CHOULO19

Andre's defending reminds me of a puppy chasing a ball...

I remember he once played JT as a striker when we needed a goal back in 2006. Can't remember if it worked, but I bet that the opposition manager had NOT seen that coming!

Actually Jose moved Cesc forward because he wanted to start Mikel in the pivot, not the other way around (which means I was completely wrong when I said that Jose should play Oscar at 10 when Cesc is out of the pivot). He said so himself after the game and hinted at it before. He said we want to match Stoke's physicality in midfield and we wanted to play with two holding midfielders to leave no space for Bojan to operate in and to "cage" Crouch so that even if we don't win first balls, we are sure to win second balls. Analyzing the match tactically a bit, I think Mikel played an important role yesterday. He had very good defensive numbers yesterday, though obviously incomparable to Matic's who was simply world class. But more importantly, I think the role he played allowed Matic the freedom to put on the incredible display we say yesterday. That is because Mikel's discipline means that Nemanja can cover a much larger area with his pressing and tackling. He could cover for fullbacks and press higher without having to worry about leaving the center and back four exposed, especially on transitions. The two together in the middle of the park also allows us to physically dominate the opposition in the middle of the park which was obvious by the fact that Cameron's and Nzzonzi's were practically invisible in the match. It also cuts down the amount of work the back four have to do since both are so excellent defensively and almost completely annihilates the possibility of an opposition player running at our CBs which has been a major issue this season. The down side is that we lose a creative player in the team as well as a goal threat and just a body in the final third. So obviously not something for every game, but I thought it was certainly a promising experiment and I expect it to make a few more appearances before the end of the season.

I'm pretty sure that we have to pay all the players, even the ones on the bench and not in the squad....

I hope so. I was talking more hypothetical to make a point about which games I think we are more reliant on Eden in. I do think he'll be rested for Watford, though.

If I have to choose a game to rest Eden in from the next three, I'd go with the Southampton one. Of course Andre-Oscar-Willian could do the job in any match, but I just think Eden is vital against smaller teams at home.

He made them look easy, but I thought he made 3 very difficult saves. In the air, he was as awesome as ever. Great boost to have him back especially for Stoke away.

Can't risk resting our main creative spark against team that is likely to defend deep against us at the Bridge.

The love I have for this man cannot be put into words :wub:

His house would be the first I'd search if there were several murders in the neighborhood!

Adam is one of those few players that I wouldn't be upset to see get injured. Did you see the one late on when he was trying to elbow both Schurrle and Costa at the same time?!

You obviously don't watch Stoke very much Believe it or not, they had a 'soft' game tonight!

I'm pretty certain that I can write better reports in his native language than he can in mine ....but probably not by much! PS: I think you'll like either of those headlines much more than the one that the guardian went for: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/dec/22/chelsea-harness-matic-mikel-stoke-city-tactics

9 and 7, actually. Not bad for a useless piece of junk, right?

Matic and Mikel had SIXTEEN successful tackles between them! That's just got to be the highest for a midfield duo this season!

Yeah, I saw them too. EDIT: Just checked Statszone, and it says 2 interceptions and 11 ball recoveries. But of course the most impressive part is the 9 successful tackles!

re·cal·ci·trantHaving an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline. Fuck, I had to look up the definition of the definition of that word!

Think you mixed up the numbers for interceptions and possession gained, mate.

Should have gone with "Mourinho completes quadruple with win at Stoke"

Even our players at the time say that they never felt he was really part of the team. Not directly, but I've heard Wise and Gus imply it on a couple of occasions in interviews with CTV.

I'm hoping that the hit was on the bone on the side ankle (not sure what it's called in English). That is usually painful but not dangerous.

I think the aim was clear which was to win knock downs for Drogba and Schurrle, but it's a amusing because only Jose would even consider doing that!

How in the world does Matic get 9 successful tackles in a single match?!

Cesc's awareness and first touch for his goal....