northernblue

But they did go on and win on Sunday.Whoever wins the league is not up to McCarthy, his job is keeping WOlves up and games like the Burnley game are more winnable than trips to Old Trafford.However it does reflect badly on the state of the game that he had to resort to such tactics.

Exactly, these rich owners are successful busniessmen who get their own way in the business world and want the same with football. But they clearly don't understand how it all works. I have the feeling they wanted someone like Mancini all along. I read in this football article today some of the soundbytes he is coming out with, like 'were here to make history' etc etc He is saying all the right things, plus he has that Italian contintiental style poor old Sparky never had. It doesn't gurantee success though and sacking Hughes just before the bust Christmas period could prove a disaster.

Hart wasn't out of a job for long, according to this football blog he has gone to crazy club QPR with Mick Harford, can't see him being there for long though, Briatore has gone through something like 7 managers in two years since the takeover!!!! Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire!!

There is a good response to Wirghts comments by a Chelsea fan at Bridge views here. As an ex-gooner I'm sure Wright revelled in having a dig at Chelsea fans. He is also very precious about SWP, how many times do he whinge about him not playing fro England when he worked for the BBC??? The booing was frustrating we all know that, but it was blown out of proportion by the media and Wrighty having a go to fill column inches and stir up debate is only exaggerating things still further.

This football blog on the transfer window mentions the rumoured bid for Aguero but in the same breath quotes Carlo saying he doesn't want to sign anyone. I personally would love it (Kevin Keeganesue that!) if we signed Aquero, he is pure class, and his signing would give everyone a boost. Plus don't forget we may not be able to sign anyone in future wondoes if that ban gets upheld so we need to make the most of things now.

The boo-boys should read the history books and remember where we were 20 30 40 + years ago. We have been spoilt in recent years and it seems a cetain section of suppot have become complacent. They will probably also be the ones who weren't here when we were struggling in the 80s and will be first out of the door if things go peared shaped in the future. Annoying...

I agree Cech hasn't been the same since that tackle but he is alos playing behind a weaker defnece than a few years ago. He is still only young and often keepers go through dodgy spells (if you can call this a dodgy spell) As a previous poster said, quality keepers are hard to find and it would be foolish to get rid, a young keeper to out pressure on him would be a start, but it is difficult to find quality keepers who are willing to sit on the bench most weeks.

Of course we're gonna miss him - not a lot of blokes who can do this kind of stuff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR6r-RxS-l4

To be honest, I couldn't believe it when I came across this Premier League blog previewing the transfer window. Yeah, some of the young lads have come in and done a good job but I can't help worrying about what's going to happen when we lose Drogba to the African Nations Cup. He's been in such good form and can win games almost single-handedly. I just feel it's too soon for Ancelotti to be ruling out making a move for a big name - or anyone! - in Jan.

It's important to get Wednesday out of our system quickly and a win at City would do the trick! The squad are confident according to Carvalho in this football blog so I reckon we can get a result. It will be tougher though after City's result against Arsenal, will give them a massive confidence boost. Think we can nick it though, 2-1 to us.

In the end we were a penalty shoot out away from a semi-final. Its disappointing to lose but everyone knows the Carling Cup is low on our prority list. Well done to Blackburn, they worked hard and probably deserved it.

Don't think you can look beyond Dorgba, he has been immense this year.

Just read this article in the Telegraph which compares the strengths and weaknesses of us, Arsenal and Manchester United. You can read it here, but if you just want to know the Chelsea facts, they were: Strengths Consistency - Chelsea have now had much of the same team for five years, both in terms of starting XI and those tasked with supplanting and supporting them. Replacements need no bedding-in time. Quality - Neither United nor Arsenal can match the players at Ancelotti’s disposal in terms of top-class experience throughout the squad. Chelsea have 20 senior international players, most of them the cornerstones upon which their national sides are built. It is a priceless commodity. Weakness Numbers - Beyond those 20 players, the options are more limited. Several bright young things occupy the reserve slots, but the likes of Gael Kakuta and Danny Sturridge, no matter how talented, are yet ready for the responsibility of a title challenge. The African Nations Cup - The greatest obstacle to a third Chelsea title in six years comes in January, when Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel depart for the ANC. How they cope in that month will go a long way to deciding the title.

This is only his first full season playing in Serie A so does not come with a vast amount of top-flight experience, but he could do a good job as a squad player and help out during the African Cup of Nations. I would rather see some of our younger lads getting more chances in the first team than spending millions of players who may not take to the field that often. Would like to see him come but only if there is enough talent that could make him world class in a few years.

I cant see much further than a Chelsea victory in this game, i think Drogba will terrorise the Arsenal defence and the Gunners are not the same without Van Persie in their attack. We should be bouyed by the return of Lampard, if this football blog rings true, and that should be a bog boost. I think we will have space to play our game against Arsenal, i agree a draw would not be a bad result but i relly fancy us sneaking a win.

Apparently now saying he would be interested to move to the Premier League, having previously ruled out a move to England. I think this lad is a great striker and would be awesome upfront with Drogba. You can read the story here.

I agree - i struggle to see that De Rossi is needed and cant really see him leaving Roma. He is seemingly a one-man team and i think will be the heir to Totti's captain armband when the Roma legend retires.

According to John Terry, who claims in this football blog the Champions League tie, league matches against Arsenal + Man City and then the Carling Cup quarter final, all away games, are crucial to the sucess this season. I think December could be a defining month for the side and how we manage to navigate it could be a sign for the true optimism.

think it should be a good chance for a few of the fringe players to come in and impress with the injury problems we are suffering with. No matter who starts the game i am confident we can get a good win, probably 3 or 4-0.

There seems to have been a further twist in the Aguero transfer, as the Daily Star claims that Roman Abrahamovich does not want to spend £40 million on the Argentinean. He seems to think the transfer fee plus his wages could be a waste of money. I hope he changes his mind and brings Aguero to Stamford Bridge as he is a cracking player who i would love to see playing for Chelsea.

By the sounds of it Chelsea could have both Sergio Aguero and Fabio Borini as the papers claim a £40 million deal with Athletico Madrid for the forward is on the cards. You can read it here.

I agree that Cole should not be risked against Wolves and am looking forward to the prospect of seeing Zhirkov play. I have high hopes for this lad and just hope he can remain injury-free for an extended period.

Richards looked immense when he first burst onto the scene at City but has gone off the boil recently and that has seen him dropped from Fabio Capello's plans. However if he was able to regain the form which first propelled him into the limelight then would love to see him come to Chelsea. Another young English defender would definitely be welcomed, I agree with John Terry in this football blog where he states that new faces need to come to Stamford Bridge.

I doubt it was that serious, It is probably an agreement with Capello not to play Lampard in a meaningless friendly. It is amazing how players are injured for international games but suddenly recover for their next club game a few days later!

Those aren't good words you want to hear after such a crash. Hoping for a speedy recovery Carlo