EskWeston

Connor Clifford did train with the first team but has been unwell, didn't play in the reserves yesterday because of that and most certainly will not be involved tonight. Would like for Kakuta to get a start in this game, either in the midfield replacing Ramires or on the wing.

I think maybe you could be reading too much into 1 game. Yes we lost against City. It doesn't matter if you think we lost because we gave City too much respect or was too casual, we lost because we didn't play the way we should more than what City did to stop us in my opinion. That loss does not mean that every team that sets up the way City did we will struggle against. Yes we will lose more games this season, and we may even lose a game against a "lower" club, that is football and the Premier League for you. As far as Carlo is concerned, your damned if you do and damned if you don't. It was so clear that we needed to clear out the players that we did, and what Carlo is doing is using the ability of our youngsters to help us this season, rather than token gestures here and there. This will ultimately be of MORE benefit to them in the long and short term! The fact is had we not lost against Newcastle and Man City there would not be 1 single mention of our squad "problem" and lets be honest, the team we put out on Saturday was pretty much perfect. Our small squad is better in my opinion, we have no weak links now, we have good experience that we are rotating and we have top class youngsters who are quality but lacking in experience and are now getting that experience the only way they can, by playing. Sturridge had a poor game against Newcastle, of that thtere is no doubt. Against Zilina i thought he played pretty well to be honest, and the Man City game he didn't stand much of a chance as the whole team was struggling. Again, lets not put too much pressure on a player who is learning to play in this team and learning how to use his ability the best way that he can. I think with more game time Sturridge can be a class player for us, putting too much pressure on him is not going to help him. He WILL make mistakes, as will all the youngsters, if we are willing to make allowances for that then we may as well shut down the academy now and never sign a youngster again. Josh is something special, as is Kakuta and Bruma, so good for their age, and so good in quality in general that with playing they will become exceptional. But this goes back to the previous 2 points, they will learn big time this season because they will be used in high pressure situations and big games. But we have to make some allowances for the fact that they are still learning their trade. We have so much to be happy and optomistic about so far this season with the quality football we are playing the goals we are scoring and the game time we are giving some unbelievably talented youngsters and i would hate to see that get overlooked on the back of a game where we let ourselves down, it was 1 game. Last season we went through a tough patch and everyone was predicting doom and Ancelotti's quick departure, and look what happened, no-one can barely remember that now.

Well in last nights game it was because Jacob Mellis needed game time, Nathanial Chalobah's development has been classed as "high priority" and Jacopo Sala is further along so gets priority.

