The College Dropout

Isn't it just the first year of the contract we throw in?

s*** lord no?? This bloke just spunks millions on rubbish. :lol: Did sign Berbatov, Bale, Carrick and Modric no?

Disagree. This is the type of match where Tiote normally does really well at. Without him, our central midfield looks p*ss poor defensively. We could be looking at a hiding here, whereas with Tiote I would have some hope we could nick it.. I know it's defeatist but I don't see us doing anything either way. He's going to be important for the rest of the season so I'd sooner see him miss this and get himself right for the Spurs game. It certainly is defeatist to look at it like that, and I don't think our play away from home merits such a defeatist attitude. I'd sooner miss him at home vs Villa for example than away to Chelsea or Spurs, i.e. where the onus isn't on us to create, but to be solid in defence and counter attack when we can. Our away record has been heavily dependent on having Remy, and to a lesser extent Gouffran in the side. Difficult to see us posing much threat to Chelsea with Shola in there instead of Remy, Tiote or no Tiote. Kept clean sheets in most of our best results.

Disagree. This is the type of match where Tiote normally does really well at. Without him, our central midfield looks p*ss poor defensively. We could be looking at a hiding here, whereas with Tiote I would have some hope we could nick it.. I know it's defeatist but I don't see us doing anything either way. He's going to be important for the rest of the season so I'd sooner see him miss this and get himself right for the Spurs game. It certainly is defeatist to look at it like that, and I don't think our play away from home merits such a defeatist attitude. I'd sooner miss him at home vs Villa for example than away to Chelsea or Spurs, i.e. where the onus isn't on us to create, but to be solid in defence and counter attack when we can. Again spot on. We've been good away from home because we can sit back a bit and counter - which is also Chelsea's strength which makes it harder for them.

According to that he's struggling to be fit for Chelsea. In all honesty the time we needed him was for the games Remy was out. If he's not available for those, he's not going to figure much when Remy's available again so if we are going to sell, might as well do it now. Although with Remy not committing, that might be the reason we are keeping him here. Could do with the 8m to replace Remy. The summer's going to be one of massive upheveal, migh as well do it all at once. Next season we are sure to be starting with a new looking spine (no Colo, Cabaye and possibly Remy). £8m isn't going to get you much of a striker. It might go towards making the De Jong deal permanent, so it will be interesting to see how de Jong compares to Cisse over the rest of the season. Prety certain we to Ba for less. The original Remy fee was around 8m. With the right scouting 8m gets you a prety good striker. Certainly better than Shola at th very least.

Disagree. This is the type of match where Tiote normally does really well at. Without him, our central midfield looks p*ss poor defensively. We could be looking at a hiding here, whereas with Tiote I would have some hope we could nick it.. Agreed fully. If he is fit I would hope we could nick a point.

He did exactly the opposite at Real Madrid, particularly in his last year there. Always deflecting blame. Did a lot to change my opinion of him tbh.

If we can actually bother to defend I reckon there's a point in there for us. Bloody West Ham did it. Problem is I can see them scoring a header. Massive side.

According to that he's struggling to be fit for Chelsea. In all honesty the time we needed him was for the games Remy was out. If he's not available for those, he's not going to figure much when Remy's available again so if we are going to sell, might as well do it now. Although with Remy not committing, that might be the reason we are keeping him here. Could do with the 8m to replace Remy. The summer's going to be one of massive upheveal, migh as well do it all at once. Next season we are sure to be starting with a new looking spine (no Colo, Cabaye and possibly Remy).

Muntari's a decent player when motivated.

We are a much bigger club than Swansea, certainly we would be considered so from his perspective. If you mean we aren't a CL club then fair enough. We are not Michael Laudrup big and unlike the previous regime, we have no ambition to be that big. We have a bigger stadium, more fans and can probably pay higher wages. We don't invest huge sums. In fact we barely invest at all. The leadership would be delighted to achieve what Swansea did last year, every year. We are more Swansea than Barcelona and Real Madrid. Why so tentative? Our wage bill is 'probably' twice that of Swansea. Okay but we don't have ambitions bigger than that of a Swansea. We aren't much bigger to a man of Laudrup's standing.

