Kostas

Gosh Mou looks old. I absolutely have to find out why he came..

Come on now.. Ditching a whole formation after one game would be daft, to say the least.

Last years change from diamond to 4-3-3 in midseason proves otherwise. Besides isn't the experiment we tried in the last 3 games a "plan B"? It seems to me that it's the players resorting to long balls out of frustration and despair. If anything when we were playing the football that Ancelotti wanted crosses and long balls were drastically reduced. If I had to guess I'd say that frustration and despair were also the causes that forced Ancelotti to use a 4-2-4 "formation" quite often during our crisis.

Can't and won't blame Ancelotti for the draw. Managers should rarely get stick for a single result, especially when it wasn't down to tactics. Although he could get some blame for failing to apply his plan B. Up until now unlike Scolari he's refused to use one (he has said numerous times that he wants us to play "our football") but now that we're actually trying something different it's not working. Confidence, form et al are very important but unfortunately there's no space for mistakes as we're already in mid February. Not Ancelotti related but I've seen a lot of members attack specifically Henrique with the very original glory-hunter insults. Bit disturbing when its uncalled and everyone targets one user. So as a great footballer once said:

This is already a huge thread so I'll try to keep it short. Terrible. Terrible performance. No excuses tonight and we're running out of time too. Lampard, Essien, Malouda & Anelka were subpar. Torres' touches were quite heavy. I'm all for giving him time but we desperately need something better now. On the bright side. David Luiz will become my favourite CB in the future. What. A. Player. I have a "man-crush" on that keeper with the helmet. Ramires was surprisingly good. Not he's been anything but great in his last few games but today he was a level above our other midfielders.

So true it's not even funny.

Nothing gets under my skin after Moscow and Ovrebo.

This could fit in quite a few threads but I thought this topic was the best choice. IMO it could be merged with Financial fair play & Break even. Here's Swiss Ramble's analysis on Chelsea's economics. Take your time and read it thoroughly, it's definitely worth it.

Another excuse not to rotate our attack?

Questioning ones judgment is always easier than countering his arguments.

Get in!

Anyone else being afraid of a Stoch deja vu?

touché

Think they were just as quite about Bosingwa and maybe Essien. At least Ancelotti kept telling us that Lampard is out for 3 weeks.

Regardless of how Essien performs after his injury I think Ramires' case was pretty similar. Still I wouldn't speak ill of Zhirkov until I know he's breathing.

Not true.Turnbull was woeful before we bought him; was woeful when we bought him; and, has been woeful ever since.

Is that serious?Yeah and while your at it check JT's stats on killer passes *facepalm*

Of course. But then again it may mask all the terrible mistakes committed during this season just like last year's double masked many of our squad problems.

Another mediocre footballer in a pathetic attempt to whore himself to the Kop. Agger vents his anger at Torres for 'unacceptable' move

VitalChelsea had a good piece on Chelsea's contracts.Head to VitalFootball for the read and here's the important list: Group I - 2016 - David Luiz, Fernando Torres, Branislav Ivanovic Group II - 2015 - Kakuta, Essien, Delac, Kalas Group III - 2014 - Ramires, Terry, Mikel, Bruma Group IV - 2013 - Sturridge, Turnbull, Mancienne, Cech, Ashley Malouda, Lampard, Benayoun, Ferreira, Alex, Josh McEachran Group V - 2012 - Drogba, Kalou, Anelka, Zhirkov, Cork, Van Aanholt, Rajkovic, Bosingwa*, Ancelotti The writer explains things pretty well but here are some extra thoughts: This list will help us understand Chelsea's view(not Ancelotti's) on some of our players. While it may have much to do with having the possibility to cash in from a sale later I'm quite surprised with Kakuta, Delac and Kalas having longer contracts than most players. If I'm not mistaken all three of them were Arnesen signings and if we're to judge by Kakuta's contact (which was signed after he announced his decision) they are here to stay and will probably outlast Ancelotti. By signing Luiz some thought it meant the end of Alex and it's interesting to notice that his contract will end simultaneously with Ferreira's and Benayoun's contacts. Seeing all three of them walk in 2013 (or earlier) won't surprise me. Seeing that Drogba, Anelka and Kalou will be out of contract in 2012 helps us understand the need for a World Class striker in Torres moreover it makes other high-profile attacking transfers more likely than we might have thought. The club has kept Cork and Rajkovic far too long without using them so it's likely we're trying to sell them and with their contracts running out their market value has probably shrunk.

In that case your opinion on Fulham's attacking options and Kalou clearly differs from mine.

FFS can't we have all those FM muppet dreams in one thread?

I'll bite.When exactly did he prove that?