Tomo

Justin no-one has asked you to go, your a good user not afraid to say your opinion and i like your passion but sometimes you take it a bit far (ie calling that lad retarded when you don't even know him personally). Its normal to have disagreement, i can name them members ive never had strong debate's with on with forum on my left hand, thats fine just restrain from going personal because football and personal life are 2 different things

Its very unlikely United will batter us, even last season we went into the decider at Old Trafford were bad but still made them sweat till the end, infact apart from one 3-0 a piece and a 3-1 Chelea win and 2-0 United win the Chelsea V United matches since Roman brought the club have been draws or one goal wins either way.

While we have struggling to convince the bookies we have a chance of challenging the two Manchester clubs i strongly believe they are seriously under-estimating AVB, during the summer when it looked a toss up between Van Basten and Redknapp for the Chelsea job i was resigned to a year or two in the back seat but part of my optimism this season has been due to the man we now have in control of the dugout. I don't think many actually realise just how talented the guy is. On paper Manchester United and defiently Manchester City look stronger but we only have to look at AVB's last job's a living proof that the game is not played on paper. Fergie and Manchester United last season more living proof of this. Looking back on Andre's last two job's starting with Academica, when he took over they were bottom winless and looking frightenly like Portugal's version of Derby County 07/08, on paper they were the worst side in that league but Andre still managed to take them from a posible record low points relegation to mid table safety in just over half a season, on paper they never stood a chance but Andre has over ideas. He massively overachieved given the resourced avalible to him. Then in the summer 2010 he took the job at Porto, they lost Meireles and despite losing a couple of key players themself defending champions Benfica still looked a stronger outfit. On paper Porto were going to find it tough to win the league but again Andre had other ideas, winning the league in itself was not overachieving in Porto but to go unbeaten something only Benfica have done before and to break numerous records in the process including record points shows just how great he did and just how much he overachived. It may only be the Portuguese league but if those record's were so easy to break then why did it take over 100 years to break them? While the Manchester clubs look stronger on paper, if Andre overachives with us to the same or even close to the same extent he did at Porto and Academica it will take something special from the Manchester clubs to stop us winning the title, while the Manchester clubs are stronger on paper, so were Benfica when Andre took over Porto and so where every single club he leapfrogged in the table with Academica. Andre is a serious weapon for us and the more bookie and pundits underestimate him the more benefitory it will be for us. Im not saying we will defeintly win the league but all i am saying is under estimate Andre Villas Boas at your peril, if you predicted what he would do at Academica and Porto when he first walked into the job you would have got laughed at, whats to say he cannot defy the thinkable again ?

Andre will be focusin on every aspect of United's game after Levekusen, given Bosingwa's shit record against top teams he cannot start, despite his good attacking form so far his defending still scares the living shit out of me and Young will rip him apart, i would feel more safer starting Ferreira. I can see Andre making one shock selection to the team.

We had to overcome a Arsenal team that had Pires, Vieira and Henry all that their peak (argubally they are the best 3 prem players ever in their position) im sorry but if we can finish above them we can finish above anyone. Also remember 2008 when United came to SB, we started like a steamtrain under Big Phil and United were stuttering, i remember pundits predicting comftable 3-0 win infact i was never so confident in beating United then i was that day and what happened? We drew 1-1 and were lucky to get that. Surely pundits and co expecting us to get thrashed is a good thing right?

What kind of bearing do the tactics actually have? im recent weeks ive guessed the opponents attacking and defending tactic right and still lost and also some have guessed both my tactics but i still won. A couple of managers guessed my formation correctly but i still beat them. How much of a edge does winning tactically actually give you?

I can see Ryan getting more game time as the season goes on. Although if im being honest i don't think his exclusion for the CL is that bad, if Cole is out for the Valencia match and we have qualification at stake (which looking at our group won't suprise me) and Ryan makes a error that knockes us out that could and probally will finish him. I'd say for this season Carling Cup all games, some FA Cup games and 5-10 premierleague games and loet him buold on that next season. Although i think Aziz Deen Conteh could eclipse him in the next few years.

bit of a over-reaction,heard of football banter?

Conceded my first ever home league goal in a 3-1 win against Blue Bulls, bit annoyed to concede to their only chance again, thankfully it didn't cost me the result this time. I think next season we need to advertise in the feedback forum and get other members here involved in the inactive teams.

Have to disagree with MOTM, i thought Malouda passing back to Cole and shooting from every angle was very unique, unpredictable and a joy to behold In all seriousness good performance at a ground where United, Arsenal and City all dropped points in there most recent visit, good to see a bit of Romeu aswell.

any one got a link to the match?

U read my mind i was about to say the same thing. It would sure suprise Fergie, maybe Andre should let "slip" in the press conference that Torres will play up top then play Lukaku?

Don't understand this play for a draw bullshit, were not Swansea, we have gone to Old Trafford with weaker sides and United been stronger and got results. Pre Roman we use to get results there on a regualar basis. Plus i found this stat that's pretty interesting. Roberto Di Matteo's West Brom came from 2 down to draw at Old Trafford last season, the last time United blew a 2 goal lead at home was in 2000 in a 3-3 draw to Chelsea, a match that Di Matteo was playing. Di Matteo has never lost at Old Trafford. Maybe it's meant to be that Di Matteo will never lose there

Can any one re-call the first time we went to Highbury under Jose when every one predicted we would get stuffed? We came away with a respectable 2-2 draw and only the Henry show stopped us from picking up 3 points. Whats to say we can't do as good or better next week?

