el sid Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Marin enjoyed his goal, happy to see that. Seems a genuinely well liked guy in the dressing room tbh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 He is. Making sense doesn't come into Rafa Benitez's thinking Thought so, just checking. At least maybe Ba will start the next prem game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Thought so, just checking. At least maybe Ba will start the next prem game Which isn't for another 2 weeks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Which isn't for another 2 weeks Still, I can live in hope Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 The next PL game is Man City away so Ba has to start there. I think we could sneak a win if we play well, but that seems to be a problem recently. Happy with today and glad Marin got his goal. We again looked much better when Mata came on but we should have still won without him. Glad to have Hazard back, his goal and assist helped a lot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingcav Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 why did benayoun come on for the last 2 minutes for cahill? rafa splitting the appearance fee with his mate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Cahill had a little niggling injury I think or that's what it looked like anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ234 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 There is nothing I am enjoying more than Lampard's form. His response to the impending rejection has been amazing. He is becoming underrated in terms of how good he is/was Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Hazard showing what we've missed in his absence and another goal closer to the record for Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 If Frank doesn't get injured (touchwood), then I can see him easily breaking the record on his current form. If he plays one of Sparta Prague/Brentford then he has the opportunity for a goal or two right. Hopefully anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Looking back on it now I wish we just finished last in our group like City, well obv I would have liked us to finish second but finishing 3rd creates more problems. That Sparta Prague game is so irrelevant tbh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robokid87 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Not really? It's a European competition ffs, much more important than the FA Cup for example. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Not really? It's a European competition ffs, much more important than the FA Cup for example. I think the FA Cup is more important. It is a traditional cup that everyone wants to win and players no how important it is. If you asked Terry, Lamps etc what they would rather win I can guarantee you what there answer would be. I don't know if I am the only one but I will feel a little humiliated by us winning the Europa League as we cannot really use it as a bragging advantage over any teams. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorando Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Winning a european cup surely beats winning the fa cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Winning a european cup surely beats winning the fa cup Well not when we dropped out of the UCL... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Ditching the EL is elitist bull**it as far as I'm concerned. It's a European competition, second best European competition and beats winning any domestic trophy bar 2-3 League titles out there, admittedly EPL being one of them. But it's still something clubs should seriously aim to win. **** FA cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Don't take this in an offensive way but it is most likely that someone you who are slamming the FA Cup are saying this because you are foreign. English, Chelsea fans love the cup and so do the players, especially the English ones. Fans who watch Chelsea every week, most hardened ones know the importance of the FA Cup. Obviously we cannot play a youth team against Prague but it it necessary to have right now? No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt1389 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Prefer the FA Cup personally, but wouldn't dismiss the Europa League because of my own preference. I won't be upset if we don't win the EL, but I'd rather we were eliminated by a good team, rather than our own lack of caring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Haha, utter nonsense to disregard the EL ffs. Obviously the main aim is a top 3 finish but trophies along with that in the forms of the FA Cup and EL would be great. Oh and according to nearly all of the papers and media portals in Belgrade this morning, Marković is ours in the summer. He was apparently in London during the winter break and had dinner with Ivanović, Marin and Lampard and signed a pre contract for June. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robokid87 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I'm English, and the tradition of the FA Cup means far less to me than the EL which is much harder to win. Not to mention that if we win it we'll be the only club (I think) to have won the CL/European Cup, EL/Uefa Cup and Cup Winner's Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Don't get me wrong, I seriously respect FA cup and think it's a great traditional competition. But the last time I checked, we had 7 of those. European League is a new competition that might become even much more important than it is now. Winning it at least once puts your name on the trophy and in history. My point is try to win the FA cup but don't bloody ditch the EL. It's disrespectful and insulting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Don't get me wrong, I seriously respect FA cup and think it's a great traditional competition. But the last time I checked, we had 7 of those. European League is a new competition that might become even much more important than it is now. Winning it at least once puts your name on the trophy and in history. My point is try to win the FA cup but don't bloody ditch the EL. It's disrespectful and insulting. I didnt say ditch it but now we finish 3rd it is more games added to our fixture list, which City will benefit from, who we can realistically catch. But as you say we are in it so we should be in it win it. Just looking back, had you asked City are they happy to finish last in their Champions League group and avoid Europa League, they probably would take it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yeah not having that not important nonsense, winning the EL will be great Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Haha, utter nonsense to disregard the EL ffs. Obviously the main aim is a top 3 finish but trophies along with that in the forms of the FA Cup and EL would be great.Oh and according to nearly all of the papers and media portals in Belgrade this morning, Marković is ours in the summer. He was apparently in London during the winter break and had dinner with Ivanović, Marin and Lampard and signed a pre contract for June. What's he like? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
