BlueLion.

Absolutely! I'm off to get hammered (before I go to work )

SL Benfica vs Chelsea FC PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT UEFA Champions League, Quarter-Final 1st Leg Tuesday 27 March 2012 - Estadio da Luiz - 1945 kick-off

Yes, every cloud has its silver lining - hopefully we will see a new manager with a simple philosophy and new players who are eager for success. Oh, and some youth players given a chance wouldn't hurt, either.

That game underlines it. We are no longer Champions League quality; not with this squad anyway. We should enjoy this quarter-final with Benfica because it may well prove to be our last expedition in that competition for a season or so. Today was our big opportunity and we failed miserably. Against Manchester City, di Matteo looked as if he was willing to sacrifice that fixture and rest the likes of Drogba and company for this fixture. We also had Terry returning. The hope was that we would put our eggs in a single basket and we've paid the price. We didn't even compete today. Ignore Mata hitting the post and that ambitious late Lampard effort; we had nothing to show for our abysmal showing today. The defence performed excellently, but besides the back five we were very lacklustre. The most concerning feature is that Spurs didn't even come for the win today. They showed us such respect, but the embarrassment is that they realised by the second half that we are but a shadow of the team that won three Premier League titles in six seasons, with three FA Cups and a brace of Carling Cups in-between. By the 90th minute, despite not scoring, they had asserted themselves as a far superior team. But for two excellent pieces of goalkeeping and some brilliant defending by Cole, Terry and Cahill, we'd have deservedly been beaten by a couple of goals today. We offered next to nothing going forward. Drogba was anonymous for most of the match. Mata was poor. Sturridge showed glimpses but he outdoes himself by over-complicating things with one trick too many. He is an exceptionally frustrating player to watch and he had an off game today, but that goes to show how poor the rest of the forward-line was, if he was out outstanding attacker. Even the effort and endeavour was limited today. I can quite easily say that that showing was one of the worst I have ever had the displeasure of watching. It is as if after the Naples game that the 'legends' think that their job is now done for the season. Incorrect. I expected them to come out all guns blazing, but we had an absolute shocker - from players to manager. Match Ratings Cech - 7 - really can't fault this man at the moment. He's playing very well and had another good game. The save at the end from Bale was a lot harder than it looked; shots dipping and bouncing inside the six yard box is any goalkeeper's ultimate fear. The only thing I can criticise him for was the moment where Adebayor went past him prior to Cahill's brilliant block, but I think he realised if he went all-out to win the ball there was the danger of being sent off. However he did his job today. I also think he had Bale's header that hit the crossbar covered, so you can moreorless consider that another save. Its lucky his concentration span is so good. Bosingwa - 5 - not as bad as people were making out. At least not defensively. There was only one moment where he let himself down at the back and that was when Adebayor got behind him after he and Ramires showed too much hesitation in the tackle. He was poor going forward but otherwise solid, but that does not disguise the fact that this supposed 'attacking full-back' is actually useless going forward. Terry - 7 - as per Cech, a solid and unspectacular game. Bossed the defence very well, and we show much greater organisation defensively with him in the team. Cahill - 8 - superb performance. We saw in that moment when he blocked Adebayor's shot the reason why di Matteo holds him in at least equal regard to David Luiz. Cole - 6 - better than what we have seen for most of the season but still considerably below his usual best. His defensive play was solid but going forward he continues to look an oddity. His previous ability to know when to pass or cross the ball seems to have diminished entirely. Essien - 5 - again not good enough from the Bison today. His days as a powerhouse are well and truly over, and we would do well to let him go in the summer. He is still a brilliant player on his day, but so much of his game relies on his now-spent dynamism. His passing was never great, but without that burst of pace he is no longer the engine he once was. He now offers less than Mikel, who is better in a positional disciplinary sense. Lampard - 6 - I can't say Lampard had a good game, but he certainly wasn't as bad as some people were making out. Spurs flooded the midfield, making it difficult to get a foothold in the game. However he grew as the game progressed and looked composed and at ease with the ball at his feet. I can't find fault with his showing today. Ramires - 6 - I really can't stand seeing him wide right. He cannot pass well enough to play in such a position, and whilst you can never fault his commitment or endeavour, his lack of quality in the final third is very poor. He covered every blade of grass, however, but he is just not cut for the job out wide. He is an engine-room player like Essien once was, and that is where he should be employed. One or two good games against the likes of Portsmouth and Wolves back in January does not make him a winger. Its embarrassing to even see him there in all honesty. Mata - 4 - will the real Juan Mata please stand up? He wants the CAM spot, but with performances like that he shouldn't be in the team. Almost everything his tried failed today. However that seems to be down to exhaustion. He has played more games than anyone and needs a rest. His performances recently have been very much sub-standard, it is clear he is fatigued but even so, he made very little impression on the game today. He was unlucky with the free-kick, but I don't think that excuses a poor performance. Sturridge - 6 - he was our best attacking player without question, and he also did a fair share of the defensive job today. He only had one opportunity (a difficult one at that!) but he showed plenty of effort, which is more than can be said of Drogba! Drogba - 4 - this is one of those reasons why some fans really dislike Drogba; his inconsistency. He was unplayable against Napoli, but he seems that out of spite he's decided he can't be arsed after Torres got two starting berths in succession. You normally see him at least moan when things aren't going his way, but he didn't even do that today. I think he seems resigned to the fact that this team just isn't good enough! SUBS - I thought Torres showed some good glimpses today. On evidence of the last three matches, he should play against Benfica. David Luiz looked uncomfortable at right-back; totally out of his depth. Kalou hardly touched the ball so I can't comment on him. Di Matteo - totally fucked up his tactics today, I think. Also question marks should be raised over his team selection; there was a horrific lack of balance to the team today. Needs to address this before Tuesday. The honeymoon period is over, and now he is facing the same problems that AVB is. If he doesn't get a result in Tuesday, the team will turn on him.

