Tortilla9

I love Torres but that makes me cringe. He gave Kalouda a great cross but there are times when his crossing is plain awful. Although is it any worse than Malouda's or Kalou's? Funny you mention Ramires, that thought crossed my mind too. So maybe Torres isn't so far-fetched. At least there'd be some speed and width. I think if you tell Torres and Ramires "play wide" they understand what that means. Kalou and Malouda hear "play wide" and think that means "do whatever I want". Hell, I have no idea.

Torres = player/DOF/translator (Mata/Oriol) Whatever it takes to get some width and creativity on the team. Thinking there might be some Spanish potlucks at the Torres house soon.

lol that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Sometimes I think Gourlay is still living off the Asia Cup glory.

I'm a little worried we'll get neither Hazard or Mata. Fingers crossed those in charge have a plan.

The media.... what a bunch of clowns. I'm sure Fernando can make a call, send some texts to Mata if asked. But ordered? Mata, Oriol, Fernando - it would be a little Spanish armada and having a Spanish voice in the mix wouldn't hurt Mata's transition to England.

He was the oldest guy out there but he was still good. His son plays for a club in Orange County and was recently called up to a US youth national team as a keeper.

Core strength is the key to the big throw in. A girl on my daughter's club team can throw it in from the side to the box. Not a very big girl but she's ripped like Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2.

Another example: He talked to the keeper coach almost immediately once Cech started getting manhandled in the box. The keeper coach immediately went to talk to the 4th official. One thing I did like was AVB wasn't a passive bystander.

They look like a bunch of kids out there pushing and shoving. Either that or they're dancing with each other.

Remember last season Liverpool v Chelsea when Torres and Terry collided? I'll be generous and say it was an aerial challenge but at the time it looked like Terry climbed over the back of Torres and hit him in the back of the head with his knee. Torres wasn't too thrilled. How'd that end? Torres another goal after already scoring one early on. That's the Torres I love to watch who plays with a swagger and confidence. Hoping we'll see more of that at Chelsea.

I think it was his second season at Liverpool. Early on in the season he was getting the sh*t kicked out of him on a regular basis by defenders with no protection from the refs. Even sported a black eye from one of his outings. Rafa told him in Rafa's kind and gentle way to quit complaining, focus on his game and the team, and just play. Torres went on a little scoring rampage. Don't let the hair band and blond hair fool you. He's no shrinking violet and actually seems to play a little better when he's ticked off. Somebody said Terry and Alex relish the physical challenge. I think Torres does too in his own way.

That's the incident. Need the two-three seconds after too.

Match funny at the 80' - Terry and Shawcross doing their imitation of rugby/WWE. The useless Halsey calls them both over to knock their crap off. Terry and Shawcross immediately get right back into it. Terry chest bumps Shawcross, Shawcross backs into Torres, Torres slaps Shawcross in the back of the head, Shawcross returns the favor.

I'm thinking he comes to Chelsea, signs his contract, takes pictures with the shirt, and then gets to take a week or two or three off. He played every minute of every game in the U20 WC except the one game where he was suspended.

I was responding to Killamanjaro's post.

I don't disagree with your points but I think hell will freeze over before we see Lampard and Terry benched this season. And that is a concern because those who make the decisions seem unwilling to make changes that are tough yet needed. TBF I see Lampard seeing the way to the sideline before Terry.

Thanks - how the hell did I do that?

Don't think Torres is as physically faint hearted as some think. He looked more than up for the physical challenge today and repaid AVB's faith in getting the starting nod. I was surprised though he started because of the concussion he got while playing with Spain. Unfortunate for Torres he was playing with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum for most of the match.

Doesn't seem to be worse for wear after his Spanish adventure although Stoke were very physical with him. Credit to him he battled the entire match. Looked a little WWE at times.

If these were already posted my apologies http://bcove.me/dfmsb277 - Torres/Terry post match http://bcove.me/v0gjokgq - AVB post match

Enjoyed the read especially the part about laughing at Liverpool. How do you stay so calm when you write these up???

I know Torres and Drogba don't work but I'd rather see that than Torres and Malouda/Kalou. At least between Torres and Drogba you have two brains. With Torres, Malouda and Kalou you might have one and a quarter brains. What is AVB seeing from those two in training because it doesn't translate to match day.

Santa Monica/LA - close enough. You know wherever you go in LA you're going to have to drive anyway.

Brit & Dominion Club in Garden Grove - haven't been there for a few years. The Olde Ship in Santa Ana - still in business, wish they had bigger screen tvs Matador Cantina - Fullerton The Harp Inn - Costa Mesa There are a bunch in Santa Monica but that's outside my geo area. Here's a link, don't know how current it is. http://www.worldsoccerbars.com/los-angeles-soccer-bars/