Let's Get Down to Roots Hall and Have Ourselves a Cure-All
Tuesday, 13 January 09, 10:31 PM · Comments (110)
As I understand it Kursaal in German means an entertainment hall or public room located at a spa and literally means “Cure-All”.
In days gone by one went to the spa, to take the waters as a cure for all sorts of ailments, mental and physical. Towns like Bath were built on the popularity of their spa and became very fashionable due to the patronage of royalty and the great and the good.
How appropriate then that we should be heading to Southend, home of the famous Kursaal Amusement Park and Ballroom (the Amusement Park is now sadly gone, but the building remains), because if anyone needs a Cure-All by God it’s us.
So let us pause awhile by the Kursaal and refresh our weary souls.
Despite living in North London I can only remember one visit to Southend as a boy and the train ride down the very long pier is the only long standing memory I have of the place. I did ride there during my cycle racing days but as it was the mid point in an 80 to 100 mile training run, I was generally too bollixed to notice one of the great pieces of seaside architecture, redolent with so much history.
Built just after the turn of the century, the Kursaal was home to the world’s first great amusement park, pre-dating Colney Island, New York. They had the first Wall of Death in Europe, the kind of thing now featured on one of the BBC idents.
It was this Wall of Death that I believe gave rise to the original Kursaal Flyers, as the practitioners of this dangerous stunt were known.
Now I know that deep within the last brain cell of a few old heads that name only means one thing and it’s not a load of mad blokes on bikes.
Yes those denizens of 70’s pub rock, part of the wave (or was it more of a ripple?) of musical talent that washed in from the wilds of Essex. Eddie and the Hot Rods, Doctor Feelgood, a part of Kilburn & The High Roads (Mr. Ian Dury pre Blockheads) and yes the Kursaal Flyers themselves.
Here is their only hit but it’s a good one. “Little Does She Know”.
To quote a few lines:
When she saw my reflection in the chrome
I knew that she'd seen me 'cause she dropped her bikini
The one that I got her in Rome
On the other hand, if you think this is just an old git wallowing in meaningless nostalgia, which has sod all to do with football, you’re probably right.
But I think we should put our away trips in some sort of context and Southend is more than just somewhere at the end of a railway line. It has history, of which we should be aware, particularly as we are in danger of being part of the next significant episode in that history.
No, we will get our Cure-All and return refreshed and ready for an assault on the title.
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110 Comments · Add yours
Nice work BB.....
Having an understanding of German, and also being a former cyclist, I was wondering if you knew the German phase for "On Yer Bike".
I feel that may come in handy for quite a number of players and staff in the next few months!
I agree, lets go there and stuff them and hope wigan and bolton can get something from Man-U, that would turn things on its head again! Come on Chelsea, get it together, get mean and smash those lowlifes and lets not be nice about it , lets just win!
On another note, this from Maradona talking about Inter;
"First of all I thank Massimo Moratti, who is without doubt my president in Italy. He's an exquisite man and he has made Inter great. Also, he got Mourinho this summer, the coach that I would certainly have brought in if I were the president of a club. He was the best possible buy and I told Moratti too when I had the chance. José has everything: he knows how to talk to the players, to the press, to the dressing room. For me, he's the best."
And we had that man! Oh well life moves on I suppose
*wipes misty tear of nostalgia from eye*
Splendid work, BB. Many fond memories of Southend (grandmother lived there / Leigh-on-Sea for much of her life); the train ride to the end of the pier was about as exciting as life got at 7 years of age... Even at that tender age I can recall thinking "How on earth is this thing still standing...?"
Staying (vaguely) in pub rock mode, if it all goes wrong tomorrow we could well be:
LINK
And then he retreats swiftly, realising it is 11pm and thus too late to start trawling Youtube for pub rock obscurities...
Guten nacht, as they might say as one leaves as Kursaal.
Eddie and the Hot Rods - a staple on the jukebox in The Carpenters Arms, Hayes End, a little hostelry I used to frequent somewhat.....errr.......frequently. How did their one mainstream hit go now.....
Why don't you ask them what they expect from you?
Why don't you tell them what you are gonna do?
