Sparkie

I'd rather have passion and get to 3-3 rather than sit there and lose 2-1.

Ramires was taken off because, for all his tireless energy and enthusiasm, he doesn't offer enough of an attacking threat at a time we were chasing a goal. So that's why Ancelotti brought on a striker, so that we could get that goal. And we did, because of Kalou's smart reading of Drogba's little chest, and simply crossing the ball earlier up the pitch.

How can you be embarrassed by the fact that they showed a bit of passion at a time when it's all doom and gloom - a doom only more exemplified by fans who jump to worst possible scenarios and slag players constantly? You'd think some people on here have never dealt with losses, draws, below-par performances and a bit of bad luck. Sure, they may get paid a fair bit but everyone of those players has worked hard to get to that level and deserve all the money they get. What we saw today was determination, a never-give-up attitude and passion from a team that has been on a horrific run of form - a run which every player at the club is working to stop. No one plays to lose, no one plays crap on purpose. If a player didn't want to turn the club's fortunes around, then they would have left by now - just as Rooney tried to when United were struggling. Have a little faith.

Really don't like the fact a lot of fans slag Ramires and then are happy to celebrate him improving, as he has been week by week, to the Chelsea standard as soon as it becomes obvious. He is young after all, and has come all the way from Portugal to, well, a pretty big club.

If Lampard had taken it and missed, then you would be saying Drogba should have taken it because Lampard hadn't been training. How can Ancelotti win?

Goal.com player ratings are a joke. http://www.goal.com/en/match/47430/tottenham-vs-chelsea/player-ratings

How could you want a player who repeatedly says he wants out, whinges when he is substituted and thinks he is better than anyone else? No.

Who was Anelka and Malouda pointing to after celebrating the penalty?

And he's a diving fuck

Ah right. Poor Ballack :-(

I meant Champions League actually

It's a pity Ballack never won the trophy you could see he really wanted...

I don't understand the motivational poster. Is it in favour of Joe Cole, the poster or the club? On a more serious note, I think this is a poor decision. The German captain is quality, and added grit to our midfield. Ballack's contribution was found in support, not spectacular but solid, pushing the team along. You need some players like that. And as for Joe, I'm slightly biased as he was my favourite player, but really, he was only 28 years old and a return to his best form sees him devastate opposition. The class he is capable of: WOW.

Good thread You can't really say youngsters can't take some numbers because they're too "big" - it's the player that plays not the number. What he's wearing won't change how he performs.

Is seven years not enough to not be booed when you move on? Seriously, some "fans" are a joke

Is no one else worried of the suddenly less menancing midfield that used to be our pride and joy?

I'm not really that big around here but I do read a bit and I thought I'd make a few pointers about the new skin. The design is basically good but like most things it could be better. Without wanting to get involved in this bar business it does look a bit out of place. I used the same palette as the rest of the site and made it blend in a bit more using Firebug on Firefox. I thought it looked quite good. Something you might want to consider Jim. I also changed the font to Arial and increased the size, and for me that changed readability a lot, and I also made a few more things look a bit more dynamic. (all through Firebug live on the site). If you want to know what I did just PM me, just thought I'd add my two cents. It's a nice clean change no matter what I think or do anyway. P.S: My sources - a year of internet design work developing forums and Joomla templates with my cousin Troy.

Covers aren't much, but the content is class

No doubt this will turn into a "major crisis for the Londoners"

I'd like to see some genuine English players come in - the two that spring to mind are Rodwell and Gosling. And they'd be perfect, filling in the holes of the departed Deco and Belletti. Plus they're young As said above the attack could do with a bit more firepower - for sure. I've always wanted to see Aguero in a Chelsea shirt (or Villa, but that's not possible now) but maybe someone like Young who could alternate between the wings and the forwards ?

The last mocks are good - the second one is beaut. I'd buy it

If you watch the Blue Revolution video, there are hints to who may/may not be friends. The Africans seem to hang together, as with the French and the English, and back then it looked like Makelele and Cudicini were good mates

Scored some wonderful goals, a great squad player and one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. Sayonara, Juliano. It is a summary of his career that there is not much coverage at all of his retirement in the media, despite playing some pivotal roles in our history.

Is there anyone being really kind and combining all the pics in the first post into one folder? Would be really appreciated, and I am sure others would like it too. Thanks!

Nice work Steve! Great mock.