Jase

Most of those appearances are in the lower leagues. Not sure how much one can really look into that. And yes, he's only got 2 England caps so far but he's only starting to get into Hodgson's. He's only 23, not 27, 28, 29 FGS! Easy to ask that question now and say it's Shaw when he has been a given chance to play consistently at LB while Bertrand hasn't and at times even being played out of position! Looking at this (short) debate, think it's clear that both of us have our own opinion on this matter. Probably best to just agree to disagree rather than going around the bushes.

Next 2 league games for: Chelsea vs West Brom(H) vs Fulham(A) - (depends if we get past Boro in the FA Cup) Tottenham vs Arsenal(H) vs Liverpool(A) Arsenal vs Tottenham(A) vs Everton(H) - (depends if Everton get past Oldham in the FA Cup though) Wonder what are the odds of us picking up 6 points from those 2 games or even 4 given that we look to have the easier games than the other 2.

For now, Benitez because he's the one managing the team and is hardly doing much right!!

Never said it was wrong for you to offer your opinion about Bertrand and Shaw. And me not offering not an opinion there? Deary me. Clearly said that we should not jump the gun with Bertrand yet. Might end up being the better one. He's a solid young LB who is still developing. Nowhere near a finished article yet. Even if Shaw has showed more potential at 17, that doesn't mean anything. Lots of player have showed potential at a young age but failed to make it at the very top level. Not saying Shaw won't but it's one thing to have potential and another to have fulfill it completely.

Down to 4th now. 2 points behind Spurs and 2 ahead of Arsenal. RAFA OUT!!! :rant:

Both have potential and neither are finished article just yet. Bertrand might turn out to be the better one, who knows? It just seems that people want Shaw mainly because he's a Chelsea fan and had a couple of decent performances against us. Bertrand was patient and worked hard through the ranks to be where he is now. He deserves to have a right go playing at LB before being written off completely. Furthermore, he is still young and developing. All this change in managers recently wouldn't have helped either.

Some can work. Some won't I believe. And try to remove the 'large' text part from the URL before putting up the image. Might work then.

So much for wanting to see a player from our own academy playing in the 1st team...

BAH! Beaten by seconds to it!

Just like after the Juventus game last November, looks like he was in tears again yesterday.

Dzeko talks up Bundesliga return

In the 26 games under Benitez, Ivanovic has started in 25 of them. The one he missed? Sparta Prague at home last week.

Went through the records and found out that Mata is the only player that has played every game under Benitez so far. Started in 22 games and came on as sub in other 4.

Chelsea face fixture crisis if they are held to FA Cup draw at Middlesbrough Did say I want us to win the FA Cup again this season but gotta wonder if its worth tossing away that chance on Wednesday. The number of games we have played this season is madness and can't deny the fact that it is taking its toll on the players, if not already. And besides, the 2 Manchester clubs are still in it. With Benitez around, we'll get embarrassed at OT if we get past Boro.

According to his agent... http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1353781/lewandowskis-agent-drops-exit-hint?cc=4716 Looking at that, don't think he will be joining us. *sigh*

They are slowly building a good team but seem over reliant on Bale these days and it's only our inconsistency that has made them looked this good in the league. Had we not dropped silly points from winning position and winning games that we should be winning, we would be miles ahead of them right now! Moreover, I don't quite bother if Spurs deserves 3rd place or not. We should look to finish in there at the very least because it guarantees qualification into the CL group stage, 4th doesn't. Might end up in the Europa League again!

Guess we will all be supporting West Ham tonight against Spurs. As long as Spurs do not win, we will remain in 3rd.

That only happens when they face the bigger sides in the CL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rceSZA2yZ0Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Hd4a01BYI

Same here. Happened in the shootout and in the League Cup. That's why.

Nope. His last penalty miss was against Newcastle away last season. http://www.thechels.co.uk/3469-frank-lampard-penalty-record/

Negative thinking but after seeing our performance against Man City today, not sure I would be happy if we beat Boro and face United at OT in the next round. Likely to get thrashed at their place.

In games like this and especially when it's away from home, Lampard should not be playing TBH. Yes, he offers a goal threat but other than I don't think he is likely to offer anything else. Also incidentally, he missed the penalty against Man City away too in the 09/10 season. Had he scored it, we would have drawn 2-2 then but he didn't and we lost 2-1. Could have gotten something from the game today had he scored it.

Can hardly blame him. We flogged him to death last season by playing in nearly all our of 50+ games then. He then went to the Euros. Played in the Olympics. And only got a bit of rest earlier this season under RDM. Since then, he has hardly got one. Partly thanks to our over reliance of him and reluctance of Benitez to rest in certain small games.

In his time at Liverpool(2004-2010), Rafa Benitez's Premier League away record against the big teams(Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal then) reads - P18 W2 D3 L13. 04/05 Chelsea - LOST 1-0 Man Utd - LOST 2-1 Arsenal - LOST 3-1 05/06 Chelsea - LOST 2-0 Man Utd - LOST 1-0 Arsenal - LOST 2-1 06/07 Chelsea - LOST 1-0 Man Utd - LOST 2-0 Arsenal - LOST 3-0 07/08 Chelsea - DREW 0-0 Man Utd - LOST 3-0 Arsenal - DREW 1-1 08/09 Chelsea - WON 1-0 Man Utd - WON 4-1 Arsenal - DREW 1-1 09/10 Chelsea - LOST 2-0 Man Utd - LOST 2-1 Arsenal - LOST 1-0