EskWeston’s Review: The third match of this reserves season put another new and tough challenge into our path. This time in the shape of Liverpool. Again there has been a big gap between games which is never ideal and with a Champions League game the following day that too had an effect on the team. The first team will always be priority and in this game we saw just what it can do for the reserves. In the previous 2 games played so far we saw us completely dominate Everton and only come away with a draw, then we saw a game against Newcastle that went one way and then the other but one that Chelsea did not at all control but saw us come away with all 3 points. This game looked like it could go the way of the Everton game at one point but the team dug in and managed to keep their lead intact and come away with another very good win. Jose Bosingwa was involved from the start of this one which was a very good sight for us Chelsea fans, he was set to play 70 minutes and that is exactly what he did. On the comeback trail to fitness it was very good to see him back in action. Nathaniel Chalobah continued his role holding the midfield and Fabio Borini returned to the starting line up. Right from the off Chelsea were playing some very good football and Liverpool couldn’t handle them. Steve Holland was calling from the bench for the movement of his players and no more than 2 touches on the ball. It was very good stuff and it constantly put the Liverpool defence under pressure and they were making basic mistakes because of that pressure. The first goal came from Chalobah, who rose highest from a corner to win the header, he actually headed the ball into the ground but it bounced up over the defender and into the goal. It was a nice goal for Chalobah who had a very impressive game overall. The second goal was all Fabio Borini, a good run from Gokhan Tore put through Fabio on goal, the defender thought that he had pushed Borini wide enough but a quality finish put the blues 2 goals up. An injury to Milan Lalkovic saw early involvement for Kaby Djalo. Chelsea continued to look good but after a while the play became a little too casual and near the end of the first half a very sloppy clearance from Rohan Ince fell straight to the Liverpool forward who rifled home with the help of a deflection. Half time came and it saw Chelsea use their last 2 subs, firstly Jacob Mellis came off because he is going to be involved in the Champions League game, he was replaced by Adam Phillip. Also due to taking a knock in the first half Gokhan Tore came off and was replaced by Aziz Deen Conteh. Liverpool were putting up more of a fight in the second half, a lot of that was down to the changes Chelsea were forced to make and the change in formation that brought with it. Things looked even harder for Chelsea when as planned Jose Bosingwa went off at 70 minutes leaving us to play with 10 men for the final 30 minutes. The Chelsea boys worked hard to keep possession of the ball and restrict Liverpool. But Chelsea eventually managed to extend their lead once again after some very good work by Borini down the right hand side and whipping in a cross which fell to Adam Phillip to shoot, Phillip’s shot wasn’t the greatest but the mis-hit managed to find its way into the back of the net. From then on it was just a matter of Chelsea holding on to their win and not doing anything too silly. This they managed to do and ended up coming away with a very impressive win that was fully deserved and made this Liverpool team look very ordinary indeed. Steve Holland has this team playing very well indeed, secondly these players, most of whom graduated from the FA youth cup winning team are working so well together as a team and know each other’s game inside out. It is a formula that is working time after time. Individually a lot of these boys are not of the highest quality ability wise, but together they work very well and use their strengths to overpower teams and play some very very good football indeed. Player Reviews: Jan Sebek: With Sam Walker still having first team involvement due to Hilario’s injury problem it meant that it was another outing for Jan Sebek. Sebek didn’t have too much to do in this game because of the dominance of his teammates. However when called upon he did OK. I don’t think his level is anywhere near as high as we would want it to be and certainly Sam Walker is a better keeper than him. I would be surprised to see his involvement here go beyond this season. A decent keeper but just never took it up a level. Jose Bosingwa: As i have already mentioned it was fantastic to see Jose back in action again. He played really well also, showed fantastic pace being able to skin his younger opponents at will with them having a head start. Defensively he had very little to do and was barely tested. Looked as sharp as ever and i don’t see him having any problems getting some first team involvement soon. Billy Clifford: Played in 3 positions during this game, firstly in the unfamiliar position of left back, then in the centre of midfield and finally in his normal position of right back. A solid game from him without putting a foot wrong. While playing left back he found it difficult as he wanted to always use his right foot so very rarely went the outside of his man as he would at right back. But a better performance from him than in the last game which was good to see. Rohan Ince: Rohan is still looking good, and the more games that he plays the better he is getting. When things we very easy for Chelsea he did get complacent which is something we need to stamp out of him, also at times he would not take the simple option and overplay at times. But he still had a good game and forming a good partnership with Danny Mills. Danny Mills Pappoe: Danny is still just getting games under his belt following his injury. Hard to remember at times that he is still very young and was a school boy last season. He certainly doesn’t look it and is consistent every time he plays at the moment. There are still small mistakes he is making but that will go with time. Nathaniel Chalobah: Amazing that the only real action we have seen of Chalobah is in first team pre season and every reserve game so far, basically skipping the youth team altogether. This was by far his best game to date, and a sign of what he is capable of, also why they are playing him in the defensive midfield role. He showed some lovely skills on the ball and for the first time really looked so comfortable, in a similar way to McEachran is on the ball. Looking forward to seeing how he progresses now, this was a very promising performance from the young man. Jacob Mellis: Only played the first half of this game because he will be with the squad for the Champions League game and he looked good. Was very comfortable on the ball and was controlling the midfield well. A very solid performance from him and would have been nice to see him play the whole game but he will be very happy with his first team involvement. Jacopo Sala: When Jacopo plays in the central role he always (to me anyway) seems to be far more involved in the play that when he is out wide, he will always look to get on the ball and move it on. He had a very good game, he isn’t a spectacular player but he is an all round good player who offers a lot to the team and it was good to see him having a good game here. Milan Lalkovic: Moved back out to the more familiar wing rather than last times centre forward role. He was looked good and having good involvement in the game before he pulled up with a muscle problem, a problem that is running riot through Chelsea at the moment. Gokhan Tore: Another player suffering what looked like a muscle injury. Came off at half time but before that had one of his better games, didn’t give the ball away as he has been doing and had a number of good runs that the defenders couldn’t control, the best one being to set up Borini for his goal. A much improved performance, again would have liked to see him play the full game. Fabio Borini: Fabio did exactly what he needed to do. He stood up and showed Ray and Carlo exactly what he can offer. Was strong with his hold up play and showed some good skill. Worked very hard and set up the third goal brilliantly. Good to see Fabio back on this sort of form, and if he can carry this on in training and in reserves games then it will not be long before he gets a chance this season in the first team. A very good outing for him. Kaby Djalo: Came on for the injured Lalkovic and played wide left which was a little unusual for him. As always very good on the ball and showing some good skills, will very rarely give the ball away. Kaby will be disappointed with his minimal involvement so far this season, but if he continues to work hard and play well when given the chances then he will play more. Adam Phillip: Adam certainly looks like he has bulked up while he spent time in the treatment room. He is still scoring goals whenever he plays which is what you want your strikers to do, he did OK, maybe needs some work on his hold up play. Not sure at the moment where things go for Adam, if he works hard though he can come out of his injury problems looking good. Aziz Deen Conteh: Came on for the second half to play left back. Was more defensive duties than attacking. I like Aziz and think he will be a quality left back, so it was a little disappointing to see him not starting this one.

