who was he grabbing?

No idea but I bet he sh*t himself.

I imagine that is because everybody who has replied (so far) in the other threads agrees with you. I've never heard of a heated agreement...

 

 

Maybe the general feeling about Mikel is in step with my view then? Not that it matters but it would explain the lack of debate. Or maybe people just don't care about Mikel.

 

I notice that you haven't answered my question though - why, if your intention is to praise a player everybody already likes, is your focus on disparaging someone you portray as his alternative and repeating your opinion, across several threads, that you think he should leave? Unless your intention is to start an argument? Why, all of a sudden, would you see fit to repeat an opinion across several threads unless it is because you have just seen that it incited a reaction? And why, all of a sudden, do you want to 'agree to disagree' as soon as you are called out for doing so?

 

 

Because I see them possibly competing for the same spot and because the way the supporters have responded to them is markedly different.  

 

 

I think you were one of the posters who agrees with me on the Cuadrado issue, that he hasn't had anything close to enough game time yet to justify his being written off. Why do you then think that we can close the book on Zouma as a second-choice defensive midfielder (for a team which plays about 50 games a season) based on two starts (i.e. roughly the same number of minutes as Cuadrado) when he was playing a particularly specialised role?

 

Because I'm not just basing my opinion of either of those players on the 180 minutes you're talking about - I'm basing it on what they did before they came here (in Cuadrado's case) and what they've shown in other positions (in Zouma's). With Zouma I've actually said what impresses me the most is the level of improvement he shows from game to game, which implies that the book is far from shut on him.

 

 

(Re: new signings) That depends on who we sign really. If we sign Pogba or Koke (not defensive midfielders in any shape or form) then perhaps not; the same is true of Loftus-Cheek, he'd be an alternative to Ramires. While I rate all three I wouldn't ever start any of them as a defensive midfielder.

 

Loftus-Cheek can certainly play that role in the two DM setup you suggested alongside Matic. If we lost Matic then I'd go with Zouma and play a more defensive setup. 

 

Mikel's possible role is so specific that it's questionable whether he's worth keeping around, but I suspect he will simply because he's cheap, he's been here for 8 years and his contract runs out in two. Plus I'm not sure there's a team who could afford his wages but are at the same time of a low-enough quality to want him. Let's be honest, if he's going to be sold he's not going to Bayern or Real....he's likely off to Turkey.

Because I see them possibly competing for the same spot and because the way the supporters have responded to them is markedly different.  

 

You had already made that point - why do it again and across several threads?

 

Because I'm not just basing my opinion of either of those players on the 180 minutes you're talking about - I'm basing it on what they did before they came here (in Cuadrado's case) and what they've shown in other positions (in Zouma's). With Zouma I've actually said what impresses me the most is the level of improvement he shows from game to game, which implies that the book is far from shut on him.

 

Zouma has shown many strengths at centre back, but all of them are suggestive of a good young centre back. His distribution is not one of his strengths, his positioning could still use some improvement. Against Man Utd he made next to no contribution to our possession going forward; as an emergency measure at DM he is fine, but in my opinion he hasn't shown much to suggest that he is a long-term option there. He only seems useful in situations where we don't intend to dominate possession; considering that is one of the reasons you give for Mikel not being a decent option in midfield, why is it not also true of Zouma?

 

Loftus-Cheek can certainly play that role in the two DM setup you suggested alongside Matic. If we lost Matic then I'd go with Zouma and play a more defensive setup. 

 

Mikel's possible role is so specific that it's questionable whether he's worth keeping around, but I suspect he will simply because he's cheap, he's been here for 8 years and his contract runs out in two. Plus I'm not sure there's a team who could afford his wages but are at the same time of a low-enough quality to want him. Let's be honest, if he's going to be sold he's not going to Bayern or Real....he's likely off to Turkey.

 

I agree that Loftus-Cheek would make an excellent partner for Matic (and for Mikel for that matter), but would never work as the sole defensive midfielder (i.e. next to Fabregas or Ramires). I don't think we'd have as much control over possession with an RLC-Matic midfield as we would a Mikel-Matic midfield, but he would be an excellent alternative to Ramires.