It gets so lonely, maybe its better that way
It aint you only
You got something to say
Do anything you wanna do (etc etc)
I find Nostalgia Halls a warm, moist and very comforting place..........
Actually, those lyrics could have been written for Scolari. How very prophetic of Mr Hollis and Mr Douglas.........
LINK
LINK
This article just about sums it up for me........ The manager and a large number of the players don't give a toss whether they are around next week or next year....They do not care in the slighest.
Time to cut out the deadwood NOW!
I'm not in the least bit worried about tonight (which is strange for me as I'm sure you'll agree). We'll win for sure.
2 - 1 win. Both goals from Lamps, with the winner in the last 5 minutes. And some awful defending for their goal.
BUT - why oh why does Scolari insist on telling the World and his missus everything that's going on? Where's the point in telling a press conference you're going to defend this way or that? It just plays into the hands of the opposition and, be it Southend or Stoke or Juventus, it's a stupid thing to do.
And bye bye Didier. Crucial game tonight where everyone's input would definitely be needed. Not a dead cert by a long way and he's been left at home. The end of his Chelsea career is upon us. It was (mostly) fun while it lasted, but the Champs League debacle should have been his farewell in my opinion.
I'm not in the least bit worried about tonight (which is strange for me as I'm sure you'll agree). We'll win for sure.
@Fiftee
I hope that's not you being reliant on prescription drugs and copious ammounts of alcohol to feel this calm mate.
I'm also surprised we haven't had some people screaming on here that we should be trying to outbid Citeh for Kaka yet. I should imagine £110 million should clinch it, along with £550k a week. :-)
For the first time in 40+ years I'll be missing tonight. I've got a social arrangement that usually I'd manage to wheedle my way out of but I just can't be bothered.
I'll let you guys take the suffering on my behalf.
Morning All
mmmm is this the end for Drogs?
Is that both strikers having had a falling out with LGF in a week?
If Drogs goes and Anelka gets injured what then?
Methinks that perhaps somewhere in the murky backwaters of football Ben Sahar is consulting the train timetable for a trip back to London. Just on the off chance..
I see the yoofs are playing Walsall in the FA Youth Cup tonight. Here's hoping for a night of double glory.
@ Greenlight
JD's yer man for the German. I just cribbed from a website (looks slightly shamefaced.
@ TG
"I find Nostalgia Halls a warm, moist and very comforting place...."
Nostalgia's an unusual name for a woman but if she makes you happy well what the hell ;-)
@ chelseablog
Can you issue a statement assuring us that those featuring hats in their avatars wont be fined in line with current club policy?
mmmm is this the end for Drogs?
Well according to this BB looks like it's not. LINK
Sorry if I'm being a bit slow this foggy morning but where are the Daily Torygraph etc getting these confident assertions that Drogba is definitely out of the squad for tonight's game? I'm not seeing that clearly stated in any of the rambling quotes from His Bigness about the need for changes - not that I'd disagree with applying boot to his backside after his wretched display on Saturday.
While not in truth a hat man personally, my libertarian impulses have led me to change my avatar - which seems like it might have a handy black visor for blotting out those blundering moments.
LINK
villa villa villa villa
villa villa villa villa
As in David??
@ BBD #12
It could be a clever tactic by LGF to avoid being forced to play 2 up. If he falls out with each one in turn and benches him every few games its problem solved.
On a lighter note, as I reel back in shock from your latest manifestation, the song going round inside my head is
"Where did you get that hat?"
Whatever about the club, I'd fine you for wearing that one.
Does rather sound like Drogs has burned his bridges with Phil; his attitude on Sunday was very poor and unless he's going to pull himself together and play until the end of the season, there is little point in him being around any more. Not sure we can risk having just Di Santo and Anelka as our only fit strikers though.
The thing with Dregs is that he'd usually be off to Africa about now for a few weeks in the sun which would've given everyone a break, but now it's the African Nations Championship which doesn't include expats...think I've got that right?
It's all o.k though.
The Canaries have just sacked Roeder (and the fans are partying like it's, well, 1999 in Norwich) so we can line him up to replace TSSO.
I've been to Norwich recently and its actually 1899.
(Apologies from a new-boy)
See, Phil was right. There is another job for him.
BB: Hello Delia?
