Blue Armour

What do you think about a formation that pairs Drogba and Sturridge upfront (Mata behind), rather than the conventional 4-3-3?

Maybe not world-class, but we definitely could use someone like him right now...

Well, we definitely need one, like Modric..(but if December doesn't go well, then he won't have any incentive to join us)..hope Essien's return (however long it lasts) can take care of whatever else we're lacking in midfield,

Doesn't look like its going to happen, considering how he defends it to death in every interview... But you have to admit, the players can definitely take more care. They know that this type of tactic requires them to be alert for the entire 90 mins, but yet again the same kind of mistakes...especially for the first goal Bertrand (who was largely faultless for the rest of the match) switches off and allows Bellamy to get behind him, Luiz plays him onside, and Alex was nowhere near Maxi when the guy arrives for Bellamy's cross.

Yes, but I think he would perform better with a strike partner down the centre, perhaps with Drogba (who links up with him well)..something similar to how he played off Kevin Davies at Bolton

Was pretty lackluster, although we should have had a penalty in the first few minutes of the game.... Other than that the game was going no-where till Craig Bellamy and Maxi exposed the lack of pace in our high line of defense. Alex was NOWHERE when Maxi arrived in the box to pick up Bellamy's cross

I don't think that alone will work this season, but we better beat the small teams if we're going to retain our top 3 spot...

New CM, or right winger... someone to lessen the burden on Mata/Sturridge and the full-backs to create and score.. Survive with Drogba and Torres/Anelka as backup till the end of the season, when real changes can be made...

That is worrisome, since Drogba's energy levels are not what they used to be....

Ok, I think everyone just needs to move on.... Really wanted this CCup victory because it was our best chance of silverware, but we're out of it now...time to focus on the League and the game against Valencia... It was disappointing result in every aspect..Josh injured, Players disinterested, no goal scored at home, Chants of "Dalglish" filling the air, Liverpool defeating us at home for the third successive attempt ... So, its just best to forget about it and get on with more important things

That's funny, my original post just disagreed with your statement about respect. I don't know how you picked up the condescending tone from the remaining words on the screen, seeing as they were not even addressed to you in the first place... Have a good look at your own replies, before you start gauging the tone of other people's posts. Hah, I'm GLAD you found my "kiddish" (childish more appropriate, I suppose? The irony...) remarks amusing. I could have used something else if I really wanted to make a comment out of spite.. And yes...there's no point in contesting your hypocritical remarks...I will refrain as well.

Are the acoustics at the Bridge that bad? Can't hear a thing from our fans...heck, they chanted "Torres,Torres" well the other day...

Ughh...how the hell did they even take the lead? Alex was no-where near Maxi when he arrived...

Sigh...This is what happens when you don't have a clue about sports (At least I think you don't....heck if you can make assumptions about me, then well touche' pal, tit for tat)...Remember Zidane, WC final? Absolute travesty, that was... But no-one hates for it...Yes he let his team down, but no-one can deny he was the one who took them there. Bottom line: Players like Drogba and Zidane, are emotional and passionate on the pitch..yes they have flaws but this makes them a more complete player..A refreshing change from the cold-hearted money grabbing mercenaries you see these days..Maybe you like to surround yourself with such people...good for you "In form blah-blah-blah"??? That my blue friend, is gibberish for you and shows that you didn't even spend time to comprehend what I was trying to point out..doesn't matter, I'll say it again: The team supersedes the player. The manager just wants an in-form CF to support Sturridge and Mata. It could be Drogba or it could be Torres. You get an in-form CF only by allowing them to play regularly. Simple as that. Hardly anyone is "slandering" Torres here. If anyone isn't bothered about Torres here doesn't mean they hate the guy. So please don't go around like some deluded twat hunting down people for making comments that don't exactly paint him in gold.

Simply superb, Romelu Lukaku!!! Well done to Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu...want to see more from Torres Can someone "bump" into Phil Dowd, please? I'm afraid the poor man's on something strong...

11 45...gr8...just after my classes.. But there's no live telecast, right?..radio will have to suffice then..

Aye...a midfield that doesn't give rarely gives away possession in the middle of the park...

Ridiculous statement. Don't see what kind of "respect" he needs to show, as long as he contributes when it matters. Anyways leaving the Drogba-Torres debate aside I don't think you see what the crux of the argument here. No one really cares who's getting more chances to prove themselves. What this team needs is an in-form and consistent CF to support Sturridge and Mata who are the real ones taking the team forward. To have such a CF, AVB should settle on one CF and stick with him for the next few weeks and get him into a good run of form. Right now this happens to be Didier. Now it could just as easily have been Torres, but the manager seems to prefer the Ivorian atm. So Torres will have to make do with the minutes he gets and look to supplant Drogba the old fashioned way: In other words, the same way a second-choice player supplants a first-teamer. ONCE AGAIN, we could all be wrong, and AVB probably chose Drogba for the type of opposition we were up against. This I hope is not true...anyways, we'll find out from the team selection during the next few games

As well as CF...

It might only be my opinion but the CC is one of our best chances of silverware this season, and winning it can give good momentum later on...so the CC game is not as unimportant as many may think.. That being said, no-one wants to get Sturridge, or more importantly Mata to get injured...but face it, injuries can happen anytime, anywhere...even in training or playing an international..its not like he's an older player who would get worn out body parts after playing one too many minutes..

There's also a chance that AVB is actually choosing his strikers depending on the type of opposition we play (at least that's what he claims in some of his interviews)... In any case, it will be interesting to see his team selections for the next few matches..we can get a better picture then

I'm going to vent my frustrations with Spurs by going to KFC

Drogba should be rested...Danny's in his early twenties...should be the best period for him to play in the weekend and midweek...

That's something I found strange as well..Its been about since month since he has started, and I put it down to AVB finally deciding that he will stick with Drogba as his first-choice, simply as a matter of preference. I just hope he doesn't go back that to that policy of giving each striker equal minutes, because they're not able to find consistency....

Unfortunately yes, given that AVB seems to have given preference to Didier, Torres will have to make do with appearances as a sub or during midweek where he'll have to shine...Of course, I could be wrong and AVB will go back to his old rotation system and it'll be the same old stuff again from both the strikers..