 

I don't think Mikel's role is as limited as you suggest. There is the obvious role as the brick wall in a defensive setup, but he is also extremely effective in improving our quality of possession. Mikel playing allows those further forward to receive the ball in more advanced positions and removes some of their defensive responsibility; in the cases of Oscar and Willian, a responsibility which has often been mentioned as one of the factors which holds them back. He is also effective in improving our quantity of possession; we can monopolise control of the ball with Mikel acting as a conduit as well as a ballwinner.

You had already made that point - why do it again and across several threads?

 

 

I made a point in the Zouma thread, Forever Carefree made an interesting point about Mikel so I raised it in that thread. 

 

 

 

Zouma has shown many strengths at centre back, but all of them are suggestive of a good young centre back. His distribution is not one of his strengths, his positioning could still use some improvement. Against Man Utd he made next to no contribution to our possession going forward; as an emergency measure at DM he is fine, but in my opinion he hasn't shown much to suggest that he is a long-term option there. He only seems useful in situations where we don't intend to dominate possession; considering that is one of the reasons you give for Mikel not being a decent option in midfield, why is it not also true of Zouma?

 

I disagree about his distribution. That's one of the things that surprised me about him, especially from centre-back but I'd go with him over Mikel because I think he's not just good, he can get much better. The development of talent is something I obviously care a lot about. I think there's much more to be gained from giving the likes of Zouma and Loftus-Cheek minutes than there is from utilising Mikel, even if that means using Zouma in midfield.

 

 

I agree that Loftus-Cheek would make an excellent partner for Matic (and for Mikel for that matter), but would never work as the sole defensive midfielder (i.e. next to Fabregas or Ramires). I don't think we'd have as much control over possession with an RLC-Matic midfield as we would a Mikel-Matic midfield, but he would be an excellent alternative to Ramires.

 

 

I think it would be tough to use Loftus-Cheek alongside Mikel, unless it's against weak opposition. The beauty of having such a good spine now is that we can bring in youngsters and give them a bit more protection - Mikel doesn't provide that in my opinion.

 

 

 

I don't think Mikel's role is as limited as you suggest. There is the obvious role as the brick wall in a defensive setup, but he is also extremely effective in improving our quality of possession. Mikel playing allows those further forward to receive the ball in more advanced positions and removes some of their defensive responsibility; in the cases of Oscar and Willian, a responsibility which has often been mentioned as one of the factors which holds them back. He is also effective in improving our quantity of possession; we can monopolise control of the ball with Mikel acting as a conduit as well as a ballwinner.

 

I don't view him as a brick wall. I don't think he's ever been that and needs players around him to provide defensive stability. I also don't think there's anything to be gained from Willian or Oscar in playing Mikel. I tend to think Fabregas's defensive abilities are underestimated and I think he's a far more savvy defensive player than Mikel. Funnily enough his defensive stats dwarf Mikel's....and not just this season when Mikel has been somewhat injury-plagued, but also compared to last season.

 

Anyway, we'll just have to agree to disagree on Mikel's importance to the team going forward. 

so what are the chances Solanke gets the start on Sunday? We seen Jose come out of nowhere & play youth like he did w/ Kalas last year @ klanfield. IMHO if he did this & Solanke rises to the occassion, it would be another masterstroke over le voyeur.

Please destroy them.

Please destroy them.

I'm going with 0-2, but think we'll trounce Lpool more.

On stories of Drogba's ankle injury, I call bullsh*t...me thinks Jose has rightfully put a block on his only fit striker playing in a charity game, but knew that explanation would not be accepted by the judgemental brigade so had to come up with fake injury...put it this way, there seemed to be no ankle problem when he was dancing with Christina milian the other night!

Cesc is going to get the most hostile reception any player is yet to have faced so far this season. 

 

If he gets the winner... Oh my god, ArsenalFanTV will be f**king glorious.

