Blue Armour

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..

I think someone mentioned the following on this forum or elsewhere, that the reason Mourinho looks like he is 'holding back' the team's attacking instincts even against weaker opposition is to compensate for the lack of solidity in central midfield. I think he might have expected more from CM when this season started, but has since realized there are serious problems, especially in organization when the team don't have the ball, and to control the game when the team have obtained the lead.

He's good at bringing aerial balls down with his chest, but he can't jump for nuts. An imperfect target-man, to say the least.

Never played? If that's not offensive, then what is?

A headed assist similar to his first for us against Manchester United...hope we won't have to face Gala

I remember the time when Mikel used to frequently pile up the yellow cards (and occasional reds) He really has tried to bring that count down over the past three seasons...and I think we're seeing the end result. Its a good thing he has brought them down, but he seems less aggressive because of it.

Honestly, its beating the lesser teams I'm more concerned about. We did get results against Bayern too this season...so its question of players raising their game

You could look at that way, but its also possible he was only mentioning the forwards from the teams he considers to be title-challengers.

That last charge towards goal (where he blazed a shot over the crossbar) showed his real strength, quite literally. I think posters like Torontochelsea do have a valid point when they say a prolific striker for one team will not necessarily achieve similar stats for another, no matter how much technically better the second team may be. Everton are set up one way,to achieve their season objectives and Chelsea another. Chelsea don't always play a direct game, and try to make full use of their midfield qualities to win a match.As such, the build-up play demands more from the strikers as opposed to just making runs into dangerous areas. It will take more than a prolific goal scorer to work with this team. However Lukaku has shown, albeit inconsistently, that there is much more to his game than just being a lethal finisher. He has all the talent needed to mold him into the type of forward this Chelsea team needs.

This. When he plays, he adds an extra dimension to our attack. Right now, the best we can get out of our defense are inconsistent crosses from Ivanovic.

Lieutenant Lukaku.

So frustrating...just a couple of weeks back it seemed that all three forwards were at their top, and Torres could do a job.. I still think Eto'o should be given a chance. He has been out for quite a while, and Stoke is not a team against whom you would expect him to work his magic.

It was evident to viewers during the game, but Jose said that Schurrle wanted to get subbed because of it

I would pin that one on Mikel actually.. Anyway Cahill yeah...good squad player yes...regular starter, no.

He did,in fact, say the same. He wants Luiz to come back so he can rotate.... The effects of playing the same back four have been clearly felt....6 goals in the last two games makes for real poor reading.

Its a shame about the injury,... He should have started a lot more matches for us by now...

Schurrle had a calf injury. You can say what you want about the manager, but it was individual mistakes that cost us the game today.

I think City have already triggered their "ON" switch...Its time for Chelsea to do the same. December could be the most crucial point in this season.

Absolutely agree. How much more can a manager do in a match? The team were completely in control in that first half..and things should have stayed that way if it were not for that blunder by the keeper. This kind of result takes the attention away from so many of the positives. Schurrle, and of course, Hazard. Eden was unplayable for nearly two thirds of the match, and could have presented us with a host of opportunities if Chelsea still had the lead at half time.

Was quite lazy to keep up with Ireland for the second Stoke goal. Terry was screaming and waving for a player to mark Ireland when he went out to block the incoming cross, but Mikel just jogged back (like he did against Juventus last season) and failed to stay with his closest attacker. Its no wonder he doesn't start more often.

Really annoying performance from him today. Barely tested by Stoke today, and whenever he did get tested he looked clueless. It reminds of the time back in 2008 when him and Reina were competing for the comedy keeper award.