Nathaniel Chalobah (pictured above, no. 6), Fabio Borini and Adam Phillip were the scorers in a deserved league win over Liverpool at Cobham on Monday afternoon, following up well on an away win at Newcastle earlier this month. Chalobah's goal was the first at this level for the 15-year-old; Borini's strike was the best of the game and Phillip repeated his feat at St James Park of scoring having come on as a sub. Two of the goals came from Gokhan Tore assists. Chelsea were down to 10 men by the time the third goal went in during the final quarter of an hour, Liverpool having pulled their goal back to make it 2-1 just before the break. Jose Bosingwa continued his comeback from injury with 70 minutes in this game and the Portuguese international right back was forward early on supplying an over-hit cross and then a shot, but it was Tore who first tested the Liverpool keeper with a low effort. Martin Hansen, the man between their posts, soon had to react sharply to keep out a Borini shot which he saved onto the near post. Liverpool were then asked to survive a succession of goalmouth scrambles, the closest they came to conceding coming from a Borini shot which pushed over from close range. Chelsea had started well but were fortunate when they left Danny Wilson unmarked at the far post but the Liverpool centre-back headed a Jonjo Shelvey cross over. The Blues were soon back down the other end and Sala almost forced one of the Merseysiders' defenders to slice a cross into his own net. From the corner, the home team scored, Chalobah meeting Tore's delivery to head down into the turf, the ball bouncing high and into the net despite the presence of a man on the post. On 25 minutes Steve Holland was forced into a change when Milan Lalkovic on the run appeared to pull a hamstring. Kaby came on as a direct replacement. Jan Sebek in the Chelsea goal saved on 27 minutes when Billy Clifford, who initially had done well to cover back and win the ball, gave it to David Amoo. But again Chelsea responded well to a chance allowed to our opponents. A swift attack was finished off by Borini who received a good pass from Tore and finished it with style, shooting across the keeper and just inside the far post. Twenty-seven minutes had been played and Liverpool were finding it hard to get hold of the ball. Bosingwa showed he is still not quite up to full speed as he struggled to keep pace with the powerful Amoo down the flank on one run but the cross came to nothing. However on 42 minutes Liverpool crossed again from the left and this time Rohan Ince's clearance was poor, Fernandez finding the net from the edge of the area to make it 2-1. Danny Pappoe had a firm header cleared off the line near the beginning of a second half that begun with two Chelsea changes. Adam Phillip came on for Tore who had been struggling with an injury before the interval, and Aziz Deen-Conteh replaced Jacob Mellis, that one aplanned sub due to Mellis's presence in tomorrow's Champions League squad. Liverpool nearly scored an equaliser that wouldn't have reflected the balance of the game when Sebek failed to meet a corner and the ball was headed wide just at the far post, and Pappoe conceded a foul for which he was booked as the Blues play lost a little of its impetus. There was a save from Kaby from a tight-angle as the home side did stretch Liverpool at the back just beyond the hour before the scheduled removal of Boswinga on the back of the Mellis substitution and two injuries meant a man disadvantage for the final 20 minutes. The 10-men continued to look strong and the game was made safe on 77 minutes when Borini made the most of a great ball by Billy Clifford into the corner, skinning the full back and crossing low for Phillip's first-time finish that went in via a deflection off Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom. The away team, understandably given their numerical advantage, had the better of the final minutes but couldn't find a way through the imposing Pappoe/Ince central defence. There was much for manager Steve Holland to be pleased about against a club traditionally strong at this level. Chelsea (4-3-3): Jan Sebek; Jose Bosingwa, Danny Pappoe, Rohan Ince, Billy Clifford; Jacopo Sala, Nathaniel Chalobah, Jacob Mellis (Aziz Deen-Conteh h-t); Gokhan Tore (Adam Phillip h-t), Borini, Lalkovic (Kaby 25). Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Martin Hansen; Stephen Darby, Andre Wisdom, Danny Wilson, Jack Robinson; Daniel Pacheco, Jonjo Shelvey; Thomas Ince, Jesus Fernandez, David Amoo (Chrys Mavinga 71); Nathan Eccleston. Source: Chelsea FC