DS: Who's that?
BB: Can I interest you in a pre-enjoyed slightly crumpled Brazilian? He's yours if you want him. Thought I'd give you first refusal before he goes on e-bay.
DS: You what? Who is this?
BB: Like you he's a big Catholic. Comes with a Papal Bull?
DS: What like the one on Coleman's mustard?
BB: No you daft bint! (sighs deeply) Never mind.
(sound of burring phone line)
Tonight's game is on ITV channel. Carrion-eaters looking for dead meat. Let's hope they stay hungry tonight!
Come on Chelsea!!!
KTBFFH!!!
I konow its a datf question, but can anyone explain the ten-past-eight ko? Its not as though Stricly Come Dancing's on BBC1....
@23
It's because they want the dream to last a little bit longer.
It's nice to see City have been brought down a peg or two:
LINK
"Kaka has revealed that he turned down a projected move to Manchester City that was believed to be worth £100 million.
Kaka told website Mediaset that he wanted to stay in Serie A, claiming: "I want to grow old at AC Milan."
Kaka's representatives have also revealed that he will not be motivated by money, which doesn't play to City's current great strength: unimaginable wealth.
But the Brazilian's spokesman, Diogo Kotscho, says the player will not be swayed by money: "Ricky would like a strong side. He would never do something like Robinho, who, just to earn more, contented himself with not a winning solution."
So they'll have to make do with a bunch of rejects like Bridge, SWP, Bellamy, Parker and Michael Ball to get themselves into the CL. Good luck Hughes, you've got an even more impossible task to fulfill your owner's wishes than our manager has.
And it's only right that Didier's been dropped. His attitude on Sunday was awful and he definitely wants to go except that he has to realise he won't end up at a big club next season. We put him up for sale in the summer and we received 0 bids as no-one can be bothered to handle his ego. Not having him playing to his maximum will end up worsening the side as we've only got Anelka to fall back on, but he has to be given a kick up the arse.
It'll be awful tuning in to Pleat and Co tonight. The programme will start at about 20:04, have a 20second intro and then have a 5 minute ad break only to come back to Clive Tyldesley screaming something about how tonight encapsulates everything about the magic of the Cup! It won't be great viewing but at least the whole country can give a judgement on how good/bad we are. I'll go for a 1-0.
@ 23 - Chelseaexile - If I was a cynic I guess ITV need to get the Soaps done and dusted, play loads of pre-match ads to maximise revenue and thus cheapen the name of the FA cup even further. If I was a cynic.....
On the Scolari/Drogba et al front - these words seem like fighting talk to me
"All the players have had their chance. I have given every player at least five or six games to impress, I have looked at many games with Anelka and at the last few with Didier. I have my opinion and I will put my opinion on the pitch every game. Now we will start with one team against Southend United and maybe I will start with the same team against Stoke."
In the critique of historical writing there is such a thing as 'unwitting testimony' which boils down to reading between the lines and finding out what was actually unsaid. To me Scolari is saying that he's had enough of Drogba and some other players who have been given chances and haven't performed. Drogba may be a busted flush, at least for a few weeks now, but I wonder if he'll apply the same to Deco? Or Malouda? I think Joe Cole will survive because despite his poor form he has put loads of effort in. He can't be accused of not trying like Drogs, Deco and Malouda. For me those three seem to be the 'axis of evil' within the dressing room.
"If I have given players only one chance then maybe some of the players will complain that they have only had one opportunity.
"But when I have given four or five chances then there is no room for questions, it is my decision to play this or that player, and finish."
@16 BlueBayou - OK if that one offends your sensibilities, how about this picture which I believe may be tomorrow's Chelsea Board meeting if His Bigness gets it all wrong again tonight.
@ 23 - Chelseaexile - If I was a cynic I guess ITV need to get the Soaps done and dusted, play loads of pre-match ads to maximise revenue and thus cheapen the name of the FA cup even further. If I was a cynic.....
You've mentioned it twice Tony, so I say it must be true. ;-)
@26 Chelseatony: 'axis of evil' I love it.
Is Drogs N Korea?
@ BBD #16
Oh yes and the film noirish feel to it captures the current mood of lurking nastiness very well!
