LDN Blue

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7409943.stm

Don't see us winning with the amount of bad luck we're having. Draw would be the best result from this I guess. Ideal formation: Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Bruma - Cole Mikel - Ramires McEachran Kakuta - Drogba - Zhirkov But knowing Carlo he'll do this instead (& I genuinely believe this, after the whole Sunderland shamble): Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Bruma - Cole Mikel Ramires - Zhirkov Kakuta - Drogba - Malouda I think he will change the attacking options by sticking in Kakuta for either Anelka or Malouda. From the way he praised Malouda on Monday I'd be surprised if he's dropped. I'd love to see McEachran get a start in attacking midfield with Zhirkov playng the wing, but I predict it'll be the same midfield (that was non existent) vs Sunderland. After watching the defensive collapse, if Bruma does not play for Ferreira I will be very surprised. Also if Ash is out, PvA will have to fill in (hopefully.)

Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Bruma - Cole Mikel Malouda - Essien - Zhirkov Anelka Drogba Would like to see a system like that tried out. Mikel would play as a holding midfielder, then we pack our midfield with Malouda, Essien & Zhirkov with either Zhirkov or Malouda making runs down the wing. Carlo has to make it clear that only one should bomb down the wing with the fullback. Otherwise we're simply too exposed in the back. A 4-4-2 or 4-1-3-1-1 can only work if Essien is playing. Ramires would not show enough attacking play.

I can see Carlo now.. "our team is good enough". Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Ferreira - Cole unused sub: Bruma.

Cech does set a very good example about getting back up when the cards are down. To come back from his horrid injury to regain his great form is truly inspirational. And he does know how to shout at the defenders when they're being complacent.

Mancienne would be a great idea. Unfortunately I think this may be his last season with us being his parent club.

Problem is he's not very vocal. Like you'd want your captain to give you a bit of slack when you're under performing. I don't think Ivanovic could do that, he's more of a silent, but deadly ninja.

A nerve problem on his leg? This is the first I've heard of such a problem. I though it was his back

Agreed with BlueLion. Drogba is more commanding when he isn't captain, but this is unlikely to change really. As for the 4th captain, I think we should let Ashley Cole have a go. His temper on the pitch would be enough to scare the living shit out of you if he's your captain

:getyou: Handbags come out. Abate and Pandev has a squabble over a silly barge by Pandev. Pushing starts and a tussle kicks off. Abate is shown a second yellow and sent off.

Woah shit. Surely that's not...?! :|

Yeah agree with Kostas. We've been playing pretty poorly since Aston Villa imo. The game vs Wolves, Blackburn, Liverpool & Fulham have been quite poor by our standards. But I strongly believe once Lampard & Essien are back we'll be back on form. Until then we have to ride the storm of the next 2-3weeks.

Oh yeah.. Metro headline guys:

Anelka & Malouda need to start tracking back more I think. It's all good when Bosingwa & Cole are bombing forward, but sometimes they lose pace running back. I think Nico & Flo have enough pace to run back and defend when the ball is with the opposition. This should've happened today, of all days, when we'd had such a weak defence.

Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Terry - Cole Mikel McEachran - Malouda Anelka - Drogba- Sturridge I'd like to see that. Shame it won't happen.

Half Time: Inter Milan 0-1 AC Milan AC Milan have certainly dominated this match so far. Ibrahimovic has had the most chances including a superb, Van Basten like, volley which narrowly went over. His first chance came in 4th minute when he was fouled in the penalty area by Materazzi and scored to make it 1-0 against his old club. InterMilan look totally lost tactically, Joell Obi went off, bringing on Coutinho who's looked the sharpest Inter player in the last 1st half. Rino Gattuso is also riding his luck here, he's been booked early and in all honest should have seen red late in the half when he conceded a free kick right on the corner of the 18-yard box, which Sneijder nearly converted in. Inter have a lot to do in this game to get back in, with AC in complete control. Seedorf, Robinho and Ibra are destroying the Inter defence.

A certain blip in form we're going through right now. Rooting from the game at Aston Villa, we've not been quite been firing all cylinders like we usually do. Thankfully, victories earlier in the season have meant we still sit at the summit, albeit by a less margin then we'd hoped. The return of Lampard, whenever it may be, will be a huge moral boost for us. I believe his and Essien's return will be in the same fixture, which should be a St. James' Park vs Newcastle on 28th November.

Inter Milan 0-1 AC Milan '4 Ibrahimovic (P)

Nothing like a Milan derby to take your mind off a humiliating defeat.

- Ancelotti

Lack of players?

