Blue Armour

Say what you want, but its better having Torres, Eto'o and Ba, than just Eto'o and Ba.

It will be a while. Its no co-incidence that he hasn't started after his reaction to his substitution against Southampton.

I've wondered about it quite a few times this season. Granted, the timing of Ryan's injury did not help his chances of regaining a starting eleven spot. But I think a reason is Ryan's personality as a player hasn't really struck a chord with Mourinho. Bertrand is very hard-working, and follows his manager's instruction to the letter, but he isn't someone as aggressive, as say Sturridge, to really fight for his spot. He seems quite content playing second-fiddle to other full-backs and just being a good team player. That's probably why Mourinho never felt compelled to give him more game-time.

Here's a little song for you

Yes, if Lamps is fit, I fully expect him to start over Matic/Luiz. Think that could very well be the lineup tomorrow No doubt about it. The good thing is we're playing at the Bridge. Wouldn't want us to play at OT under these circumstances.

Lol at this comment: You will be welcome back Didier. Don`t worry about keeping yer eyes closed, refs have been coming to the Bridge and doing it for years:) Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2541233/Drogba-I-want-knock-Chelsea-Champions-League-I-score-Stamford-Bridge-eyes-closed.html#ixzz2qgxo6HNB Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Kind of player we have lacked since Ballack. Great to have him back, and can't wait to see him in the starting 11

Not disagreeing with you, but I think we saw the best of Luiz as CENTRE-BACK those first couple of weeks right after we had signed him. He was spectacular, especially against City at home with his aggressive pressing and tackling, taking the ball out of defense to help with the build up play. Those performances made him into a sort of cult hero

When Kojo was here, he used to be negative at times,but he had some method to it (also it was funny).... this guy and Lionsden are at it non-stop..

Phil Jones is good complementing CM for Carrick, but definitely not a replacement. Still better than Fellaini, though. I guess Darren Fletcher could provide them with options. And I don't see how Mata could drastically improve their style of play unless United decide to drop their system of two strikers, and send Rooney away.

True, we need more dynamic players for the pivot. Only Ramires fits that bill in our team.

Move to Madrid to become a back-up left back? Right.

But we had Ramires available against city. Its not the same with Mikel+Lampard. There's a good chance Essien will return to the lineup for this match.

After that Sunderland result, I remembered that Carling CUP semi against Swansea last season...did we even score in any of the two legs?

I would rather have Schurrle out wide running at Arsenal's left hand side causing problems for Arsenal's left wing rather than playing as a false 9. Its not as if our strikers are good at scoring, but I'd be surprised if Andre does any better. For Chelsea, he has been really inconsistent in front of goal, even failing to hit the target from good positions. And the idea of him linking up play as a no.9 for the betterment of the team is B.S. We have never played well with a false 9. A striker making proper runs and drawing away defenders is a far better option.

And why do our strikers keep dropping back into midfield? Because our midfield doesn't provide the kind of final ball that out and out strikers need on a regular basis. Hence they drop back to make themselves available. Bar Eto'o none of the forwards are suited to this kind of play. I'm sure Lukaku will be more clinical in front of goal than our current lot, but even he will struggle linking up play with our midfield.

What's worse is he just joined the forum for the sake of two matches, two months away and is digging through two year old threads.

That's an interesting point which reminds me of something else.... P.S: (What I'm about to say is NOT FACT...just a musing) : I did read somewhere (I think it was in an interview with Eddie Newton) that a lot of the tactics work (in fact maybe all of it) is down to the manager, but the player motivation and individual performances are largely influenced by the assistant coach.(Of course, would like it if someone could shed more light on the ASST. coach role) We've been playing poor in the league for a long time..Back then some people blamed this on Ray Wilkin's departure ,with no real basis,...but look at how it has deteriorated... We've had Paul Clement since then for a short stint and now Holland Steve Holland has been here for quite a while now, and has outlasted quite a few managers since his appointment...And during his time here, we have seen plenty of matches where the players don't seem to have turned up. What I've just stated, sounds a lot like how people blame Michael Emenalo (not knowing exactly what his role is) but I just find it interesting to consider...Its because I think more than a failure in tactics, its more of a case of players failing to follow clear-cut instructions and keeping focus that has led to poor, inconsistent performances in the league.

I thought he said that while he thinks its the right direction for the moment, he doesn't want to do it. In any case I don't want him to do it. Mentality is the bigger problem here. More than tactics and lineups.

Isn't it just f***ing typical? In Carlo's time we were complaining about the lack of a good no.10 and a decent backup keeper, and now...

Cahill with no JT to compensate, and just Mikel and Lampard to provide cover up front. An accident waiting to happen. Even against the worst of teams.

He played nothing like the KDB from before. His set-piece deliveries, crosses and long passes were nothing like the kind he is known for. He REALLY needs to play regular football, and should at least go out on loan this Jan.

This team can't keep a lead. This team can't kill the game. Mourinho will keep bleating the latter line until we get the result, and though people might complain about this, is he wrong? I feel yesterday's lineup was adequate for eking out a result, and resting key players. Without Ramires to press, and Oscar or Mata to create, or Hazard to run at defenders it still managed to keep possession for majority of the game and was hardly under threat until Azpilicueta was removed and Borini came in. What happened at extra time was a different story, but you have to remember that all three subs were made before the equalizer. He was expecting to hold onto the result and not fight for one in ET. Surely not with Ba alone up front. Its no coincidence that the team's worst results come against the weaker sides this season. Its because most of the players don't play with complete focus for the entire 90 mins. Once the team is on the verge of getting the result, the team just assumes the rest of the game is academic.

Just guessing but it does sound funny... Was watching the draw live with my bro today and was able to predict the draws for all the English teams correctly. (Should start betting I guess!) It is kind of funny seeing how they go about it....Figo picking a ball (containg the team name), and he does something that almost looks like he is exchanging team balls with the guys standing next to him, and they read it out..