Couldn't see a post so I thought I would start one! I thought mikel was a massive liability today! He has never been amazing for us but I thought he turned a leaf last season! I think it's high time we bought a quality DM if Essien isn't up to first team responsibilities

Couldn't see a post so I thought I would start one! I thought mikel was a massive liability today! He has never been amazing for us but I thought he turned a leaf last season! I think it's high time we bought a quality DM if Essien isn't up to first team responsibilities

The old "lets start a rumour thread when one of our players had a bad game" routine. Easy buddy.

He had a good end to last season but today (and pre-season) have been a timely reminder of just how average he can be. When he's bad he is a liability playing the positio ne does. We get zero defensive cover and nothing going forward.

There are very few occassions where he would make my starting 11.

Yep I was saying we are missing a quality defensive mid who can play the instant ball, he's ok, but just passes backward or sideways. He slows things down so much.

The old "lets start a rumour thread when one of our players had a bad game" routine. Easy buddy.

He's not just had one bad game though has he? Tbh I was hoping he would have been sold last summer and I forgave all after last season but I think to mount a serious challenge we need someone more consistent

He's not just had one bad game though has he? Tbh I was hoping he would have been sold last summer and I forgave all after last season but I think to mount a serious challenge we need someone more consistent

Agree, not sure M'Villa is ready though. De Rossi would be great or Schweinsteiger, but neither going to happen.

I knew Mikel would go back to his old ways , Europe he does well , English football he is useless. Can't remember when he had a good game in English football.

Agree, not sure M'Villa is ready though. De Rossi would be great or Schweinsteiger, but neither going to happen.

De Rossi would be very good , bit of a hot head though.

Agree, not sure M'Villa is ready though. De Rossi would be great or Schweinsteiger, but neither going to happen.

I love both of them amazing p,ayers but I feel with FFP looming and potential sell on value and value spread over time M'Villa is more attractive! I would also rather us sign him than one of our rivals because he will be a big player in the future

Why sign somebody when we have a player like Bertrand who could slot in perfectly. Having him on the bench behind Cole is going to be a waste. Make him a DM and lets see him in the line up every week.

Anyone remember that kid we were all raving about in November last year? What was his name again? Oreo Romelu? yeah that one...

Cech let in three goals - sell him!

Luiz was awful - kick him out!

Mata was hardly seen - kill him now!

I expect these kind of reaction from so-called "supporters".

Cech let in three goals - sell him!

Luiz was awful - kick him out!

Mata was hardly seen - kill him now!

I expect these kind of reaction from so-called "supporters".

Lol!

And RDM should he drawn and quartered for...um, being Italian? Yeah, that's it!

Edited August 12, 201213 yr by DoubleHelix74

Anyone remember that kid we were all raving about in November last year? What was his name again? Oreo Romelu? yeah that one...

Well, its Oriol Romeu but you are right. Since RDM took the reigns we hardly saw him play. I really rate him very high

Problem for Mikel is that when he has a bad game, it's very obvious because of the position he is in. Defensive midfielder is vital to the 4-2-3-1 and when they aren't playing well it doesn't work. Now Frank is getting on, it puts more responsibility on Mikel. I hope today was just an off game for him, because he is going to be key next season.

With regards to M'Vila, I would perfer Axel Witsel. More physical and extremely versatile.

In my opinion this season is crucial to Mikel's future. In the last 3/4 months of the past season he was excellent and looked as if he was finally developing into a solid DM. However if he slips to his old, lackadaisical ways then he's got to go for me. He's been with us for about 5 years now and we've already been very patient with him.

If Mikel flops, I'd love to see us get Schweinsteiger. Fellaini would be great too. Don't know much of M'Vila except that he's exceptionally highly rated in France.

FWIW

Rennes have received "a concrete offer from England" for defensive midfielder, Yann M'Vila, their coach revealed after their match today. He's expected to move before the end of the window.

No one knows the team, but Spurs, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all among speculation.

FWIW

Rennes have received "a concrete offer from England" for defensive midfielder, Yann M'Vila, their coach revealed after their match today. He's expected to move before the end of the window.

No one knows the team, but Spurs, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all

among speculation.

I think a straight battle between us and arsenal...Tottenham have too much quality in that position for me and I don't feel they have the financial backing to pull off that kind of coup the guy is worth 20 million or something daft! I hope to god it is us after today

Cech let in three goals - sell him!

Luiz was awful - kick him out!

Mata was hardly seen - kill him now!

I expect these kind of reaction from so-called "supporters".

I have not heard one fan say that yet I rate all 3 very highly and all have proven themselves (well maybe not luiz but he is a fans favourite) mikel is a very different story, he has had 20 games a season since he came here and never really wowed until last season! The calls for him to go have been going for a good solid 2 seasons and we have let better players leave for nothing in that time

I have not heard one fan say that yet I rate all 3 very highly and all have proven themselves (well maybe not luiz but he is a fans favourite) mikel is a very different story, he has had 20 games a season since he came here and never really wowed until last season! The calls for him to go have been going for a good solid 2 seasons and we have let better players leave for nothing in that time

20 games a season? He's never had fewer than 35 appearances...

Don't buy it simply because we have way to much players in the centre of midfield at the moment. I've heard it's Spuds who've made a bid.

Lampard, Mikel, Essien, Meireles, Ramires, Romeu, Unless we sell Raul and Essien I don't see us going for him. Ive heard Josh is a cert to go out on loan to the championship aswell.

Remember Modric looks like he'll be off to spain(maybe), and that will fill up the spot for M'Villa and the money to sign him.

Edited August 12, 201213 yr by Sheva

I keep saying Luiz will be that DM.

I keep saying Luiz will be that DM.

Positional sense is his weakness and it's the most important thing a holding midfielder needs. Not to mention how incredibly useful it is to have Luiz at centre back.

Positional sense is his weakness and it's the most important thing a holding midfielder needs. Not to mention how incredibly useful it is to have Luiz at centre back.

His decision making is equally weak.

His decision making is equally weak.

It really isn't. He can be overly aggressive at times and get himself into trouble, but when he plays with a measure of restraint, it's clear that his decision making is quite good.