Lol at all this negativity, we went to a tough arena were may i add Arsenal, United and City all lost points last season and won. fukcing hell.

who tackled Ramires? im guessing Cattermole.

What is it with Terry and the Stadium of light? thats the 4th time he has scored there i think.

Looks like the days over Sturridge playing well and getting overlooked in favour of expierence (cough*Blackburn at home*cough) are over.

If this game won't convince people Andre will rotate then what will? Kalou on the bench but i will be stunned if he comes on tbh. The only chance he has is if the game aint going our way and Andre does a Jose throw half the team up top late on. Would have liked to have seen Ryan as with Levekusen and the mancs coming up would have been a good time to rest Cole but Danny starts so i won't complain.

Word is Asamoah Gyan has left Sunderland for a side in United Arab Emirates. http://www.ghanasocc...d-for-uae-side/ EDIT: Alex beat me to it. Think thats bad news for us, was not going to play today and was at the ACON when Sunderland came to The Bridge, so he wont be able to bang them in against our rivals

The last time he led the attack was at White Hart Lane last season in the first half and to be Frank it was one of the worst performances ive ever seen by a Chelsea player. Having said that i think he should lead the line saturday.

Found this interesting peice on another forum and i thought i'd share it on here, if you think at any point this season that our season is going to pot read this and realise it could always be worse. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25th June 2011 - Rafa Benitez is appointed Chelsea manager on a 6 year deal worth 500k a week, Roman Abramovic decides to use this moment to give his first Chelsea interview "im very happy to announce the appointment of Rafa Benitez to Chelsea FC and as a show of my grattitude i am going to back him with unlimited funds". 28th June 2011 - "Drogba, David Luiz, Torres and Sturridge leave Chelsea for Man.City for a overall package of £60m, when Rafa was asked who he was going to replace them with he said "im looking for a centre half to replace David but only one forward needed as we have Anelka and Kalou already i can confirm i have made a £15m bid for David N Gog". 30th June 2011 - David N Gog completes his move to Chelsea for £15m, Rafa signs Danny Shittu for £10m as David Luiz's replacement and Rafa says he intends to spend the rest of the money on a couple of full backs. Also Rafa has decided to terminate the contracts of Gael Kakuta and Patrick Van Aanholt. 5th July 2011 - Rafa is delighted to announce the signings of Eboue and Kieran Gibbs from Arsenal for a combined £45m, the gaffer said "im happy as they will provide decent cover for Bosingwa and Cole". Rafa has decided to extend Kalou's contract for 6 years and give him a pay rise to 150k a week, Rafa describes him as "vital" to his future plans. 11th July 2011 - Josh McEachran joins Fulham on a season long long with option to buy for £1m, Ryan Bertrand joins Reading for 100k. 24th July 2011 - Rafa appoints Iain Dowie as his assistant, Rafa spoke to Roman and Rafa has sold Roman on the idea of Rafa moulds Dowie to be his succesor when Rafa leaves. 30th July 2011 - Rafa signs Darron Gibson for Man.Utd for £35m in the last move off the summer, Rafa says "im delighted to get it done so quick, i thought i might get trouble from Fergie but he accepted my first offer straight away what can i say? i am happy". 14th August 2011 - Chelsea lose 4-0 to Stoke, Rafa said after the match "i thought we were going to concede from a Delap throw but we didnt so i am satisfied". August - Chelsea lose 1-0 to West Brom then draw 0-0 to Norwich, Rafa said "we have improved by score every game so we are progressing". 10th September 2011 - Chelsea lose 3-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Rafa said "last year Chelsea lost 3-0 to these lot at home, this year it was away so it was not all that bad". October 2011 - Chelsea lose 2-0 at the Stadium of Light in the carling cup " last time it was 3-0 this time it was 2-0, footballs about progression and you can see the progress we make". December 2011 - Chelsea get knocked out of the CL group stage finishing last Rafa said "we can save money on air travel which can go towards players". End of the season Chelsea finish 8th David N Gog started and finished every single game of the season and finshed with 1 shot on target asked if he was going to replace him Rafa said "no absolutely not, he is getting used to being forward at a new club and with a summer break he will fire us to glory next season and thats a fakt". Rafa quits over apparent lack of funds avalible to him, Iain Dowie takes over the reigns at The Bridge and signs Andy Johnson and Matt Duke.

I just came home and saw it on the tele in the corner off my eye didn't take much notice thought it was a film till we turned the news on at tea and nearly chocked. Saw a re-construction of the first plane that hit the towers, imagine being on there knowing what was coming

Im too tired to make a long comment but just wanna say good thread

Wenger only has himself to blame. To go from what he had in 2004 to this should have been avoided, at the back of the unbeaten season i was scared he was going to use that to build a legacy, Pires, Bergkamp and Campell were getting on a bit, he should have brought in ready made replacements that summer and slowly beded those 3 out then they would have been laughing at another few years of success, instead he keeps on with them for another 2 years let them go for free, dismantaling all his "invincibles" in one go and didn't even bother to replace them properly. He should have gradually overhauled that team not let them all go in the space of 2 summers and replace them with unproven kids, what was in his head. His project was doomed from day one i don't know why he thought it could work, maybe it worked on fifa and he thought he could emulate it for real i dunno but what i do know is ive gone from worrying about Wenger (in 2004) to praying he stays at the club for the next decade.