No, Drogs is more like Iran, sort of sulky and its best days were quite some time ago. It'll never see them again because its too complex and can't decide what it wants ansd whther it wants to like others or hate them.
Malouda would be N Korea - secretive, spying on everyone, self centred, believes hes great, believes everyone is against him. Deluded.
Deco I suppose becomes Iraq - run down, full of rhetoric, no real command centre, wants to be better but has too many internal demons working against it. I can't accuse Iraq of laziness and arrogance so these are purely additonal features of the man himself.
Does that make Scolari Bush Junior? Following in the footsteps of an earlier Buffoon (Ranieri/Bush senior) who started the new world order (RA) interspersed with a lovable rogue (Clinton/Jose) who had his faults but managed to keep a lid on things while bringing prosperity to all.
I also hear Drogba is secretly enriching uranium, for what purposes we can only speculate.
Welcome to the blog CE, make yourself at home, just don't talk to the bloke with Lampard fetish called Mossat or something.
Everybody, Chelsea Exile is a refuge from the Guardian blog. He prefers quiche to hats, but he'll soon get the hang of it.
All these propaganda analogies with our players and managers will serve no purpose to our cause. Having watched Million Dollar Traders recently, it's stuff like this that will end up with our stock heading downwards with some very dodgy short selling. Yeah I know it's too late, it seems we're heading that way already.
@ 32- PW Thanks for the welcome.
'He prefers quiche to hats' Obviously only in the summer months. In winter you need something more weatherproof; like a Percy Ingle's Cornish Pastie.
Mrs Exile liked the Malouda = N Korea idea, and said something about 'a massive weapon no-one's ever seen'.
I think I need to talk to her...
With our two new team bloggers in FanSince60's and CE perhaps I can be rested and placed on the subs bench, and just read postings instead of commenting with my usual dross. I'm sure that will please a few of you. :-)
The eternal flame in the shrine to Uncle Claudio has just guttered briefly. That told me there has been a disturbance in the ethereal matter that is "Claudio's Memory".
So I had a look on here to check that no one was besmirching Rome's greatest son....steady now Fansincethesixties, I'll let the insult go this time as it was committed in an effort to stretch a highly improbable analogy beyond breaking point in the service of general humour and whimsy. (And where is Mr Grant in this timeline?)
Any more of this and the ninja guardians of the eternal flame will be despatched.
Sorry BB, it was a stretch, but I was stuck with a middle and an ending and needed a beginning.
Don't quit now Clive, this is the time for us all to pull together and wear our (blue) hats with pride!
CE welcome indeed to this most esteemed company. I was suffering the morning after that Red Nose Day feeling when they took me in and gave me hope again.
Welcome CE and Fansincethesixties, this blog is where you'll find calm and reasoned opinion on all things Chelsea. Either that or irrational, extreme reactions which only a Chelsea fan can have. Plus some weird digressions ranging from hats (see above) to which country best represents each of our players (again see above). You're gonna love, on the provision you pledge your allegiance to the real Chelsea fans on here and not Little Miss Muffet and her side kick Musumba.
A warm welcome to Chelseaexile and Fansincethesixties; a worrying lack of hats in your avatars, but if one of you is offering specialist quiche knowledge and the other a few decades of loyal support, that'll do nicely...
Might be a shrewd move on Phil's part, the sudden "my way or the highway" stance; I'm not convinced by the bloke, but he's had a few months to check out the lay of the land with the players he has and will hopefully have worked out who he can trust and who he can't. If CFC are backing him then fair enough; it could be a painful process whilst he deals with it all, but if it is for the good of the club in the long term then so be it.
Thanks all. I feel most welcome.
@36; Clive please don't go, I've only just got here. Plus there's a distinct Robben-esque quality to your pleading. Run it off!
I feel like I've shipped up at a pivotal moment. A decent win tonight could set us back on track. Mind you if we get knocked out I'll want friendly faces around.
Come on Chelsea!
KTBFFH
Lumper vs. Pitsea Pub FC LINK = Hat Trick.
I hope their goalie has had some drill on dealing with lunatic snipper fire.
My avatar is sadly hatless -- but he does have a cravat! Is that something to be proud of?
