Premier League: Sunderland 0 - 1 Chelsea

"Not since Keane faced Patrick Vieira has he faced such a heavyweight challenge but today he faced Avram Grant." AG as heavyweight, sounds more like a joke. But one has to say, the guy must as Marco already said, be the new soon of God. He realy his lucky basterd.

I couldn't get the goal link to work, Mark?? Thanks for the report though Merson on Sky Sports said Terry was a colussus today. He seemed quite disappointed Sunderland never equalised lol

@Deep Blue - yes "AG as heavyweight" is sarcasm :-)

This was hard fought but I'm just glad we won. And you're right, Drogba was useless. And Alex had a really dodgy game. But I'm still glad we won.

With Arsenal dropping points at home today, the game against Tottenham on Wednesday and the Gooners on Wednesday and Sunday repectively become must win games if we want to win the title. This will prove what Avram Grant is made of. His record so far against the current top 6 of the Premier League, 3 out of a possible 15.

Let us wait and see. I'm hoping for the best. I'm not being overly optimistic over our chances, but you can never say never...

BLUE IS THE COLOUR

Gritty but it was enough. Kalou looked lively throughout, though his decision-making is still infuriating at times. Super Frank and JT were good. Alex looked asleep at times; JT + Riccy is the best bet at centre-back for Chelsea.

Arsenal drawing to Boro: ♥. It would have been better if Boro had won, then I would have felt indebted to them in the same way I do to Man City for doing the double over their Utd counterparts. That said, I still expect us to thrash Boro at the Bridge.

soccernet
"Manchester United moved back to the top of the table after a hard fought 1-0 win at Derby while Arsenal could only draw with Middlesbrough.
Elsewhere, Chelsea squeaked past Sunderland at the Stadium of Light thanks to a John Terry goal".

What is EXACTLY the difference between a "a hard fought win" and a "squeak(ing) past"?

Listening to all the reports, it sounds like ManUre 'squeaked' past!!!! and ours was the hard fought win. But then we don't play in red, do we?

@ BLUETONE

Haven't you realised yet that McFergie's lot are the Golden Boys of football?!
Even when the rest of us think they've played shite-(1..yes..1 goal against Derby)- they've actually had a fantastic game!! You've only gotta listen to that fat t**t Steve Currie on Sky Sports News. Can do no wrong in his eyes, whereas the Chels can do no right.

Didn't see the game myself, so will have to make do with MOTD tomorrow morning. Doesn't sound like it was an amazing win but to be honest, i don't care. All i care about is that we don't LOSE, especially not at this stage. The gap has closed right down to within 3 points of the lead and that makes me happy. Good enough for me thankyou.
We're still on track to get the Prem back guys.
I don't give a toss about fancy football either, at the end of the day, i'd rather the lads just go out and stick balls in the back of the net..Results are more important than fancy footwork IMO.

Leave the dancing to that fairy Ronaldo..ar*****e!!

Good review by the way Mark

@ TONY, CLIVE AND JOSE

Hope you've all managed to sort out you lovers' tiffs by the way!
You fella's are worse than us girlies...LOL

Pleased with the win. Well done Chels xxx

Sloppy performanace. Vital 3 points. What more to ask?
The lads certainly looked tired.

Drogba was uninterested. Maybe it wouldn't be too of a disappointment if he is leaving after this season.

Yet again, better results against poor opposition build hope. Yet how many of us genuinely feel that in eight days time we'll be ahead of Arsenal? We're now the Graeme Hick of football - good at bullying the rubbish and notching up records, but utter shite when faced with something hostile or half-decent.
But what depresses me more - and I have to confess I'm typing this several thousand miles away from the Bridge - is how that awful September decision has divided the club. One of the most striking features about Jose's tenure was the team spirit, and close bond between team and fans (Kezman penalty v Newcastle, shirts into crowd at Blackburn are two easy examples).
Now, the players are at odds with themselves and the management. At best, most of us think Grant is a backstabbing, unqualified and obsequious cretin (though there are some who still feel he should be given time; personally, I think he only needs enough of that to type out a resignation letter).
Kenyon talks of building the club as a brand globally. Yet overseas the only brand being built is back to the old days of music-hall joke. There is no 'professional" reason why Grant got the job. That undermined all credibility at the beginning; Orwellian revisions of truth as to how entertaining we are, and what progress we are making, just make it worse.
Since Jose's hands were tied with transfers two summers ago, and was forced to accomodate Ballack and the artiste formerly known as Sheva into the team, we stalled. A fairly free flowing and entertaining 4-3-3 became 4-4-2 with most of the pace shorn off. But the real problem is lack of development: we had gone largely for young hungry players (Essien, Drogba, Tiago) to old, past-it, or just mediocre (step up messrs Sidwell, Pizarro and worst of all Ben Haim, who reminds me now on dark moments of Dale Jasper's less talented nephew). Great clubs are built on continual development (Liverpool 70s and 80s; United 90s and now), which we had for four years, but has gone now.
In the meanwhile, Man U have snapped up Vidic, Anderson, Nani and others; Arsenal have been using up their Mothercare vouchers to good effect and Liverpool got Torres. Who in their right mind would want to play for Jabba the Hut, and his ready command of tactics and loyalty? Certainly not the best and brightest we used to be in for.
The internal ruin needs to stop, now. Not at the end of the season, nor, if Kenyon was telling the truth, sometime next season. Grant must go, and take all the poison he has brought to the club with him.
We'll never get Jose back, but we desperately need somebody who both players and fans can trust before this club rips itself apart from the inside.
Sadly, we all know sport's love for symmetry, so Arsenal have to be the club that take the unbeaten record. If we're lucky, they'll take Grant with them in the back of the bus.
Now, how's the curling doing...

@ Lollipop

You wicked person you...;-)

@ All

Possiblities to go top if win our two next games and Loserpool pulls off one over ManUre

@ CanuckMat
Do not hate the player hate the game... I do not mind Grant if he brings in cups and that is what I will be singing about...He has so far lost us two easy cups but the main dish is being served...if this passes us by I will be the first in line to write him ask for his sacking...

