Jonty

This has been my desktop background for well over a year

With the youngsters being included in the squad we aren't in desperate need of another homgrown player, and i'm sure Jose knows we can find better value for money abroad. That being said, Cuadrado and Salah haven't exactly been revelations, hopefully we're more careful with our scouting for our next attempt at a right winger. Someone like Dries Mertens maybe.

Well his performance on the wing last night showed that he definitely isn't Anelka. Generally while playing up front he's been excellent though, i'm more than happy to keep him on as 2nd choice. Honestly he could easily be a starter at a Champions League contending club though, so i'm not sure he'll want to stay.

Sounded fantastic on TV, i'm hoping that us fans in Australia can do the same on June 2nd.

Didn't really have much chance of getting into the game when he came on, will be interesting in his case because obviously we also have Bamford and Solanke trying to come through in the same position, and I don't see more than 1 of them occupying a spot next to Costa and Remy.

Nice article, only bit I didn't like is where RLC was accused of playing the "easy ball out", because thats exactly what you don't want from a young midfield player right? Better to have someone try and hit 40 yard passes all night like St. Stevie hoping to be the hero. Speaking of which, Xavi is w**k, always looking for the easy ball out.

I think the JT one was clearly the ref realizing he'd made a mistake with the earlier sending off and trying to balance it out, I very much doubt he keeps JT on the pitch if he hadn't already sent Cesc off. That being said every time I see a peno given together with a sending off the commentators bleat on about it being a double punishment and that apparently the refs regularly debate this point.

I cannot fathom how someone who cannot control a ball was able to star Serie A and command such a large transfer fee. I'm going to have to go back and watch some videos of his Fiorentina days because i'm in disbelief.

Or John Stones seeing as all their centre backs are f**king useless.

The Ivanovic one wasn't an appeal so is in no way relevant. The Matic appeal was to have his ban overturned and thus wasn't successful either. There was also a media furor around the incident given its possible implications on the title race. This incident was in an end of season friendly when the season is over, and thus there is no public or media pressure on the FA to overturn its own decision, which in the past has been the only reason the FA has actually done so. But anyway, back on topic, you think Fabregas could have injured someone with a gently hit cross? Can you provide examples of any prior instances of this or is this another one of your fanciful interpretations?

Because despite those prior decisions being incorrect, we still never win any appeals, because as we all know the FA do whatever they want and rarely admit they are wrong. What other ones have we had success over? And, because I see you've now changed the topic, i'm assuming you're in agreement with me over Fabregas not committing violent conduct based on the laws of the game?

No, I said that if it were my decision that i'd appeal, I never said that I think we'll appeal and I don't think we will. Please don't quote me, then ignore the post you're quoting, then misquote an earlier comment of mine. And i've also never claimed to be an expert on the laws of the game, i'm merely aware of them which is evidently more than can be said for you.

Unfortunately i'm no medical expert so my opinion on this again, isn't relevant. That being said, i've played and watched football all my life, and never have I seen someone injured by a gently hit cross striking them on the back of the head. The fact he was quite evidently fine prior to the ref sending off Fabregas is further evidence of this.

Yes of course they are open to interpretation, but that interpretation is based upon what the laws state, not off someones baseless opinion. An example of interpretation would be: I think this constituted brutality because ____ or this could have injured someone because ____. What interpretation isn't: Yeah f**k what the laws say here's what I think and my opinion is above the codified, universal laws of the game and as such i'm going to ignore them.

So which was it, brutal or capable of injuring someone?

Nothing to do with reasoning or what a retired ref says, i've quoted the laws of the game which are of far higher persuasion than yours, mine or anyone elses opinion. If you disagree and believe and could show that his actions could be classified as brutal, or were capable of injuring someone, then yes you may have a relevant point.

I've just posted this in the Fabregas thread but i'll copy it here too: He quite clearly did not use brutality, so lets examine the FIFA definition of excessive force, again taken from the FIFA rules of the game Was his chip in danger of injuring an opponent? Quite clearly not. So in fact by the rules of the game, this did not constitute violent conduct, as no excessive force or brutality was used, and there were no grounds for a sending off. If I were a member of Chelsea's legal team i'd look into appealing this one.

Violent Conduct, as taken from the official FIFA Laws of the game: He quite clearly did not use brutality, so lets examine the FIFA definition of excessive force, again taken from the FIFA rules of the game Was his chip in danger of injuring an opponent? Quite clearly not. So in fact by the rules of the game, this did not constitute violent conduct, as no excessive force or brutality was used, and there were no grounds for a sending off. If I were a member of Chelsea's legal team i'd look into appealing this one.

In the words of Sir Alex Ferguson "He could have been killed."

Not overly interested in him unless he comes significantly cheaper than what I expect he would, even with a year on his contract.

Very rarely does he pull anything that is unprovoked, the only people that think he's some sort of monster are those who either never watch him or sky commentators.

Platini is right, I don't want to live in a world where PSG can't buy David Luiz for 50 million pounds.

Now if that isn't class, character and integrity I don't know what is.

Love him, quality striker, hope he plays every minute of next season, hope he continues to give what he takes from his markers.

Copying this over from the match day thread. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsnZNo5YOVs Not just saying this because he said a few kind words about us, but does anyone else think he's the 2nd best manager in the league? At least at setting up for individual games?