LDN Blue

The theory?! I mean the practical I would understand, but the theory?! :lol:

Porto? They do quite the opposite you'd say.

Not a fan of the 3-5-2, not with this defence anyway. A 3 centre back partnership of Terry, Cahill & Ivanovic makes me worry. Ivanovic's instincts seem to take him forward and I don't think he's got the discipline to stay back, also I question his defensive abilities anyway. Maybe with the right personnel. I just don't think the EPL is the right league to play this formation though.

The thing for me is that it's such a heavy defeat in terms of how it's happened. 2-0 up to 4-2 down by full time, it's beyond belief. But then you remember how we lost 5-3 to Tottenham in almost similar circumstances. We were okay in the attack department, but constantly let down by defending (or, lack of). I think that's the annoying part about it. Tottenham is one thing, but Bradford should be beaten by this team of players on another platform to them.

I remember that this forum had high expectations for Todd Kane, particularly . Justified too, it's a shame he's another victim of our infamous lack of intergration.

Perhaps you could have an entire sections separate from the forum, on the website, for ticket exchange servicing? It would be a way for TalkChelsea to gain more recognition and may even attract sponsors to the website?

It's often funny to read retorts that are immature and hide behind usual rhetoric - Grow up. If you look at my post and what I was discussing witht the user I quoted, you'll see my comments weren't exclusive to this game for their entiretiy. The Drogba comment was an example of the point I was making to the user. Jog on

I agree with the sentiment but absolutely not. The mark of a big team is being able to compete on more than one front. For the amount we pay our players and for our players there's no excuses not to have the depth to be able to juggle PL, CL & LC commitments. That's why it frustrates me when guys like Van Gaal and even Mourinho at times complain about the schedule. It's pretty weak that your players who make over £70,000/week aren't fit enough to play 2 matches a week lmao.

And this is the problem. The complacency in this team is going over Mourinho's head at times because he's a man of loyalty. If you're loyal to Mourinho, he returns the favour. Guys like Ivanovic and Cahill shouldn't be the core of this team but they persevere. I was, in fact, amazed that Essien was allowed to leave because of the paternal relationship José had with Essien.. But you see a 36-year old Drogba leading the line, when Loiic Remy is right there more than capable of doing the same job! With Drogba set to retire this season, it wouldn't surprise me if Mourinho convinced the club to offer him another year.

And the thing is, adding to what Styles, is that we'll get lambasted for suggesting such a sacrilegious idea. Most associate Mourinho as the ultimate adapter, he can find a tactical solution to any opposition.. But they're becoming predictable and that's the worry. All big teams now understand how Mourinho sets out his team and the tactics he employs and that's already 60% of the battle won. Smaller teams know that we'll be on the attack and will occasionally forsake our defensive abilities. They know he'll continue to select Cahill and Ivanovic for example and that therefore we become vulnerable on the right-hand side. His truly greatest tactical masterclass was when he took an aging Inter Milan to get the necessary result over two-legs vs Barcelona. I do see Mourinho calling it time on club management in about 5 years. He'll probably make on last move and then take the National position with Portugal. He'll probably bide his time until he's assured that Portugal have more than Cristiano to help them win Euros and World Cups.

It's very difficult to predict such traits though. Remember when Ivanovic first came to the limelight? He was just filling in because of suspensions/injuries and managed to score two-headers past Liverpool in the Champions League. He was quite unknown and we weren't really sure as to his qualities. Eventually he started coming across as a vocal guy. The same can be done for any number of players who just need to find their confidence in this team. I look to the likes of Matic, Hazard & Azpilicueta to find their voices and their leadership qualities to grab games by the scruff of the neck. But to also spur the other players on and, if need be, whip them into shape. Like you see Rooney do sometimes.

This result feels as bad as when we lost to Middlesboro 3-0 2006. One of the worst performances I'd seen from a Mourinho's Chelsea.

Thing is Muzchap, we shouldn't need new blood so soon. This team is capable of being the likes of fucking Bradford and Liverpool! Even fringe players like Salah should be capable of delivering on such a low stage. If this was June, I'd say okay time to freshen up. But it's January and these players should be concentrating more than ever with the closing stages of these competitions coming quickly..

Commentary noted he didn't look too happy being substituted for Willian this afternoon.

The fourth goal came in 90+ minutes to be fair. With an all-out-attack that goal was inevitable.

I guess. But it's worrying me how it's been going this season since December really. We blew an 8 point lead during November-December and we're very lucky Arsenal managed to do the unthinkable to City last weekend to grant us a 5 point buffer again. The games against Liverpool, City and PSG will be very important. This team is ready to challenge for the treble, but their mentality must be tested now. In 2004-07 we had leaders in Drogba, Terry, Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Cole. This season we've got Fabregas, Terry, Drogba. Leaders must emerge.. It's now or never for some of these guys.

Surprised he hasn't been involved in a scandal yet this season tbh.

Better than Ivanovic who tries from 10 yards further.

It's a shame that now the whole of England will see the potential of Patrick Bamford and give him his well earned praise. But this is Chelsea. He probably won't ever see the day of light in the first XI and he won't get the exposure either.. Wouldn't surprise me if Mboro came in with a stern offer and we accepted.

From the sounds of it, Mourinho had no excuses to give in the PC. Gave credit to Bradford and called out the players he selected, I suspect Salah will be quaking at the moment.

The team shouldn't need such shake ups like this. Last season we went trophyless, a phenomenon we're not so used to after the succession of silver for the last decade or so we've come to enjoy. Not to mention half this team aren't even title winners and should be hungry as anything for it. To be 2-0 up and then concede 4 goals to a club who are two leagues lower than us is simply unacceptable. The team put out today was more than capable of holding a 2-0 or even 2-1 lead without inflicting any serious problems. Not good enough. After making Liverpool look like Real Madrid last week, something's got to change.

It's beyond ridiculous how we fall apart in these situations. When we lose now, it's not through the other team stealing a goal or anything. We get torn apart, a collapse of basic traits of defending and attacking. When these players lose their bottle, they really fucking lose it. No professionalism, no saving face, no effort. Disgraceful and embarrassing. José wants to talk about lack of fans support? How about looking at lack of player support for our fans turning up to these games.

My mistake then lmao

I'm surprised we're even chasing this money lmao. With Mutu retiring, I guess there's no point in this litigation.

Rumours suggest it's a temporary tatt