Tortilla9

After doing some in-depth research I've discovered the key to Torres' recent positive form: the short-sleeve shirt. Torres likes to wears a long-sleeve shirt when playing unless it's really warm. Noticed against Leverkusen he wore a short-sleeve shirt. 2 assists. Short-sleeve shirt against United (1 goal), against Swansea (1 goal), against Valencia (no goals but he played well and Alves had one of those games), against Genk (2 goals). Heard it was cold at SB against Genk but still wore the short-sleeve shirt. The combination of new boots, longer/lighter hair/hairband, pre-game blessing, AND short-sleeve shirt = positive Torres

20 years old starting with a top club in the CL. Had to be quite a moment for the young guy. Probably wouldn't happen for him at Barca. Having two friendly Spanish voices doesn't hurt either.

Hell has officially frozen over. Lipton praises both Chelsea and Torres. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Chelsea-5-0-Genk-Fernando-Torres-at-the-double-as-Blues-cruise-to-victory-article815844.html

Loved the moment in the first half when Luiz had the ball, doing his normal marauding forward thing, and threw in a few step overs and some fancy footwork. When's the last time you saw a CB do that? Some of his tackles make you cringe but damn he is fun to watch especially if he plays for your side.

I'm sure standing on the pitch listening to the CL anthem, Oriol realized that's not a moment he'd be having at Barca at his age.

You can tell by the tone of the match report it was fun to report. Love the tough 90 minute battles. Also love the butt-kicking matches too.

All I know is on Wednesday night Fernando Torres, Raul Meireles, and the boys in blue were playing in the CL and tore Genk a new one. Meanwhile the "true English fans" with the God-given right to winning and championships were watching and hoping to someday participate. Past glories can only keep you going for so long.

Scouse relegation would be nice but I just don't see it happening. There are other teams out there worse than them. I laugh that some actually think Carroll will replace Torres and/or Carroll will be as good as or better than Drogba. True delusion right there.

Compared to the abuse Torres received for 9 months, Carroll's media focus has been like a love fest. I don't feel sorry for him at all probably because the constant Kenny defense is irritating as crap. The scousers could console themselves that Torres was a bust and they got the better end of the deal. I never believed Torres was a bust (although some days he made it hard). I'll never believe Carroll will be as good as Torres or even close. Now that Torres is starting to look better, play better, the scousers are realizing their new emperor has no clothes. My dream scenario is May 5, 2012 we see Liverpool needing a win to keep their CL hopes for next season alive. We also see Chelsea needing a win to wrap up the PL title. Torres scores a goal (doesn't even have to be the winner) and Chelsea celebrate the title at Anfield while John Henry, Kenny, Gerrard, all watch.

Killing time waiting for a conference call to start. Went over to RAWK to see what the delusional had to say about Torres and Meireles today. 1. They are torn over Carroll. Carroll should not be judged by his 35M pricetag according to Kenny and his followers but it's ok for Torres. Half are convinced Carroll will come good and are trying to compare him to Drogba's early Chelsea form. Ok.... morons. Half are convinced LFC owners sold them a bag a sh*t when they sold Torres and bought Carroll. 2. Chelsea fans plastic, flag wavers. 3. Torres was never going to stay sh*t but he'll never be what he was with us because we loved him. 4. CL is boring. 5. Meireles scores, can't believe we sold him (no, he asked to be sold), Torres scores, Raul's hair is sh*t, both are c**ts 6. Why do I smile when Torres scores, it's f'd up sh*t 7. Raul is good enough to play middle for Portugal and Chelsea but not for Liverpool. F'ing bullocks. 8. Torres and Raul f'd us over. 9. Meireles to Torres 3-0. F' this sh*t. 10. The more he scores the more my hate grows. 11. We don't care about Torres because we're moving forward and quickly. 12. I'm guessing the drought is now behind him and we can all start finally getting f'd off at having to sell one of the best strikers in the world then. 13. I still say this through gritted teeth, but he's still one of the best strikers in the world. Premier league defenses are f'd once he's back to his best. 14. This one was the one that made me laugh the most: "God, the Champions League is soulless without us." Bottom line, the scousers have not gotten over Torres at all. They miss Raul but they share their love/hate for the blonde one and they seem concerned that he's back.

I don't want to panic but it would be nice to see Josh get more 1st team (not reserve) playing time whether its with Chelsea or with another PL team on loan. I think of Wigan with Martinez who wanted him earlier and tries to play a style that would be good for Josh. Maybe Bolton where there is a relationship with Chelsea.

On Anelka, it was a quiet night (and I'm not saying it was a poor night either) but I appreciate he's playing a slightly different role for the team. He's not selfish, Malouda cough cough, and seems to be accepting of his role on the team. Whether he likes it or not I don't know but I appreciate he's a solid player when he gets out there.

The goals were definitely nice for Torres. One play I thought defined his play last night: about the 40th minute, Chelsea defender (maybe Ivanovic ?) cleared the ball, Torres was hanging around the circle, won the high ball, dumped the Genk player on his butt, ran aggressively and confidently toward goal, played a nice pass to Lampard who held it up nicely for an oncoming Anelka, meanwhile Torres kept running and was at the top of the box when Anelka took a shot. It was aggressiveness, confidence, team play, not giving up on a play, everything you want to see from him.

Luiz will carry on touching his teammates for luck. Sources say gesture is a lucky ritual not a prayer. I like how Luiz did whatever it was and I like how Torres stood there and accepted it. Speaks of a positive team relationship. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/oct/20/chelsea-david-luiz-touching-luck?newsfeed=true

He's exactly what a DM should be - solid, unafraid to tackle, willing and able to cover when others advance (Luiz). He makes it look easy because he doesn't seem frazzled, appears very calm and comfortable with or without the ball, good reading of the game. Nice to see him play in the CL and play well. Good for him.

according to jamiereidUEFA "Wouldn't even stop 4 them tonight. Sometimes players just not in the mood. It's a shame, fans want to hear". Moody brat. Not like CTV is going to make life hard for him. I seriously don't care as long as he's playing well and scoring goals.

Can anybody see the picture above? My work computer is crap.

You gotta love Sideshow Bob.

Some post game thoughts from AVB. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/oct/20/andre-villas-boas-fernando-torres

Beside the two goals and the very good movement, was happy to see decent touch from #9 tonight. There are times when his touch is but tonight it didn't let him down. I know AVB tries to deflect all talk away from Torres positive or negative, but whatever he's doing behind the scenes with him is showing positively on the pitch.

Yes, anything is an improvement over Lalas. Hard to believe we have no other options available in the US.

"@jamiereidUEFA twitter post: On way back from #CFC. Didn't get to speak to a very grumpy MoM Torres. A sharp "no" to us, Sky and ITV. Thought he'd be happy tonight!" Think there are certain media folks, ie most English media, he doesn't trust and doesn't speak to. And after the last 8-9 months can't really blame him.

Torres so far this season: 9 games played, 4 goals, 2 assists. Looking forward to him going up against Arsenal's defense after his ban is over.

The new boots, the longer/lighter hair, the pre-match blessing from Luiz - all is good.

I had my very own Kalouda moment for 91 minutes. Had a great stream but there was a pop-up window right in the middle of the screen leaving a small edge available to watch. I couldn't close the pop-up so I just listened to Ray and whoever he was announcing with. In the 91st minute I finally figured out how to close the pop-up window. What a dumbass. Minus my own clueless moment, great first half for everybody, good overall game, nice to see #9 score a brace in the first half. Good to see Romeu have a solid game too. Some might discount the opponent but you can only play whose in front of you. Good job boys.