Blue Armour

Must be really furious tonight...Before the match he said that the positive was the solidity of the back 4 and today, that caves in... Personally wouldn't give too much thought to this match...This wasn't the easiest match to make a comeback after the Palace defeat anyway, and besides this isn't the team we would have fielded if everyone was available.

Well that's usually the case even when Chelsea play with regular strikers up front...Thing is in this team the strikers not only need to make good runs, they need to work like donkeys to make sure they can get the ball from the midfield...for all their link-up play and crosses, our AM's are devoid of ideas when it comes to releasing our forwards...Hazard has tried a lot this season to do that I admit, but that's not really his job is it? Lampard could do a much better job in his prime, but no-one has quite taken that role on since..

Tbf..he can still do that on occasion..like he showed against City and Tottenham eariler on in the season...But back then he had an inkling of desire...even showed some against Arsenal...but again frustratingly enough he blows hot and cold in that department...

His lack of finishing ability is the most frustrating aspect...After seeing him curl in shots from just outside the box back in his prime, its incredible how a player that had a fine shooting technique, now struggles to put shots on target...like that shot he took against Palace with his left, or that lob towards the end of the game..really disappointing,

Yeah...was begging for him to get subbed, after they went 1 up. He kept misplacing pass after pass...and provided more hindrances than any contribution. and yes hopefully he'll come back fresh in a week's time.

I was specifically talking about the number of chances...The quality of our chances was poor due to bad decision making on the counter, which was what I was trying to imply in post..; Crystal palace 1 goal from 14 attempts, and Chelsea 0 from 21 attempts EDIT: Story of our season, against bottom half/relegation teams

Yes, its lot of poor decision making that's ruining a lot of counter-attacks. In many ways, this match was symptomatic of what happened to Chelsea earlier this season. Attackers not taking their chances, and getting punished by the opposition who essentially beats us in our own game (the counter-attack). If you look at the stats both Palace and Chelsea had nearly the same number of attempts on goal...and typically one team made the most of it. I feel most of the poor decision-making stems from a lack of experience...attackers like Willian, Oscar, Hazard and Schurrle need more playing time together to iron out these faults..For instance, I think one can guarantee that a front three of Drogba, Anelka and Malouda operating under similar instructions would have blitzed Palace on the counter

Arsenal (with Henry, Pires)...essentially a counter-attacking team.Any true fan of theirs from then will tell you they were truly better in counter-attacks than possession based play Manchester United, under Ferguson...also a counter-attacking team for the most part. Then there was Madrid under Mourinho, and us in 2004-2006. None of those teams had problems in winning league matches. Its not the style of play that's the problem. Bad decisions from the players can compromise even the best plans laid out by managers. Today our attackers were just not in the race, and our usually reliable full-backs got creamed (especially Azpilicueta who got no support from Hazard today, and was double-teamed upon time and again).

Even though Cavani went to PSG just last season,...still have the feeling that he could wind up at Chelsea. Probably the most compatible striker for our team...

Why the heck did Moyes even start with Cleverley instead of Kagawa? And Evra has been like a dungheap in defense for quite a while now...Rolled over for City, just like the rest of the lower half of the table is doing atm...

Its for a similar reason, that I'm glad that Arsenal have got the Ox back from suspension...(for the City clash) Time for our minions to get to work...

After having Obi Mikel around for so long, and of course for his contributions, would really like it if he would stay.. albeit as a squad player..but would he be content with that?

Fast...just, so incredibly fast...

Excellent save..but when Cech does it, its like any old save..

Well with Terry having the reputation that he has ..... he's bound to leave some people upset...

Well he seems to be incredibly patient with Torres this season, fashioning plenty of chances for him in recent matches...and besides, Hazard usually tends to look for the player in the best position when picking a pass...(and yes, unbelievable as it sounds, sometimes that player is Torres)

Even though Eto'o the player is not what he once was, its great to have the Eto'o the character in the dressing room....

Athletico will be a nice move for him if true...maybe he can link up with his old pal Villa again, and reignite their strike partnership...

Chelsea vs United, Barca vs Real, Bayern vs Athletico, PSG vs Borussia... There I've said, it should be jinxed, and that won't be the draw....

Does Foy have links with Liverpool? He claims he's an Evertonian, but I've heard he's part of the Liverpool football county...could explain his track record for our games...

True...will be quite tough...especially with a certain Traore on his way here...

And again at Stamford bridge.... But once again...Didier did not have the best of service from midfield...

Was Eto'o in the squad today? Would have expected him to start (or at least come on as a sub), with Torres just returning from injury (even if Mourinho prefers the latter for away matches).