Was a frustrating game. For me our problem was letting Man City dictate the pace of the game. All season our way has been quick football and sharp first touches and passing and movement. However in this game we just let the game go at a pace that suited City, slow build up, no quick passing and moving and it did not work for us, we couldn't create the chances or keep possession. No matter who we are playing we should play to our game and let them try and cope with us. We gave them too much respect and paid for it.

The players will most certainly not be taking this game lightly, they know it is their biggest test so far and the defeat last season will still be fresh in the mind.

No suprises there then, Kakuta will be fit though which is good news as we will need an attacking threat on the bench. If we play with the right attitude and the way we normally play then we will win this game.

Without doubt we will see the young players used more than ever before, not very likely to be many starts at all. And there is a big difference between coming on in a game when we are 4 - 0 up and playing in a full on competitive game like Wednesday, that game will have done more for the young players development as first team players than half a dozen sub appearances when games are won.

Agree about the starting and the bench players. Our squad is small but so so strong, to have Lampard, Kalou, Bosingwa, Kakuta and Benayoun out and field a team that strong we can't really complain.

Having sat down and watched the full game last night i think we can take a lot from this game. We put out a team that are not used to playing together and the majority of the team only have a handful of starts between them. We started the game very strong, unfortunate to let the first goal in which i thought was poor defending from Ferreira on that one, no attempt to close down whatsoever giving the player so much space to get a cross in. Then the team lost a little confidence and without the bigger payers it took longer to pull things together to mount a comeback. So unlucky to lose Kalou and then Benayoun to muscle injuries and leave us with 10 men! Such a good comeback and very unlucky not to be able to hold on. Also Taylor was extremely lucky to stay on the pitch, ref was far too soft there. Van Aanholt had a big game and certainly did enough to show that he can be counted on if given more chances, Ramires had a good game and worked hard up and down the park. A very good professional game from Anelka, worked extrmely hard to try and bring the game back Chelsea's way, just want you want from your experienced pro's. Shame Kakuta took that knock and he had to come off as he was looking bright. Although some players i think should have put more into the game, Ferreira was poor, Zhirkov and Benayoun not doing enough in the middle of the park and Sturridge was not at the races. Expected more from Zhirkov and Benayoun and had they been on top form we would have strolled the game. Obviously a big highlight was McEachran, very good stuff from him, always keeping it simple. He can go up a gear or 2 for sure but it was good to see him play well at this level.

