This match was always going to be tough, even if we had the first team and seeing as Martin O'Neill prioritised the league, we shouldn't be that bothered, but we will be and for moments in the first half we controlled the game and we looked like we could have stolen something.

Last season, all the talk from quite a few of the players and the manager was how they had to finish fifth for the UEFA Cup. Well, we don't seem to care now, so in return I'm cancelling my hotel and I'm going to see if I can get a refund on my flights.

You might say we were unlucky and you could just about get away with that if you don't factor in the Chelsea fan that will say they were just as unlucky not to score three. Bottom line, we played like we played against Everton and the first half of CSKA Moscow.

Morning all. It's today where we find out what our lads are made of. Will they cower in the face of the challenge or will they stand up and be counted as men, men capable of greatness?

A rumour has popped up about Gareth Barry and I suppose now that January is out of the way it was only a matter of time and seeing as he's not penned a new deal yet, which I expect him to, then speculation will always surround the player.