ChelseasMessiah

There's no way Kevin would be in the first 11 from being 6th choice in his position, especially considering the way he's performed for us so far. Other than that,good shout for the line up.

I've got a good feeling about this one. Seems like Willian will start.

Jose just called it, Frank bottled it against Newcastle, I get the feeling Mikel will start v Schalke.

He's our best player this season, and is a top player, no matter how much that makes you slit your wrists...

He's my favourite Chelsea player but I'll say he has not been at his best lately. I think Mourinho restricted his role given Terry's lack of pace and Lampard being in the pivot/DM.

I was watching the game to keep an eye on Romelu and that looked scary, Lloris was out cold turkey. Not the greatest game from Lukaku mind, had a bit of an off day, the cagey game didn't exactly help.

An excuse for all our players yesterday, including Frank - whom most now know I'm not in favour of him playing in the pivot - is that the pitch was really really heavy. As soon as I saw that I thought; not a good sign, we looked lethargic because our playing style mostly involves passing it on the floor unlike Newcastle who just lumped it.

He has all the tools to play there, as a box to box with attacking and defensive responsibilities. I get we would boss the possession stats even more with him in there, but we'd have to tweak the system a little bit. But for now I'd say we just need a DM/CM in January so we can keep things as they are for now. It's Jose's call though.

I think Mourinho knows that now as well. Let's hope he has some balls now.

Need I remind you the way they just walked all over our midfield in the first half? There was acres of space in front of our back 4 and we were lucky not to concede. I could give you a link for the full match if your memory needs freshening up.

The only plausible explanation I can think of is that Mourinho will definitely bring in a DM/CM in January meaning that Lampard only has until then to play, after that he'll barely make the bench until his contract run out. He got sacked in our last two games at the 60 minute mark - which were about 60 minutes too late incidentally on each occasion.

Lampard's touch and passing are gone as well, an oil tanker turns quicker than him now, as for his shooting, refer to his free kicks of late, just out and out poor. A little article for those whose heads are cemented deep into the sand. Chelsea fans react on Twitter to Lampard performance v Newcastle http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2013/11/02/chelsea-fans-react-on-twitter-to-lampard-performance-v-newcastle/

Willian has to play, and if Mourinho is fair and really believes in the meritocracy he preaches, Lampard should not even make the squad, KDB over him in midfield any day.

So you completely brush over the fact he undermined the managers that wouldn't play him then, because that's not selfish or self-centred at all.... He has been abysmal this season, it's clear for all but you to see.

That's not unfair on him even in the slightest. Lampard is being selfish and he more than anyone knows it. He knows he can't play in that position and yet he ousted 3 managers who tried to move him on. He gives his best, he works hard but he just cannot physically do what is required of him in that position. What is really infuriating is that our weak link is there for all to see, week in, week out and yet nothing is done about it. Are Essien and Mikel better players than Lampard? No. and they never will be, but they showed what a colossal difference balance brings to a side, it was because of them we could truly and fully control and toy with a strong Arsenal side. Can you imagine Lampard playing against a pressing side like Dortmund, or even a Southampton? He wouldn't even see it coming...

I actually feel sorry for this guy.

January cannot come soon enough so Mourinho can sign a proper midfielder, Lampard absolutely stunk the place out yesterday. We can't control a single game with him in there unless the other side just parks the bus.

What on the actual fuck are you on about? What has possession got to do with it? And has Lampard got to do with that particular stat given the way he gave the ball away at every opportunity?

Did his awful passing pass you by today? He was a statue defensively, he's got no drive and no impetus to play in the pivot. Judging by the way Mourinho sacked him against City and Newcastle at the 60 minute mark, Lampard will undoubtedly be benched for the next few games, especially taking into account the way Mikel and even Essien have been playing recently.

Ramires was nowhere his best because he was playing deep when Lampard was on, who else is gonna cover for him? Ramires was completely shackled.

Yeah, like the masterclass at City last week, he was so good Mourinho took him out 10 minutes into the second half, just like today, I now just hope he out for good, other players don't even make the bench and yet Lampard gets a carte blanche every fucking week.

I'll give you a hint, he's 35 and even at his peak he was never mobile, and is now being played in a role he has absolutely no business being in. The attacking players usually paper over his cracks but that didn't happen today.

Another world-class performance today, absolutely flawless, the only lock in our first 11, the shirt is his week in week out.

about fucking time, lampard has no place in our squad

Lampard's passing has been sublime,