@Jose
I saw your apology, and have accepted it, but please regardless of our views try and keep the personal stuff out of it, as Tony said it does lower the tone of the blog. I will also apologise for my name calling and language, I dislike any sort of confrontation, I suppose I'm a bit of a coward, anyway I'm prepared to draw a line under it, and who knows I might even to respond to some of your Lampard bashing. ;-)

@CanuckMat

I whole hearted agree, the suits running the club have lost the plot and I can't see us getting any decent players whilst ever Boris is in charge and I can see us losing some decent players who want to stay ie Frank & Joe

I think the next two games are going to be pivotal to our chances of winning the league. I think the Arse are beginning to bottle it and are there for the taking next Sunday, if AG has got any aspirations of even remotely convincing us, then this week is going to be one hell of a ride.

By the way good report Mark, nice to see one of biblical proportions, but it could have done with some Sid James type references. ;-)

the fact that we are still in the running has more to do with Manure and Arsene's ineptitude than our championship credentials. i would argue that both these teams have failed to grab this thing and thats why we are still in it.
I think this is showing that Mourniho's absence has made those teams less competitive, Mourinho's Chelsea would have already grabbed this thing...it has been for both Arsene's and manure's to lose and they just seem ready to lose it, its just that there no one to lose it to but us.

i am happy we are in the running, but i would prefer a much more decisive display, and up to now we have not shown it, i do not see us becoming such a force under Grant.

A very important result and quite a decent day all round; interesting that MotD focused on a lot of refereeing errors but (as far as I could see) failing to mention Rooney looking rather offside for his part in the Mancs' goal.

Can't believe it is that long since JT scored - there was a time he was notching up 8-10 goals a season like that and long may it continue. His error earlier on was a worry - still showing signs that he can't jump like he used to.

Think the club have played it just right with Lampard over the contract; keep him hanging on - I'm sure all parties involved know that it is unlikely anyone else will offer him a £130k a week plus long term deal (and I don't think we should either); the forthcoming week and two crucial games would be a very good time for Frank to show why Chelsea still need him.

Once again, some very enticing carrots are being dangled in front of Avram, he just has to step up and take them now. Spurs' season is basically over and one wonders whether Ramos will be experimenting with his side with an eye on next season; Arsenal are rattled and Euro heroics aside, losing the lead in the Premier League and four consecutive draws against (mostly) poor sides when you've been ahead for so long (they've not won a league game in over a month) is a big psychological blow, however Wenger spins it.

The important thing for us now is to shake up Drogba and Anelka. They need to perform if we are to win the next 2 games. They have to show more hunger, desire and commitment. It cant be always Lampard, Ballack, Kalou or J.Cole chipping in the goals. The strikers have to score. Please Grant, rectify this problem and shape them up for a pivitol week ahead.

@ KEN

I was just about to say that!!! It always seems to be the same names appearing on the scoresheet, yet the ones who are meant to be popping in the goals are going strangely AWOL at present. I can forgive Drogs to some degree, he was scoring practically every game until recently. Think he's showing signs of tiredness. Rest him and play Anelka more on his own upfront. He's never going to settle or become an integral part of the team if he's hardly ever played.

@ JOSE

Moi? Wicked? Not at all mate....Ha! Ha!

Every win is a good win at this stage of the season, and ours was easily the best result of the top four.

Six points this week puts us right in there, anything less than four and it's over. Still not sure whether Grant has done a decent job for keeping us in the hunt, or should be castigated for not having us top when Arsenal and Unitd are both so gettable.

Welcome to the blog Canuckmat (hope the Canuckiddies are well). The funny thing is that a lot of outsiders don't understand why we're so unimpressed with Grant given his more than decent record. But fans nearly always know best.

@ PETER

Fair enough, most of us are still unsure about A.G. Time will tell, results speak for themselves after all. But to want him castrated is a bit harsh!!

Oh..Castigated...sorry.. mis-read you!!

Only joking..

My best hope for Chelsea would be 2nd place in the Premiership. And then...

We'll start a new season with Zola in charge, assisted by Steve Clarke and Denis Wise. And the nightmare of Dead Man In Black will be over...

We can dream on...

bloody moyes and everton! another loser. when the big games come, they cant do it!!!! losing 1-0 to fulham means liverscum are now three points in front for 4th place!!!! I sick and tired of these so called good managers getting praise when in the end they dont actually do anything!!!!

Don't you know Everton have never won at Fulham in the Premier League.

I know but records are there to be broken! and given their form (fulham)and what this game meant to Moyes I cant take that as an excuse. They just werent good enough and quite frankly, it's only because I dont want liverpool to get in the CL next year otherwise, Everton are going out in the group stages anyway. Celtic and Rangers are stronger than them and if they dont want to mount a serious challenge why bother?

Should we stick to 4-3-3 or play 4-4-2 with Anelka and Drogba? Very interesting question here from my friend. We will definately score more goals with both strikers scaring the arse of out any defender. But we are more organised and compact play 4-3-3. Or should we just choose 1 of the 2 to be our main man and leave the other on the bench as an impact sub? Whats the best option for us now coming into the last phase of the season?

When it comes down to opening up a 'backs-against-the-wall' defence (against one of the better sides) I don't think the 4-5-1 is the most useful system.

If we do go for 3 central midfielders why not have Joe Cole as one of them?

I'd be happy to see us play this '4-3-3 / 4-5-1' if we have Joe Cole central. instead of another lsss mobile player.

Let AG prove us wrong, let's see us winning the eague or the CL.

I think 1 striker is the best option, leave the other on the bench to come on at a later time if needed. We MUST start playing Anelka more though!
The "lone striker" option has been proved to be a wiining formula in the past.
I think more in midfield is the answer, stop anyone getting through.

Drogba..

Looking tired?
He's had one full game for us in the prem this year.

Looking disinterested?
Maybe.

Looking like his on the slide?
Yes. This is probably where his legs start to go. We should thank him for his services, give him a proper sending off and keep things sweet on both sides.

'HE'S on the slide' -- sorry, had to do that.

Great post Canuckmat - "There is no ‘professional” reason why Grant got the job. That undermined all credibility at the beginning".

Interestingly Grant is now quoted as saying "The belief was here maybe from the second week I was here", which in simple terms manifests relates to the victory at Valencia.

As the season draws to its conclusion, I'm torn between Chelsea's title charge and a prolonged tenure of the incompetent Mr Grant.

Maybe, just maybe the players can do it for themselves, for us the fans and for the memory of JM, before the break up of the first Roman Empire. If you are reading Messrs Drogba & Essien, switch the light on.

Interesting choice, isn't it? -- would it be better to have a trophy this season, which after all the adversity and the one or two spectacularly bad results would be an amazing triumph, but would mean at least another year or two of AG? (but perhaps by then Franco will feel he's ready). Or is it better to endure the mockery but have a chance of fixing the only gkaring weakness in the club's set-up?

