Slam Dunk

I don't see why Shakhtar would want to finish in 2nd though. They could get a very tough draw next round.

Come on guys, it's our own fault.

Christ Hazard.

WOW.

What a beauty of a pass that was for them to score.

YOU WERE SAYING?

YOU were saying?

Bit early to be saying that mate!

Nice to see Hazard being direct.

Something that's really been obvious of late is the lack of urgency from the forwards/midfield in getting back when a team tries to hit us on the break.

Excellent news.

I think that's my first ever mention in one of these threads! Thanks mate, I appreciate it. Either Henrique or Rmpr deserve it this month imo.

Come on, it wouldn't be a proper CL run if we didn't make it hard for ourselves at some point.

Time to put in one of those accomplished, professional Chelsea performances of old where we just get the job done. Don't care about the scoreline, let's just do what we need to do and hopefully things will go our way. :blue scalf:

Selling Meireles one season after he joined and not replacing him was a stupid decision.

Another stupid decision by the board to add to a long, long list.

I've refrained from posting today because I knew that we would likely only leave Upton Park with either a point or worse. Things tend to go overboard if we lose on here. Although I expected a disappointing result, I wasn't expecting us to concede three after half time which makes this defeat all the more disappointing. I don't see what good sacking the manager will do to be honest. I know the fans don't want him, but I'll go out on a limb here and say that if RDM were still in charge, things wouldn't be different. Some more thoughts: The squad needs a boost, and that'll only come in January. Torres needs to pack his bags, he's done here. We all know it, but this one is down to the board. No idea why they went into the season with only one true striker. It's embarrassing for a club of our stature. I miss us having a physical presence on the pitch. The days of Essien/Ballack/Drogba bullying other teams is long gone. We used to be the best in the business at it. My God we miss JT at the back. The CB partnership is never the same two games in a row and it's poor at best without JT there to organise the defence. Cech should not be captain. He isn't as big an influence as you'd think, considering the time he's been at the club. Give it to Mata as far as i'm concerned, seeing as the CB partnership is never consistent. I have a feeling Benitez's comments about the fitness of the squad are indeed true. Cesar is awesome. Great bit of business there. We will turn it around, we always do.

Gave away possession cheaply there and Birmingham now lead. He'll learn from it. He has a very languid style of football which I don't think the rest of his team are entirely comfortable with either.

This has made my day.

Taison is the new Willian* *Or that's what the club is hoping, anyway.

3rd in the league with a new team and a new manager after only 14 games? Technically still in Europe and both domestic cups? Chance to win the Club World Cup in December? Yeah, might as well give up now. /Sarcasm

Exactly, we're more or less where I expected us to be. 3rd in the league, 3rd in a very tough CL group, still in the League Cup. It ain't that bad considering the group of players we have.

Better defensively, worse offensively. Not sure how to assess the situation at the moment ...One point is better than none... There we go. Chin up lads.

Oscar has been so poor.

Benitez wasn't kidding when he said the team needs to work on their fitness. So slow to get back when the other team are on the break.