BlueLion.

I actually do think we could, and perhaps even should sell him. Finding quality goalkeepers is relatively easy. Obviously it will be extraordinarily difficult to find one with the same ceiling as Courtois, but goalkeepers are most definitely replaceable. Goalkeepers aren't worth £25-30m, even in their prime - there are only a very few number of examples. It is simply too competitive a position, there will always be others coming through the academies. For me, if you're going to get offered that amount of money for a goalkeeper, you should definitely consider cashing in. But that is only one option. Whilst I don't want it to be the case, I think Cech will leave in the summer and Courtois will come in as the number 1. I fully agree you can't loan players out forever - so we either have to sell, or have him come into the side. But if he comes into the team and sits on the bench because of merit, and Cech is playing better than him, what will he do then? Moan, because he isn't playing as he isn't as good as the man he thought he'd replace? For me, it would be easier to sell him and bring in another goalkeeper in 2-3 years' time. But, as I said, what I think is irrelevant. I think he'll come in this summer and force Cech not; not necessarily through his ability, but through his obviously-huge ego. His attitude worries me. He doesn't want to spend a season on the bench - understandable. But it's as if he's scared of the competition from Cech.

Hmm, I'm not sure. Cech was the indisputable best goalkeeper in the world between 2004-2006. Courtois right now has competition from Cech himself, Neuer, Weidenfeller, Lloris, etc. In terms of their abilities at the corresponding age, they are probably very similar, like you say. But that debate is irrelevant to my point - people are overestimating Courtois at the same time as not realising how good Cech still is. It amazes me how some supporters can underrate a player who has 450 appearances for the club! Is Cech as "bad" as some people make him out to be? Absolutely not. Similarly is Courtois as good as a lot of people make him out to be? Again, from my point of view, not quite, not yet anyway.

Amazes me how you guys just gear up and get on with the winter weather. In Britain we can have an inch of snow and our infrastructure just can't deal with it! People moan when it's "cold" here - the coldest we have in the winter during the day is probably between -2 and +2 Celsius, and at night it can get to around -10 at times. Yet you guys have it far, far worse! Fucking Brits

I agree. You can't deny the fact Courtois is a talented keeper - but I think many Chelsea fans are being blinded by hyperbole in terms of how good Courtois is, at the same time of suffering from a case of "don't-know-you've-got-something-good-going-on-until-you-lose-it" in regards to Cech.

Well I'm not quite sure exactly where you're up to, so I don't want to spoil it, but there is a point, around 2/3 through ADWD that it has caught up with events in AFFC.

Nope, apart from the Cersei, Jaime and Arya point-of-view chapters, as well as the Epilogue, everything that happens in ADWD is happening at the same time as AFFC. This book is split geographically instead of chronologically, with AFFC focusing on the Iron Islands, Dorne, and Brienne's visitations around King's Landing to find "Sansa Stark", whilst the latter book catches up with Jon, Tyrion, Dany, and events in Kings Landing and at The Wall in particular.

Well, looking at the stats, he's started 17 times, and come on as a substitute on two occasions - that's 19 appearances from a possible 20; and he's only missed 169 minutes of competitive action for us this season. But, again stating my earlier point, what other option do we have but to play him? We have four fit CMs for three positions in the 4-3-3, but with Essien out of the UCL squad, we only have the three! And it's not like we can move Luiz there, due to injury.

^ Cech was good last night. His distribution was better than normal, and also a little faster. I wonder if Jose wants him to instigate attacks more often, because he is very conservative and prefers to let the play calm down rather than bowl the ball out immediately. His save from Stocker (?) when he was on his backside was brilliant. How he had the strength in his wrists, whilst falling backwards, to tip the ball over is beyond me. But I suppose that's why he's a professional and I merely play for my university!

