The Zhirkov

[Bruce Wayne]

It's an interesting hypothesis but one I find hard to believe as our mental strength has been the one thing we've always had. Last season for instance it was incredible when we played with no strikers, then lost Arteta and Jags, yet still we steamed on, reaching the cup final and overtaking Villa.

I mentioned at the time about how the Lescott affair might impact upon the team spirit in the camp as we hadn't had a player pinched from us we didn't want to sell since Rooney.

Hard to say from the outside isn't it.

By the way, if we got Zhirkov I may just wee myself. He's an incredible player and it's criminal how Chelsea are wasting his talents. They've quite possibly got the best two left backs in the world game.

 

[Goat]

You can tell its Christmas, Ghost saying we are gonna win the League and chico linking transfer rumours. Lay off the booze lads.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

He's got a different tactical disposition. As pointed out he's used to playing a short passing game. Little triangles on the deck not big semi-circles in the air.

 

[kenada_blue]

What does Moyes tell the squad to do, I wonder?

To be fair, we dont have a deep laying midfielder able to pick up the ball and dictate play ala Arteta. And we have a back 4 full of hoofers (mostly).

That's where things start...if no one comes back wanting the ball, they're just gonna lump it to the players forward.

 

[Rugby Toffee]

None of our defenders have the confidence or ability to play the pass out of defence. Panic football. A settled backfour may go someway to remedy that situation though.

 

[kenada_blue]

None of our defenders have the confidence or ability to play the pass out of defence. Panic football. A settled backfour may go someway to remedy that situation though.

That's true.

Yobo, Distin and Hibbert just cant get rid of the ball quick enough when they get it.

 

[Hayee]

That's true.

Yobo, Distin and Hibbert just cant get rid of the ball quick enough when they get it.

Yobo and distin are injured so whats your point? Thats not an explanation for how we're playing!

 

[Rugby Toffee]

we seem to lack composure and confidence. Also against Birmingham the movement of certain players wasn't sharp and decisive. I think confidence is a big factor at the moment. A few wins would see us ok, scruffy 1-0 against Sunderland will be a start.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

TB did you not notice some of the quality thru balls he made? What about assist? I have a feeling he can offer a lot more in the middle. Which is a pity because we sign him as winger.

There's no doubting he's a player with quality, I know that. But Pienaar isn't a winger either and that doesn't stop him from demanding the ball and looking to make things happen.

Bilyaletdinov has certainly shown glimpses of what he can do, we just haven't seen it anywhere enough in my opinion. Whether that's to do with confidence or a positional thing, I couldn't say for sure.

 

[ricardobee]

I'm just impressed that he knows the word "umpteenth"

Hats off to the russian wordsmith I say

 

[kenada_blue]

Yobo and distin are injured so whats your point? Thats not an explanation for how we're playing!

They've only missed a few games so far.

Our hoofball generally comes from deep in our half, from the defence or defensive mid. The 3 mentioned tend to get, look up, hoof (see every kick off to every game). This is mainly down to no central midfield player dropping deep, asking for it, and spreading play.

Only player we've got that can do this is Arteta and he's not playing.

 

[best little spaniard]

They've only missed a few games so far.

Our hoofball generally comes from deep in our half, from the defence or defensive mid. The 3 mentioned tend to get, look up, hoof (see every kick off to every game). This is mainly down to no central midfield player dropping deep, asking for it, and spreading play.

Only player we've got that can do this is Arteta and he's not playing.

Reckon Pienaar could do a job there??

I have a feeling it might be what we've brought Donovan in for.

 

[kenada_blue]

Reckon Pienaar could do a job there??

I have a feeling it might be what we've brought Donovan in for.

Wouldn’t surprise me.

After all, I’ve got a suspicion that Arteta wont play a game this season, or at least till March/back end of.

 

[heatmeiser]

The acquisition of Zhirkov would make me wee also.

But I wouldn't stand next to Bruce at the urinal. I'd go in the cubical.

Unless it had a glory hole, then I'd panic and run out to the nearest bush. And I'd stand there and pray silently that it isn't a local dogging spot. I wouldn't shake when finished though, people may mistake it for self-abuse.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It's criminal how little Chelsea have used this guy. I know Cole is world class but then why sign Zhirkov? It's crazy.