Tortilla9

On the other hand did Lampard cover himself in glory in the big games against United, Arsenal, or Liverpool? Every player this season has had some stinkers and nobody is immune from some criticism and good hard look in the mirror. One thing I sometimes question about AVB is his scouting/tactics. Supposedly he was Jose's scout mastermind of the opposition. Why does it sometimes feel he is surprised by the opposition or the opposition seems to out-scout us? I sincerely hope these bad moments are wake up calls to players and AVB. God forbid Chelsea don't make it out of the CL qualifier. One Russian is definitely not going to be happy.

It's Chelsea's version of insanity - keep doing the same thing yet expect different results.

Does Fergie do it (play the youngsters) because he know's he's the only untouchable at United? Do the CFC managers not do it because they're afraid of getting the boot if the youngsters fail? Whatever it is it's not as if the old guys are setting the world on fire.

Why exactly are players untouchable at Chelsea? Is it because of Jose's "untouchable" phrase when he was here? If so, don't people realize Jose is gone?

I'm not advocating kicking JT out of the club but there seem to be those who think he's untouchable because he's a club legend. Keane was a United legend and a leader on the pitch. Everybody at the club knew it. Yet when he crossed the line Fergie quickly gave him the boot. The man on the sideline needs to be in charge and the players need to know that. At Chelsea that does not seem to be the case.

I'm not even quite sure we have attacking football tbh.

The same could probably be said for some fans and Mourinho. He is gone. He has moved on. Yet so many seem to be living in the past: what would Mourinho do? when Mourinho was here we did this/accomplished that. The only transition that seems to exist at CFC is managerial transition while players are held unaccountable.

Sometimes it seems he's trying to keep everybody happy by giving them all playing time under the guise of rotation. That's fine and dandy but the starting 11 match to match looks out of sync. I want AVB to do well, I really do, but he seems so damn stubborn and set in his philosophy of the whole that he can't see that the whole is playing like sh*t right now.

We all know Fergie wouldn't put up with it. He let Beckham, Ronaldo (although he got a ton of $$ for him), Keane, etc. go. It's a given that Fergie is in charge and if you don't like it don't let the door hit you on the way out. Then there seems to be Chelsea, if you don't like it go tell Roman. I know Roman is pretty quiet and secretive so I'm having a hard time seeing this Russian gazillionaire being open to the whining, bitching, complaining of superstars. What happened to the old days of Russia where you dissented and were shipped off to Siberia. Seems that only applies to Chelsea managers not players.

Yet these players are still getting game time. Malouda, Anelka (not as much), Kalou (CL and CC).

That too. Like I've said before there is a sense the inmates are running the asylum at times.

I don't know if it bs or not but another forum I follow said they were watching on the Al-Jazeera feed and Jamie Redknapp was talking pre-game. He said the older players, and specifically named Terry, Lampard, and Drogba, didn't buy into AVB's philosophy. I hope it's bs because AVB has a tough enough job on his hands without player power trying to take over.

I think it began with the firing of Carlo and the delay in getting a new manager in place. By the time AVB got here, the transfer window was entering the silly phase and there wasn't enough time to find buyers for the players who needed to be shipped out and find replacements.

Don't always agree with Henrique but I agree with this post.

7 players from Jose's days started today. Think of the managers who have come and gone since Jose left to AVB today. Yet 7 players from Jose's days started today. Are they all that fantastic? Are the 7 who didn't that crap? 7!!!

I can't figure out if its player power or what the hell it is tbh. When I saw the 7 number I thought that had to be wrong. That doesn't even make sense in anyway you look at it.

I read somewhere 7 players who were here when Jose was here started today. Is that correct? If it is, the more things change the more they stay the same.

Have to agree with you. It was an odd lineup to say the least. Many of us think a midfield of Ramires, Lampard, Mikel is slow and uncreative yet AVB doesn't appreciate our expertise. Maybe the strain is starting to take its toll on JT and that affects the entire back line. The forwards minus one goal aren't connecting with the midfield/midfield not connecting with them. I'm assuming AVB sees something different at practice but its definitely not translating out to the pitch.

Maybe this lineup was a devious yet diabolical plan by AVB to Roman and the players that the squad from last year doesn't work. Or maybe AVB has a concussion or something.

Kalou? Serious? Kalou?

"As is Fernando, whatever his form at present. He is my friend and I will always have time to speak to him but I will only wish him luck after the game at Chelsea. He's tougher than he looks. I offered my help when he was leaving Liverpool but he didn't need it, he's mentally strong. He took everything on his own shoulders but he could handle it, be mature about it. Sometimes in football you just have to move on." Safe to say Reina knows Torres better than any of us do. Also reinforces my personal thoughts that Torres is tougher than his blonde hair and hair band show and has a more ruthless streak than you'd think. You don't leave two clubs that love you on a whim. Now if he could just put together some ruthless consistency on the pitch.

You're right although it seems this season there hasn't been so much juggling with one or the other suspended or hurt.

Love or hate Rafa, Torres played brilliantly under Rafa. He understood how to play Torres to his best. Torres even said Rafa was all business, tactics, but he learned to appreciate that because Rafa was making him a better player. There were times when Rafa publicly said he was great. Others when Rafa said quit whining, play better. I do think Rafa publicly and privately thought he was a very good player and had the ultimate confidence in him. That goes a long way with any player especially a striker. Not so sure Carlo shared that same confidence. Surprised at the positive pre-match talk from AVB which is rare. Maybe he's trying a different approach. Torres also highly praised Xavi Valero, the keeper coach, who worked with both Reina and him. I hope come Sunday we're talking about Torres goal(s) instead of why not.

Torres has tried to take the high road with the Chelsea move. That unfortunately couldn't and wouldn't be allowed by LFC. It is what it is and I think Torres finally realizes that too. I think he's too decent a guy to give the LFC faithful the universally recognized finger but who here wouldn't mind that just for a second? I think he hoped for better after all he gave the club but LFC loyalty seems to be a one-way street which is fine. Just don't pretend you're so much better than the rest of us with your holier than thou crap. Torres may not have won trophies with LFC but he gave them a little extra when he played. He knew that, Rafa knew that, and so did the bass-akwards owners/management. He puts butts in the seats, he puts shirts on the backs, and he was very valuable to LFC. If he had left during the summer right after the WC, LFC would not have been worth as much and everybody knew that. If Torres had left under Rafa or Roy it would have been more acceptable. To leave under Kenny was like treason to the red koolaid drinkers. That they just could not/would not understand. Torres was absolutely worshipped by Atletico supporters. He was a childhood prodigy who came up the ranks and was loved, think Josh but a quicker rise. Atletico supporters loved him and still love him because he's from the youth program AND because he constantly turned his nose up at RM. One reason those bitter primadonas hate him. My regret about him playing for LFC is that they were so reliant on him for tactical and financial reasons that they rode him hard and put him away wet. Plus the continual back and forth between Spain and LFC - he's healthy, no he's not, yes he is. The medical management of Torres at LFC in conjunction with Spain is a mystery. It's a wonder he didn't miss more games. I think Torres gave Liverpool more than enough and I hope to hell he has the team success with Chelsea he didn't have with Liverpool or Atletico.

Sepp Blatter is such a clueless idiot that his comments will push Suarez' charge to the back burner. Yet, if it was Terry being charged, Sepp would be pushed to the back burner.