LDN Blue

So basically.. Terry, Lampard, Cole, Drogba & Essien need to f*ck off

I'd agree to that mate. If Carlo has realised the error of his ways (emphasis on if), then he should be allowed another season. I guess only time will tell..

I hope Carlo ignores mainstream media right now. The last thing he need to read is how bookies are speculating about his job and all. He has 1 task now, make sure we get 3rd, or hell even 2nd what with Arsenal's inconsistency and what-not!

True. But you must agree, now is the time to start looking for a replacement. At the age of 33, we must look to sign a replacement this summer so he can integrate himself the main squad and eventually succeed in the Lampard position.

What was the formation last night, guys? Cech Ivanovic - Alex - Terry - Cole Ramires - Essien - Malouda Anelka - Lampard Torres I think it was that, the old Christmas Tree. Am I right?

I hope you're right Wilson. I really do!

Nope. We need a long term manager, Lippi is a legend but he's simply too old.

The underdogs! Schalke

http://www.skysports...6869094,00.html We've made a confirmed bid for Athletico sensation David de Gea. I can't understand why. De Gea is too good to be kept on the subs bench and Cech is in sensational form right now so we don't exactly need a replacement for him. This doesn't make sense to me, at all..

it's not like he himself put it up there

& so it begins..

He'd stay a max, 4 or 5 years. Then what? He's demonstrated he's not the type to stick around for 10 years or so, that he's not long term like Fergie or Wenger which is something this club is crying out for. Mourinho is a great manager and any club will be lucky to have him, but I don't think he's right for us now. With him you have to buy a list of superstars, a team which will cost over £150million and that's not what our aims should be, especially with financial fair play looming. Mourinho would build a team and then leave. When he leaves, chaos would occur. We need a young, experienced, long term manager now.

A most valuable point there FB. Brings us back to the whole Ray Wikins fiasco too..

A legend for Chelsea FC. Easily player of the year in 2005, f*ck Goofydinho! But yeah, his first team role must be reduced. A great ambassador for the club, a legend in his own right along side John Terry. A mentor to Josh McEachran, a fan favourite, a potential coach one day. He's been there through all the success and all the heart break. We salute you always Frank Lampard. You will take your place alongside the elite of this club, have stand named after you one day too, they will build a statue in your honour too.. Osgood, Wise, Zola, Terry, Lampard, Drogba - The Elite.

Nah I think that role is quite important. It's not only about the first team but it's about the youth and reserves as well. The scouts report directly to the Sporting Director and they initiate the negotiations along with the chairman. For example Arnesen secured Kakuta's signing, Kalas' signing & even Sturridge maybe? I don't think it really undermines the manager unless they directly try to interfere with the first team. I've never seen any reports of Arnesen trying to do that with Scolari, Hiddink or Carlo, just like I never saw a report about Grant interfering with Mourinho's squad. Sure Mourinho bitched and threw tantrums, but Grant never tried to change anything.

I hate Nani so much... Awful theatrics to get Ramires sent off, similar to Marcelo last week when Crouch was sent off.

You make good points but I'd like to bring that post back to your first line. I blame Ancelotti more than anyone for failure to recognise the limitations of the squad we entered the season into. Multiple reports of him wanting to have kept the likes of Ballack but not being strong enough to appeal that decision. I agree with the releasing of players we made, however failure to replace has to be put on Carlo. At the end of the day it's his job to make sure we have the best squad in the league, a squad he can get the best out of, a squad that can adapt to his tactics and formations not the other way round. I'm not on a hunting mission for Carlo in this post. I'm simply saying the responsibility lies with him about the squad he took into this season. I don't think anyone can make the youth argument either. Sturridge, Bruma, Van Aanholt & Kakuta all ended up going on loan spells, those were supposed be the same group of youth that were to be featured this season. If the likes of Liverpool (Steve Clarke) can bring young players like Kelly, Spearing & Flanagan, I don't see why we couldn't have done the same, especially in the Premier League when hope was lost for the title. Once again, I have to emphasis this post is not about calling for Carlo's head. Simply to highlight his mistake at the beginning of the season..

I swear we had a similar thread to this before? 2011/12 Squad or something like that. It's all good talking about who we should sell, the most important aspect is, who would the board replace them with? Personally I don't want to see us spending over £20million per player for all the vacant positions we'd have. Which is why it's going to be a real scrappy transfer summer we're going to experience. No doubt we're looking at the midfield for reinforcement now, Ramires has been key, but we need a playmaker. The board has to recognise this now! We've got an abundance of talent in attack; Torres, Drogba, Sturridge, Borini (for now). The problem is that good ol' supply. In defence we're sorted. A back up right back to Ivanovic? Billy Clifford. He's shown great progress this season and if a team like Liverpool can hand a debut to an 18 year old right back against Man City, surely we can take a calculated risk using Billy Clifford as back up to Ivanovic, who's not injury prone. In central defence we have Luiz, Alex, Terry & Bruma who will return. Left back? Cole, Van Aanholt, Bertrand & even Zhirkov. So who do we sell/release? Malouda, Zhirkov & Kalou. What type of player do we replace them with? A left sided player x2 & A playmaker x2. With 4-3-2-1 (which I'm a fan of) Ramires on the right is fine. Essien in the anchor role will do, even though we all cry for Mikel. So we need a pure left sided player who can dribble, cross & has a vision for a killer pass, and 2 playmakers is key to play behind Torres.

The big question is, has the infamous Chelsea board learnt their lesson? It's all good us saying, yes this a chance for a new fresh squad (as I've even said), but that's only if the board has recognised this problem. The classic Chelsea model is, fire the manager and carry on with the same old squad. For the love, of all that's good in life, please pay attention to the real problems Gourlay! I've read a few rumours about Avram Grant replacing Frank Arnesen when he leaves his post, maybe that's not such a bad move. Grant is a very smart man in football, he might not be the best manager, but to have him on the board would be a massive benefit, someone who knows football.

Mm, I just realised it now

A perfect distraction for last night

She's a very ill fan, who goes to every Southend match! Sometimes she can't even get out of bed and her Dad has to carry her to the ground, but she'll always go. Undying loyalty.

They made rash decision last season after failure in Europe, nothing (unfortunately) different to state they won't do it again..

On the contrary I think it gives this thread even more weight. The board may decide Drogba, is too old. Or even he may decide to go back to Marseille.

Couldn't agree more!