Ah, changing the subject. Having used up all my schadenfreude, it may be the only remaining strategy.
@CE
I do like quiche, so I'll run it off ;-)
I think I will don my blue hat and replica shirt tonight, although the shirt is a black one. I also managed to pick up some second hand incontinence pants from E-Bay which I will also be wearing.
Into the breach we go!!
The game is off because of fog. LINK
It might be back on again...
BBC saying on again. Have to say when the local news showed a report from the ground it didn't look that bad.
On and off like a bride's undies...
What happens when we come to zonally mark a set piece and the zone in question is shrouded in fog?
I'll shut up now.
I would say our zonal marking is shrouded in mystery, the fog may be a blessing.
I currently work with a bloke who wears a cravat. Extraordinary really.
Wonder if ITV pulled some strings to get the game unpostponed. There's a Tyldesley-hot air gag to be had here for those so inclined.
Sorry chaps my fault. Just popped behind the stand for a few nervous puffs on the ol'briar and my new perique mixture was a little damp.
LINK
Alex in for Riccy...... mmmm scratches head.
BBC team news:
Cech
Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole,
Ballack, Mikel, Lampard,
J Cole, Anelka, Kalou.
No Didier, Ricky or Deco.
Subs: Cudicini, Ivanovic, Carvalho, Di Santo, Belletti, Mancienne, Stoch.
Didier's been dropped as predicted but it looks like Deco has been as well.
1-0 down from a corner already!!!
It looks like zonal marking is working to perfection!
well done Phil, players score goals not space. Hahaha, the last 75 mins of Phil's reign?
coco the clown doesnt mind losing his job so no problem!!
It was amazing how Alex didn't go for the ball and then Anelka was actually watching their defender as he walked past him to head into the net. An absolute joke and JT looked pissed that he'd been told to set up like this. Schoolboys defend better than Phil's team.
Oh Oh! the away crowd are starting to sing Jose Mourinho!! and the southen crowd are singing your getting sacked in the morning!!
I was waiting for the Mourinho chant. I'm surprised it's taken so long. I wonder if our fans will start singing Avram's name. That'll be the ultimate insult.
Southend's tactic of 11 men within 25 yards of their own goal. I wonder if our superstars can break down that wall?
For fuck's sake,let's hope we can force penalties.
What a joke club we've become.
One day we'll all laugh about this,won't we????
Hoping for pens? That's a guarenteed defeat anyway. If we're going to go out, we might as well do it in style. A 3-0 implosion would at least be so bad you can only laugh about it.
@HABS
I was joking,this is so disgraceful.What will be the excuses tomorrow if we go out?
He's tried a new formation and dropped players,so what's left to do?
The cupboard is bare regarding motivation,inspiration.
Fuck me we've scored
Ballack 1-1
AT last a goal! defence error but we dont care! come on chelsea!
Well Ballack has finally done something. I thought he's had a shocker but well done for actually getting something on target. Is that good news in that Phil will be given an extra week?
Why is Phil punching the air? Well done Phil, we've equalised against mighty Southend. If it wasn't for your awful coaching we'd be winning and still in with a chance of the title.
GET IN KALOOOOUUUU!!!!
Great ball from Joe. Where are all those on here who say he's useless?
Habs,
Give them a chance, it's only been seconds since the goal was scored.
You wait, they'll all be silent. I think Joe's been one of our better performers today. Still not impressed by Alex or Anelka though.
oh no Joe Cole has an injury!
Oh well, if that's what goalscorers do then i'll back him. 80mins without touching the ball and then a goal. That's all we ask for so well done Nico.
And Lamps gets the goal he deserves tonight. Let's rejoice at beating Southend. Yay! Except it's only Southend and we look clueless defending set-pieces.
No surprise that Drogs was dropped -- if anyone would be stirring up trouble by refusing to commit to the new boss it would be him -- but very interesting that Deco appears to have been canned as well. If as the tittle-tattle implies there have been some players who have been given their chance and will now be penalised for our bad run, I think it's quite encouraging that Deco appears to be among them.
I will paint a target on my head, put a rifle in Habs's educated hands and start sticking my neck out as the blog's token defender of Mr Big. If he's lost patience with underperforming people who think they ought to start every game by right, more power to him.
