This is not a knee jerk reaction, because this latest defeat is one of very many signs that all's not well at the Bridge and if we want to remain competitive in the next few years, we have to bring new players.

I believe our central midfield is our biggest problem. Pace and creativity, two things our midfield completely lacks. Too many players are past their prime(Lampard,Ballack,Deco,Beletti) or off form(J.Cole). Losing Essien was a huge blow but if missing one player makes THAT MUCH of a difference, you know we're in trouble.

Hopefully this season will serve as a learning curve for Ancelotti and come summer he'll know who he wants Roman to shell out roubles for and who should be sent on their way. It's hard to demand much from a manager who has inherited somebody else's team with an aging core of players. Even Hiddink who'd have been my first choice before Carlo would have struggled to do better under the circumstances.

We need to get younger, faster and more creative. I think the "Mourinho team" that was built six years ago finally ran its course.

Wathing todays game, as it progressed I just knew we were not going to score. The main difference between us and them today, Sneijder.

Sure he might be a moaning little prick, but his link up play between defending and attackimg made them very dangerous, and we had nothing like that in our team. Again we dominate in corners, and before the end of the first half and into the start of the second, we put them under amazing pressure but made none of it count.

We need that missing link, and have done for a while

Scott

Agree with both to a degree, I actually just posted in the match thread about us missing that X factor again. That said we were missing Essien and Cole who are IMO the best players in the world in their position and would have made a difference.

That said when we were at our peak in 2004/05 we had Robben, Duff and Cole marauding down the flanks. We were the kind of team who could defend but then rip a team apart with quick goals, (see Barca 2004/05 CL) Now we play a slower style suited to our older team. Malouda is coming into a bit of form, but if we were to strengthen any position it would be on that right wing.

I know others will say Joe Cole etc. But for me that right wing is the place where the marginal returns on investment are highest. If you look at all of our successful signings, the players who have made a lasting influence we paid the big money for them. Drogba, Essien, Ash Cole, Carvalho all attracted big fees. We've got to go back into the market for someone of real quality. I don't care if it's just one player but for me the results of a creative wing player will pay off.

That said given the whole financial security issue, our problems with the wage bill and the incoming UEFA rules perhaps we are condemned to endure more frustrating evenings such as this.

Wathing todays game, as it progressed I just knew we were not going to score. The main difference between us and them today, Sneijder.

Scott

Sorry Scott, I know you have been on a Snejider Crusade for yonks but that's rubbish. The difference today was in the set-up, shape and discipline of the teams and that was down to the managers. Mourinho was flawless.

Did you not, at any point, look at Inter and think that's how we used to be? We never at any time, ever, looked like breaking them down. We created hardly any clear cut chances. That was down to Mourinho and how he set them up. Both tactically and, more importantly, mentally.

Sorry Scott, I know you have been on a Snejider Crusade for yonks but that's rubbish. The difference today was in the set-up, shape and discipline of the teams and that was down to the managers. Mourinho was flawless.

Did you not, at any point, look at Inter and think that's how we used to be? We never at any time, ever, looked like breaking them down. We created hardly any clear cut chances. That was down to Mourinho and how he set them up. Both tactically and, more importantly, mentally.

We certainly werent like that in the last 18 months of jose's reign. Will be intersting to see if this inter team lasts more than two years

We certainly werent like that in the last 18 months of jose's reign. Will be intersting to see if this inter team lasts more than two years

Yeah that's what I was thinking too. I think we have been on a slow and steady decline ever since those last 18 months. Hopefully we can spend some money this summer to bring in a couple of new players.

Look at AC Milan and you've got the answer - giving 2 minutes to youngsters once a month is not a forward approach - we'll still be paying over-the-top wages to over-the-top-stars next season and probably the season after that too. But there again it's Roman's ball and he can change the game whenever he likes.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by Tim W

Look at AC Milan and you've got the answer - giving 2 minutes to youngsters once a month is not a forward approach - we'll still be paying over-the-top wages to over-the-top-stars next season and probably the season after that too. But there again it's Roman's ball and he can change the game whenever he likes.

I have said this time and again. Ballack keeps getting picked up and keeps putting those lame performance and when the next matchday arrives you can bet your mortgage on him getting picked again. How many times did he put us in danger yesterday in the first half and hour? Matic, or for that matter any of current reserves cannot play worse than he did yesterday. We could have played the whole night and wouldn't have scored thats how pathetic we were going forward.

Hopefully this defeat would give an edge to us in the domestic title race. I am not too disappointed going out of the CL at this stage. Its much better than going out in the semis for instance, for a team which has run out of steam and are somehow dragging along.

totally agree.

this squad is aging and it wont get better.

young, fresh players from the own youth, thats the solution.

a bit off-topic:

imagine to rebuy our club from roman (something manu-fans are trying to do) and to set up a well youth academy instead of buying expensive foreign players.

totally agree.

this squad is aging and it wont get better.

young, fresh players from the own youth, thats the solution.

a bit off-topic:

imagine to rebuy our club from roman (something manu-fans are trying to do) and to set up a well youth academy instead of buying expensive foreign players.

