LDN Blue

I'm not sure what the general feeling is here after that game, but I'm quite upbeat. Yes, it is true, we could have won if Drogba converted, and Lampard may have scored if he'd chosen to take it, but this is what football is like. I'm, personally, glad we came away with that result because it's not just 1 point we came away with, it's the passion, the hunger and the desire we've lacked in the last 3-4weeks. Defensively we were a much more tighter unit, our passes stuck and were to feet and our strikers were creating good chances. Carlo tried the same tactic at Liverpool by leaving out Drogba and then bringing him on, back then it was because Drogba and Carlo where aware he was sick. This time it was a genuine "You're dropped" and when he was brought on, Drogba's mentality looked like "let me show you, why that was wrong" and he came to life. Paulo Ferreira. Though we cringed at his name being read on the team sheet, he was great. He was disciplined and he concentrated on the danger posed from Bale. He never went too deep and he never sat off too much. He always knew Bale's pace would out do him, and he respected that, but also kept him contained (with the help of Essien). So well done for silencing your doubters Paulo Finally, Carlo Ancelotti. A lot of question have been raised about him, we can't base it on one game, but Carlo did also quiet a few of his own critics. His team sheet was a strong as he could make it (keeping form in mind) and his substitutions were well timed and thought about. We knew Drogba would come on in the 2nd half but the question was for who, I believe taking of Mikel was a good idea, because he had been suffering with a flu and he wasn't having the best of games. Sturridge got a good run out too and the return of Lampard, for morale boosting purposes more than anything, was well thought out. So well done Carlo. We've got good momentum heading into our crucial clash with Manchester United and hopefully we will overcome the table leaders

Manchester United showed how their defence really "defends" on Monday night. Rough. They pushed around the Arsenal players, and they went in for all body-barges and crunching tackles. They will struggle to do this against the likes of Drogba, Malouda, Essien, Lampard ect. However, Vidic has been terrific this season and he will prove a worthy opponent of, an improving, Drogba. They are weak at right back, Rafael does not look the most solid defender ManUtd have ever had and that means Ashley Cole and Malouda will terrorise him (as they did last season in the first goal). Rooney and Berbatov look very dangerous in recent games, and despite being left out on Monday, I expect Berbatov will start this one. Terry and Ivanovic will certainly have their hands full with this one. Credit to Ivanovic for not getting himself booked on Sunday by the way. We can get 3 points here. The first goal will be crucial. A ManUtd-Chelsea game (in recent times) has been very closely fought and usually decided by a single goal. I think it is imperative we score first. If we do, then that game is ours for the taking.

John Terry was sensational. He showed what a real captain does, less talk, more action. His runs into the opposition half were a great sight to see, from a fans point of view. He epitomised the "passion" the players lacked in the last month and he will truly be credited (by me anyway) as one of the key men who saved our season. He's a year older & a year wiser (p.s. I do believe Malouda deserves an honorary mention for his consistency to create in the last few games)

He's proved his loyalty to a football club is short and limited. One of the reason he wants out of Manchester City, reportedly, is because he misses his children and his wife (who he's apparently divorced from now). For that I think he will go back to Argentina anyway. But if he is looking to move to an English club, then perhaps it's not totally out of the question, let's be honest, Tevez is probably one the most hard working players in the Premier League and would fit into our team very well. I do believe he's been selfish to Manchester City though. Their whole team was built around him. Players where brought in to support him and he, in return, should honour his contract with is worth a lot. From what I'm told. Manchester City give him enough time (every month) to fly back to Argentina and see his family, he should have known his sacrifices before even joining City.

With Rafa Benitez at the Inter realm, they are more vulnerable than ever. The signing of Santon, should therefore, be easy negotiations for us. He does fit the category we are looking for, an all round, young, talented defender who can play on the both right and left. However clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool will all be interested in him too, the question is, does the management like him?

