Football 2011-2012

[pink_triangle]

That's the thing though, he hasn't shown the consistency that the likes of Silva, RVP, Suarez have. Very talented, but been pretty on-off so far. Liverpool game summed it up for me really, dreadful first half, great second.

[eFestivals]

I would argue against the statement that Gerrard is still the best player, to me thats suarez without any doubt. I think liverpool can cope without gerrard because he isnt as important as he once was. I think if they lost suarez their best player they would be effected in a similar way to arsenal losing rvp or man u rooney.

I defo agree that Gerrard isn't as big a factor as he used to be, and who knows, he might never be the same after these recent injuries. But he's still a very big and important player for them, and Liverpool are likely to be much stronger with him than without him.

As for Suarez, I guess we'll get to see how they cope without him (maybe for 6 matches, maybe thru injury) but I'm not entirely sure they'll be significantly worse without him as things currently stand, especially as it's not him that's been getting the goals. Liverpool have got other similarly dangerous (tho not in the same way) front players, and it'll depend what goals they can bring about. Suarez is one hell of a player, but Liverpool are yet to see the best of him.

[kaosmark2]

Hes not as good as those players, but I cant think of a better Chelsea player. Cashley is pretty consistent. Hes been turned over a few times this season though.

[kaosmark2]

I think its a bit early to judge mata, it took time for silva to adapt and mata is younger. I dont think chelsea have a key player which may be ot their advantage in terms of the squad as they can absorb any loss.

[The Nal]

Consistently shit atm.

[kaosmark2]

Is he? Haven't really seen him this season to be honest.

[pink_triangle]

Cole seems to have lost all his pace recently, he looks in poor condition. A very poor start to the season.

[The Nal]

Cole seems to have lost all his pace recently, he looks in poor condition. A very poor start to the season.

[strummer77]

Carroll really struggled in his 4 minutes yesterday. But it was 4 minutes. Away from home. Against Chelsea. He's not been great but coming on in that situation after the run of form/luck he's had is pretty tough. He won't continue being this bad but he won't ever be £35m. That's obvious though.

As for everyone noticing Lucas becoming a great player... mentioned it around January last season how good he was and got laughed off by some. In fact, he's class. Has been for about two years now, and looks like getting even better to me.

Edited November 21, 2011 by strummer77

[kaosmark2]

Carroll really struggled in his 4 minutes yesterday. But it was 4 minutes. Away from home. Against Chelsea. He's not been great but coming on in that situation after the run of form/luck he's had is pretty tough.

As for everyone noticing Lucas becoming a great player... mentioned it around January last season how good he was and got laughed off by some. In fact, he's class. Has been for about two years now, and looks like getting even better to me.

[strummer77]

He was. He's very tidy and let's other excel around him.

Lucas, Gerrard and Adam could be excellent with license he gives them.

Edited November 21, 2011 by strummer77

[The Nal]

As for everyone noticing Lucas becoming a great player... mentioned it around January last season how good he was and got laughed off by some. In fact, he's class. Has been for about two years now, and looks like getting even better to me.

Edited November 21, 2011 by The Nal

[strummer77]

Think that was me! And a few others to be fair. Still wouldn't say hes a great player

Edited November 21, 2011 by strummer77

[eFestivals]

Correct, but he still should be able to control a football without falling flat on his face.

oh c'mon - he was bumped off the ball and fell over. He didn't fall over all by himself.

I suspect that he didn't expect Chelsea to still be wanting the ball. It was game over by the time he came on, and my take on things is that he was surprised by the determination that just a couple of Chelsea players still had in them.

Also rumours of Utd going for Sneijder again.

Oh gawd, does this mean you need another 6 months supply of tissues?

[The Nal]

I think he's great at what he does really. Breaks up play then moves the ball on. It's a hard role to be considered a great player in, but a crucial role nonetheless.

[Wooderson]

No!!

Besides I still have some stock left from the summer to get through first.

[pink_triangle]

Big rumours now Utd are in for Mario Gotze in January with the Sneijder money. Would love that.

[pink_triangle]

Carroll has got a lot fo criticsm and rightly so, but I think Kenny has handled the situation perfectly, showing what a great man manager he is. He hasnt made a big fuss, supported the player but not felt obliged to play him due to the fee. He is probably in a lucky position where just liker fergie and wenger he is bigger than the players and commands the respect of the players. I cant see carroll ever succeeding in liverpool but if kenny plays it right then he can probably get a 15 million fee one day for him.

[eFestivals]

I see that the drugs have yet to wear off after 'Arry's 'Enry's heart operation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15830552.stm

[The Nal]

I see that the drugs have yet to wear off after 'Arry's 'Enry's heart operation.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ll/15830552.stm

[pink_triangle]

I think the demise of chelsea is overexagerrated. They have been consistently getting the points against the bulk of the premiership sides. They have 3 losses against the 3 top sides they played, however they werent heavy losses and could easily have been draws. They have flaws but I think its too early to write them off.

[The Nal]

I think the demise of chelsea is overexagerrated. They have been consistently getting the points against the bulk of the premiership sides. They have 3 losses against the 3 top sides they played, however they werent heavy losses and could easily have been draws. They have flaws but I think its too early to write them off.

[kaosmark2]

I think the demise of chelsea is overexagerrated. They have been consistently getting the points against the bulk of the premiership sides. They have 3 losses against the 3 top sides they played, however they werent heavy losses and could easily have been draws. They have flaws but I think its too early to write them off.

[eFestivals]

He has to say that though doesn’t he? Especially as he was asked. And in fairness, with Friedel, King, Walker, Modric, Parker, Bale, Lennon, VDV and Adebayor firing on all cylinders they have a chance against anyone on their day.

and on their other days they don't.

I don’t think they’ll win the league but they're certainly capable of finishing ahead of Chelsea. They have a better team.

I agree with the first bit - but only if everything falls in Spurs' favour and not in Chelsea's. Because Chelsea defo have the better team, they even have the better first 11; what they don't have at the mo is a team that's clicking .... but they haven't had that at this time of year for a number of seasons, so I don't think too much should be taken from that at the moment, the time to make a judgement on it is if things are still the same at the end of January.

Villa were dreadful last night by the way.

So from that and the score I guess I can assume that weren't Spurs fantastic either.

[The Nal]

I agree with the first bit - but only if everything falls in Spurs' favour and not in Chelsea's. Because Chelsea defo have the better team, they even have the better first 11; what they don't have at the mo is a team that's clicking .... but they haven't had that at this time of year for a number of seasons, so I don't think too much should be taken from that at the moment, the time to make a judgement on it is if things are still the same at the end of January.