Castiel

He's improving every year as far as I've seen and does a better job at holding than anyone else we have. Unless we go out and buy an already world class holder for a fortune I'm willing to continue letting him work on it. Essien and Lampard have also had poor seasons by their standards. Lampard's age and fatigue probably caught up with him and can't start every game of the season any more, while I believe Essien could do well from a long break and a good pre season to get himself back on track. But the point is, if 2/3 of the midfield is misfiring there is nothing Mikel can do to shine. I've noticed that when Lampard and Essien are on their game, Mikel does a cracking job. When they're not, Mikel has an average game. One thing has become clear though, whether it involves Mikel or not, the midfield needs some serious attention in the pre season. Its been our greatest weakness this season.

Exactly. We never replaced Robben and I don't think this guy is the answer. In my opinion we should never have let Robben go in the first place - but we really need some wingers, not more strikers.

City have had to live in the shadow of those bar stewards United for their entire existence. Imagine being relegated while watching Spurs win the title over and over again and then to have your face rubbed in it, even with banners mocking them supported by the club. They may play defensive but I'm glad they're finally getting some success after what they've had to put up with over the years.

City officially qualify for the CL, last place taken. Should be interesting to see what they do next. Congrats to them though.

I really hope this isn't true. As quality as he was he hasn't shown his form in a long time now and would undoubtedly be a flop.

I do support Carlo and would feel for him if the axe came down but I wouldn't turn my nose up at that combo.

When it takes a Gooner to give us some perspective you know somethings wrong! :D

I just don't think its their MO to buy world class players. They usually produce them and sell them on for ridiculous amounts of money. Sneijder is a finished product already. No doubt they want him, who doesn't? But I can't see the Glazers sanctioning the kind of money Inter would want for him. He has been the engine of their machine since his move from Real and selling him would only be to raise funds to strengthen the squad. I think its more likely that United get Modric. Cheaper, quality player coming from their feeder club.

I don't think United could afford Sneijder and even if they somehow got him I think it'd be a failure. He plays in the same space Rooney does and they perform similar roles. I just have a feeling that they wouldn't work out in the same team unless Rooney changed roles again (which isn't impossible) but he's working so well with Hernandez at the moment that I don't think it'd be a good idea to change it. Edit: Forgot the second part of your question! :P If we move Luiz forward to try him in holding midfield, Alex would fit in at the back. A lot of people don't think Mikel will work out and the jury is still out on him for me, in that case we'd end up with. Ivan - Alex - Terry - Cole ------- Ramires - Luiz ------- And I'd take Modric any day, but I think Sneijder would be a far more effective signing for us.

I'm not sure how Sturridge is on the wings but I'd like to see us try something like this. Jose used this formation in the 2nd leg with Barca, it had a way of retaining their defensive ability while being a lot more threatening in attack. It also allows Torres to act in his favoured position as a lone striker with support from a creative mid fielder and two wingers. Sanchez is just my preferred signing as a winger as he seems to be of incredible quality at the moment and in a team not suited to his ability. Using 2 in a DM position, usually one is freer to go forward on the break (Ramires) while the other is a dedicated holder (Mikel) which offered a very firm defence with astonishing ability on the counter. Lamps takes on a bit part role like Giggs, along with Drogba if he stays while Josh becomes the understudy of Sneijder playing Carling Cup and occasional league games. Terry has the ability to start most games in him still and is far too valuable as a leader. Cole specifically should be rotated frequently with the youth, he shouldn't start every single game of the season. Alternatively we could try Luiz in the middle in place of Mikel perhaps just to see how that works as he does enjoy a more advanced role. Just spit balling to be honest but I think it'd re-inject some life into us and give us a much more dynamic style of play. ------------Cech------------ Luiz - Ivan - Terry - Cole ------Ramires - Mikel------ Sanchez - Sneijder - Sturridge ------------Torres------------

