Styles

Hope Azpilicueta gets a game here. He has got good speed and can deal with Sterling's pace much better than Ivan would I think. Maybe Ivanovic can play CB again? He was very good there vs Swansea. We should have too much quality for them. Hopefully we match them for work-rate and the quality will show itself. 2-0 Chelsea

Being poor defensively when his side was overloaded by the opposition is understandable. Ashley Cole struggled in the first game against Shakthar for the same reason. Shakhtar's game-plan was to play tight then spread the ball out to Srna. 45% of Shakhtar's attacking play coming from the right shows that Bertrand needed a lot of support. Hazard alone wasn't enough. The only thing that worried me about Bertrand's performance was his use of the ball. He was offered very little support defensively.

It was such a silly sub by Di Matteo. He should have come on sooner than he did. What the hell is he supposed to do in 2 minutes + extra time? It reminded me of Ancelotti bringing him on for 2 minutes against Everton at home in a league game. What's the point?

http://telly.com/14BSA Wow. Just imagine we had a striker who could score from that kind of service.

Kaka is purely an attacking player. Oscar is a much better all round player and has more midfield qualities to his game.

Bertrand had a very difficult night. Even the great Ashley Cole struggles without help from his midfielders so Bertrand stood little chance. The good thing is we're not going to play against teams as good as Shakhtar and monster players like Srna every week. Srna is really good. He has put in two clinics on how a RB should play in the two games. One thing I think is a problem for Bertrand is he always passes back and doesn't seem comfortable under pressure. It's an issue now but will be even bigger if he has plans on becoming first choice once Ashley moves on.

Great to win but compliments to Shakhtar. They are really good. I fancy them to go far if they get out of the group.

This kid is amazing. Unbelievable to think he's only turned 21.

I think you're seeing things. I haven't noticed that at all. Why would there be any issue between them? Let's not invent things guys, Oscar and Hazard are the future of the club.

This is our first real MUST win of the season. The pressure for this game is bigger than most people think. It reminds me of Valencia at home last season with Drogba giving a team talk on the pitch before the game and getting everybody pumped up. We need some players to step up tomorrow, take charge and have the rest follow their lead.

This story was always going to appear this season. That it has taken this long to appear shows how good Di Matteo has done. First wobble = Pep wants Chelsea/Chelsea wants Pep. The press have just been waiting since August to write this up. Although I do think there probably is some truth to this. RDM was only given a two year contract so the board/Roman know he isn't a long-term solution for what they want regardless of what's he won. Whatever happens Robbie is a Chelsea legend and will always be remembered as not only a fine player but the man who won Chelsea's first European Cup. He's untouchable. Everything from here on in is just adding to his reputation. Sad thing is RDM has been given a decent group of players but there are holes in the squad that will cost him and us. But I bet that Pep, if he does become the next manager, will get everything he needs and asks for.

Hey guys leave Torres alone! He just needs more time. Like maybe another 5 years before he becomes the striker he was 4 years ago!We shouldn't buy a new striker because it will hurt his poor feelings! We can't do that to Nando! Did anybody see him miss the open goal when the full time whistle went? loooool

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I'm glad Drogba won but Torres being anywhere near it makes it a worthless list.

There was a chance that he would have been involved in some capacity with the youth team while doing his coaching badges like Desailly. But that was before the racism saga. Think it will be really difficult for Terry to stay in football once his playing days are over now. Too much baggage. I think this quote sums it up:

I wouldn't be so sure. I don't see the club giving him a new contract when his deal runs out in 2014. He'll be nearing 34 then and I think it'll be a case of thank you and goodbye. And with the racism saga I don't think John Terry will be involved in football beyond his playing days. Who will want all the baggage that comes with him? I know he's always wanted to move into coaching but can't see that happening now.

Pound for pound he is easily the worst transfer we have ever made. 50M + 185k p/w for 5 years. Sheva still has more goals in less games.

The worst transfer in the history of football as far as I'm concerned.

Why not blame the board? They're the ones who sanctioned the move. When the transfer was made Torres was average at best and coming back from a serious knee injury/operation. If you're going to spend 50m on a player you have be 100% confident that he is at his peak, is able to perform immediately and is the best available. Was Torres any of those things when we got him? Not even close. The transfer was ill-advised and has proven to be a monumental waste of resources. How can you applaud the club for wasting so much money? If we bought Andy Carroll for 50m would you still be applauding? Simply spending money means nothing if you're buying terrible players. Oh and I think you'll find there were many fans who didn't want him here. How can you try to help somebody who is devoid of any talent? Everybody wanted guys like Kalou and Bosingwa gone but we're supposed to give Torres all the care and support in the world? Why? Pound for pound he is worse than them by a HUGE distance.

Think of all the top teams in Europe. Teams like Madrid, Barca, Utd, City, Juve etc. Would Torres start for them? Of course he wouldn't. He wouldn't even make their bench. But yet he's our number 1 striker and has started every single game this season. The club is letting itself down by letting this nightmare continue. The club is paying somebody who is so poor at his job 185k per week. Normal fans are struggling to pay for tickets and we have this guy earning that much.

I laugh at the people who say Torres' problems are because of low confidence. No his problem is that he is a rubbish football player. Other than that he's great! I cannot wait to see him leave. I am patiently waiting for the day we get rid of this joker. I am going to buy a massive calendar tomorrow and start crossing off the days until he leaves. If Sturridge doesn't start on Sunday I will lose A LOT of faith in RDM.

Hey guy, this is a serious match thread. Please leave the jokes at the door. Great player my arse.

Very tough game and Shakhtar deserved their win. Very good team and it could have been a bigger defeat. Some poor performances but no one worse than Torres. What can you do as a team when your striker always loses the ball and concedes possession? Torres is an absolute DONKEY. Every time he gets the ball I can't help but think of this:

That's because now people like Mata, Hazard and Oscar find space and demand the ball. Mikel has never had passing options like he has now. We used to play like statues, nobody moving and creating passing lanes. Everybody was just standing still and waiting for something to happen. Now we have players roaming, finding space and showing for the ball. Mikel has never been the problem. People used to complain he holds on to the ball too long. What was he supposed to do? Pass to somebody who was standing still and had defenders on him? He was abused for his intelligence and is now being praised with backhanded compliments "oh he's improved, he passes quicker etc" haha makes you wonder what the hell people are watching sometimes. If somebody finds space and shows for the ball Mikel will find him 10/10. If they stand still and have defenders on them he will keep possession and make simple passes until he has better options. Only Mikel gets abuse for that. In Spain they would treat him like a king.

Simple maths isn't it? One might have an off-day, hell even two off the boil can happen. But all three at the same time? Impossible. Just wait until Mata, Oscar and Hazard have a good striker in front of them. It's going to be magic.