The Rising Sun

True, but Piazon and Ake got a run out, something i would have never expected Di Matteo to do/ Not that they were pulled up though him, but he gave them a chance....and that was heartwarming, considering the last few years where none of our managers even gave youngsters bench positions.

Benitez has really been the remedy we needed as a club, for the last 2 years or so..... Because of his current arrangement with us, he isnt talking in the air about the future, or playing fantasy football hoping everything works perfectly, FIFA style, He is getting our basics correct first, then making players make an effort, then solidifying the team formations, then the last thing is attack.... Such methodical and well drilled work is shining through and he deserves acknowledgement for it from everyone, Chelsea or not. Some people i guess are too stubborn to change their views, and then some of us can see beyond trivial things in the past. Its the present that matters and how it is affecting our future. I hope our fans soon let go of the 16th minute Di Matteo song. He won us the CL, and in many people's views, was dismissed wrongly, but he isnt dead, or has a life threatening illness. The song has been sung for long enough now IMO, i think it will only be beneficial for the club and team as a whole to finally let it go and move on.

I Have not checked yet, but on countless occasions, ESPN and ESPN HD have the same game written in the description, while star sports has a different game. However, when the games are starting, ESPN has a different game than ESPN HD, and star sports has a different game as well. So dont be surprised if they broadcast the Chelsea game. As long as there are feeds coming from UK, there is a good chance the match will be broadcast. If not, then it simply doesnt make sense. I expect it to be Live though, regardless of TV Listings.

Check your PM.

There's nothing to do. Hopefully the increasing no. of fights, arguments and personal attacks are just a phase we as fans are going through as a result of what our club has gone through over the past few months. Gotta give benefit of the doubt here..... and hope!

Choulo : "I am as entitled to my opinion as much as you are. And have some respect to the person you are discussing, you're already one slip away from a ban." This forum seems to be losing it's humanity.

This is what happened to our players, Thought they had it in the bag, thought they could do it with closed eyes. They got Fucked. On a side note, this guy reminds me of Oscar.

Why Lampard played his first 90 mins in a Final is beyond me. Then why was there no DM alongside him . Hazard does a few good things in a game but largely doesnt have the personality and passion to grow in a game and command.] Mata needs other players to be having a good game to play well, and nothing wring with that! FUCK EVERYTHING.

To be honest, We had the chances in the First half and we did not take them. They decided to start pressing and playing in the second half, and we did not have a plan B. David Luiz should have played DM like last game, we needed him there. Ramires on his own cant do the DM job, he is the attacking side of that dual midfield role. Lampard made a few good passes but did not run enough and close people down. Actually, he was useless. He should never be a first choice player for us anymore. When it wasnt working, the subs should have come earlier. Benitez was too late with Subs. We did not deserve to win it, and the players deserve this. A good kick in the backside and a fall down to earth reminds every player of the effort that is required to win things. Their talent gets them into Big teams, but winning only comes with 110% effort, which our players often do not make. Thats the difference between us and Manchester United. i hope this is a learning experience for our team and it encourages a more passionate style of play in our forthcoming fixtures.

Good game, easy really. Monterrey were unbelievably bad. Is the mexican league that bad?? Benitez has done a decent job with our defence and looks like our attack is benifiting from that and playing freely again. Why Ferreira is still at Chelsea is beyond me. And even if he is still here, why on earth was he played today?? That too in the midfield/winger role?? WTF was that about? We have Piazon, Marin, Ramires etc all on the bench. When we are 3 nil up, Piazon MUST come on. The reason our youngsters dont grow is because of instances like this. Our club treats these kids with potential like suitcases. Carrying them around till they rot and then sell them off in the second hand market. Happy with the win though.

"For everything Else, theres Master Romancard"

Contrary to public opinion, while i think it was great for everyone to honour RDM and sing some songs for him, i strongly feel that the crowds behavior towards benitez was pathetic. When the club is in a little bit of a hole, and we have a new manager, regardless of what he said 7-8 years ago when he was managing another club, the fans should'nt have created an atmosphere that they did. Initially, i felt a little embarrased at the way Roman disposed off RDM, but the fans reaction to a managers first game in charge was much worse. While people at the stadium probably thought they are making a stand and being valiant or whatever, it just reflected very poorly on the club and its fans. Yes, Rafa is not the perfect choice. But "RAFA OUT" banners , and other such banners, along with the songs that were sung during the game, and then booing your own manager before he has even managed a game.... I dont know how anyone can give themselves a pat on the shoulder after such behavior. Give him a chance. I actually think he might do a good job. David Luiz did not think he is superman and actually stayed back for most of the game, did not try and do tricks. Our defense suddenly looked organised. Our midfield, as an expert on ESPN said, is "selfish", i never thought of it this way but they do overpass and rarely try a risky ball through. Torres is beyond saving so wont say anything on that. Marin must get a look in now. I really think this formation does not suit us well. We really need a 4-4-2, with Torres sturridge, Torres Lukaku, Sturridge Lukaku, or even Moses Torres etc etc..... At the moment, Mazacar keep playing relatively safe passes and nothing much comes of it. Some passes do look spectacular, but in general there is no end game.... Rafa has alot that he can improve in the squad.... The city game was a start.... I really think we shouldnt alienate him even before he gets a crack. Anyways, in the end its the results that matter. A tough game against Fulham coming up, if he can get the team level up a bit and tweak the setup, good on him.