To be honest though, I think we're all falling prey to that thing that happens when you win a couple of games. You think it's bound to continue, and get all excited about upcoming trophies. Let's face it: we beat Derby and Sunderland, whoopadedoo.

It looks as if Liverpool may have a significant say in where the title might be heading. All their players look fresh, which isn't a surprise considering they don't really start to play until after Xmas. As much as I want them to lose as many games as possible, a draw for them next weekend and a win for us will really put the cat amongst the pigeons.
I'm sure most of us will be undecided if we do win the title, will it be AG's genius, the players sheer bloody mindedness, or the two teams above us being so confident, and for so long in thinking it was a two horse race, we sneak in like a rascally scouser on a burglary night out to "nick" it.

Am I the only person who thinks that Mourinho's appearance to yank Wenger's chain, and the subsequent spectacle of Wenger dancing in impotent rage, was no co-incidence considering that Mourinho mentioned he'd been talking to Chelsea recently?

Or maybe Jose just can't resist it.

if we win the game against spurs we will be just 3 points off the top with man u to play at the bridge and they play liverpool next week!!!! So the spurs game is A MUST WIN GAME! In fact i think it will decide if we can go to the last game because it will be such a physcological boost the lads will sure'ly do it? This is how JM would think, and we would really piss wenger and all the media and arsenal fans off with their high minded rubbish about playing football! even more if we beat them at the bridge next week also! Can we do it?

All we have to do is beat Man-Ure and Arse at home and win all of our other games and the title is ours, It may even be easier than that because I see Liverpoo against the Manks as a game likely to be drawn but im not getting my hopes up, we all know what Grants record vs top teams is like (AWFUL), I hope for revenge against Spurs!

Yes Nick, I think JM's remarks have been impeccably timed, perhaps he just likes Wenger baiting, or perhaps he's showing AG how to play mind games. Either way Wenger got wound up enough to respond, and Fergie must be chuckling inside as well, I bet he misses him.

I am certain that Fergie misses JM..... He is a big admirer of Jose and I have no doubt that he will take over from Sir Red Nose when he finally retires, unless we get him back first.

As for 4-4-2 or 4-3-3..... It really depends on whether the 2 strikers are going to play together, because if they plan to play Anelka wide on the wing, it is a waste of time. I would like to see them play together, but that means within 20 yards of each other.

This whole nonsense about records against 'top teams' should be put in prosper perspective...ALL games count and attract same points in the EPL...

Arse got the most most points from contests among the top four last season, and where did that get them?....4th position!

Manure (7 from 9) and Arse (5 from 9) have faired better than us (2 from 12) and looserpool (3 from 12) so far but that has not translated to much so far as the gap is still 3 points...

When we beat derby midweek, some said it was only derby...but see the stress manure went thru to get their 1-0 win...very sure if that had happened here we would have seen 'why grant must die' on this blog

All games count and carry equal points...and no victory should be taken for granted (ask wenger, if you doubt me)

Looking forward to 3 points against the spuds...that would set a proper tone for the visit of the infants this weekend

Always Blue!

Manure (7 from 9) and Arse (5 from 9) have faired better than us (2 from 12) and looserpool (3 from 12) so far but that has not translated to much so far as the gap is still 3 points…

Not disputing the fact that all games carry the same points Alex, and you're right to point the gap is only 3 points. But if our home games against Utd and Arse are replicated like the away games then it will prove significant, and the current three point gap will be irrelevant. Stating the obvious I know, but the big games are now crucial.

Clive,

I agree that the 'Pool will have a big say in what happens. They're playing well and, in Torres, have probably the most in form striker in the World.

We, meanwhile, have 4 in our squad, none of whom has scored for a month. That's what worries me, we're currently relying on the defenders and midfielders to score the goals.

On the subject of strikers, take a look at Freddy Sears at Wet Spam on Saturday. The old adage of 'if you're good enough, you're old enough' seems to apply to nearly everyone except us. He's 18, and scores on his debut. He was fearless and would have relished the chance to play.

Chelsea ?? Well, we simply have to load the bench with Sheva and / or Pizarro. I'd rather Sinclair be on the bench than either of them, yet we've loaned him to Charlton who aren't even picking him !!! What about the reserve or youth team forwards. Katuka, Di Santo, Stoch etc. Where was the harm in putting one of them on the bench at home against Derby ???

As far as the result goes, job done and nothing more to add. Unspectacular, professional etc.

You just know the Spuds will be firing on Wednesday after chucking it all away yesterday. 6 points from them and Le'Arse is at lot to ask any team, especially one managed by Avram.

Anyone happen to see Soccer AM on Saturday and witness the Chelsea lads (and HTC and AG) having a go at the crossbar challenge ???

AG seems to have as much playing ability as managing ability based on that.......

Alex.....

Totally disagree when it gets to this stage.

Every time we lose against Man U or Arsenal now is effectively a 6 point turnaround, as it is one game less we can win and one game less for them to lose.

We are only a chance at winning the league if we win the games against Man U and Arsenal. If we don't win them, we will not win the League.... End of!

I just want a settled team to go into the run-in. I dont want to see Grant rotating Anelka and Drogba so often. Stick with 1 man and let him lead the line. Or else play a 4-4-2. Our lone strikers are ineffective as they get isolated upfront all the time.

Yes spot on Greenlight, taking points directly off our rivals is paramount, if we don't do that then it means we require favours from other teams, which is exactly what we've been doing in playing catch up.

There is no way we can play 4-4-2. We don't have the wingers and it negates our biggest strength in CM. 4-3-3 is the only formation we can go with.

Of course, winning the big games (or at least not losing them) this season is vital, only a troll would say otherwise.

Speaking of trolls, I watched the Sunderland game on a dodgy link while monitoring the official chat site for updates. That place is extraordinary! I know we have some controversialists on here, but the official site seems to be full of people whose only objective is to wind up their fellow Chelsea supporters while simultaneously displaying the scariest lack of knowledge about football imaginable. They were going on about Jon Obi Mikel on Saturday - apparently he has terrible distribution... dear god.

Indeed, 4-4-2 is a complete no go at present. And the current situation in the PL is indicative of the importance of winning the clashes with our closest rivals; beat Arsenal and Man U and we're in with a good chance of the title. Lose, and we're pretty much stuffed pending the failure of others. And the number of times we heard "they will slip up..." from the opposition during our title-winning seasons, only for it to be utter tosh... well, you get the general idea.

