Slam Dunk

Luiz was outstanding, so impressed with him recently. Massively improved. Shame I can't choose 3 MOTM, as Ramires/Kalou were also excellent. Torres showing glimpses, all he needs now is to remember to wear his shooting boots. For me, Benfica were very underwhelming, considering the players they have. Some nice passing moves, nothing much more. Bring on the second leg.

This diving is fucking ridiculous.

Christ. They like to go down, don't they?

Mata looks knackered.

Looks like The Emirates...Although this one actually has an atmosphere.

He was injured for a little while, he then contracted a virus, which I think he has recovered from. Not too sure why he isn't anywhere to be seen recently to be honest. I hope this team proves me wrong, because I'm not full of confidence at this moment in time.

Disappointed. Not much more to say. Going to go out and enjoy the sun instead

You do love a conspiracy, don't you TX?

At not one point in that game did I think we looked anything close to comfortable. Edit: On a different note, looks like David Luiz has been logging onto TC and reading my rants about him...He's been so much better since he started doing the basics right. Very impressed by his form recently.

Sometimes you just have to accept the fact you've been beaten by the better team. We looked tired.

I reckon we'll keep him for the Homegrown player quota, no?

All of my non-Chelsea supporting mates have noticed this and have mentioned it to me. Obviously, I can understand his 'selfishness' due to the fact that he is a young, hungry centre-forward desperately seeking recognition. Shooting on site is a good attitude for a centre forward (ask Torres...Oh never mind), and if he were playing centrally, there would be no need for this thread. The problem is that he hasn't adapted to the role of an orthodox winger and is rather playing as an inside forward. The greater problem I have is his tracking back, often is the case he needs to work harder to drop back and help out. Again, put it down to playing out of position. It'll all come with maturity, but, for now, I think we should be excited to have a future star in our ranks.

^Isn't Bosingwa's contract up in the summer. Don't remember hearing that he'd actually signed an extension. I could be wrong though.

Kalou's finish was fantastic.

I normally hate daytime TV...But not when ITV4 are showing a full repeat of the game

Reckon we'll get Milan or Madrid. Would like Benfica.

Herculean performance. Luiz MOTM no question. So proud to be a blue tonight.

He's a talented guy, it's just he has no footballing brain whatsoever.

Really can't believe Terry is back. Is it just for show? Haha.

Cue the onslaught...

No, it was well documented that the results weren't up to standards. For me however, many of the senior players spent too much time criticising tactics and moaning about not playing and not enough time shutting the fuck up and doing the talking on the pitch. The players we have are all capped internationals, trophy winners, they don't forget how to win a match vs WBA because the manager told them to change their role slightly. Obviously, Andre inherited a squad well past it's prime where the rebuilding has been a long time coming. The fact that we now have to start again is quite simply, ludicrous.

I try not to take much notice of Torres anymore. Frankly, i'm bored of him. For the good of himself/the club, he needs to leave.

Haha. I've never shied away from the fact that I'm part of that group. I'll admit his reading of the league and the game in general has come on hugely since he's been here, but he's not a great defender. He is a brilliant footballer however. But he needs to be playing, simply because without him in the team, we have absolutely no drive from the back/midfield. And, with JT out we simply have no other options in defence. If we want defensive stability, Cahill and Luiz need to be playing together to gain some kind of partnership. Their communication at the moment isn't great and it will only get better with games.

McGarry was only reporting what had earlier been reported in a Swiss newspaper re: Roman & Low meeting, by the way, so no need to talk about his own reliability. He's also contracted to the German national team until 2014, and has recently been linked to the Madrid job.

What makes you say that? I think in order to form any kind of defensive stability while JT is out, Luiz & Cahill should be playing together week in, week out.