We definitely arent favourites for the title or anything, so no delusions there.... But we're definitely Title contenders this season. We are too big a club to have expectations below that. Atleast considering, what time of the season it is, and where we are in the table. Cant start thinking like a Gooner. Even if we are in transition, we have to do it in style.

The true difference between the start of the season and now, in my view, is that in the earlier games, when players were in vital positions, they looked up and found the correct pass.... Of late it seems to be that when we have breached the opposition defense, instead of going for the easy pass and the resultant sure shot goal, a little bit of selfishness has crept in and players go for the shot and glory. Have noticed it in the past few weeks, and today on a few vital occasions as well. That is what makes the difference between being 1-0 and being 3-0, which we should be if players are making the better decisions. Not a good performance today, we're slipping away and thats not good. The whole season is left, But we could have so easily lost the game in the end. A little worrying. Very disappointing. I can take a draw away at Swansea, but at home to Liverpool, when we dominated sooooo much of the game.... i cant take it. Why isnt Marin getting a Look In? Sturridge a start? Its long overdue. Our players look tired. Im tired. and disappointed.

David Luiz really needs to become our 3rd choice CB. He has absolutely no discipline and his decision making from the back is woeful. In the last few weeks, i can not remember one moment where he made a successful pass forward. He tries these spectacular long balls all the time and that always results in us losing the ball. Even when he runs with the ball into the opponents half, 9/10 times he cannot find a pass and loses the ball and makes our defense vulnerable. With our attacking setup , we cannot afford to have Luiz playing in the fashion that he does. If you all have noticed, something alot of us on here were annoyed with, Cech has stopped hoofing the ball forward all the time, and plays it out on the ground. He has adapted to our style of play. The problem with Luiz is that he CANNOT be trusted anywhere on the pitch. If he is not making kamikaze runs forward, leaving the back exposed, then he is trying to dribble the ball in the defense. If he is not trying to dribble the ball, then he does the unnecessary " Look here, and make a blind pass the other way". I really think he needs to get his shit together. Otherwise bench him. We have terry and Ivanovic who do a terrific job in CB, and Azpi for RB.

just made an accumulator for 16 cl games at odds of 1 million....1 pound bet,,,,lol..... just imagine if....

Hope RDM gives an honest Post match Interview. No need to be dismissive, but he should say it as it was. Referee was horrible today, and i couldnt believe what he was thinking when he walked up to torres and dished out a yellow. Trigger happy is an understatement. He must be punished by the FA. Wont happen though. Not too angry though, as shit happens, but we move on. If there are no repercussions for Clattenburg then it is disappointing, but nothing to lose sleep over. Hopefully this is a one off and we dont have such a bad referee again this season. ' There is something wrong with this ref, seems to lack the maturity required to be a referee. Good performance none the less from our boys, Pride shone through all of them, even with 9. Tomorrow is monday, and that is worse than this defeat, simply because we did not lose by being outplayed, but by getting out ref'd.

Unless we can get 20 mill for torres or sturridge + atleast another 7-8 mill from another player sale, i dont think we can go ahead and buy a 48 mill striker. FFP and all that.

Only worth it if We Win IT. Otherwise its a wasted trip and players getting tired. Plus it could break the momentum we could possible have at that time. But,....If we win, the trip is worth it and the momentum and confidence will continue and grow.... So.... worth it only if we Win.

This game reminds me of out QPR away game last season.... their crowd is fully into it, and we are being overwhelmed by their pace of play. However, i really believe we will either win or draw this. A loss is not on the cards. A better second half expected.

IMO Ramires Mikel should always be the double pivot, and when playing lampard, he should play CAM....

haha not you.... I made a comment, then removed it out of not wanting to get into some stupid argument, after which i am given a warning by some mod... I am all for HNKS, that moderator who threatened him with a warning just got to me.... completely ridiculous.... He took out the dictionary for the word fag, which is used very loosely and without all that much discriminatory intent.... Well if we were to take out a dictionary on every small thing said here, that would be the end of everything.

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<p>I really hope RDM starts with Mata Oscar Haza

I really hope RDM starts with Mata Oscar Hazard, with Ramires Mikel in the pivot. Torres as striker. Sturridge has simply not had any match practice for him to be starting this one. Defense starts from the front, and with this lineup, it does. Ramires at the wings, is not good theoretically or practically, except a few moments in a game. In the double pivot he still makes the yaya toure runs, while excelling in his defensive role. Mikel Flourishes with ramires next to him and has even shown glimpses that he has some attacking abilities, and can showcase them if he trusts his partner. Certainly not a game for Lampard. (in my view) Cahill Luiz have pace, but JT has passion. But bale will win every time when running at Terry..... so food for thought... But for me, no emotions here, same team as against arsenal at the emirates and we will win the match...... and in style too. If we play with that defensive line-up this game ( bertrand/ramires in wings), it will be a MASSIVE step back for the club. Oscar defends from the front, and hazard too to some extent. Torres too does his fair share of steals and pressuring at important times. Then after this FWd defense, if you have Ramires and Mikel, then our actual defenders will really have the best chance of keeping them from getting close to scoring, while every time the ball reaches any of our Trio's feet....Magic will happen. We've got this, and i hope we dont gift it away by playing defensively. We can beat them at good football, we have a better game than them now, more attractive, more incisive. I am confident RDM will pick the same arsenal lineup. He must.