Madmax

If it isn't Torres or Lampard who's being pilloried, it's Drogba. You've got to expect some rustiness with the injury, it's prolonged recovery period and the international break. I'd be more concerned if he put in this kind of a performance after having played regularly for 2-3 weeks. Anyway, not going to focus on individuals as it was a great team effort with everyone pulling together in the right direction. It was important to get the right result immediately after the intl break as we often lose momentum during such weeks. That the right result and mentality comes against our bogey team makes it all the more sweeter. The second goal and the timing of it killed them, I thought. 1-0 at HT and they would've fancied themselves to get something out of it. Barring the lack of concentration on their goal we hardly put a foot wrong, even the dreaded high line worked well.

The highest compliment I can pay him is that without him we are an ordinary side.

Same. It's important to have a bona fide club legend actively involved in taking the club forward.

Gah Tomo I don't think Kalou deserves the personal abuse etc but it's a bit tiresome now. There's a "not this again" moment everytime this thread pops up. Give it a rest, all of you.

Not a fan of Ivan at CB, I have to say.

Erm who? Anyway let's hope Ojo works his mojo in due time

Hope Anelka doesn't start. He's not quite as effective as he can be if he's not coming off the bench. At the back, Terry and Luiz seems a perfect combination but we don't know much about Luiz's fitness after having played twice in South America and making a long round trip. I'd have no hesitation putting Alex alongside Terry but if Saha plays, he has pace to burn and Alex-JT will be far too exposed.

lol Henrique where have you been?

He tried, but missed from by 2 yards.

Atrocious. Let's play him at DM. Mikel and Essien are shite anyway.

^ This still makes me incredibly proud and incredibly frustrated and angry in the same moment. Sigh.

For the benefit of the likes of me nowhere near London, which of the proposed sites fall within the 3 mile radius from the Bridge?

I can see where the OP is coming from. Under Roman we've more or less always had a functional style of play with flair as a characteristic not our strongest suit. If you look at the Mourinho years you'd be hard pressed to name a real wizard on the ball a la Zola or Zidane or Ronaldo or Dinho. Robben could have been that player but for his injuries. Joe Cole was a little different than the others and had his moments of brilliance now and then but Mourinho didn't trust him enough to get the job done. Having said that, we've all been witness to the likes of Drogba and Lamps doing something spectacular to snatch a draw from nailed on defeats or a win from hopeless situations. Granted it's been the case mostly in the league or cup competitions but you mustn't forget that we were moments away from winning the CL and moments away from appearing in consecutive finals before being cheated out of it. I think with Andre around and the more expansive style he aims to bring we can look forward to one or two such game changers in the fold. I have high hopes of Josh who I firmly believe is that player who has the ability to spot and play a pass that unlocks the meanest of defences. Mata is another. P.S : I wouldn't class Iniesta as 'lucky'. He's a damn good football player with a damn good football brain and there's a reason his position is untouchable in both Barcelona and Spain.

Still better than Anelkalou.

Magnifique!

Park Ji Sung, Rosicky (due to being an ex-BVB boy), Kompany, Silva, Mario.

Hate having to hear this mug alongside the other blabbering idiot Shebby Singh. ESPN Star could really do with some better talking heads.

If we're collecting Chelsea fans, Dzagoev wouldn't be too bad.

Considering that's from a couple of years back, you guys still meet up at Khar?

Nigeria have failed to qualify for ACoN, so Mikel will be around during Jan-Feb. Off topic : What's with the mismatch in avas and posts?

It's going to be interesting to see over the summer who do we opt for if Alex leaves. Do we call Bruma back or is someone else like Kalas or Chalobah tried out. The Cahill rumours concern me, especially when we have 2, potentially 3 young 'uns who would relish that chance and take a massive step towards stepping up to the plate once Terry is no longer a given when fit and available.

Ah, so there is a cut-off point.