Ollie

I remember that, Cov beat us on 2 opening days in a row, bastards. Still we never beat them there did we? Remember the game where we drew 2-2 and Flo scored both times about a minute after they scored. Good times! We usually do very well on the opening day but we usually get a nice sunny home game to start against relative wank. Stoke away is slightly different but a good test.

Jim is really keeping his cool nicely. I'd have the 'If you don't like it, fuck off' approach or 'It's not finished yet so shut up and be patient' but credit to Jim for not getting too annoyed at these people ignoring the good side of this upgrade. I like the style, it's still easy to use and there really isn't too much of a significant difference. I have a few problems or slight dislikes like sometimes when i post, it doesn't seem to register when i press post then when i press post like 3-4 times, it then posts it about 3-4 times in the same reply lol but it only happens occasionally. Also i don't like the avatars for the last person who posted when u go to active topics or new posts and i liked the old idea where you could post your picture in your profile and it wouldn't be used as the avatar. It would be good if they were still separate but it doesn't bother me, just saying it would be better in my own opinion. Full credit tho to Jim, it's fine as it is and if there's still things being considered to make things better then all good. I hope if everyone has anything they want added, they should ask a bit more politely and appreciate what Jim has done on these forums for around the last 5+ years.

Simple answer = Because he's shit. Every team has players their fans dislike so don't think we're the only ones. For someone who gets in good positions, has lots of pace and decent skill / ability with a football, he should do a lot better than he does. He might do ok at home against Wolves or Sunderland or some shit team that we're already beating 4-0 but put him in a big game in a big away stadium when there's huge pressure, he's nowhere to be seen. Awful fucking member of our squad, the sooner we get rid, the better. We're at the stage now where we need world class players to occupy every position. Is Kalou world class? Absolutely not. He might score the odd goal but what else does he do? He should be skinning defenders, whipping in crosses, scoring goals.... He's been here since 2006 i think and what has he given us? What has he added to the team? Only a bit of a 'Super Sub' role which means he's not good enough to start games. Useless championship level footballer, end of story.

The future looks good for Belgian football for the first time in a while. Lots of good players coming through.

Nobody can question his desire to play for us after watching this.

was saying to myself i swear Torres aint there, i can't se him. My stream cut of after like 15 mins so i guess that explains it. Gutted for him. Btw can someone please tell me what that penalty was given for? really confused. Italy 1-1 Spain H/T

I agree but he's a shit right back with absolutely no defensive qualities and Kalou is an absolute nonse and a shit talentless nonse at that sooo.... It's not really good either way to be fair. *Flips Coin* Fuck.. Kalou starts.

Think i'll watch Italy - Spain then

Thought he just signed a new contract with a huge buy out clause or did i miss something in the small print?

Even though Drogba is more suited against Stoke, i have a feeling he'll start with Torres. Kalouseless will definitely be with Malouda out wide as basically we have no one else lol so this could go rather badly. I think Bosingwa should be on the right wing personally.

Realistic ambitions = Win the FA Cup, compete with the 2 Manc clubs in the league and get to the Semi's in the Champions League. Top Scorer = Gotta be Fernando's season. Player(s) of the Season = Ramires & Sturridge

He hasn't used Drogba & Torres much at all together in pre season so i'd be surprised if he does on Sunday. Hope he does tho because i genuinely believe playing them together would be best against them.

Should play Drogba against a team like stoke imo but Torres has looked something close to his best in the last 2 games and their defence isn't the quickest. Upson has a bit of pace but not the physicality to overpower Drogba or Torres for that matter. Alex should partner Terry and Mikel must play. Fire with fire. Think i'd play Yossi over Josh but it a tough call. Their midfield isn't hugely physical, but their defence is pretty solid as is Kenwyne Jones. I reckon we'll win there but a draw wont be a disaster.

That's probably the best vid i've ever seen on youtube, brilliant stuff. Nailed it.

Welcome to TC, hope you enjoy it here. My first ever Chelsea hero is on your Picture always loved Steino.

The one good thing to come out of these riots. Brilliant news!

ok 2nd maybe but we'd have one hell of a squad if we just strengthened those 2 positions. Dunno why it's been so hard especially as we've known for ages what kind of player we need. We do have better strikers and defenders than barcelona tho imo but they have the midfielders that can get out of tight situations and thread a ball through through the tightest gap in any situation. Barcelona = Xavi and Messi. Without those 2, maybe Iniesta too, they aint the same. There's not much of a gap between being average and being exceptional.

Win the prem n UCL and you can do what the fuck you want sir.

They conceded 15 goals in 5 pre season matches plus the fact that in a league full of international players, a british based team will get completely outclassed, especially when their brits are average footballers.

The 3rd kit is too Tottenham for my liking. Might bdet it, not sure. I'll get the away on Friday.

Liverpool will not be a threat nor will Arsenal. There's 3 teams in this. Us and 2 teams from Manchester. The 2 Manc sides are probably in better shape but we wont be push overs. We have a great defence and a great set of forwards. If we had a winger and a creative young midfielder, we'd have the best squad in europe let alone the premiership.

1) Forgot about Sturridge being banned for 3 games. Guess we need to use Salomon 'The Failure' Kalou with Torres n Malouda then as we have no fucking choice. For a team that's trying to be the best that's disgraceful imo that the only choice is Kalou who would barely grace league 2 2) Luiz? He aint played all pre-season so imo he shouldn't be considered for Stoke. If considered, i'd put him in midfield. 3) Hope Mikel is fit. I'm not his biggest fan but this game suits him and not Josh. 4) Malouda is looking pretty good atm, he warrants a place. 5) Right back? Confused.com 6) JT & Alex as CB's - Too slow perhaps but PERFECT for Stoke!

Drogba, Torres. Sturridge, Lukaku... That's absolutely deadly. Scary for defenders

Excellent work. A great forum just got better. It'll take a bit of getting used to but all good so far.

That was piss easy to be honest but good to win all our pre season games after like losing them all last season. Torres was brilliant today but i'm so pissed off he was subbed, he wants goals ffs! Rather it've been like 6-1 because the match warranted that. Kalou was once again the weakest link but yet he's not been told 'goodbye' which actually angers me and frustrates me like mental. Anelka was also shit, that chance he just gave to the keeper... wtf? Our best XI atm is: Cech Ivanovic Alex Terry Cole Ramires Mikel Benayoun Sturridge Torres Malouda And i hope that's the team on Sunday.