BlueLion.

We've made about £10 million from Bridge's move to Man City. Surely that's enough to go out and buy a striker or midfield playmaker of some sort. Amr Zaki apparently would have cost Wigan £6 million in the summer, so they loaned him in instead. If that's the case, go for it.

Well Liverpool are playing Everton, United will be playing Tottenham, Sunderland face Blackburn... that means potentially three very good, Premier League sides will be heading out in the next round. What more incentive could you want to face Southend?

At Old Trafford, I don't think Anelka would be too influential - he seems to go missing against the better teams, but I suppose we could play him up top with DD11.

For those of you who actually care () I won't be doing a match report - I'll do a wee summary in the report for the replay

As you can see, the banner was put up by Jim at the bottom of the forum

Welcome, I'm Alex - hope you have a good experience here on TC

Welcome to the forum! I'm Alex, one of the Admins and I'm currently living not too far from Derby

I'll admit I was upset, but in all fairness, its not as if we have lost Lampard or Cech or Terry or Essien - don't get me wrong, I think Wayne is a magnificent player, but he rarely played and for me it was only a matter of time before he left.

Shit, another home game, providing we get through of course. I'm expecting a very tough game at Roots Hall.

From SkySports. Its also been confirmed on the Chelsea website today.

I don't believe Scolari's judgement is the correct one, though. I'd send him back to Wolves at the end of the month.

The thing that annoys me, is that we will probably go to Roots Hall and beat them convincingly. Anyways, the Fourth Round draw is to be made today - all banter in here please

One thing that bugs me about Scolari is not perhaps his choice of substitutions, but his timing. Yesterday, it was clearly evident that Southend would put us under pressure in the last few minutes, but instead of bringing on a midfielder or defender he brings on a winger and a striker for 6 minutes! What effect can that have on a game?

That would be nice indeed

On current form, I have to agree with Tri-Blue. However, what makes me still feel confident of lifting the trophy, is the fact that whilst we've been terrible recently, dropping points left, right and centre, Liverpool are only three points ahead, and sooner or later their luck will run out - it only takes a couple of decent results and the pressure really is on them. They have absolutely no experience of leading the pack and come 'Squeaky Bum Time,' they'll be bricking it.

Just split your welcome posts from the other topic, so people recognise you're a new member

I agree with the team selection, add in a goalkeeper and we've got half a chance

All pre-match chat for the Southend replay in here please guys, no point in making separate threads.

I can't say till April, sorry.

Nothing like optimism.

Manchester United vs Chelsea Premier League, 11 January 09, 1600 KO, Old Trafford. Carlos Tevez scores in United's 2-0 victory over Chelsea last season, in what was Avram Grant's first game as manager. Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford, in one of the biggest games of the season so far. The Red Devils have caught up with Chelsea and are now just four points behind the Blues with two games in hand, and should Sir Alex Ferguson's side claim all three points, they will be in the perfect position to take second position behind leaders Liverpool. Chelsea, however, have been excellent on the road, claiming 26 points from a possible 30 away from Stamford Bridge, and are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions following their 1-1 draw with Southend. Can the Blues avenge their defeat last season and claim a mental advantage over their deadly rivals, or will Ferguson out-wit Scolari? Match chat here Statistics Chelsea Games Played - 20 Won - 12 Drew - 6 Lost - 2 Goals Scored - 40 Goals Conceded - 9 Top Scorer - Nicolas Anelka, 14 Premier League Goals Manchester United Games Played - 18 Won - 11 Drew - 5 Lost - 2 Goals Scored - 29 Goals Conceded - 10 Top Scorer - Cristiano Ronaldo, 8 Premier League Goals

It will be a mid-week fixture during the third week of January, as far as I know.

United probably will beat us. But if we put in a performance then we have every chance.

Spot on. Its pathetic, but I'm not losing faith. Let's face it - its a disappointing result. But we're still in the FA Cup, and in true Chelsea style we'll probably go there and fuck them over.

Welcome mate