Asbolutely. That is how he should be being utilized, but unfortunately one of the club's failings this summer was to sign the experienced, established CM we all wanted; ie. Alonso or de Rossi. Yes, we signed MvG, but the issue was he was only going to play every now and again as a young man learning his trade. I know he is hardly a midfield saviour, but I do feel we should be playing Essien more to relieve the strain on Lamps. The less he plays, the fitter he'll be; and it is when he is performing his box-to-box role that he is at his best. We can't expect him to put in the lung-busting shifts he was able to do before his lengthy lay-off in 2010/11. He's an old man, in footballing terms, and we have to respect that. Sadly, we have to play him because the club made a bad call in leaving us with just five recognised CMs this season for three positions in a 4-3-3, or two positions in the 4-2-3-1.

Anyway, back on topic, anyone wishing a player to be injured is shocking, in truth. Lampard should not be playing as much as he is, but we're not exactly inundated with CMs right now, so it's little surprise he is featuring so heavily.

With that sort of childish attitude you can't really call anyone a "fucking idiot", Ron. Blatant disrespect. I don't know why you have it in for certain members of the staff team, but if you don't like the way the forum is run, you know where the door is.

The save he made when he was on his arse, going the other way, was simply brilliant. Unbelievable strength to palm the ball over from that position the way that he did.

People are over-analysing this, big time. We've seriously, genuinely got away with this one, because we're through. Simple as that. No-one will care come February and we enter the knock-out stages. We have to consider the positives because we are through with 9 points. Last year we had 10 points and entered the Europa League... Yes, we should have performed better and gotten at least a point in this fixture to relieve some of the pressure on the final game (which we must now win to be sure of top spot), but it's not like we've dropped a place or two and are now entirely reliant on results elsewhere.

Equally as bad as Lampard last night. Both need to buy some new studs, the amount of time they slipped was embarrassing.

Magnificent last night. A performance worthy of the occasion. Happy 450 games, Pete!

When Cech makes a mistake, all hell breaks loose. No-one even cares to mention a Courtois cock-up.

Mikel was good against West Ham and by some distance the best of the midfield three yesterday. Ramires and Lampard were abysmally bad.

If José is worried about tiredness, he shouldn't be picking a 35 year old to start, in truth.

Remember remember, we're utterly diabolical, inconsistent, and generally wank in November.

AAAAAAAND back to how he was before the West Ham game. I don't think you can be mad at Frank, he's getting on now; it's impossible to expect him to perform in every game. I think he's being poorly-managed, in truth. Mourinho is playing him far, far too often. But you can see why; we're not exactly inundated with central midfield players. Poor tonight, but then again the entire team were, bar Cech, JT and Cahill.

I hope Serie Die falls over in a barbers as he's getting his twatting hair cut, and slits his neck open on a razor. Utter cunt.

Holy shit, this got me to a tee.. Your personality type: "Engaged Idealist" Popular and sensitive, with outstanding people skills. Externally focused, with real concern for how others think and feel. Usually dislike being alone. They see everything from the human angle and dislike impersonal analysis. Very effective at managing people issues and leading group discussions. Interested in serving others and probably place the needs of others over their own needs. Careers that could fit you include: Teachers, consultants, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, clergy, sales representatives, human resources, managers, events coordinators, politicians, diplomats, writers, actors, designers, homemakers, musicians, religious workers.

Exactly. Win this and make the last game a non-event. Especially important as throughout December we seem to be ceaselessly playing in cycles of Saturday/Sunday-Tuesday/Wednesday-Saturday/Sunday until mid-January. In that game you can give the likes of Schwarzer, Bertrand, Ba, de Bruyne minutes on the pitch. Win this game with a fair few days' rest between the Southampton game, and then we don't have a thing to worry about.

Absolutely. The Allies compromised between two types of "punishment" for Germany; the tried to cripple them without truly delivering the final blow. And, in their ignorance, the Germans found a commonality in their nationalist desire to rebuild. We turned a blind eye thinking there would be no repercussions. If only we'd have learnt from the First World War that ignorance most certainly is not bliss...

I think we should be very happy in the knowledge that everyone was fantastic yesterday. Best team display of the season, save Bayern.