Madmax

Alright, so we lost. But we didn't fail. I saw a team play out there. Team being the keyword. I saw an eagerness and hunger to play football, not ugly, boring park-the-bus nonsense. I saw a team that was more than ready to take on the much more fancied opposition on their own turf, and I saw them achieve this. We battered them, and we bettered them. We played positively, with purpose, without inhibitions, with no fear and with conviction, certainly something to be extremely proud of. How many teams would have responded the way we did, after going 3-0 being at HT (a scoreline that was unjust, let alone flattering)? Our attitude was faultless. Shoulders didn't drop, heads didn't bow. Sure we were guilty of being ruthless in front of goal, but that I can excuse if I see passion and commitment on the pitch. We rallied together, stayed strong and gave better than we got. It's early in the season and sterner tests await, there'll be disappointments along the way but I'm massively encouraged with the performance today. We're heading in the right direction, don't let a mixture of bad luck, small fallacies and refereeing incompetence overshadow a fine outing.

- Tommy Docherty

I can't edit my posts. Once I click the edit button and type the necessary changes, on clicking 'Save changes', a dialogue box pops up with the message "Your post is empty". On clicking "OK" it takes me back to the edit screen and a little ribbon appears at the top saying "You must enter a post".

Will we bump ex-player threads every time they score?

Bolton trailing to Norwich.

2007-08 Stats : Malouda - Apps : 27 (9), Goals : 3, Asssits : 3 Kalou - Apps : 32 (14), Goals : 9, Assists : 10 Just 5 more starts for Kalou, which is not a big difference.

One average year? He contributed nothing of note from summer 2007 to the second half of 08-09. Began 09-10 brilliantly and then went missing when it went tits up pre-Christmas, only returning to form during those few weeks when we were scoring 7 every other game. Started 10-11 similarly in good nick and then disappeared, never to return. That's a cumulative 2 decent seasons out of 4. He only plays well when the entire team is doing well. His attitude stinks, he looks like he can't be arsed to make a positive difference and on top of that he comes out with ridiculous comments in the media.

This. The amount of exposure he gets on the official site is severely disproportionate to his squad role.

I miss the sentences starting with 'cool ...' or 'damn...' But I'll let it slide

Got to commend his knowledge of the game, it's encyclopedic. Very well-informed on football history in particular.

Be a tragedy if you were, considering your age.

You're deluded.

Please point out the part where I mocked his thread.

Meh. Futile exercise to compare players of different eras.

Good read about him in the Guardian today --> http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/sep/15/juan-mata-chelsea-spain-torres This bit was great - :chelsea2:

Hideous laugh ...

Big fucking deal.

Why are people bent on seeing him as a DM or RB I'll never know

Less than a year ago Manchester's favourite Scouser was openly questioning the ability of his teammates and the ambitions of his paymasters. But of course, you'll never be reminded about it.

Ivan - Luiz - JT - Cole Bosingwa at RB against Utd just gives me the creeps. Too immature positionally and too vunerable to lapses in concentration. Ivan, while more solid than spectacular, will do his job and keep their winger in check. Having Sturridge ahead of him makes a difference as well, last season Anelka/Kalou kept straying in midfield and it increased Ivan's workload on the right. Also I'd imagine Ramires will be asked to help out the RB with defending, much like against Bale at WHL last season. In the middle I'd go for Luiz regardless of whether Mikel plays. As much as I rate Alex, he's a little limited in what he brings to the table apart from bread and butter defending. He's been making some mistakes lately (Newcastle late last year, WBA this year) and isn't suited to the high line. His match fitness is a worry anyway. Even though Luiz is very capable of having a rush of blood to the head and ending up doing something silly, he's just as likely to make amends and make a telling contribution at the other end.

Would imagine his career is in grave jeopardy. 3 knee surgeries in 3 years is unthinkable for a pro footballer.

I'm not sold on Ivan as a CB. He looks decidedly uncomfortable there. Wouldn't play him at all if he's not playing at RB.

Chelsea's Premiership record at OT : Won 5, Drawn 8, Lost 6. Best record for any visiting team. Bring it on.

Was DD wearing glasses?

Maybe they should be more worried about why they haven't won the league since 2008 ...