Tortilla9

I want to be cautiously optimistic that those in charge at Chelsea have a Plan B but now I'm wondering if they even had a Plan A tbh. How long is the transfer window and Chelsea wait until the last minute. That makes complete sense. Some rumors say part of the problem is getting rid of players to get new players in.

I read through the whole thread and didn't see my problem: When I open the site and click on "New Posts" a box opens "Internet Explorer not responding", the window closes down, and then reopens in a few seconds. Is there something I can do on my end to fix it?

In: Pereira and a CM (PLEASE!!!!) Out: Yossi, Kalou, possibly Malouda and/or Alex

Wenger is going to have his hands full with Arshavin, Walcott, and Malouda (if he goes). Not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.

Your post is too rational. We all have our personal favorites, those who we can't even believe lace up their boots, styles we prefer, and more importantly we're all experts. I'm waiting to see what happens in this next day and in September and hoping AVB has a plan to cure what ails us.

I would love to see Josh stay here and play for the first team but I wonder how much he'll get. I know it's only 3 games in.... If he can't get playing time here, Martinez plays an attacking style which I can see Josh doing well in. Martinez has a good track record with young players too, managing to get the best out of them. Not saying we mirror United, but Wellbeck, others went on loans, got significant playing time, and are now playing with the first team. Just a thought during this crazy time of the season.

I know most of us hope/pray/want Josh to play first team this season. Do you really think it's going to happen? I ask because Martinez at Wigan has inquired about Josh coming to Wigan on loan and basically guaranteeing 1st team. A few thoughts: 1. When will he get to play first team at Chelsea? I'd love to see it here but when? I know Emanalo said no Josh loan on CTV but.... 2. Martinez teams play attractive football and I can see Josh fitting into it quite easily and getting experience which wouldn't be a bad thing.

On the Modric thread somebody pointed out he'd (Modric) get a lot of abuse from Turkish fans so that move seems questionable. Basically, we don't have a clue.

According to LigTV, Galatasaray have agreed terms with Benayoun and the 31 yr old playmaker is on the verge of completing a move to the Instanbul club. Seems everybody is on the "verge" of doing something.

Norwich game - Torres wasn't great. Drogba wasn't great but it's generally and rightfully been overlooked because of his concussion. Midfield continues to be the Bermuda Triangle out there where attacks enter and never leave. I just want to see the transfer window closed with hopefully a few new faces that can actually move the ball FORWARD. Once the dust settles let's see what happens. Like most I agree these 3 games haven't been wonderful displays of football. BUT let's take a deep breath (note to self) and focus on the marathon that's the season.

Links all over the place saying Yossi has been given permission by the Israeli NT to fly to England for a Spurs medical. Does that mean he's part of the Modric deal? Can't see us selling him to freakin' Levy without getting something back after all this Modric drama. http://on-msn.com/nCuE6W

I don't think Meireles is as bad a player as some people. He's not a CM wizard but he's not sh*t on a stick either. He can play the ball quickly, he looks to distribute, he can shoot. I could actually see him linking up well with Mata and the forwards. He may not be first choice but I don't think he's the worst thing to happen either IF it happens.

While we're at it can we also drop Frank because he's been just as bad or worse.

I think Torres is a better striker than Dzeko yet Mancini has managed to fit him into a style of play that suits Dzeko's strengths and the squad's. I don't see that with Torres whether he's playing good or shit. The style still seems to be we're Chelsea of 2-3 years ago when we were in our prime and we're still going to play the same way no matter what. The Chelsea time machine has not changed. Torres at his best is playing with the ball QUICKER, not slower, not sideways, not backwards, forwards and quicker. For God's sake, Torres played at Kuyt at Liverpool who has the touch of a tree trunk. BUT Kuyt (and others) played quickly and played forward. Torres could create something out of nothing even at Liverpool. The difference he received the ball sooner and was able to attack quicker. Now, defenders everywhere know Chelsea will receive the ball in the middle of the park, pass it backwards, sideways, and maybe then go forward. It's too predictable and too stagnant.

Winning always masks inadequacies of a team. What is frustrating is this team is supposed to challenge for titles, trophies, etc. The team itself says that's their goal. Every team is going to go through stretches where they grind out wins - fair enough. But Chelsea is grinding out wins against Norwich and West Brom. Have you watched and felt a spark watching the team play except for a few minutes here and there? They are grinding out the offense and its painful to watch at times. The one thing the last three games has reinforced is the need for a creative force (or two or three) on this team and players who can play with a quicker tempo. The slow methodical tempo is mind-numbing, boring, and I don't see it winning titles, trophies.

It's like teaching an old dog new tricks - it's not working for some of them. Some players just don't seem to grasp the concept. Either they can't or won't pass and move, play quicker, press, etc. Winning is definitely the goal but this relatively early start to the schedule is showing that Chelsea still need some work.

After the flight from hell yesterday, I finally made it home. Watched the DVR of the Chelsea game, watched City, watched United today. Compared to the latter two, Chelsea's offense is slow moving, ponderous, and about as exciting as watching paint dry. The offense is painful to watch: receive the ball, turn, pass sideways or backwards, repeat, finally go forward. Watch City and United and the speed of play and attack is night and day compared to Chelsea. I don't think teams need to park the bus against Chelsea because by the time the attack starts moving, they have time to settle and its all so predictable and boring.

Or TX would say its 3x10. lol

Torres said to self: If nobody on this team wants to give me the ball, I'll go find somebody who will. A week later...Mata. I kid but I think once he got wind of Mata he took the bull by the horns (no pun intended) and sold Chelsea to Mata. The service to Torres is an issue but every forward on this team should demand quality service and every player on this team should want to provide it to Torres, Drobga, Lukaku, Sturridge, Kalou, etc. It's a team game and if you can't get one player involved, especially your spearhead, something needs to be corrected. And it appears AVB is trying to do that not just for Torres but for the team.

Just starting? I've asked multiple times why there appears to be no media impartiality at times. I thought be unbiased was Journo 101. Guess not when it comes to Chelsea.

How does that work and I'd be more than glad to do it. I'm good at googling and searching but uploading etc kicks my ass.

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/TV/NewsAndInterviewsDetail/0,,10268~2432107,00.html Torres on Mata on Chelsea TV. Great news for Torres. As soon as Chelsea interested, Torres texted and called everyday. Tried to help him (Mata) once he said he was interested in Chelsea. Mentions Sturridge and Mata as players who can play quickly and vertically.

Others say Trabzonpor. Others have no clue. UEFA statement at 730 pm to clear up the confusion (or add to it).

Experts say Kobenhavn/Bate/Haifa. Then you have the scouse delusional fans who say Liverpool.

We went to about a dozen matches during the 2003 season and it was a fantastic experience. We didn't know much Spanish (I still don't) and we knew even less football. We wanted to experience Spain's culture and kind of fell into tickets for a game. An older gentleman who'd been following Atleti FOREVER would point and gesture during the matches to my daughter. She was like a sponge learning football and Spanish. He loved Atleti and Torres and hated Real Madrid. Our last game we gave him a new Torres home shirt as a small thank you gift. He was a true gentleman and proved that football is universal. To this day I still don't understand how more Americans don't get it and love it.