Although I must say I can't come up with an explanation of the wonders on zonal marking. I am feeling seriously queasy about playing Stoke at home.
PS -- fire away Habs -- this cravat is bulletproof I'll have you know.
I really wish people would wait to comment until the game is finished.
Well we did look better tonight and were a constant threat when attacking. The team looked much better with 2 wingers playing and i thought Joe and Kalou played very well. But i totally agree with you that the zonal defending will cost us again. But well done Phil for dropping Didier and Deco. He does deserve praise for that.
@ Clive
was that a comment? :-)
was that a comment? :-)
I refuse to answer any questions unless my Solicitor is present.
Any one see the green shoots of recovery?
Yep, our new attacking trio worked well together. But that'll be ruined for the weekend with Joe getting a dodgy injury and Didier probably moaning about not being picked.
Any one see the green shoots of recovery?
Is that Government spin BB?
@ Clive
You'll have to speak to my press secretary
YOOF NEWS
Chelsea 5 Walsall 1
Congrats to them
Job done. Fitness ultimately told in the end - Ballack's goal crucial though; had we gone in behind at half time it could have been a bit nervey and I think the goal took the wind out of their sails somewhat.
Not much to read into it overall, but a little restoration of confidence and (finally) a sign that Phil will drop players that are underperforming is no bad thing.
@ Habs - re Joe Cole, we're definitely still here :-) Thought he was OK tonight and a great ball for the goal, but one half decent performance against a League One club doesn't disguise the fact that he's generally been a waste of space this season. Shame about the injury though; looked quite nasty in the first instance and I'm surprised he was allowed to carry on. We can ill afford any further absences right now.
Two great results for us tonight!
Better sort out the zonal defending crap, with no one on the posts no less.
Wish could have been three, mind!!!
United 1-0 Wigan Rooney (minute 1 FFS, taken off with a hammie on minute 6)
Down to third in the league. :-(
I know it was only Southend but he did look like one of our best hopes of creating a chance and certainly impressed more than the rapidly slowing Ballack who's drastically fallen away from last season's form. Essien to return in 2 weeks?
It has to be said also, Kalou with 1 goal and 2 assists tonight!!
If only Phil had thought of playing him on Sunday when he switched to 4-4-2.
Just hope Essien isn't rushed back - nasty injury; big advantage with him is that he is (or at least was) incredibly fit which will count for a lot.
Apart from the dreaded zonal marking, the other point of concern is that we still spend too long on the ball, especially the midfield. Not reading much into it because of the opposition, but I thought we actually started to move it about quicker when Belletti came on.
Agreed Habs, if only.
Good point JD. He stayed on message by taking off Mikel as he was below par with a yellow. I much prefer Belletti in midfield than at RB anyway.
I also wondered about our tempo in the first half and agree that we improved with Belletti spraying the ball about. But can we really afford to drop Mikel? And when Essien returns i hope he doesn't get wasted in the Makelele role. His pace, power and energy should be used alongside Lamps with Mikel holding. If that means having no Deco or Ballack in the team then so be it.
No we cannot.
But that does not mean he shouldn't be subbed out if he is not playing well!
I also agree Essien would be wasted at holding midfield position. He should replace Ballack when fit.
On current form Deco should be nowhere near the starting XI.
Congratulations to the yoof. I gather their tie in the next round could be against 'Poo's youth team (the Turdlets?)
Comfortable win in the end.
Encouraging to see Phil drop Deco and Drogba, encouraging to see Kalou get another chance and for once make the most of it.
'But can we really afford to drop Mikel?'
As I have said for a couple of weeks now, as much as I like Mikel, we really don't need a holding midfielder in every game....In fact we should only play one against the top sides. We need to create more going forward so use Kalou (or someone else) as a winger and free up the midfield a bit.
Ballack would be more than capable of playing the deeper role, and it might also give Lampard a bit more room in which to work. Alternatively drop Ballack, and play Mikel alongside Lampard in the middle, with Mikel playing the deeper position.
Slight change in plan so got to the pub 5 minutes before we went 0-1 down. Was inebriated on arrival and completely pi**ed by then end. Drink is the solution for the rest of the season!