I gave up on the official site some time ago; far too many socially inadequate nutcases masquerading as Chelsea fans. I posted links for this site a few times in the clearly mistaken belief that the locals may be interested in reading about Chelsea. Not the case for many of them, that's for sure...

'I posted links for this site a few times in the clearly mistaken belief that the locals may be interested in reading about Chelsea.'

God, imagine if some of them had actually turned up. It would be worse than having to deal with Jose Musumba! (Kidding Jose!)

Grant still has not grasp on how to pick whether Anelka or Drogs is better to be upfront. 4-4-2 will not work, I mean, up till this point, under Grant's 'management', it won't. If we play 4-4-2, then JCole and Kalou has to be right, left midfield winger respectively, and no doubt, the middle men would be Lamps and Ballack, so where goes the holding position, either Maka, Mikel or Essien. It would be pretty awkward. Seems most of the guys here agree with 4-3-3, but there is little concern on how on earth can we play against bigger rivals with 4-3-3.

A perfect fit Drogba will be best, if he can play with Anelka. But this is the biggest uncertainty here and I think to deal with all the questions, first, Grant must consistently play the winning XI from Spurs onward if he wants to win the league. No more rotation. God no.

JD!! I'm from Syria, and for England that's like the other side of the world and I AM VERY interested in reading your posts and views and I really appreciate every effort you make, in fact, this is a great chance to thank you for all what you did and still are doing, sure I haven't forgotten about the others... Thank you all guys and keep up the great job.


Blue Is Always The Color

> Greenlight...
"We are only a chance at winning the league if we win the games against Man U and Arsenal. If we don’t win them, we will not win the League…. End of!"

Do your maths properly my friend... there are 9 matches left for us, if we win ONLY the matches against manure and the arse we wont win the league either! ALL THE MATCHES ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT...besides, these teams may lose or draw gainst more than 1 other opponent from the pool of 8 or 9 matches remaining...or is it not obvious to you that they are struggling for the points like we are

> Clive n Greenlight again
The point being made is that:
a) the league can be won without necessarily being the best team in the games amongst the top 4
b) With all the points amassed by manure and the arse in the league of 'top 4', we are still in contention...

> Fifty
You'r talking about derby retrospectively...recall the match against barnsley and the barrage of comments here complaining about AG leaving out DD and Lamps from the team for that match?...imagine if he had selected the rookies you'r mentioning...sometimes its easier to comment on these things 'after the fact'...thats a luxury AG doesnt have

Alex - of course all games are equally important, but you're being rather obtuse here and missing the original point, i.e. beat those nearest to and more often than not, it is largely in your own hands. If we don't (especially now), we're hoping for favours from others, simple as.

Thanks Phobia - good to know we're carrying the message that far!

Alex,

You can pick three playing subs from five named, hence I said "Where was the harm in putting one of them on the bench at home against Derby ???"

He could have named one kid, and four established players. If he couldn't enigineer a result against Derby with 15 established players and a youngster, then he's even more incompetent than any of us dared to believe. As it were, we played the team bottom of the league by the proverbial country mile, and had Anelka, DD and Shevchenko on the pitch. None of whom scored.

I agree it's fine say it's a retrospective comment, but before the game, had I seen the name of any of the younger strikers in the squad and not the Ukrainian or Peruvian I know it would have excited me more.

My point is around how fearless the kids chucked into the Premier League can be. Sears showed it. O.k, it wasn't the best goal he'll ever score, but right place and right time and all that. Had Sheva or Pizarro been in the same position, I very much doubt either would have been arsed to pre-empt the rebound in the same way. Reputations follow players around. If we've got Sheva or Pizarro on the bench and they come on, defenders know what to expect (e.g. not much on current form).

Chuck a chomping-at-the-bit teenager in there who's raring to go and I gurarantee it'd be a different proposition.

Alex
JD also makes the point I made earlier, we can't afford to lose points in direct head to heads with our main rivals of the course of the season. We've not gained or lost to Liverpool and for us to be in with a chance we have to get back the six points against the Arse and Utd respectively.

Below is a table just released from Spain by the renowned institute for sports media showing The most talked about and supported clubs by new youger fans around the world. So much for Liverpool and Arsenal. There is no doubt the media in this country is biased against any other than man-u arsenal and liverpool. This is part of the fight CFC has in this country not just winning the league. And we know who it was that put us on the map and I'm not talking Kenyon et all either. Were even above Madrid. Why? because we won titles and challenged the best in Europe over the last three years. I wonder what the table will look like next year.

Rank 2008 Team League Media value
for 2007
1 Barcelona Spanish Liga 3
2 Manchester United Premiership 1
3 AC Milan Serie A 5
4 Chelsea Premiership 2
5 Real Madrid Spanish Liga 4
6 Liverpool Premiership 6
7 Arsenal Premiership 8
8 Inter Milan Serie A 7
9 Roma Serie A 10
10 Olympique Lyon Ligue Une 13

Yes, Alex you are quite right. If we beat Arsenal and United but lose every other game, that wouldn't be much good for our title hopes. Well done for pointing out this extraordinary fact that had hitherto been denied to us mere mortals.

I'm not sure what we'd do without such wisdom.

I’m not sure what we’d do without such wisdom.

Head to the official chat site and seek guidance there...

peter, you are terrible me lad! LOL

And if you really want to add a pearl of wisdom we can do the double over the other main three and lose to everyone else in the league.... and relegation would beckon.

and relegation would beckon

talking of which, I'm looking forward to Birmingham v. Newcastle tonight... sacking Sam Allardyce doesn't look like the sharpest of moves in hindsight, does it?!

Hindsight... isn't that vision from your rear end?

Hindsight… isn’t that vision from your rear end?

*throws rotten fruit, booing from audience*

*throws rotten fruit, booing from audience*

Mark, I need some better material.... help!!

This is a bit of fun if anyone has got nothing better to do,
LINK

That's useless Clive. No matter how hard I fix it, I can't get Spurs into the bottom three.

I can’t get Spurs into the bottom three.

Are they safe from relegation already? It's only March...

JD

"...talking of which, I’m looking forward to Birmingham v. Newcastle tonight… sacking Sam Allardyce doesn’t look like the sharpest of moves in hindsight, does it?!"

Neither does signing that wonderful gentleman Joey Barton. What a relevation he's been. In court.

No matter how hard I fix it, I can’t get Spurs into the bottom three.