Be interesting to see one of the youth players start at striker but I can't see it happening.

there seemed to be no ankle problem when he was dancing with Christina milian the other night!

 

no video or picts of this? What's up

Would be amazing to watch Brown or Solanke if we will have all our strikers injured.

no video or picts of this? What's up

http://youtu.be/3ujkkScBBuE

After the weekend we have just seen anything is possible for this one. Mourinho looks like he is in the zone. Our guys will have a very clear game plan and let's face it, we have the ability to do just about anything Jose asks for. Maybe I'm getting a tad over excited but I'm increasingly confident about this trip to the Emirates.

 

Pretend you play for Arsenal - there's a 10 point gap, you know you are never going to close that, your own Champions League spot is secured for next season, you've got through to the cup final, Villa looked half decent against the scousers, back to back FA Cups is pretty good, you don't want to pick up a knock now do you??

After the weekend we have just seen anything is possible for this one. Mourinho looks like he is in the zone. Our guys will have a very clear game plan and let's face it, we have the ability to do just about anything Jose asks for. Maybe I'm getting a tad over excited but I'm increasingly confident about this trip to the Emirates.

 

Pretend you play for Arsenal - there's a 10 point gap, you know you are never going to close that, your own Champions League spot is secured for next season, you've got through to the cup final, Villa looked half decent against the scousers, back to back FA Cups is pretty good, you don't want to pick up a knock now do you??

That and, imho, they didn't smash Reading, then saw us win against Man U minus Costa. Be confident, I am.

Win over Utd has guaranteed arse have to come at us, while we can do what we are most comfy doing which is sit back and counter...it's their worst case scenario for sure

We need six points,i hope these are three of them,Come on you Blues!

We need six points,i hope these are three of them,Come on you Blues!

Actually we need 8 points but if we beat Arsenal then we only need 3 more due to the fact we would extend the gap.

I know I said the same with United, however again I would be very happy with a draw here.

A draw would be good. Here's my real fear, we beat Arsenal and Leicester the title is won and we get the trophy in front of Palace. That's good obviously but....

 

We draw with Arsenal, beat Leicester and Palace the title is won and we get the trophy in front of Liverpool......unquestionably better

A draw would be good. Here's my real fear, we beat Arsenal and Leicester the title is won and we get the trophy in front of Palace. That's good obviously but....

 

We draw with Arsenal, beat Leicester and Palace the title is won and we get the trophy in front of Liverpool......unquestionably better

To be presented the trophy in front of Liverpool would be brilliant. Can we arrange for Gerrard to present the trophy? The only time he'll get his hands on it.

 

As for the game at Arsenal,  win would be lovely. Would mean I can wind up my brother-in-law who is a gooner.

To be presented the trophy in front of Liverpool would be brilliant. Can we arrange for Gerrard to present the trophy? The only time he'll get his hands on it.

 

The Media is already dreading if this happens. I just read an article how when Stevie Me returns to London, it will be in front of rabuccous Chelsea fans reminding of his slip & singing about being Champions, something he never got to experienced.

 

As for the game at Arsenal,  win would be lovely. Would mean I can wind up my brother-in-law who is a gooner.

 

You know most of the purists will be gooners this weekend right? Everyone & their mama will become supporters for Woolwich Wanders. Phuck them all I say & bow to your True Kings of The EPL.

Edited April 20, 201511 yr by robdog

I will happily settle for Liverpool having to form a guard of honour and clap us on the pitch...I just want us to win it and beating arse 'AND LEICESTER' will be fine with me

A draw would be good. Here's my real fear, we beat Arsenal and Leicester the title is won and we get the trophy in front of Palace. That's good obviously but....

 

We draw with Arsenal, beat Leicester and Palace the title is won and we get the trophy in front of Liverpool......unquestionably better

 

If that happens, we could always ask the FA if we can receive the trophy against Liverpool.

If only Fabregas scores and celebrates by running to the Arsenal bench and kissing the Chelsea badge before doing the calm down celebration to the gooners. Followed by a post match interview that consists of him asking Wenger if he still thinks Ozil and Wilshere are better options than he is.