Blue Armour

Happy with BOTH Eto'o and Torres so far this season...Hopefully the latter gets fit soon and both can start firing in the goals. (It still feels surreal thinking about it...imagine someone told you 4 seasons ago, that we would have both Eto'o and Torres as a strike-force)

Agreed, but Frank was a tank in Jose's first few seasons here. No surprise he kept on going game after game

That's because the maggots are afraid of Fergie...Mourinho always tries to keep civil in front of the press, so when he does it they start sharpening their knives

Not many opposition managers would admit to that...fair play to AVB.

Point gained I would say, about this match. Top 6 opponent, and an away ground. The win could have been there, but Mike Dean went and made a mess of this match. I said Torres would start in this kind of match, and I'm happy he has justified his selection. Hope he plays again soon, and keeps the momentum. Mata, showed Mourinho that he can fit into his plans. Top professional. Hope he can keep this level of work-rate going

This. Its not about bias towards any player. Its not about Torres vs Eto'o or Torres vs Sturridge. There's no Didier Drogba in the squad, so its quite clear Mourinho will be switching between Eto'o and Torres, and possibly Ba depending on the type of team we're up against. And yes, Torres HAS shown THIS season, that he can be reliable when called upon..and I hope he can continue to show that kind of form. Its not as if everyone has forgotten about those goal droughts he has had in the past..

Miss Andy Gray's tv commentary...especially for those Michael Essien shots

Last season Romeu, and now Van Ginkel...well at least we have a backup for a backup in Essien this season.

Well Utd did have to face L'Pool. Its probably the FA trying to increase viewership ratings for the League cup.

Because of the way Spurs play, I suspect Mourinho will start with Torres instead of Eto'o for this one. Wish Ramires could make it in time for the game

Good first half, but faded in the second. Still not close to his menacing best.

"Oh gawd!" indeed, if he doesn't make it for Saturday.... Wonder who will partner Mikel...Most likely Lampard...but other options? Mourinho tested Luiz in midfield..Essien played well against Championship opposition, and Van Ginkel is there (although I'm not sure how he'll fare against the likes of Paulinho

Yes he might have squandered two chances when put through on goal, but credit where its due. His assist to Ramires was great, and showed that he still has flashes of brilliance in him. He looks to have finally settled well into this team.

This guy definitely deserves more game time. Played well today, and these days he offers more than Cole when it comes to attacking play

And that too as a sub.

And you must like to see everything as a soap opera

His attacking movement with the ball seems to have improved...Earlier he used to just power his way forward and swing in a cross from range. He still uses his strength, but he seems more adept at entering the d-box with and attempting lower crosses

No, not at all. Its quite clear, Eto'o is much better against certain types of opposition especially the kind that defend deep. Its good that we finally have some variety in terms of striker options.

Yeah, he's doing a lot better under Jose...and of course after 2 seasons here, he has adapted to the way Chelsea play. Not the ultimate solution for our striker problems, but a good one for the time being. Especially on counter-attacks

The lack of a world class DM is something that still perturbs me, yes. But I doubt getting a new one is entirely down to Mourinho. As far as a striker goes, look...Neither Ba, Torres and now Eto'o have been getting the best of service. Face it, its not because all 3 strikers degraded in quality after coming here...Our system just does NOT provide good service for strikers...and I think that's something Mourinho should change if he can.

We finished 6th in 2012 and barely finished 3rd last season...and you think he's crazy for trying to change the style of our play?

Mata CAN adapt. Between Oscar and Mata, Juan is a better winger. Can Mata play as a better no. 10 than Oscar? Maybe. But he's more of a wide player than the Brazilian is. Case closed.

His decision making was way off today...he needs to regain some focus, and go back to doing some of the simpler things he did when he first came here. Its the best thing for him to do against teams that sit back and try to triple man-mark him. I also wonder how he's handling the pressure of Mourinho's demand to see him transition from great talent to great player. The Bayern match shows he can more than cope with that, so I still have faith that he'll come back to his usual self before long.

I mentioned this in the Eto'o thread, but I would honestly like to see Jose go back to starting with Torres like he did against Hull and Bayern. I'm definitely not saying he's a better player than Eto'o.. (in fact I think Eto'o does a better job at dropping deep and linking up play), but I still feel we lack some kind of physical shape that we would have with an out and out CF. In that sense Torres provides a better focal point for attack...

Also a VERY hard worker like Schurrle. He tracked back whenever he could, and never lowered his tempo. Deserves praise after today's performance