!!!)

But there are plenty of times when Joe just keeps it simple. For all his tricks and flicks, he gives the ball away far less than most - it's just that it gets highlighted if he gives the ball away whilst trying something a bit flash. And I've said it many times before. I want a player who isn't afraid to try diffferent things. I don't want ROBOTS!!!

In what way was it "terrible". He was strong with him but that was his way and Joe seemed up to the task of accepting the challenges Jose set for him. I don't believe I heard Joe Cole ever alluding to Jose's treatment of him as being terrible at all. And I'm sorry but he does/did show boat and he does/did lose the ball and often got England and Chelsea into trouble because of it. That aspect of his play needed to be balanced out not eliminated but balanced between offensive and defensive duties and helping the team - I doubt he would be making the international team as regularly as he is without the development he has had at Chelsea these last three or four years under Ranieri and Mourinho. And it's not just me, the press have commented many times about Joe Cole's development as a player, although apparently you feel he has developed in spite of Jose not in any way aided by him. I'm not saying that at times Joe can't have felt hard done by but I think Jose's heart was in the right place in that he was trying to make him a better player as he saw it which may be doesn't tally with others views of what he should be doing (i.e. letting Joe just have a free role to do as he pleased). Now Grant is determined to give Roman fantasy football then your wish may well be granted. Callista - spot on Bluenut - way off.

There were loads of instances of Joe being subbed despite being far from the worse player on the pitch. The worst was the season before last - was it the Fulham game? Getting taken off after about 24 minutes (I think SWP was as well)? That was pretty terrible. To his credit, Joe never really spoke out against Mourinho, not publicly anyway - but I bet he had to bite his tongue pretty bloody often!!!

Ha Ha

But we were looking less & less effective - that was the problem. And the last bit you post adds a lot of fuel to the criticism rivals had of Mourinho, in that he was only "the special one" because of all the money he had to play with. Once he didn't have the funds - he struggled. Not my view I would hastily add, but I know a view of many.

There again if Roman makes it worth Israel's while to "not play too well" that night.............................

In some respects yes - but I think Jose got more than enough praise for this some time ago. However, as well as the praise he needs to take a fair amount of flack as just banishing a player to the sidelines and not playing him is hardly going to help matters. After the good work that Jose did with Joe initially, it was like all that good work was being undone and to be honest who could blame Joe for getting more and more frustrated.

Yes

Very well put Chippy.

Yeah, I still hate Leeds. Hate them so much that I really want them to win consecutive promotions now so they are back in the premiership and we can f***ing annihilate them