BlueLion.

There is no "strict" rule. It's simply something we use to ensure things are moderated suitably when things get out of hand. There's a difference between making a comment in jest and some of the comments being made in the Lampard thread, which explains why it was locked. I have to agree, there has been an incredible drop in intellect on TalkChelsea, but that includes the regular clientèle as much as the staff.

My concern is that everyone is suddenly thinking young Zouma is the answer to our defensive prayers. Let me tell you - he isn't - but he can't be any worse than that oxygen thief who wears the #24 shirt.

Yeah, no fault can be passed to him. He even made one or two saves despite having no help whatsoever from his defence.

And I was one of his biggest fans, but his decline since the end of 2013 has been remarkable.

Cech Azpilicueta - Zouma - Terry - Luis Mikel - Matic Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard Drogba

José won't bench Cahill because he doesn't trust Zouma and we don't have any alternative. I just hope he's banned because José will be forced to give Kurt a chance, and I don't think the young man will let us down.

I agree regarding Terry. He is still a brilliant defender, but he is 34 and he cannot do so many games in such a short amount of time, as you say. It's no disrespect to him, but he struggled today and you have to say that his age is now a factor.

I indeed saw your report. I am not attempting to legitimise the use of the word "Yid" - as you say, this is official legalese from which the interests of the site can be protected. We do not condone any racist or otherwise xenophobic behaviour on this site, but it is not always possible for us to moderate every post made in each individual thread. Therefore we rely on users to use the report function to bring matters to our attention. Rest assured that future use of the word "Yid" in an inappropriate context will be treated with accordingly.

Just a friendly reminder when using the word "Yid"...

7-0. Ah, who am I kidding. It'll finish 1-1 and we'll lose the replay. Nothing like optimism.

It is, but everyone else has had a similar run. Look at Burnley, they've basically played the same starting line-up in their four games over Christmas, and against City, for example, they only made one change.

Agreed, it's as if he thought he had something to prove by being a former Arsenal player whereas in reality if he'd have played to his normal tune we might have been able to profit from his usually-sexually-good set-piece deliveries.

I fucking hope so. Can we appeal, in which case it'll be considered "frivolous" and it's extended to four? Pretty please?

I said everyone else was hopeless. Hazard was magnificent. Costa's performance is a bit like the smallest out of a whole bunch of shitstains, if that helps clarify the situation.

He was by no means our worst player, far from it. But he was below his usual standard, especially from set pieces. Too much Christmas turkey.

Eden Hazard is the new Mr. Chelsea. Even though we were awful, he was again majestic.

Nevermind "drop him", fucking execute the bastard.

I estimate at least 80% of the goals we concede come from down his flank. Or at least 80% of the goals we conceded today. Calamitous. Though he isn't helped by having a bloke next to him who makes David "brainfart" Luiz look like Bobby Moore.

The goal partially covers up what was an horrendous performance by him, He's clearly struggling playing this many games, IMO, we need to be more intelligent how we use him. Today is the first time I've ever seen him struggle so badly. I'm hoping we can use the "he's tired" excuse. If not, we need to review our centre-back options in the summer and spend big.

If anyone in this squad is allowed an off day, it's Matic. The worrying thing is that is the second game in a row I've said that.

I must admit I enjoyed him air-kicking from 3 yards when faced with an open goal. A superb farewell appearance.

I think that's what hurts. I genuinely thought he was just there to make up City's homegrown quota, instead he's rolling back the years and is probably going to help them to the title.

^ I would agree, though last year got off to a considerably better start....

I was going to write a match report but I'm in such a shitty, hypercritical mood that if any of the players read it they'd break down in tears most likely. Gary Cahill is a fraud. I like "safe" defenders, but Cahill is about as safe as a used condom at the minute. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Go in at half-time 1-2 down and we'd probably have turned it around. The penalty ruined the game from our perspective.John Terry getting on the scoresheet should not cover up what was an equally hopeless defensive performance from him. Woeful. Okay, I rate Kane highly and think he has a great future ahead of him, but today you'd have thought Terry and Cahill were marking Maradonna. Every player in Chelsea blue - except Eden Hazard and Diego Costa - were hopeless today. The worst team showing in a long, long time. We made Spurs look like Bayern Munich. Even Courtois was poor. Just a horrible performance, I feel sorry for Watford because José will probably play his strongest line-up and destroy them now.

I take back everything I ever said about Luiz.