We are a much bigger club than Swansea, certainly we would be considered so from his perspective. If you mean we aren't a CL club then fair enough. We are not Michael Laudrup big and unlike the previous regime, we have no ambition to be that big. We have a bigger stadium, more fans and can probably pay higher wages. We don't invest huge sums. In fact we barely invest at all. The leadership would be delighted to achieve what Swansea did last year, every year. We are more Swansea than Barcelona and Real Madrid.

I don't believe the bigger club stuff is true. If he thought that why would he sign a contract in the summer? Furthermore, we aren't much bigger than Swansea if you would look at it from his perspective. We would always love him for winning the league cup. The man has won the Champions League.

Reading the reports of what's been going on it almost sounds like he's actively been trying to get sacked. From what i've read he doesn't seem particularly serious about management. He has some natural talents and let's it be. I believe some of the reason why he hasn't been at a bigger club is that he wouldn't relish the extra pressure. He doesn't need it. At the same time he gets bored and his effort drops in his jobs. Any manager getting the boot at Swansea probably deserves it.

Swansea are a VERY sensible club. I truly believe the situation was untenable and it was due to the behind the scenes issues which they've managed to keep pretty quiet. And it all makes a lot of sense to me and fits in with why he hasn't lasted long anywhere.

Apparently Laudrup was very blasé about things. Poor discipline.

He's not as good as it gets tactically though. Barcelona had lost their edge before he started beating them with Madrid. Rafa Benitez bested him several times in 2 legged affairs with an inferior side. Not once did he outclass his opposition tactically in his Madrid CL semi finals. He has a great approach to management which is great at getting the best out of individual players over the course of a season. He also makes quick decisions for substitutes which helps. But purely tactically? He has a default approach based on organisation, athleticism and counter attacking. He's not inept by any means in that area. But it's not his greatest strengths and there are better out there.

Yep. He looks a good football as he has a good touch, carries the ball well, looks to have decent technique. He's as effective as a paper condom however.

What else does engine mean? lol stamina/work rate/athleticism.

That's a bit OTT. He's a classy CB. From what I saw from him in Spain aye. But he's looked shaky in the PL so far. He hasn't had enough games to get up to speed and he's not getting any better physically.

Errrr.. yes. Ozil's fairly quick but he's a poor athlete. His stamina is clearly lacking. Physically and work-rate wise he's no better than Mata. I do think Mou values athleticism and work rate more in the PL as his Madrid side included Cronaldo and Ozil who had little defensive responsibility.

The man can barely run ffs. It was clear from the start he was the worst player on the pitch.

People are very quick to abuse me on here, you would think I have insulted their family. Yes, I mean the difference between the players highlighted. Demichelis was awful. Doesn't have the legs to cover the defence well, weak in the challenge and slowed down the pace of attacks. Yaya had to get the ball off his toes too many times. In comparison Fernandinho can do his own and 50% of Yaya's defensive work and he's much quicker and sharper on the ball than Demichelis. The same is true of Mikel/Lampard/Essien compared to Matic but in reverse. Chelsea looked so much stronger and quicker in the middle than City and it was largely down to that difference. Surely Rodwell is better than Demichelis in midfield?

Shite question. Our best results this season have come without HBA and we are better this season than last where HBA played whenever fit. And they could've done with Mata against Wham. I do think Chelsea will struggle to break teams down that come to defend.

Excellent post. He's basically replaced Mata with someone physically far superior but technically inferior. A Sissoko. Jose Mourinho is a superb manager but he has his weaknesses. Stylistically he likes his teams bigger, stronger and faster than his opponents... and he's shown he'll scarifice a little skill and technique because of that. HOWEVER I do think the Mata thing is partially personal. Ozil has no engine and he was a mainstay. Although I reckon he believes you need that extra guile in La Liga while in the prem you can bash teams over with strength and power.