But to be fair Roman has tried to invest in the youngsters, by investing in their facilities, coaches, and now stopping the massive spending sprees that were evident in his first couple of years here. He has tried to allow the club to bring through youngsters imo.

I always said that I dont understand how Carlo doesnt use any youngsters. Even if we are 5-0 up with 2 subs left they wont get a chance. Matic and Kakuta should be given a chance, it just cant be worse then Joey and Lampard/Ballack.

totally agree.

this squad is aging and it wont get better.

young, fresh players from the own youth, thats the solution.

a bit off-topic:

imagine to rebuy our club from roman (something manu-fans are trying to do) and to set up a well youth academy instead of buying expensive foreign players.

Agree with the first bit, but to be fair to Roman he has invested very heavily in the youth set-up. However, as has been repeatedly said on here it takes time for the players to come through - and courage from a manager to give them a decent chance. I believe we have some talent, now has Carlo got the balls??? A good start would be to give Matic some game time!!

A midfield diamond of Mikel, Matic, Kakuta and Essien next season could be awesome given the opportunity.

I have said this time and again. Ballack keeps getting picked up and keeps putting those lame performance and when the next matchday arrives you can bet your mortgage on him getting picked again. How many times did he put us in danger yesterday in the first half and hour? Matic, or for that matter any of current reserves cannot play worse than he did yesterday. We could have played the whole night and wouldn't have scored thats how pathetic we were going forward.

Hopefully this defeat would give an edge to us in the domestic title race. I am not too disappointed going out of the CL at this stage. Its much better than going out in the semis for instance, for a team which has run out of steam and are somehow dragging along.

Having seen Matic in action for the Reserves I can assure you he'll fit into the first team pretty well. Matic/ Cork need to be given the responsibility that Ballack has currently and we should off load the german at any cost. I'd rather have us playing the likes of Cork/ Matic and Kakuta and going out rather than paying the huge sums to the likes of Ballack/ Joey and Deco. Its high time we looked at the squad and push the manager towards picking the youngsters, we will never follow the Arsenal way and I dont intend to but we need to put faith in some of the younger ones that have shown promise in their respective loan spells.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by Maverick

Yep, the current mix just isn't right, we should give youth + experience a go.

The youth inject some pace, skill and motivation, and the experienced players can keep them grounded and provide the know how and impact in crunch situations.

No guarantees it would work, but if we win nothing this season, we need to give it a shot, because I don't think we should get ourselves into huge financial trouble with a spate of big name signings...maybe just one or two.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by Cam

A midfield diamond of Mikel, Matic, Kakuta and Essien next season could be awesome given the opportunity.

Or it could turn out to be a midfield that is comfortable or even good in the reserves but not up to Premier League and Champions League standards.

I can hear now the cries of most on here when we win nothing and finish 7th behind the Spuds with a midfield of all young untried players. No-one will remember how often they were calling for the youth to be used.

Or it could turn out to be a midfield that is comfortable or even good in the reserves but not up to Premier League and Champions League standards.

I can hear now the cries of most on here when we win nothing and finish 7th behind the Spuds with a midfield of all young untried players. No-one will remember how often they were calling for the youth to be used.

I would rather win nothing playing a team containing some young up & coming players and look to be building for the future than win nothing by constantly playing a team containing players clearly on the decline.

Last night just confirmed once again that some of these players are practically running on empty. As already said, they could still be playing that match now and we still wouldn't have scored a goal (to even trouble their keeper would be nice).

What is becomming increasingly worrying for me is Ancelotti's reaction, or rather lack of it. Last night was a bit reminiscent of Steve McLaren but without the umbrella, ella, ella............................

Abramovic, it is a knee-jerk reaction when you post this right after a sore loss but it doesn't make it untrue. We all knew before the game and before the season actually the squad is past its best. We talked about it then and it hasn't changed. We need to get new blood in the team, future leafers and so on.

The season has been very good to us as we have beaten Scum, Manu and Ars*nal. The race for title is still on but if we look at how the three teams are playing at the moment we are battling for the second place with Ars*nal. Without any further losses of major players and some luck like Rooney getting injured we still have good chances of winning the title but not how it is going at the moment. Cech, Carvo, Essien, Bossy and A.Cole being all out we are struggling. JT's and Cole's public humiliation isn't helping at all. Some players might even take the WorldCup as the main target of the season, it doesn't help the cause.

We need luck concerning this season. Manu is on their usual spring high and we can't seem to shake them off.

The Inter game wasn't normal at any standards. Jose created us and he smartly used everything he knew in this game against us. Carlo on the other hand trusted that the squad has enough quality to beat Inter. It was 50-50 and Jose won it. We could have won it, we had places to score and even put the game in bed but it didn't happen.

It doesn't make Carlo bad or the squad sh*te. Inter had better day and a small advantage.

We need to let players like Carvo, Ballack, Paulo, Belletti and co leave and get new young faces.