@ LTB
"Congratulations to the yoof. I gather their tie in the next round could be against 'Poo's youth team (the Turdlets?)"
Your penchant for cravat wearing may tend towards the worryingly foppish and your lack of headwear is somewhat ungentlemanly but "Turdlets" is very very good.
They play Bristol Rovers tomorrow night.
Have I got comment 100? I'm doing s report of sorts now having watched a time shift recording of the game due to taxi Dad duties and a knackered missus.
Highlights for me was Ballacks return to a majestic performance in midfield, along with Lamps - seriously watch it again with a replay function and you'll see. No deco to fuck it up. Most of all, i think we saw a better choice midfield there and Kalou..........I'll write the report after eating this huge slice of warm Humble Pie thats been freshly delivered.
May I propose that comment No. 6 on the match report is suitably marked in honour of Number Six Patrick McGoohan who having realised that he's never get his head around zonal marking has departed this mortal vale of tears yesterday?
LINK
@ TG......
'Most of all, i think we saw a better choice midfield there and Kalou..........I'll write the report after eating this huge slice of warm Humble Pie thats been freshly delivered'
Apology for your outrageous 'anti-Kalou' ranting of a couple of weeks ago accepted..... I do however accept absolutely no responsibility for his next appearance in a Chelsea shirt which will on current form be somewhere between 'breathtakingly brilliant' and 'completely clueless'!
It was meant ot be a brief report, but as usual I got carried away.........I won't be able to sleep anyway....I have anew toy coming tomorrow....a grweat big 46 HDTV and Home Cinema thingy in which to enjoy watching our hilarious set pieces in full HD and loud enough to spare the family from the stream of expletives......
Watched the game, then crashed on the sofa - like some of our midfield, I'm at the age where I need plenty of rest.
Agree that we can't read too much into this, they scored first (zonal unmarking), they could've gone two up (what would've happened then?), levelling before ht really knocked the stuffing out of them and they tired in the second half.
But: What a result!
If you'd said 4-1 in 44th minute that strange guy with the tash would've laughed at you.
We looked hungry and played as if we actually intended to win rather than go there to play at bit of footie and just see what happens.
Lots of good stuff. The balance was good, Kalou was great, Belletti was a revelation, his ability to hit the odd wonder goal has detracted from his ability to play the defensive role. Nic smiled (well almost), Ashley ran Wilkins' socks off, etc etc.
No news on Joe yet it looked very painful but he didn't seem to twist it too much, have to wait and see.
The zonal thing really is crap, JT was obviously struggling to organize it and they got two more free headers from corners but couldn't convert them. Better teams will get more corners/free kicks and they'll score more goals so we'd best get used to coming from behind, so to speak.
Night all.
@Tony
What did you buy Tony? Plasma or LCD and make? if you don't mind sharing. I do enjoy tech and like to spend time reading lots of reviews on equipment like that, and some of my frineds call me their IT guru on audio visual suff.
Morning Clive
Samsung LE46 A656 - its an LCD, with a Samsung TZ215 Home Cinema system. I might be tapping you up for some advice then!
A couple of reviews to save you a hunt...
LINK
LINK
Morning Tony
Thanks for the info and links, Chelsea brand loyalty I see ;-) It certainly looks pretty, although not seen that particular model in the flesh, I do enjoy going round the various electrical/Hi Fi stores viewing various set ups, sad I know.
I own a 42" Plasma Pioneer Kuro PDP428XD which in my humble opinion is the canine's genetalia, but it's not cheap like any of the Pioneers.
Here's just one review LINK but other reviews say pretty much the same.
My preference for Plasma basically stems from the fact they produce better blacks, and you don't get the motion blurring that you get on LCD's on fast moving stuff. Although; I will add LCD's have improved significantly over the past year or so. Plus the other thing with Plasma's they tend to produce better standard definition pictures over LCD's
But I always tell my friends at the end of the day, pick a budget stick to it and go see and hear for yourself. It's subjective and like most things personal choice, by the way I do own a 27" Samsung LCD for the bedroom, and they are very nice.
Mornin,
I can vouch for Samsung too.
Got a 20" LCD on the PC and it's been fine. No sound which makes it a bit cheaper, and is OK if you're using separates anyway.