axman2526

Could see the pressure on his face, but was not a bad pen a good save from the keeper.

Rafa was talking up how good Luiz could be in midfield, and we have been calling for him to be used there for a while. At the same time we have heard rumours that Rafa is not happy with Ramires lack of defensive discipline. Our way forward there may prove to be Luiz and Oscar.

Second what Lane said. Why o why we do not just give Ash a few more years then have Ryan take over.

Many, Many times. Let's not forget a certain night in Munich where we did not deserve to win through after those first 90 minutes only for Drogba to pop up at the end and save our bacon. Great forwards change games.

There is the difference though, whoever has been in control of United has always shown faith in Fergie, and look where it has gotten them. We have had managers that could have bedded in youth BUT the difference being United are allowed to go a season or two under Fergie without a trophy, our managers sometimes get sacked not even through a full season if we are playing carp! No incentive for them to take further risk on youth rather than buying the ready-made product.

The lunatic is spending his cash at the end of the day. I agree with you though and would like the youth to get their chance. Bottom line is Roman demands success every season, that does not fit in with bedding in young players. Far as Anzhi go if any of their scouts, or anybody elses scouts, think spending any sort of money on Torres is worth while after what he has done with us they deserve shooting, by a firing squad of Fernando Torres so they would have to wait blooming ages for one to hit the target!

Have to wonder how different it would have been for AVB had Roman backed what he is meant to have wanted in the transfer market. Supposedly he wanted Moutinho as is his midfield play maker, Hulk as his wide destroyer and Falcao as his main striker. The former two were too pricy and in Falcao's case he was told he had Torres to get the best out of. True it ended up working out as a perfect ending for the Drog, but I wounder what would have happened if Roman had done like he did when he first arrived, the money is no object approach.

How many times have we heard comments like this already this season from various fans?

Roman sacked a CL winning manager HE did not want for a manager WE do not want to try and turn Torres in to an actual useful forward. Has that worked? Not yet and we may end the season with no trophies and no CL next season because of it. Given the lengths he has gone too if Torres STILL fails will Roman finally realize he did indeed by another super pricey past it striker and needs to go back to the drawing board again?

So the last game lost again a side that wanted it so much more than we did. Seems more than likely Leeds will be more up for this than we will be. Given the history between the two sides and all I can see this being another one of those days. Early thoughts from the ashes of our failed CWC experience. EDIT: Mikel, Ramires and now Cahill are banned (apparently CWC rules state if you are sent off you miss the next competitive fixture in all competitions) So where does that leave you Rafa if JT is not yet ready? Has to be Luiz and Brana CB so Lampard and Oscar deep?

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/8336453/Chelsea-boss-Rafa-Benitez-admits-Corinthians-deserved-Club-World-Cup-final Seems even Rafa can point out that this Torres is not a big game player. Seems also the Corinthians Gaffa can see Rafa got his stuff wrong again today....

Well I woke up this more full of confidence, expecting a hard game but one that our quality players should fire on and for us to be crowned world champions. That confidence left me when I refreshed this thread (that I had left on page 2 last night) and suddenly saw 25 pages pop up, compared tot he 15 from page 3 of Monterrey. Knowing this forum I knew that meant we had likely lost, and sure enough we had done. A great, once in a lifetime chance not taken. As some of said we can no longer rely on a truly great forward in Drogba to save us from other mediocre player performances. Simply put this performance and result is not good enough. Maybe Roman will finally realize that firing several players, rather than the one manager, is key to longer term success. Credit to the few who tried, but there were simply not enough of them. (I have been back to bed since checking this result and slept, allowing more time to mellow the disappointment)

Hit Falcao's clause and we can pull it off, offer Arsenal enough cash for a player going on a free and we can make it happen. However as much as I would love Fellaini Everton have a chance of CL, but no chance if they lose him. He has said himself he wants to give it a go to get Everton there. Out of the three the only likely one imo is Theo, unless Roman wants to spend 50mill on another striker again.

Well if the papers are correct on this one then it would mean Rafa sees him playing central alongside Torres. Not sure how that would help Torres but guess we wait and see. Also who would miss out from the midfield to make that happen? Moses most likely.

No "we get screwed over by the ref AGAIN?!!" option?

A good result, able to rest 3 key players later on in the game for the final. If doing so aids us to win the final then is better to do so than put Monterrey to the sword and lose the final. Either way we have done what was expected of us today. Hopefully we will do so in the final it would be a good feat to achieve.

Question is can we slice our way through this Monterrey, Jack?

Well Fellaini is one player I have mentioned before who I think could really give us something different so hopefully if we buy this puts his name further up the list. Shame for Romeu, he really could have come along under Rafa.

Romans money and his club, he can do what he wants with either, as we have seen many times.

One we could have got for free in the summer right? Give this to Wigan, they know how to produce, or rather improve, players to a good Premier League standard.

Hmm Liverpool can win at West Ham but we bottle it...really puts it in to perspective.

Yeah will be sickening as it normal is to see them win the league next year and have their "fans" gloating about it.

That is better, rather have Everton closing on us than Spurs

Damn very bad Sunday for us result wise...

No rotation from Rafa? What ever next, 3 points?!?!