Jase

I'm sure somehow those views will be turned and twisted to basically say Mikel did nothing and it was all because of Lampard that we won the game...

The onus is on them if they have any ambition to qualify for the KO stage. Moreover, we have practically been playing on the counter in the Champions League away games this season - Steaua and Schalke - and we are likely to do the same again especially a win is not really a necessity for us. Obviously, I wouldn't like seeing us go there and park the bus to just get a point but we are certainly capable of winning there, be it on the counter or being on the front foot, so as long as we actually turned up for the game.

One of Lampard's better performances in recent times and think that was partly owed to the fact that he had Mikel and Ramires helping him out to do the dirty work in midfield and also likely to be because it's West Ham. He always turn up against them.

Another solid performance from Azpi at LB and seems like he's beginning to improve on his attack on that side having got forward and created some overlapping situations down the flank. And also, is Jose intending to turn him into a LB? Cole is injured and his performances have been average while Bertrand doesn't seem to be fancied despite having played well when being used this season.

Suspect or would like to think the game plan here would be similar to what Benitez did when we played Basel away back in April; pick an energetic side with pace and stamina to match Basel and one that is capable of pressing and also sit back, defend solidly preparing to them on the counter especially in a game where Basel have to win if they want to qualify for the Last 16.

Don't see what was wrong with people questioning Mourinho's selection before the game. It's not like everyone, or some at least, were doing that just because they didn't like Mourinho or hated the fact that their favorite players were sitting on the bench and not playing. The reasons thrown out were rather justified given the recent happenings with players' form, team's performances and Mourinho's decision making. The team selection yesterday did indeed proved to be worthwhile after all but more importantly and thankfully, the players actually turned up and put in a convincing performance for a change - was arguably the best away performance of the season - though that was also partly down to the rubbish-ness of West Ham. A win is a win nonetheless I supposed and hope we can continue with this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djP-Zg6NP1E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ZCBeHNUZw

Basel vs Chelsea PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5 26th November, Tuesday, 2013 St. Jakob Park 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Basel 1-0 Chelsea POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5 26th November, Tuesday, 2013 St. Jakob Park 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Great win. Arguably the most convincing away performance of the season so far (partly thanks to West Ham being slightly rubbish). Got back to winning ways and now need to carry on into a tough winter period with many games, starting with Basel on Tuesday. Also good thing we have won and taken advantage of 6 of the 8 teams (before today) playing each other this weekend.

Chelsea have won a Premier League game in November for the first time in 8 matches. Previous win was against Wolves on 26th Nov 2011.

But his positioning is narrower than usual, seems to be used there to help out the midfield battles. Yes but put that aside and judge it as it is without any blue tinted glasses.

He's tucking in narrow-ly from the right side, not really out wide..

But then the funny thing is that these Mourinho defenders will use the excuse (which is not wrong) that he watches the players train, prepare for games etc and he knows best in who to pick and yet the same wasn't apply for Benitez. In fact, think he still got slammed in the past for playing Ramires at RW or even Bertrand LW even when we win while we have Mourinho being let go when he has done the same.

I don't mean you as one of the bandwagoners and I also don't mean everything as literally but you can definitely see that majority of the fans always feel the need to defend Mourinho and just deem everything he does as something genius (when someone like Benitez gets bashed for doing the same thing) and is excused for practically almost everything. I didn't read through every reply in this thread but some of the things that have been said are certainly justified based on what has happened. And it doesn't mean these people are necessary spoiled for success and are glory hunters.

Had Benitez put this lineup out, even with the attacking options capable of playing at RW, there would have been a public protest and outrage by now. But because it's Jose, everything is forgivable and deemed a genius move. The likes of Schurrle, Mata, Willian or even De Bruyne can basically do the same job as Ramires at RW and provide even more especially offensively. Am pretty sure even if we win today, those bandwagoners will be praising Mourinho till no end and slam the fans who questioned him even if playing Ramires at RW, from start to finish, had nothing to do with the win whatsoever. And how is playing Ramires at RW today something different? We have seen this being tried so many times over the past 1-2 years and had little success with it due to the restrictions and limitations of playing Ramires there. Moreover, this is practically the same lineup Mourinho put out against Spurs in September with the exception of Cahill, Azpilicueta and Eto'o playing now instead of Luiz, Cole and Torres respectively. And we all know what happened then; he needed Mata to save his face as nobody was talking about his decision to start Ramires at RW to begin with then.

But it's Jose you know, he's always right. He knows what he is doing. We can't question him...

Ramires on the right wing? Even when we have Willian, Mata, De Bruyne or Schurrle to play there?! Baffling.

Not exactly seeing a huge difference in what Azpi and Bertrand has done at LB so far this season. Both have done well (better than Cole!) and by playing Bertrand at LB, he will provide us an attacking outlet on the left rather than sticking Azpi there when he won't even be crossing the halfway line 90% of the time.

Looks like Luiz is injured...

Best Merseyside derby in ages and arguably the game of the season so far.

West Ham v Chelsea Match Preview by @Rmpr..

Not only that really. Signing a DLP would help us to dictate the tempo and play, switching play from one side to another and ideally, get our wide players in a 1 v 1 situation with the opposition FBs. That hasn't happened for us and more often than not, we'll see 2-3 players marking the likes of Hazard, Willian, Schurrle etc out wide by the time they get the ball. Imagine a 1 v 1 scenario of Hazard against a FB. Don't think many would get the better of Hazard and are likely to suffer nightmares after that. Moreover, having a DLP in the team would force teams to come out more at us rather than just defend deep and park the bus against us. Otherwise, the opposition risk getting pinned back the whole time with constant pressure and having their team or defence split apart by a through ball for instance. Now, teams can just sit back, defend deep and only have to really neutralize our AMs to stop us because they know the likes of Mikel, Ramires, Lampard and Essien don't have the ability of a proper DLP. And by having a DLP with teams push up a bit more trying to close that player, it will leave a tad more space and room for our AMs to work around with rather than the no-space they are getting now.

And Steve Clarke has bitten back.. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/444613/West-Brom-manager-Steve-Clarke-bites-back-old-friend-Jose-Mourinho