bjd

Perhaps, but until its given a proper go how can you say for sure ? Who knows what a proper fan led initative could do, all it takes is some proper momentumn and it could really gather pace and make a difference. Its certainly a worthwhile plan and one that deserves support even if you dont agree with some of the ideas mooted. Certainly a post such as yours with the facepalm is nothing but disrespectful to those trying to make a difference.

Wow, that comment i made really stirred something up. To clarify i wasnt particulary having a pop at Mikel. I guess you could say the same thing about Moses too, also nominated. The part above ive highlighted says it really and I dont see how people can debate it. I mean he's started 14 games this year. In all competitions. And he has been nominated as best player from his continent this year. That was my point really, and its pretty damning if you ask me.

My word, what a damning statement it would be on the current state of African football if Mikel was to win that.

Can you provide your suggestions for enhancing the atmosphere on matchdays ? I assume as you know whats good and whats not you have a list and are planning on doing something proactive ahead of your next vists to Stamford Bridge

Cross this one off, at least for Jan anyway. He's out for the season, damaged ligaments in the Germany game last night and could be a doubt for the World Cup. Shame for him, hope he recovers well.

I said the midfield. Not Mikel. I also said the primary reason, not the sole reason. If the midfield moved the ball to our forwards quicker they could perform better. Mikel is without any question the worst offender of this but certainly not the only culprit. Again, the midfield. Not just Mikel. I don't rate him but my intention was never to do a hatchet job on him as your post above implies.

did someone mention specsavers ? w**kers. i went in and paid for an eye test yesterday and have come home tonight to find a free specsavers eye test voucher in the post! anyway, im with davey. never a foul on ivanovic and certainly a joke penalty at the end. and my eyes are just fine. ive got written proof from specsavers.

Not sticking up for the player at all - i couldnt care less. But from what ive read about the transfer Falcao didnt have too much of choice about it so in this instance id be reluctant to label him a mercenary. Happy to be proven otherwise though. I did read an article on it and i recall It was the ultimte 3rd party ownership job , stupidly complicated and if someone really can be arsed it may be worth a delve into to get all the ins and outs, but i do recall reading he had little choice in it all. So im not so sure he is being commented on fairly here really. But like i said, i realy couldnt care. As for him moving to Chelsea ? Behave.

I would suggest that right now there is compelling evidence that the primary reason why our attacking players are not doing their job properley is because the midfield players behind them are not doing their job properley.

Don't really agree with any of that but I've highlighted that one sentence in particular because I think it raises a decent issue.Mikel has to play at the moment because as you say he is our only defensive midfielder. This however does not mean he excels in the role. The passing stats you quote don't mean a thing and I'm staggered people still come out with them! And as for controlling the midfield? I've never seen him control a midfield once. Not even close. Oh, and as for 'ariel dominance '? That ones a joke right?! When he plays we are a bit more solid granted but when be plays our play is just so slow. He takes an age to get the ball moving and is the prime example of why it takes forever to get the ball forward to our attackers. Against a team who defends deep it just becomes so frustrating as we get nowhere. We need someone in he role who can play it quickly. Looks around, gets ball and passes. Mikel does the opposite - looks up after getting the ball. He is in the team by default and we really need an upgrade and have done for about half a decade now. I'm boring everyone to death about this at the moment but it's all about our midfield right now. It's just so flawed and not one combination of what weve got is the answer. The best duo is Mikel and Ramires but that certainly doesn't mean Mikel is excelling and a key part of our future. I think he's had his many chances and the club can do better and I think Jose may just feel the same too. I expect our midfield to be very different this time next year. Perhaps even by Feb as this nonsense can't go on any more.

Sorry Zola, cant agree with that. We are crying out loud for a midfielder, much , much more than a striker. Its really affecting how we play, and certainly how the attackers play. We need someone who can tackle and pass and move, someone to keep it flowing and who moves the ball forward quicker. We just dont have that at the moment. There is so much talent at the top end of the pitch and its just not being utilised as well as it can be right now. Like you say though, Jose is well aware of the the flaws. Thats why im convinced a midfielder should come in the window, and if not in Jan then it will definitley happen in the Summer.

