DerbyRam

Just got back from the game and wanted to say well done on your win - I think it showed the difference between the side favourite for the Championship title and the side favourite for the Premier League. I thought we played well, but we needed you guys to have an off game to get anything and you simply didn't. You had the quality when it mattered. The only Chelsea player I was disappointed in was Schurrle - I think he was put our the game comfortably by our left-back, but he still got the goal. The rest ranged from good to great. The sending off is annoying as it could have been a more exciting end to the game, but I find these types of decisions swing and roundabout. I imagine it will be rescinded upon appeal anyway, so won't bother us in the future. I just wanted to ask, based on the teams / games you've seen this season, where would you put us?

Derby fan here, Chelsea are my second side (believe it or not), so I thought I'd try and clear somethings up - explain a few things. We're a very good footballing side and when we're on our game: we move the ball quick, have a lot movement and try to cut teams open. The downside is that when we're feeling under the cosh and up against it, we look jaded but try and play the same way. This leads to mistakes, however, Buxton will be back in the team and he's very assured and calm on the ball. Shotton and Keogh are too similar for me, look to try and force the ball into midfield when it perhaps doesn't need to. It lead to Bamford's goal on Saturday, for example. Also, We've had our two worst performances in our last three games which is worrying. As for the game, I expect the loan players - Ibe and Mascarell - to be desperate to do well, but with the league in the way it is, I expect the majority to be focused on Saturday. You will throw us off our game, we haven't had less possession than the opposition in any game this season, but I don't expect that to be the case on Tuesday. It will be a good learning curve. I also read that with Hughes we lack creativity, but that is certainly not the case. Bryson and Hendrick are dynamic players that like having a shot, arriving late into the box, and will get more goals. But, Hughes will start most of our better attacking plays off - a secondary assist player, if you will. The only position inexperience may be a problem for you is at centre-back. Martin is a very intelligent forward, perfect fodder for Terry to mark, but a less experienced player may come undone by his gravitational pull. If anyone makes it difficult for him, he'll hit the floor and win the free-kick. I'm not expecting much, I just hope it's not a draw (extra-time, penalties), I'd sooner lose and keep fresh for the Norwich game on Saturday. Good luck for the rest of the season.