Agree. I really hope Luiz' confidence isn't shattered by that mistake and he learns from it rather than falls because of it. They deserve to win the league because we couldn't step it up but I'll never respect them. Rooney deliberately making rude gestures taunting our fans just exasperates that. Maybe he didn't like the fact that ours made a whole lot more noise than theirs! :D The sooner they collapse under their debt the better as far as I'm concerned. On a slightly unrelated note, I hope Webb has put his haters in their place (and I was one of those fearing he'd bone us). I'd be happy to have him officiate any game of ours after his performance. Kept it fair, made the right calls, didn't let Rooney bait him into getting Ivan sent off even when Ivan was asking for it and didn't fall for any of their diving bullsh*t. Best Ref we've got as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe saying he's not a good striker was the wrong way to say it, because a strikers job is of course to score and he certainly does that. I was just pointing out that he isn't a very skilled player, he's just a very good finisher and relies on his incredible fitness to do what he does. If Rooney is locked out he looks lost up front, so take out his playmaker, take out Hernandez. And he is a c**t.

Sky aren't brilliant but I've never known them to flat out come up with bullsh*t without any factual basis like papers do.

The reporters seem to be saying that Chelsea think he'd work well with Ancelotti, why would we do that then sack him? Sounds like good news if its true.

I don't think he's actually that good a striker, in the sense that he can never be as good as Drogba, Messi, Ronaldo, Torres in his day et al. I've come to this conclusion because every single one of his goals has been a relatively simple finish from an assist. He moves around constantly and keeps getting into scoring positions as a result and it does pay off, but I've yet to see him beat a man. His fitness must be incredible to keep it up for 90 minutes but I can't see that style of play lasting forever.

Old thread I know but saw this on the rumour mill again. Class, class winger in my opinion even if he is injury prone. But God knows we desperately need some width and creativity to our game and he certainly does that.

Oh comeon he picked the team almost everyone on this forum was screaming for and he made the best subs available. He started Drogba in the middle of the 433 and went with the tried and tested, and the players didn't show up. Short of going out and playing himself, what more could he have done? All 3 of his subs improved us substantially. Alex solidified our shattered defence, Ramires put some life back into midfield, and Torres did a lot better than Kalou and Drogba. How exactly did he pick the wrong team when everyone here was crying for that exact lineup save for maybe Kalou? The man just can't win.

He plays more like a striker than a winger and we desperately need some width to our game. We're so predictable in attack at the moment. Not to mention he's getting on in age.

I think he sacrificed Yossi because he felt that Luiz was a liability given the early mistake and quickly declining confidence since the goal was conceded. Had Alex not come on we'd have been pounded.

Doesn't seem strange, we only just won it. We also won it by virtue of our rivals being in decline rather than us dominating. The same reason United will win it this year. The line between success and failure is extremely slim.

Your first thought after effectively breaking the league record is to register on a Chelsea forum and go on a wind up? Congratulations but seriously, f**k off.

They wanted it a lot more, probably because its number 19 but to go out like that with hardly a whimper was just pitiful. End of the road for this squad I'm afraid. Need some clearing out and a rebuilding process if we're to avoid Liverpools fate. I find some of the criticism of Ancelotti a bit knee-jerk. He chose the right 11 in the correct formation, the players just didn't show up. These are experienced, professional grown men, blaming Carlo for their lack of motivation is a bit childish because they should have the mettle do the job or they don't belong in this business. To be knocked out by those f**ks in the CL and then this. I hope Barcelona gang rape them in the final, really. And thats just bitterness I admit but f**k them.

May as well bring on Torres/Ramires/Yossi on and hope Fernando hits form. Right now anything we do is a roll of the dice. That first goal just shell shocked them, worst possible start.

Carlo made the right decision in the lineup. Kalou may perform better as a sub but he's just in excellent scoring form. Also Anelka tends to work better with Torres if thats the plan B - he likes to pass into space.

Sounds good in theory but the idea of defending a one goal lead for 90 minutes at Old Trafford could become the leading cause of death for members of this site.