Its all about the midfield. All about the midfield. The time it takes the ball to reach out attacking players is crazy. We basically have 4 midfield players to pick from (including League Cup Essien) and not one combination is good. Mikel/Ramires is currently the best but still stupidly flawed. I see people clamouring for Mikel to play every game, and yes right now he should i suppose. We do look more solid with him in the team, however that doesnt make him a crucial plus point. Yes i know its a cliche but he still slows the play down and doesnt release the ball quick enough. As for Frank, well, its obvious he offers nothing, not even goals now which breaks my heart to type. Midfield is holding us back. Id be staggered if someone doesnt come in during the transfer windows. Jose isnt stupid. Ive said for ages a top class midfielder would lift the team to a new level but now i dont even think we need that. Just someone who looks up, gets and gives. Opposed to our lot who get, then look up and then give (Mikel being the chief culprit). We just need to keep it flowing, the amount of times we stagger and labour an attack is criminal and when you are up against 2 banks of 4 it makes it all the more harder. Ive been dead against Luiz in midfield from day one but now i think it could be worth another punt, anything but this nonsense we are seeing every week. Dont think Jose will do it though.

A genuinely shocking display I thought. Followed straight on from St James Park. We got out of jail. Sorry Spiller it was a joke penalty. We'd be going insane if that was given against us to deny a win. f**king insane. It's the midfield for me again. I've been boring everyone to death about it since August. It's our big issue and it's getting worse every week. We are not going to progress with the combinations we have at our disposal, all are flawed. Lots of work to do and two weeks off may be a good thing. Oh and we now have to support Manchester United big time tomorrow. Thanks guys....

Thought id just pipe in and second Davey here. I know we all see matches differently but i find the idea that Mikel 'got us through' that first 15 mins absurd. Dont get me wrong im not having a pop at him (well not too much!) as he did improve and did become a settling influence but in those first 15 mins he was a shambles and gave the ball away in bad postions at least 3 times. Of course he wasnt the only one its fair to say. Keep piping on about it but midfield is where our issues lie. Yes we all know about the striker situation but at least we have options. We basically have 3 players (4 if you count Essien) and none of them are great matches as a pairing really. I think Jose is well aware of this and we hopefully may see some movement there in Jan, if not then, for sure in the Summer. A top quality, strong and alert midfielder would improve this team to another level.

Champions League group games are without doubt the worst Stamford Bridge experience there is and it's been like that for years. The games are always full of day trippers and tourists and are very hollow experiences. The sight of a heaving , loud and passionate away end just makes it even more depressing. Thought the Schalke fans were fantastic last night and I could clearly see the guy with the megaphone orchestrating it all. We've seen that before too, I think it may have been Leverkuson a few years back. You're right though, imagine if one of our mob tried to manage an atmosphere like that in the MHL. Quickest banning order ever.

Not so sure if I buy into that ES.Knocking the ball over the first man and aiming into a certain place in the penalty area should not be above a professional footballer. Your right though, the amount of players , not just from us but from other teams who continually fail I do this is amazing really. In particular I find not beating the first man inexcusable. Like not getting a penalty on target.

Think is spot on regarding Mikel and what I've always said. He's fine but someone else could do it better and it would transform our team to have someone there with more punch. We do look better and a stronger when he plays so can't argue really. He had a decent game last bar a shaky first 10 mins when he gave the ball say a lot but of course he wasn't the only one there.

Ah, a 'source'. 100% fabrication then! But as Just says - it should be true! The players have every right to be sick and tired of his lax play. I know I am.

Out of interest where have you heard this from ?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3988419.stm Its such a fuss about nothing, they'll make up any sort of stat to make a suitable 'story' Jose has now played 4 League games at SJP, and hasnt wont yet. Its 4 games, hardly a 50 year hoodoo like they are making it out to be. Suspect we'll get the same when he goes to Villa Park next or if we play Real Betis in Europe.

Sorry to be a pedant but Jose has won at SJP before ...But your right, everyone must learn from the weekend and the most important thing is a reaction , and I'm sure there will be one.

I hope not !!

Almost there.... Put it this way there is as much chance of Lionel Messi lining up for Chelsea on Wednesday as there is Michael Essien

I'll make it a grand if you want Zola

Essien for Schalke ? I think a lot of people are forgetting something.... I 100% promise to pay anyone who posts on this thread £100 each if Essien plays on Wednesday,