Are Spurs a Premiership side????

So who should we stick with as our main target man? Anelka or Drogba?

Oops! I see the coven for the 'cult' of 'wisemen' who think like dogs in a pack ('one-track') has been stirred...' "ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR..."!!! Some of you lot should stop the 'chorusing', leave the 'choir' and have your own minds...

> Fifty
You can pick three playing subs from five named, hence I said “Where was the harm in putting one of them on the bench at home against Derby ???”

A very very short while ago, some of you guys castigated AG for the barnsley match because he did not include Lamps and DD (both established and high profile players)...and barnsley is way below Derby in league ranking ...So how come you are crying for the rookies inclusion in the Derby match (after the thumping mind you) and not in the match against the much much lower team?...be consistent in your lines of argument...and stop posturing here when you'v already known the facts...

Except if on the other hand you are suggesting that AG pick a player he is not likely to use when the chips are down as part of his squad for a match... that would be akin to turning chelsea into england (and walcott) at the last world...

Alex, stop digging sunshine. You tried to be controversial and ended up looking like a tit. Again.

Re: substitutes.

One word:

Shevchenko.

Alex,

If you have five subs, and can only use three, even by my limited GCSE grade 'C' Mathematics, that means there will be 2 subs unused.

So AG could well select someone in the squad that he may not be likely to use, but should the occassion arise (hello to being 4 or 5 or 6 nil up against Derby) then the situation is there for one of the un-tested to be given a chance. On the other hand, if things are tight and we're drawing or winning narrowly then he'd quite rightly look at the 4 established players and pick from them (or maybe 3 if he's picked a keeper)

My argument contained the caveat I'd rather anyone untested sat on their arse next to Bill Blood, rather than Pizarro and Shevchenko. Claudio was on the bench at Oakwell and did bugger all.

We may well have 'castigated' AG for not picking DD or Lamps for that game. Equally, I'll admit to thinking a) we were going to win the game and b) it would have been nice to see at least one youngster on the bench, both of these before the result.

I've re-read my posts from today and can't see that I've written anything remotely similar. I'm not complaining about the result, merely expressing my disappointment that players who might actually have the ability and desire to do something are being over-looked in favour of others. To me it seems that AG could pick an 11, and if fit, Sheva or Pizarro will always be on the bench. Despite both currently being as proilific as Tomas Brolin. Yet there could be someone banging them in for the youth / reserve team who will forever be overlooked because of who someone is, rather than how they're playing.

Ken - on current form, it has to be Anelka.

Which shows how badly Drogba has been playing.

Well, well, this gives an insight into Roman's reasoning in an interview with Zola today. Funny how Zola himself seems to agree more with JM's view of winning than Wenger's and the media which unfortuantley Roman himself has been fooled into believing is the way to go.

He added: "Roman is a calm person but if I was him and had spent so much money, I would want to win or at least get close.
"Every time I speak to him, it is obvious he wants to be entertained.
"He likes good football but there has to be a balance.
"You have to win and play the game properly."

Well if Zola thinks like that then come back me-boy and I'll give you a chance as manager that's for sure, since you obviously realise WINNING is what builds history in 20 years time not circus football!!

Been interesting to read some of the stuff Franco has been talking about recently; very intelligent bloke - would love to see him here in some capacity, but not manager. Would be dreadful if it didn't work out.

Have always said this - you worry about winning first, only then do you think about winning pretty, and it takes a good deal of time to get it right. Arsenal have improved and are definitely far tougher (and often more direct) this season - a few of their recent draws would have arguably been defeats in seasons past, but they still have to deliver trophies.

In my ever so humble opinion, it's way too much fun playing the spuds to see them get relegated.. unless, of course, we happen to meet them in any particular finals...

Evening all;

What's everyone reckon to the rumours of signing Mario Gomez from Stuttgart?
Apparently, R.a's interested in signing him up in the summer as a direct replacement for Drogs, as it's looking more and more likely he's leaving us.

He'a only 22, yet has scored an impressive 14 goals in 18 matches. The director at the club has said that if interest comes from a big club they'd be willing to sell him. Don't understand that though, as he only signed for Stuttgart last year on a 4 year contract.

Juve and Milan are tracking him also, so that's bound to raise his asking price slightly ain't it?

Alex...... Was going to reply to your outlandish statement about my mathmatical ability but I think Peter summed it up brilliantly at 2.20pm.

I personally think we have to stick with Drogba over Anelka if we decide to only play one upfront. He has proved in the past that he gets goals in all of the big games and I'm sure that he will come good over the next few weeks.

Apparently, Mario Gomez once scored a goal with his penis.

www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_13553.shtml

I have nothing more to say.

Would be crushed if Zola was to come and things did turn all lopsided.
Any position other than manager, please, unless of course the little magician absolutely insists on it being otherwise.

More Villa rumours flying around. Van der Vaart ones too.
As for Gomez, not sure he'd have the Drogba effect for us. Still, could be a useful addition once we've moved Sheva on.

@ PETER

Thanks for the link, hilarious!
He's quoted as saying "i scored with a large part and it hurt me a lot"
Sign him up i say!!!!!!

There's no way that Villa would come to Chelsea, i don't think he'd come to any English club. Full stop. Van der Vaart, maybe.
Whoever steps into Didier's shoes, IF he leaves has got one hell of a reputation to live up to. He's gonna have to go through the inevitable comparisons.

I'm hoping Sheva goes for definite. i've never taken to him. Too much of a freeloader IMO. As someone in an earlier review said, he's always injured, yet somehow manages to play in golfing tournaments. Piss taker! Get him gone..and good riddance! I'll even turn up at the airport to give him a (two finger) wave off. Milan are welcome to him.

Mini rant over..just preparing myself for work...

Yea, me thinks Drogba is a big game player too. We need him for Arsenal. Maybe we can play Anelka against Spurs.

I really hope we dont go for Villa unless theres no more options left. He's coming to 27 and i reckon Klass Jan Huntelaar would be a better investment. If we are going to pay an inflated price for Villa, we might as well splash the cash on Sergio Aguero. That amount of money can get us Huntelaar + Gomez combined.

> Apparently, Mario Gomez once scored a goal with his penis.

He's tall, he's quick, he scores 'em with his dick, Mario, Mariooooo...

Yep, he'd fit right in down at the Bridge.

He’s tall, he’s quick, he scores ‘em with his dick, Mario, Mariooooo…

*throws rotten fruit, booing from audience*

OK I admit it was funny, I can't get the blo0dy ditty out of my head now!!!!!

