come on then

I can take it or leave it.....

Now where's that fence.

Its horrible stuff. No fence needed for me.

Oooh marmite!!  yummy yummy! a muffin with melting butter and marmite - scrumptious!

I've noticed Mikel has been getting into the box and Ramires staying back for free kicks and corners - we may see a couple more goals (ironically poachers' goals) from him yet.

 

 

 

Also... I f**king love Marmite.

I think that is only because Mikel is taller.

Cannot stand Marmite, love Mikel though.

Cannot stand Marmite, love Mikel though.

Marmite should play holding midfielder

I thought Mikel had a strange game at the weekend.

It seems to be a common theme here to bash him for not getting up the park more often, people have complained that he doesn't offer enough in an attacking sense.

Well, the first goal was down to him, a decent assist to Schurrle...and he was much further up the pitch at the weekend in general.

However, the second goal was due to him being way out of position, far too advanced up the pitch.

That's why the steady / boring / sit at the back Mikel is much more effective. Sure it makes us more mechanical and slower, but its usually a lot safer.

I like Mikel going forward (still hoping for another goal this season), he plays some nice long passes and chips into the box. The problem is that when he plays with Ramires they both go forward and neither takes responsibility for defending. One should go up, the other should stay, then rotate accordingly. Don't turn to each other in disgust when one simple ball beats you both and then, worst of all, make little effort to sprint back and rectify the situation. 

 

It's either poorly timed from Mikel or there's a lack of communication.

I don't think either Frank or Ramires are defensively disciplined enough to allow Mikel to roam forward.

 

If he goes up, in my opinion, it's not in their instincts to ensure they cover.

 

That's not making excuses for Mikel, I haven't re-watched the Sunderland goals so can't comment who was or wasn't at fault and at the time I was too angry to actually take in what was happening. 

 

shocking positioning from Mikel, as usual

 

terry is even saying to him to cover Ireland and he just casually jogs back

As I said, he was far too advanced on saturday, something people here complain that he doesn't do enough of!!

He was bad in that instance. Another player who can lack focus at times. Such a key position, if you makes mistakes there then almost always it will lead to a shot. 

 

Problem of converting an attacking playmaker into a defensive midfielder.

My main gripe with Mikel is, when he is tracking back I never see him busting a lung to do so.

 

He just has this relaxed jog that he does. 

My main gripe with Mikel is, when he is tracking back I never see him busting a lung to do so.

 

He just has this relaxed jog that he does. 

 

He is so laid back, seems like there is zero determination in him.He plays the same way if we are 2-0 up or 1-0 down looking for a goal.

I've tried to stick up for Mikel in recent weeks, but the past few games he's been so frustrating!

he has been far too slow and he makes us lose any sort of intensity.

I've tried to stick up for Mikel in recent weeks, but the past few games he's been so frustrating!

he has been far too slow and he makes us lose any sort of intensity.

He has always been slow.

Hes been particularly slow for me in the last few games. Even his passing

I get what you are saying but for me he has been the same old Mikel. Every now and then he will have a game where he puts in some good forward thinking passes but they are few and far between.

He should have an electic tazer strapped to his testicles which zap him every time he passes backwards or sideways when we need a goal.

My main gripe with Mikel is, when he is tracking back I never see him busting a lung to do so.

 

He just has this relaxed jog that he does. 

 

He brings that African mentality on to the pitch. I am stereotyping here, but a lot of Africans are too relaxed/laid back and Mikel is exactly like them, especially on the pitch. 

I've been a pretty staunch defender of Mikel on this forum but lately he's been pony and deserves every criticism leveled at him. 

 

Considering the level of work rate the likes of Willian, Schurrle, Dave and Ramires have on the pitch to see Mikel ambling around like he has all the time in the world is frustrating. 

He brings that African mentality on to the pitch. I am stereotyping here, but a lot of Africans are too relaxed/laid back and Mikel is exactly like them, especially on the pitch. 

 

Sorry but that's nonsense, players like Drogba, Yaya Toure and an Essien in his prime are some of the most hardworking players I have ever seen.