Blue Armour

Well, not all their posts are bad...there's a bit of respect here and there: Maybe we should try something just like Napoli?

Haha, don't be so cruel. And am actually in LA now...but there's plenty of nutella here as well!

That's exactly why I can't!!

I will never, ever, buy this stuff...

Nice Article However, I still don't buy the fact that AVB just wanted to do away with the old guard; he always started Drogba upfront whenever he could, for instance.

In a game like this I'd doubt any player will not play to his best. Malouda's a good choice, as he will track back..but I don't know if he's the same player that frustrated Dani Alves in 2009.

Crossed my mind as well, but who will be the midfield enforcer to replace him? It would be great to have a fully fit Essien right now, but I'm not sure of his mobility. It's most likely going to be a 5 man midfield with Lampard and Mikel playing deep, with Meireles and Ramires upfront on either side. The fifth will most likely be Mata, and Torres/Drogba upfront. But if RDM really wants to gamble he could drop Mata and play Drogba and Torres together. One to hold the ball, and the other to run with it. The other option is to take one of Drogba/Torres and play a fast player like Sturridge /Kalou to take advantage of the high line Barca usually employ. I'm also concerned about the back four. Will it be Ivanovic or Cahill for CB? Cahill is still short of European experience, especially for this stage of the tournament, but he did face Spain this year right? If Bosingwa could play like it was 2009 again, I would definitely put him in RB. Brana was skinned for pace the last time he played RB against Barca, and it was our Portuguese who had a better outing. But of course, neither player is like what they were then. Will be very interested in seeing the lineup for Wed's game...

I feel his corner kicks are a lot less wasteful than Mata's tbh...

Even if it did cross the line, they wouldn't admit it...Daily Mail for instance, has a most convincing pic on their match report and they still state the contrary. The media are just a bunch of gossip mongers.

Its worrisome for Danny, as Kalou seems to be starting match after match. Can't deny Kalou's contributing in a small way in every match, but surely there's no way he can play the full 90 mins of every match without doing something significant?

That tells me you haven't watched a lot of his fk's. Of late he's been slamming more into the wall. Hardly better, I know, but at least state facts rather than just something to validate your points. Anyways, well done DD. I will never forget your contributions this season.

But that's not the point, is it? ...Rodger's claimed he knew Josh as a player very well..so he obviously know what he's getting. Plus, he was clamoring for him to join. Instead he goes from being backup for Chelsea to being backup for Swansea.

All hail!!

Drogba refuses to go quietly into the night ... What a player,...Hope he gets to start at least one leg against Barca...

The thing that annoys me the most, is that with the way Rodgers was practically begging him to join back in Jan, you'd think Josh would slot straight into their starting 11...and now he just makes the bench.

I don't know but it seems to me that the loan move is all about experiencing a new team and nothing more. In other words, a massive waste of time. If Josh were to come back, he'd do best to a bulk up a bit in order to make up for any shortcomings in his physical attributes, which I feel is the main reason why he's being denied more playing time.

Happy B'day!

Probably true, but it might cost us a few results in the process... Still, won't forget his contributions even if he leaves. Great player to watch on his day.

Bbbut....Shonex is one of the nicest members on here .... You can give the +1 like now, Shonex

Against Barca, our backs are against the wall from the start..anyways, we'll see the match in a few days

What about Valencia, Napoli? Those were his ( and co-incidentally our), best games this season. Plus he's our top-scorer in the champions league this season. Its in the EPL, that he seems to be disinterested.

Drogba not turning up is a lot less worse than Torres not turning up. Its the champions league semi-final...don't think Drogba will snooze through this one if he's selected.

Yes, it will be very difficult.( Although in our recent history with them we have picked up draws, mostly score draws, against them at Nou Camp, albeit with a stronger team). I guess we can only hope luck plays a part in either one of these 3 fixtures.

But once the semi-final on Sunday is over, we won't have to worry about the FA cup at least until May. Its only the first leg of the CL semi-final and this one that really stretches our squad options to its limits. I suspect DIMatteo might go for an attacking (relatively, since none of his formations are really that offensive) line-up on Sunday, and a defensive one on Wednesday to prevent Barca from claiming an away goal.