I've seen Mario play couple of times and he has been quite impressive. I'm sure he'd be huge for Chelsea..

Oh and ladies take note, he's single. [LINK]

LINK

Interesting piece about Jody Morris, now plugging away in Scottish Division 1.

In his time at Chelsea, I really rated him. I thought he was destined for great things, and I'll never, ever forget him nutmegging the keeper when we spanked Man U 5 - 1 at home.

Just a shame things didn't quite go according to plan for him....

Could have been a contender but he was a loathsome little scrote.

Luca always rated him too. If he's changed his (often fairly abysmal) attitude at this late stage in his career then good luck to him.

I quite liked Morris too, but he struck me as someone incapable of learning from mistakes, unlike JT.

5-1?! United didn't score that day. It's one of my favourite games and I remember it like it was yesterday. Poor quality highlights here:

LINK

(Paul) Weller is a fan of Chelsea F.C. and can regularly be spotted at their games

True?

Great game, that was. You knew the opposition were in trouble if Chris Sutton scored against them!

Bluetone - I believe that's true re Paul Weller.

Think there's a pic of OSgood on the cover of Stanley Road, but I;m not sure he's a major fan.

Just looked, there isn't, it's Best.

there must be Peter Bonetti on the cover of our favourite shop.
Good to know you own stanley rd....great record

Nick,

I apologise. Not sure why I thought it was 5 - 1 (guess with EDG in goal I always thought we'd ship at least one !!!).

Weller's not listed on the "celebrity" fans page on the official site:

LINK

A few dodgy ones in that list.

I must've contributed Michael Caine (not sure though) to the list, back in the day when the whole official site was a rather dodgy affair.
Still run by Jack "Jax" Manthorpe?

If we're playing I-Spy, I've seen Vine, Daniels, Albarn, Mantle, Suggs, Baddiel and Giles Smith at the Bridge.

"dodgy ones"

....like Motty?

There's a great line from Caine about Chelsea in 'Alfie' right at the start where he talks about one of the husbands he cuckolds and points out that the bloke is a Chelsea fan, so he's used to disappointment. If anybody can find me a direct quote, I'd be very grateful.

I can add Johnny Vaughan to that esteemed list.

Will Ferrell? Hmm...

Ferrell AND Wilson. If only we could get Stiller...

I'm going link-crazy today (busy as you can tell) :

LINK

This one, from a few days ago, about the 1970 FA Cup final certainly provides a timely reminder of what real football used to be like.

"Former referee David Elleray, recently assessing the match, says he would have handed out six red cards and 20 yellow" Admittedly I've hated him ever since that wet Wembley in 1994, but he's got a point in assessing what a ref of today would do in that situation.

After his outburst were he said he worryied about being injured, I reckon Red Nose would pack Ronaldo in bubble-wrap and cotton wool and send him on an Oceanic Airlines flight from Australia to the US......

I went to school with Mantle back in the day, but live across the pond now.

I know they threw him a surprise 40th birthday party at The Bridge in 2002 with the likes of Bonnetti, Ossie and Chopper etc. attending!!


Anyone know of his whereabouts now?

Alec stewart is a mad chelsea fan.

when i was getting my top signed post chelsea game in 01/02 i asked him for a photo. he asked if i wanted him to sign my chelsea shirt, which i politely declined. i did get a photo. as it was being taken i asked him, in my strongest aussie accent, what it felt like to win the ashes- to which i responded before he had the chance .. oh thats right, youve never won them... cheeky bastard i was.

photo is brilliant though, i have a cheesy grin and he has what can only be desrcibed as a growl.

as you can see, my day/night is busy too...

In recent days, while wandering through the fairground that is Chelsea fandom, I have been entertained by all the barkers, mountebanks and elixir salesman purveying their wares and attractions, "Buy my Avram Tonic", you'll never grow old with "Jose Hair Tonic", "See the Special One re-appear - its a miracle". On approaching the Boxing Tent where sweaty grunting pugilists from the Avram and Jose corners shuffled forth and back, trying in vain to land the killer punch, I pulled gently on my pipe and turning to my companion said, "Watson its time to cast the deerstalker of cold analysis into the fairground ring of honest yet unformed opinion!"

And so it was that I fell to analysing the Premier League run-ins since the 95/96 season when there were 19 teams and therefore 38 games. I looked at the position around the 30 game mark and the final positions at 38 games (aware of course that the last few games may be affected by the winning post having been passed).

Let me start with a scenario that takes us out beyond where the buses turn. If we win all 9 games (yes, yes I know..) we may not win the league. Chelsea could post 91 points and not win, leaving Grant as a manager who equalled the second best total in the 38 game era (95 in 04/05 being the best) and didn't win the title. Where would that leave the Grant debate I wonder? Yes best not to contemplate too long.

To more realistic matters.

There are seasons that we can discount as not being useful for our purposes and we are left with 6 seasons that promised a reasonably competitive run in at the 30 game mark, namely 95/96 through to 98/99, 01/02 and 02/03.

Now having narrowed it down, what can we divine from the bloody entrails of premier league history?

Of these 6 seasons only twice (or 33% of the time) did a team getting less than an average of 2.4 points per game for the last 8 to 10 games win the title.

A team with a 3 point lead at 30 games in these close run seasons always won, (where teams had games in hand I took their average points per game to date and added that in to level the field as it were), with the sad exception of Newcastle in 95/96.

So where does this review of the evidence take us?

Well it has to be said not very far, other than to say this.

If United have a 3 point lead after tomorrow night on 70 points, previous form tends to suggest they will win it.

If we are 6 points behind them after tomorrow night then we wont, according to the form book and PBCS, (which translates from the Greek as Plain Bleeding Common Sense).

For any other scenario we would need to post a minimum of 2.4 points per game or 21-22 points (out of 27) from now on to give us a reasonable chance although depending on the form of the other teams (e.g an 8 game winning streak) we may still be high and dry.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the deerstalker of cold hard facts.

My advice?

Gumshields in!

Some half decent names in that celeb list. Am particularly chuffed with Naveen Andrews being a Chels fan. He's in LOST, which just happens to be my absolute fave programme on T.V at the mo...

That joy was turned to absolute horror when my eyes came to land on Ted bloody Rogers!!! Is he still alive?! God! I'm having palpitations....

