Segun Oluwaniyi

Jonas is starting Chelsea. Marveaux is allergic to defending. If there is one thing you can say for sure with Pardew, it is that he values defensive shape above all and in a match like this, you cannot expect him to play Sylvain. The only thing that truly annoys me is Yanga-Mbiwa being on the bench, but I believe I understand what Pardew is thinking.

Pardew has no say in the players we buy. I think he just hasn't seen enough of him to think he should immediately start over Taylor.

I don't think Bradley is anywhere near as talented as Dempsey or Eddie Pope.

He's scored 5 goals in 22 matches for the season and has clearly struggled to play well. I don't understand how one can protest the idea that player he's been this season is adequate going into the future. I have faith because he's always been a scorer, but the idea that he's been good is ludicrous. Anyway, Incoming: 10/10: Proven quality at cut prices and reasonable wages. You cannot hope for much more. Outgoing: 3/10: Xisco away is a plus as is keeping most of our talented players. However, selling the leading goal scorer for a pittance without true replacement is not good enough. Especially for a team hovering above relegation. Averaging the two, I say 6.5/10. Subjectively, I am very pleased as the Ba departure was inevitable and we recovered very well, but objectively we lost one our most important players.

What is Danny Simpson's incentive for going to Wigan? I can't imagine him being first choice or sharply increasing his wages. He is probably better off testing the open market.

PSG have 48 points through 23 matches. Manchester United had 56 points through 23 matches. Manchester City had 51 points. I won't argue that things are likely to deteriorate with PSG continuing to invest heavily and the majority of the other clubs having financial difficulties, but this season has generally been very competitive with tight races throughout every stratum of the table.

I still don't understand why Rodgers wanted nothing to do with him at all when he got there. He was poor last season, obviously, but it was essentially an open auction for his signature.

Carlton Cole keeps him out of the team because he's the better player at the moment. Even as someone who was never overly enamoured with Carrol, that is quite sad.

John Obi Mikel FIFA World Youth Championship Netherlands 2005 on Youtube. Just gives you a glimpse of the ability he had and what Chelsea have turned him into Nah. Nigerians love to complain, it is our number 2 export. What do people want from the guy? He 's very strong, disciplined, extremely composed and a good passer of the football which is perfect for the role he plays. Just because he was able to make Riquelme moves against people half his size doesn't make him Messi. People forget that even after that tournament he was still a child and grew about 3-4 inches and at least 15 kgs by the time he was a PL regular. I think he is very underrated because of expectation. Having pace is a blessing and a curse in football. It allows immediate success, but often stunts the growth of the rest of your footballing skill. How many extremely quick players have actually developed into a full package? How many of them have fallen into irrelevance after losing a step of pace? Where is David Odonkor? WHERE?

Odemwinigie's accent is hilarious

Hope he didn't burn any bridges on the way out. Osaze doesn't burn bridges. He bombs bridges and makes them explode. The guy has a problem and should seek help.

All I want for summer is a Premiership place...

I guess his situation is one of those non-serious "intoxicated/lying/questionable woman" rape cases, then? I can't imagine any team throwing themselves at the opportunity to buy a player or even loan a player in the middle of a serious rape proceeding.

Wages is the most important thing for him. He's been in the lower leagues or on youth contracts for most of his career despite being 27. This is probably the one big contract that he'll sign in his career.

Mouelhi from Tunisia missed a penalty that would have sent them through over Togo. Reminds me of Aubameyang in the last tournament or Gyan in Ghana's last two tournaments. Very unfortunate for him.

I've passed Loftus Road on my travels. From the street it looks like a collection of student flats. I don't know how you can be excited to go to that place from Stade Velodrome or Dragao. I guess the extra they pay in wages is just a "rubbish club tax".

Still 100% better than having Jonas there. Now that we are mentioning hilariously misplaced midfielders, I think that Sissoko would make a fantastic wing back in the mould of Kwadwo Asamoah at Juventus. I think Asamoah is actually slightly less talented than Sissoko, but has thrived for a big team in that role.

Last two away matches: Swansea 0 Chelsea 0 Brentford 2 Chelsea 2 Counter attack worries me, we're usually unbelievably open to quick counters and Oscar, Moses and Johnny Mata plus whoever is upfront are quick and good manipulators of space and ball. With Moses gone and Hazard suspended, one of those attacking players is likely to be Ryan Bertrand. Personnel wise there is nothing about this Chelsea team that should be overly intimidating given the talent we will be putting out. I think we will secure a draw on the day.

On the Nigeria football forum, someone just suggested that the solution to our problem is to approach Cote D'Ivoire with a 1-4-5 formation. 1-4-5. I think I am done with that place for a bit.

I think Perch's defensive protection is much greater than Anita's. In my opinion, he is a much better option in a defensive role, yes. To me Anita looks most comfortable carrying the ball forward. When Tiote returns (after Nigeria beat them in the match) the talent coefficient will be better obviously. Still, I think it is a question of roles rather just talent (Vurnon is clearly the superior player in a vacuum).

Chelsea is weak defensively, especially with Terry struggling after just getting back, and Moses/Obi in Africa. They get no protection for fullbacks from their wing players and neither of their defensive two is particularly inclined or skilled at the art of defending. Both will want to push forward and we can take advantage of this. Hazard is suspended and I'm quite sure Cech is injured or at least struggling for fitness. The answer is to attack them and do so mercilessly. They'll eventually get the breakthrough if we sit back on our box. They'll be spaces at the back throughout the game and we must attack them. We can win this way.

People criticise Pardew for starting Perch today, but I think it is the right way to approach the midfield. The guy, Sissoko reminds me of Essien, who was really only slightly above average when made to sit and break up attacks. Essien was at his best with the likes of Makelele and Mikel Obi sitting behind and doing the dirty work so he can go on marauding runs. Yaya Toure plays better when Barry or whichever DM (City actually are lacking in quality at the position) sits and Yaya can play his natural game, which is to run and run. For me the midfield should be two of Anita, Cabaye, Sissoko and one of Perch and Tiote going forward. It is the most balanced way of play.

I actually think his ability to "run around like f***" will be his greatest asset to the team. He isn't a transcendent passer and isn't physically strong enough to dominate like other DMs, yet when you combine decent all around skills with his effort and pace it comes to a good footballer.

Pardew has watched them in training. Unless any of you have actual information regarding the fitness your opinions are not of any value. Taylor is hardly such a poor player that he should be automatically replaced by someone who arrived less than one week ago. I think Mbiwa will be significantly better over time, but Stevie T will perform well tonight as he normally does when fit.

Nothing wrong with this team at all. I wasn't expecting Mbiwa to start right away, and Perch has done a good job playing in midfield on numerous occasions for this team in the past two seasons and does provide legitimate physicality, which can be important in matches away from home. Jonas is disappointing, but with Marveaux injured the only real options are Obertan and Shola whom people would also moan about. The position will be a bit of an annoyance until Ben Arfa returns. I think we should win this, and I am hopeful going into the match,