Jase

After this month, we would have played Man United, Everton, Tottenham and Man City. Only Arsenal and Liverpool of the usually tough teams to play before 2014 while some of our rivals have a tough winter period to negotiate through.. Arsenal - Liverpool, Man United, Everton, Man City and Chelsea Liverpool - Arsenal, Everton, Man City, Tottenham and Chelsea Man Utd - Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham Man City - Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool Tottenham - Liverpool, Man United, Everton and Man City

Unfortunately, only the Arsenal game looks like a possible one to rest him. The rest looks too important to leave him out. Just a shame we have made a mess of sorts in our Champions League group. Can only hope somehow he doesn't play for Brazil in next month's international friendlies.

Mourinho has said as much about not rotating the back 4 as much as he does with the attacking players because he wants stability in defence. I can understand his reasoning behind it. However, it's silly to stick with the same back 4 all the time when it's clear some players need rest especially after an international break and moreover, it's not like our defenders are alien to one another that they need time to get to know each other's game. They have been playing with each other, in a different 4 now, for at least a season now and has done generally well in defence. Don't disagree with your point about Ramires but if we continue to play him so much right now, I'm afraid we may risk of having a half-tank Ramires heading into this winter period and him suffering a burnt out or even an injury. For a player of Ramires's abilities and strengths with energy, pace, stamina, he is at his absolute best when he's fresh. A 25-50% or less than that Ramires is not exactly effective and gonna do us any good.

He also officiated our game the last time we played in Germany...and lost 2-1 to Leverkusen..

Not excusing for his mistake at all but TBH, I have no idea why Mourinho chose to play him (as well as Ivanovic & Ramires) yesterday. Luiz and Ramires just came back from the far east and only trained since Thursday while Ivanovic also played over the international break though obviously not in the same place as the first two. Anyway, it's clear that all 3, if not at least 2 of them, are definitely starting against Schalke on Tuesday and yet Mourinho doesn't rotate/rest them especially when we had reliable options to come in. Instead, he flogs them to death...

Indeed. The only real bad game from him was the home game against Shakhtar last season but even then, he had to defend that left flank all by himself against 2-3 players. Otherwise, he has been solid defensively and I don't think there has been a moment where we were crying out for Cole to return or basically complaining about another case of Bosingwa-esque defending at the LB with Bertrand.

Just seen the result. Blimey!! @CHOULO19 has got some explaining to do.

Somewhat off topic a bit... Klopp reveals he rejected chance to talk to Chelsea and Man City

Surprised nobody mention how he ended up playing at LB yesterday!

Looking at the form right now, not sure how big of a challenge United are gonna be for Arsenal. Liverpool, on paper, looks tough but still uncertain about them. Looks a bit of a soft touch defensively. And yes, City will be facing CSKA Moscow in Russia on Wednesday, just days before that clash at SB next Sunday.

I doubt Mourinho is suddenly just going to change from his preference for a massive game like this. Would like to see Azpi starting here but just can't see it happening.

It depends where we are heading into the last game regarding that 'match Schalke's result vs Basel' to qualify..

Not all done and dusted even if we manage to get 4 points against Schalke. Also depends on what Basel do in their games as well. I mean after 4 games, we could have a scenario of this in the group: 1. Basel - P4 9pts 2. Chelsea - P4 7pts 3. Schalke - P4 7pts And not to mention, we still got to go to Basel on Matchday 5.

Yup. Was the first one.

Schalke have 6 players out injured, 1 doubtful.. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelsea-v-schalke-champions-league-2471531?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Please tell me you know I did not even imply that at all.

Because he protested to the referee for time wasting. Cardiff did that from the start and the ref did not do anything about it despite repeated complains from Mourinho and co. but when we were leading 2-1, Ivanovic took 2 seconds late to take throw-in and the ref immediately gestured to him to be quicker..

I'm accounting both for the goal conceded but whether one is bigger than the other in terms of mistake, doesn't matter. Still a mistake regardless.

Ball watching (along with Terry) when the ball came in and wasn't even aware of Pilkington behind him. It's a goal that could and should have been prevented had it been defended better.

He also made a mistake for the Norwich goal in the last away game. Just saying..

Piazon's two goals today.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVkFMkJw404

Think that is a valid point. Ronaldo at Madrid, after all, tends to do huge damage on the LW when he had Marcelo bombing up and down that flank all day long to create overlaps, 1-2 plays, distract opponents etc.

If Mourinho wanted to play Azpilicueta, he would have done so today. But instead, he continues to flog Ivanovic to death and this after he played during the international break as well and Azpi did not play any. Mourinho will continue his love affair with Ivanovic against Schalke and Man City..

Lazy bastard!

Though it will be tough but ideally, would like us to have both Courtois and Cech for next season at least. The former may well be the No.1 but at least we would then have an insurance policy in Cech should things go wrong with Courtois. Otherwise if we sell Cech, we would then likely have to find another experienced keeper as a backup. Schwarzer's contract might be extended, who knows, but yeah..