@ JD

Bearing in mind your "unhealthy hatred" of all things Eastenders (i'm same), i bet you were overcome with joy to see a few of their..ahem.."actors" (if that's what you call 'em!) names there weren't you?!
I noted that Babs Windsor was absent though..LOL

@ BLUE BAYOU/SHERLOCK

How long have you been sat working that lot out? I'm worn out reading it..
Elementary, dear boy..Elementary..

@ lollipop

It passes the time while waiting for the sky to fall in...... or may be it won't. I think the tension is getting to me, don't really want to hope but can't help it..

On a lighter note used to see Eddie Jordan all the time in the East Stand when I was an ST holder pre-kids, he doesn't seem to be mentioned and saw Sean Locke the other night at the Derby game so he goes at least as often as I do

Alas, I fear the Moriarty of Ashburton Grove may this weekend push the deerstalker of cold hard facts over the Reichenbach Falls of Lodnon derby disappointment, leaving the Study in Scarlet(Nose) of Old Trafford to cackle gleefully in triumph at the last.

Now I think I need a little lie down.

@ LTB

I thought you said i was pessimistic?!
A win tomorrow will make us level on points with Arsenal and a win against them on Sunday can take us back to the top for the first time since last summer. We haven't lost a game yet during our last 12 matches and i don't think the lads are gonna let us down in either game.
We've let 2 cups slip through our fingers and i very much doubt we'll win the Champs but i've got a gut feeling (as well as a rather large bet with a friend-Man Ure fan at that) that the Prem is gonna be a gorgeous shade of Blue.
The lads know how disappointed the fans feel and i believe that they will deliver the right results. They owe us..big time!
We have a big score to settle against Spurs tomorrow night and i think justice will prevail. The Chelsea that played in the C.C Final isn't the Chelsea i love. They were unrecognisable..
As for the Scum v McFergie's lot...Liverpool hate them as much as we do. Maybe more. Even though they have no chance of winning the league,I doubt even they want to see Utd win the Prem. I think that will be a very, very tight game indeed. Torres will see to that.

Kenny Sansom on there...I thought he's a Gooner.



Gus Poyet. Crazy Bugger scored some memorable goals.


Villa already 27? If that's the case, then Huntelasar must be at lest 25.
Personally, I'd love to see us go for the CSKA striker Jo, but in all honesty, I don't think it matters all that much who we get. Our CFs are snormally tarved of decent goalscoring chances. And then we onder why they look out of form...

@ LTB

speechless in admiration

well, well, well!!! it seems some arsenal fans are starting to wake up from their wenger induced hypnotism backed by the media which was swallowed like a bangkok whore by Roman et all. They've started to see the reality of what a competition is all about and it's true meaning!!!!

LINK

I'm suprised by that article, i thought (even though i hate to admit it) that arsenal were a half decent team. Also thought that the fans were in the same mindset as Wenger, bulling up his boys as "the best in the league" at the moment. Just goes to show how fickle and impatient fans can be at times.

On the one hand, it's fair enough to slate them when they haven't exactly been raking in trophies but on the other hand, they've been pretty consistent. They've only been flagging these last couple of games really. Could do with them keeping up their bad streak on Sunday..for the rest of the season actually!
They'll prove if they can go ahead and be Prem winners after their game against us.
IF they beat us...then i believe they'll go on to win the Premiership title.
IF they don't.......the Prem is gonna be Blue!!
Utd ain't gonna win it.

Think we'll win tonight 2-1. The boys know what's at stake now and what t***s they looked last time we played Spurs...it's revenge time!!!!

P.s Has anyone else noticed that Wendy Ramos is actually that priest out of the exorcist?! Scary!...

Up the Chels xxx

It's the Final Countdown...

This is getting like hand-to-hand combat now between Chelsea, ManU and Arse. Anything could happen! Our lads will fight collectively for Chelsea's cause, and must not let Grant screw up our chances!

Yes, despite of Grant they going to win. But if they loose will be because of Grant, is that right simont? :)!
I heard about that D.Villa boy trying to get out for about 20mil.??? Hope Chelsea do not go for him. I know there are few people who will love to see him in Chelsea shirt, but… He looks like Kezman or Mutu – 3 feet tall and always drifts to the wings. For me give me Torres any time. Bit late now though

If Villa was a couple years younger, i did take him anytime. If he's 27, we can might as well go for Berbatov. So i say we go for top young strikers in Europe like Huntelaar, Gomez. Jo and Aguero.

Just not sure about Villa - have to say I thought he was younger than that too. I've been surprised by Torres though; thought he'd spent too long at Athletico without being picked up by the likes of Barca or Real for him to be the real deal, but he's had a cracking season.

the quiet one, uh? go rick

LINK

Here we go again, Jiko. Grant is your hero, he can do no wrong, is that right, Jiko? It's the quality of our Chelsea players that keeps Chelsea going, Grant is just a puppet who has lost us two Cups already. You know my views and I know your views, so there's no point in entering another debate on AG before your mate Alex appears and bores our pants off.

No, simont you a somewhat wrong here:)) Grant my hero? This is a bit excessive :) But being one sided it is a bit sad :). I think we should count the chicken after the summer not spring time. If that makes Grant my hero, so be it :)

And more - Main difference or one of the differences sall I say, between JM and Grant is that JM use to play DD and Sheva together. DD end up scoring lots of goals. Sheva end up taking defenders away and not getting price for freeing Drogba.
Grant has never considered Sheva seriously and because of this only fact he can not be my “hero” :))

Grant has never considered Sheva seriously

It's one of his few redeeming features as far as I'm concerned. All about opinions, I suppose...

Well JD, I think is a crying shame to have striker of that caliber in the club I not at least tray to get the best of him. JM at least did that. He may be ask him to play out of position but he knew why.
AG likes Anelka better, but what team needs 4 strikers when is playing one up front? AG may know the answer on that I hope. I only know that if I pay 15mil to add a 4th striker I will ask the manager some questions "at d end of d day" as they say

Sad thing is that we don't have a striker of that caliber in the club anymore, Jiko. Certainly not in the current Sheva anyway - he's a shadow of his AC Milan self and Grant knows it - it is a point of some debate as to how much Mourinho actually wanted to play him, but I don't think either manager has been overwhelmed by Sheva's efforts.

Great shame - always admired as a player but his best days are long gone now, I think.

No, Jiko, actually it's a bit sad for the Grant lovers who would defend AG at all costs on here. Sometimes I wonder if there's any nationalistic reason behind it.

