Taylor Swift

The Ba thing was obviously because of a lack of fitness. I don't think we'll see Shola start again since Ba's performance yesterday was better than any of Shola's performances this season. I think Obertan is a promising player. He has pace and technique, but he doesn't seem to know what to do when he receives the ball and he doesn't look confident doing whatever he ends up doing. But, I think it's natural for a player who hasn't had much first-team football - especially in the Premiership - and playing in a new team, to look out of place. The potential is there because he looks strong enough, he's certainly fast enough and he can dribble and control the ball. I see him ending up as a better version of Jonas in time, if he develops. He'll become more confident taking players on when he realizes that he's faster/better than most of the fullbacks defending him, and he'll develop his crossing ability with practice. Some of his crosses right now aren't being whipped in so they don't create problems for the defence. But, this will change.

That was fucking top class.

They better play like this against Atletico when I'm there in two weeks.

Iniesta and Sanchez are out so we won't know for a while whether Guardiola considers him a starter or not. Rotation at worst, imo. Of course. They wouldn't spend 40m on a player to park on the bench. But if they play 4-3-3 then I'm not sure whether Fabregas starts in the big matches. Say they get back to the CL final again. Who would you replace for Fabregas in the lineup from last year? Pedro? They've had a bunch of injuries to start this season so their defensive CMs have played at CB, meaning that their attacking CMs like Fabregas and Thiago have had a lot of starts. But, like I said, if they get back to the CL final, who does Fabregas replace from last year's lineup?

Iniesta and Sanchez are out so we won't know for a while whether Guardiola considers him a starter or not.

7 matches, 7 goals and 6 assists for Leo.

Messi to Fabregas. Quality finish. 2-0.

Brutal.

You would have been wanking over Cabaye running the show.

I see Ali was sympathetic as ever I despise Louis Saha, in my defence. Most other players I would ignore it, but him, no chance. What did you send to him?

As long as it's to give him a full 90 mins as a test, rest him against Blackburn and then he's a starter, I'm happy. Obviously that's not what will happen. But he should be starting. Half an hour against Forest, then become a starter.

His turning circle is tiny. He's the French Xavi.

He looks a tidy player but I wouldn't be too harsh on Obertan. He needs regular games. He hasn't developed in three years because he hasn't played enough. We need to give him lots of games this season because he's still far too young to be written off.

Out of his depth

Haters gonna hate, but we've got an excellent team.

FT. Good point. Extremely pleased with the performance.

Sammy looks like he's got a lot of potential. Decent control, pace, trickery.

Holy fuck Cabaye

Five plus stoppage left.

Shola is fucking woeful.

Marveaux and Sammy coming on.

Ba looks done.

We're going to lose now.

Think this is the first game we've run the offense through him. He's like Yao in his prime.

Ba looks so much better today.