Thank you, for all your kind words, and bizarre advice (TX lol). My issues are still on going, however they are not as serious as they were before, I still have things to sort out but matters are improving. You guys may see me around here now & then, I won't be around for long periods of time though. Admins, you may close this thread if you wish

There's a reason Chelsea are chasing Neymar.. He'll be a guaranteed starter ahead of Sturridge & Kalou. There's no point in saying "we've got Sturridge". The management clearly feels Neymar is better than Danny or else they'd not chase him so badly.

Can't stay long, I just want to say.. Well done to Carlo for benching Drogba! Hope that doesn't backfire on us. I'm glad Ramires is playing, we'll be a good, solid defensive unit. Good luck to Chelsea today. I won't be able to stick around and watch the game, so here's to hoping for 3-points :chelsea2:

Hey forum, Basically, I won't be around a whole of a lot now. You won't probably see me online for a while. I've got some stuff going on in my life that I need to sort through right now, I won't have time to post on here and even generally watch football and all that. I don't really want to get into much detail, but things are hard right now, I'm struggling with some stuff and I need to take a while and focus on what's important, get myself sorted. I want to say, this forum is incredible. The fans here are one of a kind, I don't see passion from fans on any other website and I can only see this website growing with more and more members discovering the amazing fan-forum that is, TalkChelsea. So while this is not my final goodbye, by any stretch of the imagination, it is a temporary farewell. See you guys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6-365PwkKA

Couldn't have phrased it better.

So his solution is.. Trust Carlo & buy players. Why didn't any of us think of that?

LMAO I don't blame them. Daily Mail = Tabloid bullshit

I'm predicted a draw. The best we can do I think, and 1 point is better than 0.

Abramovich sues The Daily Mail

This.

Great article. The one thing I love about the Spanish football set up is this concept of the "B" team. They are allowed to take part in the football league, but the A and B team can not be in the same league, it's a policy I think the FA here should look at (but doubt it'll happen). Kakuta & Bruma - Yes they are very young, and they will only benefit from experience coming off the bench now and then. Like Henrique said, the issue is not about how they will develop in a few years time, it's if they are the solution to our problems now, which given the evidence, they are perhaps not. Not to say the will not be at a later time. As for the likes of Mancienne, Cork & Bertrand. They have plenty of experience but the question is, does Carlo feel they are good enough? We've seen the likes of Carlton Cole and Scott Sinclair look like "good prospects", go out on loan, not to great and eventually end up being sold. That's how youth football works, and so, I think we can be forgiven for thinking they will be surplus to requirements. But I do agree with the overall message of the article. They must be given time to develop, and they maybe world class players one day, who knows what the future holds. But that does not mean they are the solution now.

Mikel's suffering from a flu by the way. Expect to see him a bit groggy then.

Brilliant. I hope Roman realises this too. While we want and will always dream of the Champions League we should not sacrifice our Premier League fight either.

Trying to get him to sign a new contract?

I definitely weakened side. I'm feeling 3points here!! Anyone else? (I also hope Gallas gets RIPPED apart)

FloMo will be vital if we're going to pull this off. He's probably been our most consistent player, and perhaps, our biggest threat to scoring. We should play the team around him. Does anyone know the state of Zhirkov? We could really do with him No VdV? Huge boost! He's been one of their main goal scorers, and he's been huge in assists for Crouch! That's one source cut off, now we can divert resources to keeping Bale quiet (and hopefully Cole doesn't forget about Lennon). Definitely see us coming away with the points now, a good time to play Tottenham perhaps? :cfc:

We'll be okay Max Essien's defensive abilities are exceptional, he'll provide good cover for our right back, just watch!

Yeah I agree with this. The coach has an important role in the squad, it's all good having world class players in your squad, but if they don't have proper organization/tactics they're useless (as Peréz found out last season). Guardiola is successful because he's superbly implemented the Johan Cruyff - Total Football tactic.

Allow me to clear up, in case I'm being viewed as someone who hates Ramires. I have nothing against him as player, the role he plays, he plays is superbly. He's only 23 and can only get better in that role. My issue is simple and clear, we don't need him. The type of player we should have bought for £18million is an attacking midfielder, not another Essien/Mikel type player. For £18million we could have signed Ozil. So once again, nothing against Ramires. I just think we need a more attacking player.