Yeah, JD may be! May be he never felt excepted! “Strikers need to feel that they are loved” – somebody quoted early on. Whatever the reason, it is a shame. I mean looking at Berbatov, he does not look to have exceptional pace or to work too hard. But it is a good striker for different stile of play. So it will not be suited for every team. I think something like that happened to Sheva. He came to the wrong team. I mean JM Chelsea, was not the best option for him and this are the results. It took his tall on him, I think. As for Grant, he just can not motivate somebody and get the best from them including Sheva. Just my view

I would love to hear sheva's point of view on the whole situation thus far...

you know, the whole story- leaving ac milan; JM ; RA; golf and tiger woods , why he has been so shit etc etc...

any sort of publication would probably be more succesful than his chelsea career.

I think the difference with someone like Berbatov is that he was never considered "pacey" to start with (albeit that pace is a much misunderstood concept); Sheva had a great 'burst' over the first 5 or 10 yards in his pomp which just isn't there any more.

Simont looks like some people here who divide us – the poor blogers on “ag lovers” and “ag haters”. That is somewhat simplistic and bit excessive and there is no "nationalistic reason behind it." I hope! :)

dylbo I am sure we will hear more about that ones he is out of this misery. It may be something to do with constant undermining, false accusations and so on. Who knows?

I doubt I'll ever warm to Grant, but that's just my personal point of view of him as a person. But if he delivers the goods and proves me wrong in terms of what I've said about him in respect of football and his ability, I'll happily say so. Positive results from the next two games will be a massive boost for him, but he won't get it all his own way (a la West Ham, Derby etc.); that's when the test comes and where he has largely failed so far.

yeah JD he may have lost some pace, but so has Owen. Aniway we did not get the best of him and that is pitty. Good at least MB is comming good after JM era

That is sensible talk JD, thanks :)

Chelsea fans having ill-feeling about Grant is understandable. I don't think there're particular "AG haters" on here.

...but I've seen quite a few "passionate" AG lovers!

but I’ve seen quite a few “passionate” AG lovers

easy, I've just eaten...

I'm so glad you have, JD! :-)

And don't throw up now... :-)

Well I can not see no lovers or haters as per your quote simont, but I see people who do wish Chelsea success no matter you love or hate Grant, and people who wish Chelsea fail because TSO is not with us no more. Well sadly or gladly life still goes on!

after TSO that is :)

To change tack for a moment, heard a discussion about Anelka's under-performing since he joined Chelsea last night on TalkSport, with David Speedie. It got me thinking - Pizarro, Anelka, Shevchenko, Kezman, Mutu - the list goes on.

Is the Bridge a strikers graveyard, and where would we be without Drogba? For my money, he took the bad look off last season - if he hadnt been banging the goals is we would have finished well down the table. If he goes during the summer, where will we end up next year?

It's a toss-up between us and Liverpool as to who is best at ruining decent strikers, I'd say. Drogba and Torres aside, the list is pretty horrific...

Well I hope Drogba will live up to the "decent" striker tag, if is in the team tonight. Anelka needs time to get use to the way the team play. This goes for all of them. Sadly there is no much time for them to prove and have to do it under pressure as well. That could be part of the reason? Anyway we should kick T-ham a*** tonight…kick it good!

Think it is a lot to do with the fact that we play a formation that require the striker to behave very unselfishly and essentially make space and chances for midfielders and wingers. There aren't many forwards that can do that, and even Drogba found it tough going until last year, when he was largely playing in the much-maligned 4-4-2.

That's the diamond 4-4-2, not your conventional type.

"Well I can not see no lovers or haters as per your quote simont, but I see people who do wish Chelsea success no matter you love or hate Grant, and people who wish Chelsea fail because TSO is not with us no more. Well sadly or gladly life still goes on!"

Actually Jiko there are others who didn't particularly love TSO, and who don't necessarily think it's a tragedy that he's gone (frick incident, reading ambulance service, lack of attacking style towards the end of his time etc) BUT we are disgusted in the manner of his going (credit probably due to roman, kenyon, buck, arnessen and last but not least ag) and we realise that we can't blame tso too much if the big boss refused to loosen the purse strings for him but has, and will if he's still around, for grant

Some of us love chelsea despite the idiots that run the club - stand up for special mention our communications director and our manager as probably the 2 most inept (though buck and kenyon have hardly covered themselves in glory).

And to tonight's football. Have managed to get extra tickets so will take my young daughters under special instructions not to go on about chelsea as we leave 3 point lane

Am confident about tonight because spurs don't have anything to play for, and as much they hate us, they hate arsenal even more.

Shouldn't grant have tried out a 4-4-2 at some stage to see if DD and NA can play together - it may not be our preferred option (discussed on this blog in the last few weeks) but surely we need a plan b just in case. This is my main complaint about ag, no concept of a plan b, and incapable of affecting a game once it has started (almost ranieri like - without the appealing personality), not to mention the sheer stupidity of not starting ballack and joe cole at wembley

I think if we want our strikers to start firing, we better abort that 4-3-3 next season and play 4-4-2. How are the strikers going to score when they are asked to provide assist for the incoming midfielders? Worst still, theres not enough service for the strikers to score goals and everyone isolates him upfront alone for most of the game while the back 4 soak up the pressure.

This cannot carry on. I give Grant the benefit of the doubt that its not ideal to change the current style of play now since we are coming near the end of this campaign. But surely we can work out a new system of attacking play in pre-season. No more excuses then if he doesnt deliver the beautiful game he promised. That includes strikers scoring like strikers should.

Myp2p's main screen to spu*rs v chels.
And we all thought they were from London too...


Tottenham Hotspur
Official name Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
City Tottenham
Founded 1882
Club colors Navy Blue / White
Website Click here
vs.

Chelsea
Official name Chelsea Football Club
City London
Founded 1905
Club colors Blue / Blue / White
Website Click here

It's fine to have that one man up there if we get players in suport quick enough.
If you had Joe Cole as on of the three central players, we'd have the striker being flanked by two wide men, AND Jo Cole AND Lampard.
Problem is, we have Ballack there, who won't get forward quickly alongside Lampard. Of it's Essien in there, who, apart from being dreadful for a a good few months now, is normally not permitted to go forward enough.

If Dogba starts today, I really hop he makes an effrt to show us he's still comitted.

If Dogba starts today, I really hop he makes an effrt to show us he’s still comitted.


Dogba prolly won't. Maybe Drogba will :)

joke mate. enjoy the game. i won't :( (pizza with the bro)