football_master_94 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 In short, the best talent in the Balkans (along with Kovačić who moved to Inter). Very quick, agile, versatile (could operate in any of the attacking positions in a 4-2-3-1), technically good, a good dribbler and is pretty hardworking and a determined guy. Obviously not the finish article and his decision making could do with improving but I guess that'll improve with age and more experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpain16 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Wouldn't mind getting Marković from what I've seen. He's a livewire and still a teenager. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I think the players will be fairly up for the EL, I can't think of any who've won it before, whereas most have FA Cup medals. I wouldn't prioritise one over the other to be honest, both would be nice to have at the end of the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackJCFC Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Markovic would obviously be loaned out for several years. Chelsea dont do young players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Select_screen_name: Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Winning the europa league is much more prestigious than the FA cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Winning the europa league is much more prestigious than the FA cup. When you are in there from the start like Liverpool are I am sure it is Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didier Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Well done Moses and Mikel! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 And Kenneth Omeruo although he hasn't played for us yet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robokid87 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Chalobah and Omeruo to dominate for us in 5 years Or more likely dominate for someone else Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Chalobah and Omeruo to dominate for us in 5 years Or more likely dominate for someone else Let's hope not. I firmly expect Chalobah to be a future legend here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
el sid Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Mikel and Moses Well deserved Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Why is Marin playing the under-21 game when we have a Europa League clash this week? Is he ever going to get a real chance? Well done Moses and Mikel, can't wait to have them back now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Why is Marin playing the under-21 game when we have a Europa League clash this week? Is he ever going to get a real chance?Well done Moses and Mikel, can't wait to have them back now Maybe to get him in full fitness for the Sparta game. Lost 2-1 tonight anyway, the U21s and Marin scored. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 What a striker Lukaku is going to be! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didier Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Cracking goal by Lukaku tonight! I still think we should give him at least one more season out on loan though, he's improved hugely in past few months but don't think he's ready to be a regular for us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Cracking goal by Lukaku tonight! I still think we should give him at least one more season out on loan though, he's improved hugely in past few months but don't think he's ready to be a regular for us. He deserves a shot here. He is scoring and should be in the first team set up for sure next season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 He deserves a shot here. He is scoring and should be in the first team set up for sure next season. He would only be 3rd choice at best though, whoever we bring in over the summer (assuming Torres leaves), Ba, and the Lukaku. He's said repeatedly he doesn't want to be stuck on the bench and in the reserves again, I'd say 1 more season and then hopefully he'll be ready to compete for a place as first choice striker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robokid87 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Cracking goal by Lukaku tonight! I still think we should give him at least one more season out on loan though, he's improved hugely in past few months but don't think he's ready to be a regular for us. Agree with this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Even if Roman splashes out and gives you the Cavani/Falcao you want/need, you're going to need more than them and Ba to last you over the season if you sell Torres. Lukaku is definitely ready to be pushing for a place in your first team, if you've watched him enough this season you'll see he has the kind of spark in him at the moment that Torres is desperately missing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I do wonder what we will do with him. If he played for one more full season at a PL club then he would still only be 21 years old when he came back to us. Plus by then he would have another year of international football under his belt as well, plus he would have played more with De Bruyne and Hazard. Obviously he isn't the finished article yet, so maybe another year will smooth out some of the rough edges he has. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReggaeBwoy Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 He would only be 3rd choice at best though, whoever we bring in over the summer (assuming Torres leaves), Ba, and the Lukaku. He's said repeatedly he doesn't want to be stuck on the bench and in the reserves again, I'd say 1 more season and then hopefully he'll be ready to compete for a place as first choice striker. Maybe the trick is though don't spend £50m or whatever it is on a striker. Lukaku and Ba would be decent and if we can't ship off Torres, the he can just be rottated but Lukaku is getting better and better and has everything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Maybe the trick is though don't spend £50m or whatever it is on a striker. Lukaku and Ba would be decent and if we can't ship off Torres, the he can just be rottated but Lukaku is getting better and better and has everything. I'd be all for that, but we know Roman is gonna go and bring in someone new. I just can't see Lukaku being happy coming back and not getting games, which he almost certainly wouldn't, not because he's not good enough, but because whatever manager we have will be under pressure for results and performances and won't want to risk playing someone who despite is potential is still pretty raw, when he'll have whoever Abramovich's new toy is going to be at his disposal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Tbf I don't think Roman would risk just having Lukaku and Ba either. Although it wouldn't harm us as this year we have looked so much better with Ba playing, I just can't see him relying on Ba and Lukaku. I wouldn't be surprised if we got rid of Torres, bought in a marquee striker and then maybe brought Lukaku back the season after, maybe letting Ba go. Who knows though, except Roman of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bracken Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Tbf I don't think Roman would risk just having Lukaku and Ba either. Although it wouldn't harm us as this year we have looked so much better with Ba playing, I just can't see him relying on Ba and Lukaku. I wouldn't be surprised if we got rid of Torres, bought in a marquee striker and then maybe brought Lukaku back the season after, maybe letting Ba go. Who knows though, except Roman of course. Yeah that's pretty much what I'm thinking will happen. We do need a third choice striker, but it needs to be someone who's ok sitting on the bench and not getting many games, and that's not Lukaku. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcoleman1 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 It shouldn't be Torres either really. He's too expensive/probably not effective enough even as 3rd choice atm. I would say a utility player who can player anywhere behind the striker and up front would have been useful. Such as Walcott until he signed a new contract. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag man Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I think its important for Lukaku to be playing regularly rather than being on the bench for us. I would ship Torres out and bring in a good main striker to rotate with Ba and then either use another young striker who will be happy as 3rd choice or someone short term whilst Lukaku is away on loan. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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