Don't mean to be patronising or anything, but if you have watched Bruma play a lot in the reserves and judged his positioning and tackle timing poor then you must have been watching the wrong player. Even in last nights game he put in some excellent well timed tackles, one in particular coming across brilliantly to stop a clear run on goal. Centre back is the most high pressure position on the park, he got a little caught when giving the free kick, but we have seen JT, Alex and Ivan do the same this season, the difference being that Newcastle scored from this free kick, which was poor positioning from Turnbull. For me this is one of the biggest problems with bringing youngsters through, the pressure from the fans is so high, and particulary for defenders a couple of small mistakes and you are deemed not good enough. Attackers make mistakes and no-one noticies, Van Aanholt had a couple of defensive lapses, but because he scored one and set up one those are easily forgotten. You have to take the performances of these young players as a whole, mistakes are EXPECTED at this stage.

Just goes to show that judging young players on Physicality is as outdated as rock hard footballs. Man Utd's loss is our gain, Essien is a monster and i just pray he stays fit for the full season because he is class.

One of the most bitter and and spiteful articles you are likely to read that one..... On another day with the same team we could have strolled that game. Our squad is pretty much perfect at the moment i would say.

It's the way the club are doing it. It's another way of keeping them grounded, they don't get a lower squad number until they are absolutely ready to be classed as a full time first team squad member. Kakuta i think at least will have one next season,

Actually i think we really missed Mikel last night, Ramires did a good job but Mikel has really stepped up Hutchinson has been forced to retire from football due to chronic injury problems...

Bruma has been solid everytime he has played for the first team, apart from when he has played at right back. He wasn't perfect last night, but at 18 years old and playing for the first team you can't expect him to be!! Van Aanholt had defensive lapses, Kakuta wasn't as effective as he could be - this is how young players learn and improve for the first team. Bruma has played for the full Dutch squad already and done well, we are not talking about an average player here! The more games he plays the more comfortable and better he will be. Like i said, there is not a better 18 year old centre back out there.

It is clear that we have not been able to sign someone who is willing to sit on the bench for 99% of the season. Delac and Taylor could be numbers 2 & 3 keepers but the question is how long is it going to take to get to that point. At least another season after this i would think.

Looking forward to seeing Bosingwa back in action. If he can regain his form then we will be even stronger. Lets hope he hasn't lost anything from this long lay off...

Sorry, but what a load of nonsense. You will not find a better 18 year old centre back anywhere....... He will improve his game everytime he steps onto the pitch for the first team.

The problem is you are not going to get a top quality keeper as back up, thats just the way it is - and if you do, they won't be happy with the situation for long. Our best hope is for Taylor and Delac to have good loan spells and then come back ready to push Cech. Sam Walker is another good prospect, however they are all still very young, doubly so for Keepers.

As has been said, the dissapointment is there is not another oppertunity for the young players to get some starts. Although if we pull a lower league team in the FA Cup i am sure there will be chances.

Mellis is U19's at the moment. Was a little suprised to see Mellis involved, obviously he is one of the older lads around now but his loan move never really worked out for him and we are yet to find him a loan move this season. It will be tough for Mellis to break through now i think. But it is a good confidence boost for him to be involved with the squad for this game.

Ah, cheers missed it tonight. Might have it sky plussed, will check it out.

Where has this information about squad numbers and confirmation of them being on the bench come from? I have not seen it anywhere.... Would be good if true, it is good that we have some youngsters starting and would be good to have some more on the bench too