YankinBlue42

Torres is good for a rash tackle every game. This time it was a red. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He'll miss games against Bolton, Everton and QPR. Look at all those lost opportunities for goals!

Utter brilliance between Mata and Torres! This is what we've been waiting for.

What is with us? We're so easy to get pressured off the ball.

how many goals did we score last time at Sunderland? I forget...

I actually love it when someone sees me while I'm wearing a Chelsea jersey and makes a stupid comment. I just rattle off all of our honors and trophies then walk away.

Lots of great thoughts in this thread. Optimistic thoughts. That's nice to read because it's nothing like we hear or read anywhere outside Chelsea nation. What we hear about outside is all of the problems of Chelsea Football Club. AVB is in a precarious spot. We've got this incredible group of young players who will be the foundation of Chelsea football for years to come, but some of them are still not experienced enough and playing them would put our club at risk of another bad season (by our standards). What I want to see is the blueprint for Chelsea's future on the field. If someone isn't in our long-term plans, I don't want to see them. We have a good enough club that we can start to introduce our younger generation without risking a trophy-less season. Hell, our younger guys could help give the older guys a little motivation and fire if things aren't going well. McEachran doesn't appear to be ready, so we'll stay with Lamps and see if we can bring in Modric (or someone similar). We also need to make abundantly clear that Fernando Torres is our striker. The way we switch back and forth between him and Drogba isn't good for either of them. One is pissed he's on the bench, the other plays scared because he could get pulled at a moment's notice. The problem with Chelsea is that we aren't a club that gets to have "transition years." We are required to have a sustained level of success because that's the only way we can keep attracting the best players, and it's the only way to keep the Chelsea brand marketable, a financial requirement of the club since ticket sales put us at a disadvantage. I hope that things can go our way this year. That we can begin to insert the future of CFC while also playing at a high level and bringing home a trophy to help alleviate the pressure AVB is under. Apologies for the seemingly random thoughts.

Great signing for us. I also expect Mata to be our winger on the left side for years to come. If he and Torres can develop an understanding on the field, which shouldn't take long considering that they are teammates for Spain, this will solve one of our glaring problems.

AVB: "We must not play to the anxiety of the public." Does Andre check TalkChelsea with his mobil during the game?

Did you see our guys after the game? They looked like they had lost. Granted, we played like shit. But have some fun out there. Celebrate a win. That kind of negative attitude isn't what we need.

Come on, Chels! Stop fuckin around.

West Brom make a positive change. We make a defensive one. What the fuck?

Swing and miss from Drogs on the BEST pass of the game. Damn!!!!!!

Oh, this change will solve all our problems!!!! Yay!~

Absolutely dreadful from Alex. And from such a solid center back. I'm shocked.

Is this your guess? I hope you're right. That would be fantastic!

I don't think we'll see many changes from last weekend. Maybe Anelka for Kalou.

Horrible news. What courageous character he showed by playing yesterday AND playing as well as he did. These are the types of players you want on your team.

Pool just drew at home to Sunderland. We just drew at one of the hardest venues to get an away win. One of these things is not like the other. Especially if we assume AVB will not be starting Kalou/Malouda each and every game this season.

Deep down, before the game, I might have been okay with a point at Britannia. But not after watching that game. We defended the corners and throwins of Stoke well, so they weren't going to score. I thought if we had found the goal, it would have been deserved. Clearly better possessing the ball and creating chances. That said. We need Modric and a winger something awful. Can't wait to get Sturridge back.

7,392

Cech is having to be our most active player. And he's doing well. Except for those damn shanks.

I sure hope the good people of Stoke-on-Trent aren't in the rioting mood. Would hate if our season got postponed.

Just read through this thread as I watched the last minutes of the game. If you took out all the posts celebrating a goal, you would have thought that Chelsea lost 6-0. The negativity was almost unbearable to read. Nice way to finish the pre-season for the lads. Here's to the new season! :blue scalf: My thoughts as well.

Better performance. Not reacting too positively, just as we shouldn't react too negatively to the previous games. As the game went along, I thought our midfield and attacking improved greatly. Let's keep the goals coming and the fitness up!

Is everyone happy now?!? We fucking scored some goals of our own. WE'RE GOING TO WIN THE TREBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!