Sunday 7th November 2010 News that Drogba won't start & Essien would not feature at all for Chelsea sets the course for the day. We were on the back-end of a Liverpool "resurgence" as a Torres showed his 'potential class' to score 2 winning goals which totally deflated us. Despite an improved second half performance (courtesy of Didier Drogba) we still failed to score any goals to bring us back from the 2 goal deficit. A game to certainly forget. John Terry described it as a "wake-up call." Still no Lampard. Monday 8th November 2010 Rumours Lampard will face Fulham are denied by Carlo saying he will be ready for Sunderland on Sunday. Tuesday 9th November 2010 A blood test shows Didier Drogba had contracted Malaria when given time off a month back. The new information gives us insight on why Drogba was rested on Sunday. Despite just being diagnosed and started treatment, Carlo is adamant Drogba will be fit to face Fulham on the following day. Wednesday 10th November 2010 Despite looking like an easy game for Chelsea. We only manage a 1-0 win over our closest rivals Fulham. Drogba did start despite his malaria. Essien scored the only goal of the game, another header to add to his 4 already scored. However, from a heroic start, he soon became a villan (to the referee) when he was sent off late on in the game for a 2-footed, studs showing, challenge on Clint Dempsey. We can all agree it certainly did not look like a straight red, however he had been booked before begging the question, would Chelsea appeal? Thursday 11th November 2010 "Chelsea have announced assistant manager Ray Wilkins is leaving the club after they decided not to renew his contract." News rocks Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea faithful that fan-favourite, assisstant manager, Ray Wilkins has been sacked by Chelsea. It was done during the friendly reserve game between Chelsea and Bayern Munich. No word from Carlo, Ray or Gourley about why he was sacked. Rumours for a successor start flying around, Maldini & Zola's name emerge. Friday 12th November 2010 Even more shocking news for Chelsea fans. The expected return of Frank Lampard to the Chelsea line-up will be delayed by a futher 2-3weeks as a result of a fresh injury. The injury is apparently not related to his old one, this time he has "suffered a strain to an adductor muscle in the groin region". Saturday 13th November 2010 Further disappointment at Villa Park and Aston Villa fail to hold up a 2-0 lead over ManUtd, which sees the Reds equalise 2-2. The only good news is, Liverpool lost 2-0 to Stoke City. Sunday 14th November 2010 Prior to the kick-off between Chelsea & Sunderland news that John Terry and Alex will not be available means 3rd choice right-back, Paulo Ferriera will play as centre back next to Ivanovic. It also seems Essien's red card will not be appealed leaving Chelsea with a, must be said, weakend squad. This reflected in a 0-3 loss to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. Our worst defeat at home since April 2002 to ManUtd. An awful defensive performance which saw Onuoha, Gyan & Welbeck ruin Cech's chances of setting a club record of 10 clean sheets, in a row, at home. Chelsea fans shocked and outraged by what they've witnessed, it did not occur to anyone in a million years we would lose by such a margin. This leaves us only 2pts clear at the top, with Arsenal winning a few hours earlier. With an international break the following week, the team won't be with each other till late next week, before the Birmingham game. Away. Conclusion It was an awful way to handle the Wilkins departure. A lot of negativity was aimed at the Chelsea board as a result. But this is football, we, as fans, must trust the board to know what they are doing. Our performances lately have not been great, but why? I believe it's because we've got important players out. Drogba's not 100% for obvious reasons. When Essien hasn't played we've lost. (ManCity, Liverpool & Sunderland). When Terry, Lampard, Essien & Drogba are fully fit we'll see the same Chelsea who would've hammered Sunderland 7-2. And MOST importantly. We're top of the table by 2points, Carlo Ancelotti is experienced enough to guide us out of this, rut. ICWT :chelsea2:.

The fans at the Bridge today were good. Even at 2-0 down, they were still singing for Chelsea. However when the 3rd went in, understandably, they'd had enough. Don't blame them frankly, they have a right to be frustrated from that. Our away fans sing their hearts out no matter, they don't ever let us down.

Carvalho was always going to go Madrid. He'd agreed it with Carlo before last season. Also, Bruma is a central defender, he should not be played at right back. It makes sense to have Ferriera there because this is only a rare occasion where Terry AND Alex are out. I do agree we need more players though, especially in midfield. We have to now. The 1 player we bought for the 4 players who left is now effectively out for the entire season.

Depends who's back for this one. Terry & Alex should be. Essien will still be suspended (looks like no appeal from CFC). Drobga should be 100%. Who the hell knows about Lampard anymore.