Madmax

It's obviously needed in Russia because the lack of sunlight doesn't allow for much growth of natural grass.

It's obviously needed in Russia because the lack of sunlight doesn't allow for much growth of natural grass.

Essien has an injury. Might not be played on the artificial turf in Moscow.

What I'm simply saying is this - surely Cole had the bigger say in his contract than his agent? If he had agreed to a new deal (which was at par with his existing deal, and not a reduced wage), what was his agent going to do? Say 'You can't sign that contract'? It's wrong to blame his agent for the mess-up. Cole could have stayed had he wanted to.

I meant to say "Welcome to England". Guess I got 'England' and 'English' mixed up ...

Israel FA deny Chelsea Benayoun claims The Israel Football Association has disputed Chelsea's claims that midfielder Yossi Benayounsuffered an Achilles tendon tear on international duty. IFA chief spokesman Gil Lebanony said: "When Yossi Benayoun came to Israel he didn't practise with us, even for a single second. He came with pain in his Achilles tendon and with a diagnosis from Chelsea that it was only a small tear. "But our doctor said immediately that it was a very serious problem and sent him for an MRI scan. The MRI doctor diagnosed the big tear immediately. We're sorry that he is injured because Yossi is so important for us, as he is for Chelsea but we're not to blame for the injury.'' Soccernet

Welcome to the forum mate Bienvenue a l'Anglais! (was that correct?)

Doesn't the bloke have a mind of his own? Can't he put it to use? At the end of the day, he showed that he values a marginal raise more than the club that made him what he is, and the fans that sang their hearts out for him while he was crocked for more than a year.

Yuri - Anelka - Kalou Flo-Mikel-Essien That would be a good lineup, although it is a bit harsh on Ramires especially after his past two performances against Arsenal and Villa. Essien had a bad one against Villa but doubt Carlo would drop him in an away game in Europe. Mikel on current form is undroppable. I'm sure Carlo will start Yuri because of his experience in Russia. That leaves out Ramires.

Borini isn't going to get a run around away from home in Europe while qualification still has not been secured.

When he joined them, he said "I'm at the biggest club in England.'' Today, he realizes he isn't even at the biggest club in Liverpool.

In all honesty, Ash looked a bit off the pace today. Had trouble keeping up with their wingers initially. For our best player today, would've gone for Malouda myself. Cech probably had his best performance so far this season. The game would have been over before it even started had he not thwarted Ireland and Carew. Big Pete looked good today.

Because Arsenal are a bunch of pussies who delude themselves into thinking they are world-beaters.

Don't think Kakuta deserves a chance for this one. Carlo has said Kalou will defo be back for this so I'm expecting us to line up as - Flo-Nico-Kalou Alternatively, could use Flo instead of R7 and Zhirkov on the wing.

Like I said before the game, I'd be happy with a point. Very good second half performance, and a pretty good result considering the number of injuries we have and the fact that it is a very difficult away game. A little disappointed in Anelka, he looked really uninterested, especially in the first half. Essien too could have been better. But overall, a very difficult fixture out of the way, and still top of the table comfortably. Can't be too bad.

Kakuta is over-hyped. Let him prove that he deserves the amount of thought and deliberation and attention that he's getting. Then we'll see if he deserves a new contract. If I were him, I'd keep my head down, ask the agent to fuck off and repay the club for fighting for me and helping me through the ban.

I feel we'll miss Drogs a lot. They have some really strong defenders and Anelka is no match for them physically. You could argue that we won there back in 08-09 with Anelka scoring the lone goal, but it was Lampard's brilliance that made that goal possible. And we won't have Lamps tomorrow. We also had to defend for our lives in the second half that time. In addition, Villa are great at set-pieces and Drogs is always a factor while we're defending corners or whatever. Ofcourse I'm happy that the likes of Kakuta and Co will get chances, but I wonder if right now it's a bridge too far for them. Hope I'm wrong and you're right though

And our chances have taken a massive hit. I'd be happy with a point.

Drogba out?

Ferreira - Ivan - Drogba - Cole

Arnesen > Txiki Begiristain

Wonder how much we actually spent on him. If it's in millions, the kid must be something else.

Everyone's a 'wonderkid' nowadays eh?

1. Lampard 2. Bosingwa 3. Benayoun 4. Prosenik 5. Essien Someone in our medical team is not good enough.

Close call between Mikel, Ess and Ash for me. But Mikel comes out on top.