francozola

This is not our biggest problem atm and luckily we already have a great prospect signed up and getting some valuable game time. I think this summer would be too early for Courtois but I agree we could be seeing him sooner than you think. If Cech does not improve next season, then surely the change has to be made in the summer of 2013.

Mods please move this if you want but I thought we could have a "Players" thread to discuss the team/group of players as a whole instead of individual players. Anyway - I fear that the players are going to get AVB sacked, even if Roman does not intend on doing so. And before I see comments like "that would be a good thing" etc, first of all, I do not support the possible decision that he will get the sack. And second of all, if the players are the one orchestrating this decision, then there is no way that this could ever become a good decision because it will boost their egos even more. The sacking of Jose & Scolari was influenced by players, especially the latter. And while Scolari really was a disaster and I supported the initiative shown by the players at first, in the end I think that decision by Roman to sack him has played a big part in why the players we have at the club now behave the way they are behaving. They saw that they have the ability to get coaches fired. Coaches, who are supposed to be their superiors. So whether consciously or subconsciously, they realized that they are the ones in charge and are able to make decisions. This had led to all of them losing some hunger, desire and also fear - fear of losing their places, fear that coaches will get rid of them if they don't fit into their plans. They played a huge part in Carlo getting the sack last season. Yes we had some key injuries and other problems such as the firing of Ray Wilkins, the disaster that is Torres, etc but if the players had put in some effort, we could have done much better. I don't mean simply in terms of winning the title, but I'm talking about the performances and the way other people viewed us as a team that kept going all the way, never giving up, etc. One of the most embarrassing days of my "Chelsea" life has been when we played against Newcastle at home in the 2nd last game of the season. Most people knew by then that Carlo was going to be sacked. That was our last game at Stamford Bridge, Carlo's last game and also the "end of the season" at home. And there were 11 players on the pitch but not a single one showed any desire. They didn't give a shit about any of that. And at the end of the game, they expect a round of applause from the fans? I know a lot of people called the Chelsea fans plastic for leaving the stadium before the lap of "honour" but I completely agree with what they did. Why do those players deserve any cheer and applause? Carlo deserved a proper goodbye, whether you agreed with his sacking or whether you even liked him as a manager. That man brought the double to the club, and he deserved something better than that. But in their minds, the players were already off to their holidays in Spain or France or wherever. By looking at Lampard's behaviour yesterday, he did look completely unhappy and couldn't be arsed to do anything. Not only did he put in a shit performance, he also didn't even try. That's what makes it worse. The only players showing any desire yesterday were Ivanovic, Luiz, Essien and Mata. These are the only players in the team that have any backbone. I thought Lampard would be one of them, but perhaps I was wrong. Maybe I'm being harsh and maybe it was simply an off day for him. We'll have to see how he performs in the next few games. I'm not trying to have a go at him. What I'm saying is... he's the most important player at this club along with JT and if even he is acting this way..... who knows whats going on behind the scenes. If any of the players approach Roman and ask him (or demand him) to sack AVB, I hope Roman does the sensible thing and sacks them instead. I don't care if we have to sack 20 of our first team squad. I would rather play the remainder of our games with reserve players than to play these overpaid, lazy idiots. These are just my 2¢. I'm still pissed after yesterday so my thoughts are probably incoherent. Again, if mods think this should be moved, feel free.

Congratulations! When's the due date?

lol that quote sounds retarded. Are they going to have a three-some or something?

Wait til we play each other first before starting your celebrations :D

AVB needs to tear into the players after that performance. Throw things, smash walls, whatever. Those fucking players need to WAKE UP

You're being rather generous!

Hmm he needs to do some weight training to bulk up

Got a 93rd minute equaliser against CHOULO19's Nour FC :D Delighted to get a draw!

He was taken off at the 60th minute mark. Disappointed that they've lost all the games he's played in. That puts more pressure on Brendan to play a more experienced player in his position instead

When was that? I didn't notice that. Would like to rewind and watch that again

Well I certainly hope so. Hope the big man will have the fire in his belly to prove a point.

I am not expecting miracles with lukaku, but surely, surely it can't hurt to at least try him for a couple of matches? If he's really that ineffective then fine I will be the first to accept it. But he should be given a shot IMO especially when neither Torres nor Drogba are playing well

And what has Torres done to deserve that starting spot? He won't make us play better, agreed. But he'll put in more effort than Torres and go for balls that Torres can't be arsed to go for.

Are you talking about lukaku? Because he did more in those 15minutes than Torres has done all season. It's not the answer to our problems, but it's a better one than playing that donkey

I don't think there would be any fans upset with lukaku starting over Torres. If we had a half decent striker then I'd understand to go slow with lukaku but there isn't one. Torres the donkey hasn't done anything positive at all. Yea, true but would he be worse than lampard today? Or Meireles??? I think Cahill proved that he is a good player with that performance last week, don't you? Also if we are talking about players PROVING things... I think Bosingwa has PROVED time and time again that he is the worst footballer we have ever laid our eyes on, possibly bar Kalou. And even then I have to pause and think about who is worse.

Why isn't lukaku starting? Why is Josh on loan? Why isn't Bertrand playing? Why isn't Sturridge being tried upfront? Why is Bosingwa starting every single game? Why was Cahill on the bench? Why why why why why

LIKE I HAVE SAID quite a few times now... I do not want AVB to be sacked. But something... SOMETHING has to be done, don't you think? We will be lucky to get Europa league football, at this rate.

I was okay with the Malouda substitution because in theory that would have meant Mata gets moved out to the middle. Malouda is crap going forward but he does have some function as compared to that donkey Torres who does nothing at all. Bringing on lukaku so late, keeping Torres on, taking Mata off. Can't defend him at all. Lukaku has done more in these last few sub appearances today and against Norwich I believe it was, than Torres has done since he moved to Chelsea. Why does torres get to stay on?

Huh? How can he take Mata And did you even read my original post? I was referring to mata. And that's not the only stupid substitution he has made this season. I completely understand that there are so few fit and quality players and that is not his fault. But his substitutions and team selections are a JOKE.

Are you honestly still defending him after those substitutions? LIKE I SAID, I don't want him to be sacked.

What a joke. I still don't want AVB to get the sack, but IF it does happen, I can't really complain. He is not doing himself any factors with these atrocious substitutions and team selections, GET A CLUE YOU TWAT as usual, lukaku has done more in 5 minutes than what the donkey Torres did all game

JOKE JOKE JOKE JOKE JOKE JOKE

Take him off jesus christ take him off. JOKE OF A PLAYER

Torres off lukaku on Meireles off Malouda on Essien lampard Sturridge Mata Malouda Lukaku Or Malouda in the midfield and Mata behind Sturridge and lukaku