What is becomming increasingly worrying for me is Ancelotti's reaction, or rather lack of it. Last night was a bit reminiscent of Steve McLaren but without the umbrella, ella, ella............................

-_- His expression could give is worse than a stone. I think it was the 82nd minute where the camera was on him and he dint have anything close to an expression. For heaven's sake we were crashing out of the premier competiition.

I would rather win nothing playing a team containing some young up & coming players and look to be building for the future than win nothing by constantly playing a team containing players clearly on the decline.

You'd rather we were Arsenal?

I don't think many will disagree that the squad needs rebuilding, but I think the question is how we go about it. Whether/how we blood youth, give contract extensions, and the players we buy all make a difference. I think I posted this somewhere else, but a couple of weeks back I did a bit of research into where our older players were in terms of contracts.

Here's some contract information, with player, current age, and length of contract:

Ballack 33 (deal ends 2010, at age 33)

Deco 33 (deal ends 2011, at age 34)

Lampard 31 (deal ends 2013, at age 35)

Drogba 31 (deal ends 2012, at age 34)

Carvalho 31 looks 40 (deal ends 2012, at age 34)

Ferreira 31 (deal ends2013, at age 34)

Anelka 30 (deal ends 2011, at age 32)

Malouda 29 (deal ends 2013, at age 33)

Terry 29 (deal ends 2014, at age 33)

Juliano Belletti 34 (deal ends 2010, at age 34)

Ashley Cole 28 (deal ends 2013, age 32)

Joe Cole 28 (deal ends 2010, age 28)

I'm not saying we turn to L'Arse logic of one year rolling renewals for over-thirties, but we are going to pay for it in terms of youth, wages, and declining player ability rather than rising player ability. (That also adds up to higher prices for us in the long run, if we are ever to break even.)

It beggars belief that management could be talking to Ballack, but I'd also be very hesitant for a multi-year to Anelka. I'm a little worried by some of Carlo's mention of how modern techniques allow players to play on longer now. We have some younger players coming through, not all of them will make it but give some of them a chance and purchase one or two prime of career players in the off-season.

If were going to get rid of players purely judged on this seasons performances, you would have to add these names to the list.

Cech

Terry

Carvalho

Mikel

Ballack

Lampard

Joe Cole

Kalou

Anelka

That will take some replacing money wise.

I don't think many will disagree that the squad needs rebuilding, but I think the question is how we go about it. Whether/how we blood youth, give contract extensions, and the players we buy all make a difference. I think I posted this somewhere else, but a couple of weeks back I did a bit of research into where our older players were in terms of contracts.

Here's some contract information, with player, current age, and length of contract:

Ballack 33 (deal ends 2010, at age 33)

Deco 33 (deal ends 2011, at age 34)

Lampard 31 (deal ends 2013, at age 35)

Drogba 31 (deal ends 2012, at age 34)

Carvalho 31 looks 40 (deal ends 2012, at age 34)

Ferreira 31 (deal ends2013, at age 34)

Anelka 30 (deal ends 2011, at age 32)

Malouda 29 (deal ends 2013, at age 33)

Terry 29 (deal ends 2014, at age 33)

Juliano Belletti 34 (deal ends 2010, at age 34)

Ashley Cole 28 (deal ends 2013, age 32)

Joe Cole 28 (deal ends 2010, age 28)

I'm not saying we turn to L'Arse logic of one year rolling renewals for over-thirties, but we are going to pay for it in terms of youth, wages, and declining player ability rather than rising player ability. (That also adds up to higher prices for us in the long run, if we are ever to break even.)

It beggars belief that management could be talking to Ballack, but I'd also be very hesitant for a multi-year to Anelka. I'm a little worried by some of Carlo's mention of how modern techniques allow players to play on longer now. We have some younger players coming through, not all of them will make it but give some of them a chance and purchase one or two prime of career players in the off-season.

Well at least the transfer ban has been turned down....just imagine what would happen if we couldnt sign for the next two transfer windows.

i thing we should go for kaka of real madrid :D

he can creat more than all our midle together Lampard ballack mikel deco

our team are so slow with them old's

The most depressing thing about last night was that we didn't throw the kitchen sink at them after the goal. No pressure on Inter at all. Can you imagine a Ferguson team giving up like that? "Not with a bang, but with a whimper".

I reckon the club's problems are really down to the philosophy of Abramovich. He bought instant premiership success with Mourinho, but then he wanted sexy football (oh, and the CL as well). As it turns out he lost the baby with the bath water when JM was sacked. Then you have a string of managers trying to fit square pegs in round holes. Back to the drawing board, Roman. Make it a ten year plan this time

Then you have a string of managers trying to fit square pegs in round holes. Back to the drawing board, Roman. Make it a ten year plan this time

Then the question again is whether Carlo is the man to stick with for a long term plan. He seems to be not the most shrewd tactician and not too swift in thought either. On the other hand he seems to stick to a bunch of players and doe not tinker a lot.

Edited March 17, 201016 yr by Maverick