Strike

Frank was incredible in Carlo's first season. 20 odd goals and set up Drogba often. It was in the second season that it all went downhill

Not to mention his well documented injury and attitude problems

we wont have a strike 'partnership'. whenever torres and drogba have played together, torres has been wide on the right. should stick them up centre together when we are chasing the game

Listen to the uefa anthem. the lyrics starts with 'le barca'

Every time Mikel and Meireles got the ball, they passed it back to Cahill or terry. Look at Newcastle, Yohan Cabaye gets the ball and threads it through to Ben Arfa, Cisse or Ba. Even if it's intercepted sometimes, that is how you score. Spurs -Parker wins the ball and drives forward. Or if it's Modric, he spreads it to the wings or to Adebayor upfront. NOT Backwards to the CB's. And another thing, good teams don't resort to SHOOTING FROM LONG RANGE throughout the game. Meireles may have scored one fluke vs Benfica but yesterday he skied it from the edge of the area. And Kalou keeps nominating himself for miss of the season. Really frustrating Meireles, Mikel and Essien should be shunted out in the summer along with Malouda and Kalou

P.S - @Jim and @BlueLion - I know its early but i thought i will write this when I am free

CHELSEA V BARCELONA – UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW The fires of injustice from that night 3 years ago, when Andres Iniesta struck in stoppage time, are raging again as Chelsea get ready to face Barcelona in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Barcelona have dominated world football over the last few years, beating the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid comprehensively but they cannot say the same about Chelsea. In the 8 times, Chelsea have faced Barcelona since 2005, there have been 4 draws and 2 wins apiece (both Barcelona wins came with Chelsea down to ten men) In 2005, Chelsea overturned a 2-1 first leg deficit to race away to a 3-0 lead inside 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge. Eventually, the Blues held off a Ronaldinho-inspired Barca fight back to progress to the quarter finals. In 2006, again down to ten men in the first leg, the Blues were beaten 2-1 at the Bridge with Eto’o scoring. In the return leg, a late Ronaldinho goal all but clinched it for Barca, rendering Lampard's injury time penalty a consolation. Later on in 2006, the two sides met in the group stages when a brilliant Drogba strike settled the tie at Stamford Bridge while Lampard’s zero-degree magic and a late Drogba goal saw Chelsea grab a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp. This match saw 10 players yellow carded. The CL record for yellow cards is 11. 3 years on, Mourinho had long left Chelsea and Hiddink had come in after Grant and Scolari had failed. A brilliant defensive display saw Chelsea come away from the first leg at the Nou Camp with a 0-0 scoreline. In the 2nd leg, Essien’s thunderbolt looked set to hand Chelsea progress to the final for the second year running despite numerous calls for a penalty being turned down. In the end, the missed chances and the penalties not awarded came back to bite Chelsea big time “It’s Iniestaaa.. and the Chelsea fans cover their eyes in horror” It was tough to take in that away goals defeat, especially after the Luis Garcia ghost goal and the penalty shootout losses to Liverpool and ManU. Chelsea had created more chances and were by far the better team on the night but it was still not enough to set up a 2008 Champions League final rematch. Since then, Barcelona have twice won the Champions League and have solidified their status as one of the greatest teams ever while Chelsea, apart from the League and Cup double in 2010 have slid down the football hierarchy. Barca held off a spirited challenge from AC Milan in the group stages to progress as Group H winners. Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Chelsea 2-1 in the group stages, were trounced by 5 Messi goals as Barca coasted into the quarter-finals. AC Milan provided a much stiffer challenge, but Barca overcame Milan’s resilience in the second leg to progress 3-1 on aggregate. Chelsea finished top of Group E, despite failing to win any of their away games from winning positions. Valencia were beaten comprehensively at the Bridge on Matchday 6 while Genk did Chelsea a favor by holding Bayer Leverkusen to a 1-1 draw. Napoli awaited the Blues in the Round of 16 and it was truly a tale of 2 halves. Annihilated at Naples, the Chelsea old guard stepped up at the Bridge to send Chelsea through after extra-time. In the quarter-finals against Benfica, it was much closer than the 3-1 aggregate score suggested as a late Raul Meireles strike sent Chelsea through “Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.” -Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities “Everyone’s got unfinished business with them. That game (2009) is certainly in our minds, but this is a completely different year. So, we need to try and beat them” -Frank Lampard “Let me be honest, I don't think the final will be a Real Madrid/Chelsea final. It could be Bayern or Barcelona, I just don't think it will be Real Madrid v Chelsea and we know why.” “Barcelona aren't the favourites, they are super-favourites” -Jose Mourinho The quotes speak for themselves. Let me be honest, the task for Chelsea is definitely daunting but NOT impossible. If the defense stays rigid, then a smash-and-grab is not out of question but by no means will it be easy. Barcelona will be quietly confident while Chelsea will come in with spirit and a nothing-to-lose attitude. One glorious night can set this horror season straight for Chelsea but Barcelona will come all guns blazing to defend their crown. The backdrop is set-up. The characters are in place. The magic of the Champions League will capture us again. Whatever happens, come April 18, when the players go out on the pitch, expect fireworks.

Revenge is a dish best served cold

We are not getting Eriksen, Hazard etc. after last night. We are not qualifying for champions league and i guess we have to settle for other players from other clubs who haven't qualified. I suggest we raid Newcastle and Napoli. Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Cavani, Lavezzi will be immense although I doubt that's what the new manager will do I seriously hope we get the new manager in by the end of MAY itself because we HAVE to sign bargains before EURO 2012. I know this might sound like a silly little thing but look at last season, Mata joined after season started. Meireles joined on deadline day while ManU finished all their deals very early on in the summer. (they got chicharito for 7m before the WC)

This is the old one. Back in december But it is true. That's just how Chelsea feels after this slip-up :rant: :rant:

thankfully, knockout football is unlike league games. v still hav a big chance of winning something eventhough no1 gives us hope. also look at the bright side of finishing 6th. next season, our rebuilt team will have no distraction but focus on the champions league spot

goodbye champions league

the equalizer is coming. v r sitting deep and allowing them to play around us

ryan bertrand has been comparetively better

that's because he always passed to the cb's. even on a good counter.. shouldn't have played at CAM

mikel - dafuq? your family sittin der?

Romeu, mate.. he's on the bench No essien

Kalou has been world class today. i mean, atleast for his ability

oh for gods sake - meireles, u piss me off.

If United's got Howard Webb, we've got Mark Clattenburg!

PENALTY!!

yeah.exactly.what is the point of having romeu and lukaku if we persist with meireles and kalou till hell freezes over

look how fulham are building up. they are not fuckin shooting from long range. they are gettin dangerous crosses in. get mata on for meireles!

he either gives the ball away or plays it back to cb's