Absolutely, RDM is doing a great job in keeping the team fresh.

Cech Ivanovic - Cahill - Terry - Bertrand Ramires de Bruyne - Mata - Kakuta Torres/Sturridge

Not necessarily. You can look at players like Mata, Silva and the like, and it shows that you don't have to be built like Lukaku.

I think the hate for him is similar to Kalou. Its because he's been here for years and shown little or no improvement whatsoever.

Louis Saha will probably play. You know what happens when Louis Saha plays against Chelsea.

No-one is getting paid. Instead they will be rewarded by a sense of gratification

What, KALOU OUT? +

Whenever I see a post in txt spk I just delete it.

Nope. I like it personally. I've just decided that we'll keep the live chat thread open at all times before a mod manually closes it, rather than having the automated system do it.

Just to point out this is not for a super mod position, only for the Match Chat forum. However I want to appoint a new Mod in the summer and this will stand applicants in very good stead.

Yeah something like that.

Are you looking for a part-time job? Do you have good communication and logistical skills? Are you interested in a permanent position that demands responsibility and authority? THEN LOOK NO FURTHER! We're looking for moderators to help run specific areas of the forum; at this moment we are focusing on the Match Chat forum. Are you up for the role? Candidates will be expected to maintain a high degree of activity, ESPECIALLY ON MATCH-DAYS. Candidates will be required to liaise with the current staff team and partake in Staff Room discussions. Responsibilities include monitoring and moderating match topics, and opening and closing relevant topics in a specific time range, as well as making new topics for each match. CANDIDATES SHOULD SUBMIT A SHORT CHARACTER REFERENCE (NO MORE THAN 150 WORDS) TO ME BY PERSONAL MESSENGER, BEFORE SUNDAY. THE NEW MODERATOR(S) WILL BE APPOINTED ON MONDAY, AHEAD OF THE BENFICA CLASH. GOOD LUCK!

Don't worry about it mate, emotions have been high on here recently. No need to apologise.

For £35 million? Barcelona don't even have that much money.

And just when you think you've got rid of the cunt... he's like fucking thrush, this Boswinger kid.

So excited about this kid. Why? Because he comes here with very little pressure and expectation upon him.

Totally agree with you mate. Sturridge tries to impress too much. If he did the basics and just got a goal or assist every other game, he'd be on the plane to Poland/Ukraine already.

Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Saturday 24 March 2012 - Stamford Bridge - 12.45pm kick-off FA Premier League

I will send you some questions to complete, if that is alright?

Chelsea vs Tottenham PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT Saturday 24 March 2012 - Stamford Bridge - 12.45pm kick-off FA Premier League

Haha! If the image quality was better I'd add it in a heartbeat