idk, Utd seemed to be the obvious option, since they were more than ready to splash the cash around and get basically whoever they wanted.

Thing is- it is a lot harder to outdo everyone now that 4-5 clubs can spend the same or near the same amount in the same league...tough ****

Dont really want to defend utd fans, but ITT most every one of them was cautiously optimistic apart from some "we gon win the league" obv jokes... seemingly Utd were letting a lot of shots on their goal and weren't creating much apart from the game vs Hull(?).. most were like "ok, we won, but wasnt the best performance"

but agree with the statement in general, one loss and it is all doom and gloom

We're creating negative energy to make sure they finish 6th or 7th. Wishfully predicted they finished 5th or 6th (can't remember) but then again look at the other teams around them - can anyone confidently say man utd are much better? It's also quite easy to end up on a bad run without even playing bad. Looking at their squad, and assuming guys like Bailly are actually good, then he should be able to make a very competitive team out of what they have. But he still wants guys like Fellaini and past it Rooney and wants Pogba to fit into a system instead of liberating him.

Where would I find stats for chances created conversation rate?

Pretty sure from eye test that Chelsea are limiting the actual amount of attacks opposing teams have, but when these attacks do happen they have a ridiculously high chance of converting to goals. I am talking off the charts lol wtf bbq high.

This is important information relative to does Cesc start or not.

We're limiting chances in open play for sure compared to last season but individual mistakes are still high like last year. And I'm not confident these mistakes will stop. So maybe if we had better defenders it would make sense to drop cesc if chance creation is as it is - even if he provides a boost. As you've said before, Kante has made a big difference already in terms of balance.

You mean start Cesc?

Cahill-Lulz combo is highly susceptible for clowncarlike explosions at the back I assume

disclaimer: have not watched a single chelsea game this season and wont start now cause I will be at zeOctoberfest when we'll receive our annual asskicking from chelsea

Well any Combo of Terry/Cahill/Luiz.

I think our best pairing depending on state on return is Zouma/Luiz.

Maybe it goes both ways: the fact a player of his quality isn't starting already means a huge question mark over him - maybe defensive quality and stability / Kante liberates cesc which is great for everyone. Or if conte was magically given a high quality defence tomorrow - would he persist with the current front 6 he has or would he then feel more comfortable fitting in cesc? It's hard to know what role he thinks is best suited for him. On pure ability he should be in the team easily but as we know that has not happened.

Well we conceded 53 goals last season, and look close to that rate this season, indeed in terms of actual attacks to goals conceded we look worse this season.

Its not just that he is playing Kante he is playing him next to Matic, effectively two DMs, pretty sure this is to counter the above.

I am pretty sure if we had even close to a reasonable defence Cesc would be on the pitch, he does not even have to replace Matic, he could be on instead of Oscar, but then at the moment I think even Oscar is preferred because of project stop ball reaching our final third.

I felt the same last year, but I think Arsenal are going to need their best men working on finding a way to lose to us this year, their very top men.

This just in from the Arsenal board room:

do not underestimate us

Yes that makes sense, Cesc goes to Oscar role - maybe even have Oscar replacing Matic as a result in a deeper role - I'm not too down on Matic but he isn't near the level he was 2 years ago and he's 28 which surprised me actually for some reason. We wouldn't need 2 DMs but we do at the moment because we have 1 and half (if I'm generous) centre backs at all times.

As predicted by Peter Kenyon, we have become the Man Utd of the South.

Hopefully next season we have Christensen Zouma at CB with the current batch as back up, Cahill shipped out, Terry on the bench for fist pumps.

That would be nice and hopefully Sunderland get relegated next season too.

mun squad must be the leakiest in the league, every time one of those fannys has a boo boo they go running to the press

not that jose doesn't deserve it but still

Northampton have lost 1 game in their last 31, would piss myself if they won tonight.

Chelsea fans trying to reverse jinx hard up itt.

if a team falls in the mickey cup...does it make a sound?

I would much rather prefer extra time and whatever result and a Leicester win come Saturday

Arsenal Fans didn't seem as down on the Mickey mouse cup in 2011

Mickey Mouse wears a Jurgen Klopp watch.

times do change

Jesus just seen we are 1/5 to beat Hull. That's a spring 2014 kinda price. Full boom ahead.

does that mean the bust is just behind the corner?

Spurs/Poch have been very tight-lipped about Kane injury.

Just "has sustained ligament damage"..Level 1? level 2? Level 3?

They aren't saying the severity of the injury and no mention of a timetable to return..

I read that they hadn't been able to make an accurate diagnosis due to the swelling around the injury.

He'll be back when he's back, and in the meantime Jansen will do just fine.