DYC.

Statistics don't say much as they can be very deceiving. Let's say a player scores four goals in a match and gives two assists in a different match, let's say simple a pass to team mate and the team mate scores a long ranger and a corner he took got headed in by one of his team mates, but was poor in his next six matches. His statistics would say he's been great (four goals and two assists in seven matches) but who ever watched his matches would know that he has been poor. And to clarify what i meant about Didier's form, with poor form i didn't mean he sucked but he just hasn't been himself this season (except for the first two, three matches). And we still don't know how long he's had malaria.

We should get a true striker to back up Drogba. It's obvious Anelka is no longer the man to take over his role in his absence since he always drops soooo deep. Seriously, he would pick up the ball at Cech if it was up to him. And the worst thing is, he doesn't do anything special when he does drop deep, he actually meses up our tempo in passing. He (pretty much) always picks up the ball around the circle, walks with the ball a bit and gives a simple pass or worse, a back pass to deeper position then we were in when he received the ball (10 seconds of game time and a potential threatning attack/goal scoring opportunity wasted). It's more tolerable when he does so from his role from the sides (when we're winning). But when he does that as our main striker, it drives me absolutely crazy (!). It's either Ancelotti manning up and telling him that he is most effective, simply briliant, in and around the box and that he should stick there or getting a true striker to back up him up. Or even better, having the guts to just make Sturridge Drogba's replacement in his absence and allowing Danny to show his quality and develop as a striker. That way we can see if he's good to back him up and eventually take his place or if the club has to go look for another player to back him up/replace him. Danny is not the player to come from the side. There's a huge chance of him ending up in Kalou II, in that role.

Question for the older fans/fans who have supported the club for a very long time: You would think that two clubs so close to each other, i mean we're both located in Fulham, to have this huge rivalry/dislike of each other. Why isn't that the case ? I can imagine that the rise of Chelsea FC to the top of Europe to have cause the rivalry to stagnate. But Man Utd and Man City always had a huge gap when it comes to the 'size' of the club, same with Arsenal and Tottenham these last 15 years or so. But you could feel they really disliked/hated each other.

Wonder how low he's had the virus. If he had it since the start of the season, it would explain his poor form this season.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in malaria scare Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has had treatment for malaria, according to Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti. Drogba came on in the second half of Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday The Italian said he was unsure how the Ivory Coast forward picked up the tropical disease, but is now fine and will start against Fulham on Wednesday. Drogba complained of a fever on the eve of Chelsea's game at Liverpool on Sunday although he played the second half of the 2-0 defeat. "We found out [on Monday] when tests showed he had malaria," said Ancelotti. "He has this virus and, obviously, he lost power and training. "He lost his condition. He's had treatment and now he's OK. He'll come back immediately in the best condition. "He had malaria. He had the tests in the last day, and they showed this kind of virus. Now he's good. "I don't know where he got it from. I gave him a few days off and he went on holiday for a few days, and then he has malaria. But it's over now. He's OK." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/9172276.stm

We really did miss out on him (van der vaart). I was shouting for the club to sign him all year (winter and summer).. so sad. About Kaka, i agree with you about missing that very creative player. He can beat a player, great at playing the final ball and can score goals. I'm with you and agree he is still class. He didn't meet the expectations of his €65 mil price tag but he was good. Not great but good, but he was never 100% fit last season. I also thought he was good at the World Cup and provided some lovely assists. But, and it's a major but, he is very injury-prone. He's had to suffer a lot of injuries since 2008. As you know, you get kicked around a lot in this league so i don't think Kaka and the PL would be a good combination. But like i said, he's still a quality player. People saying he's not.. well that's just typical.

Agree. That's just about the same way i saw the game.

One positive thing we can take from this game: We have been punished for our crappy play. Hopefully this will work as an wake-up call to the coach and players and realise they couldn't keep playing like they have been for about 6, 7 weeks. Hope i'm right. :cfc:

Thing is, they should both be played in a central role. Danny's performances coming from the bench are always lively because he's always brought on late and the opposition's defenders are tired. So his pace is difficult for them to handle, same story with Kalou. But when they start, from the sides, they both hardly impress (most of the time).

Shame we lost against such an crappy Liverpool side. I was worried about our form these last weeks and this performance makes me worry even more. Don't know what's wrong with us but it's up to the coach to find out what it is. :cfc:

Why so late Ancelotti. Sigh.

Don't see us winning anymore.. oh wel, life goes on.

Come on Carlo Ancelotti, for once make a game changing sub.

Said the same thing in a earlier post. Bosingwa for Alex (Ivanovic to the centre) and Drogba for Anelka, switch Ramires and Mikel positions on the field and just go out and attack. Nothing to lose really.

I said shine in a big game. Being the best player of a side that's playing horrible isn't shining. I can't even remember a shot on goal. Not his fault though. Like i said in a earlier post, the service for our attackers has been horrible.

What a horrible first half ! It's like we're playing with five defenders (who are defending like crap) and three attackers (who can't do shit because of horrible service). I say move Ivanovic to CB and replace Alex for Bosingwa and bring on Drogba for Anelka. Switch Ramires and Obi and let Obi play in a more advanced role. And just go out and attack FFS !!!

So sad our big game performers (Frank, Michael and Didier) aren't playing. The likes of Malouda and Anelka have never shone in big games. We're finished. What a goal from Torres, typical for him to shine against us.

Where's our midfield? Seriously

I guess Anelka's not in a poaching mood..

Agree. I've been hoping to see Kalou in a central role for a while now as i feel he's the most effective there. But if Anelka's in a poaching mood, he should play in the central role. If not, Ancelotti should switch them.

No Bosingwa?

No Lamps . Let's hope Zhirkov continues his great form. Really hope Ess will make it. We'll really need him to take out Gerrard. The midfield battles are always the most important in these difficult matches. We lost those battles against Arsenal (even though we ended up winning, we won because of individual class and their poor finishing that day) and City . It's time we win one for once and with Liverpool's average midfielders (except for Gerrard of course) i would be very surprised and dissapointed (and angry) if we lost the midfield battle against them. Surprised to hear Malouda will make it but happy of course.

Chelsea fans are seriously overrating the quality of Delac. He's not even the first goalkeeper at Vitesse (the club he's been loaned out to) so he still has looong way to go. He's not Chelsea second choice goalkeeper material (yet).

Craziest derby in the world I'm supporting Lazio for this one, so i guess we're enemies .

Hmm best striker last decade... tough call. () Wait a minute no it isn't. It's not a tough call at all, it's actually very easy. His name is Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima, simply known in the football world as Ronaldo (also referred to as The Real Ronaldo). Simply the best striker ever. Shame on you people !