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good protection leads to happy defenders. Nothing special about defense line performance--they did well--but it was all about teamwork and defending from the entire team. Juve dominated the midfield midweek (was watching it at a pub in italy--I was very quiet for a number of reasons). The second goal was very telling in that 3 midfield juve players went forward without challenge and no Chelsea player tracked back. Ridiculous defending from the midfield. TBH, I have my doubts we can play with this midfield. Some of these players cannot defend at all and well told to do so, like today, they cannot contribute up front. I hope I'm wrong here though.

Oscar plays far deeper than Mata and Hazard. He does that too for Brazil... he is considered one of the sure starters for 2014. He never played as a CAM or inside FW, and not even that great on the wings. He plays best when a bit deeper, even as a CM. Mata and Hazard are like attackers. They can't keep possession very well because they are extremely aggressive when they have the ball; they will go for the goal and play vertically at all times. They also never track back. Oscar is a very different player indeed with very different characteristics and he never scored that many goals either. You are just expecting something from Oscar that he will never deliver.

FA brought this upon themselves as they pursued the weak case against JT (who may or may not have said something). How this is any different from the perspective of the media is beyond me. I personally believe it is a bit hypocritical to demand above and beyond dedication from the players and then expect the composure of a high-court lawyer. If the players are facing 50/50 disputes every other minute of course their judgement will be impaired. A Ref on the other hand, should always remain composed, as he is not one in a dispute.

So, while Fellaini seems to be good enough when playing as a CAM, we have both players and cover for that position. The big question mark is whether he can do a good job, and develop, as a CM. I remember having mixed feelings about his performances in the CM role, but he may have improved since then.

I"ve been impressed with Fellaine this season and his height (aerial power) would be an obvious addition to the current Chelsea squad (short side). However, I do worry about his lack of pace in a very pacey side. Fernandinho is the same of what we already have (we have even cover with Marko). To get someone like De Rossi or another starter would perhaps discourage and hinder the development of the younger player he'd be replacing. So, Chelsea must be very careful here, because the best way to have a clear advantage over the opposition is to develop players.

any one know whether we are marking zone in set pieces? It just seemed odd to me having Ramires marking Suarez... Typically, a defender would stick to him and Ramires would mark a midfielder, and strikers the defenders, etc. So, even if we are zone marking set pieces, Ramires should not have been marking the striker. Just wondering how much of a mistake it was...

Defensively, conceded on set pieces and let Suarez get behind a sleeping defense line -- Czech got us a point today because that was a sitter. I was concerned about Terry form, but he was great until picking up that very scary injury. Interestingly enough, we started with a low defense line, letting Lpool have possession, but defending well with many players behind the ball. Ironically, when we moved the line higher up in the second half was the time Lpool played better. I agree with many who posted Lpool improved after Oscar was subbed. I thought Hazard would've been a better sub. I'm still unsure whether we can have possession or even defend well with Hazard, Mata, Moses, And Sturridge on the pitch at the same time. It's just too many pure attackers in the team. Oh well... just hope Terry isn't out for the season.

I feel very cool and chilled out, thank you. I don't get upset discussing football. You are the one pointing to a red card back then... Well, that's why I said Luiz should've been rested against Shaktar. Now, JT's form is going to be a question mark, don't you think? When was his last competitive match? I also support the team, which means supporting all players, especially the better (international) ones.

Wow I can only imagine what you think of John Terry after picking up a ridiculous red card in the first minutes of a decisive CL game... Poor Luiz... He needs to move to a possession side like Barca, because with this kind of attitude he can do no right. I for just have a hard time imagining center defenders like the ones people seem to like here on a high defense line and possession style, which is exactly what Chelsea appear to be going for; just haven't been able to get the possession part right just yet.

I disagree with you concerning Lucas Moura. Good player, but kinda one trick pony in my book. So, I tend to agree with Brazil management about Lucas' role in the national team. Oscar IMO is a sure starter for Brazil... while Lucas is debatable. They don't play in the same position as Lucas to me is a pure attacker, he can't track back or play in the middle.

I hope you are right, but those were short sprints since at the time Chelsea played with an extremely deep defense line.

If the back line is indeed Ivanovic, Cahill, JT, and Bertrand, (it could be a ruse, but RDM hinted Luiz will be rested) I just hope RDM does not go for a high defense line. All Suarez does is move behind defenders... he's very quick and the only player with any speed in our defense would be Bertrand. Once again, it all depends on mechanics, but although liverpool aren't very good right now, they do have lots pace in a number of players.

Luiz should have been rested against Shaktar then. Suarez is from Uruguay and VERY South American in the way he moves and dribles (using body rather than just feet). Well, Luiz is also from South America, is used to the style, and actually practices with the likes of Neymar on every Brazil call up. So, I'd like very much to see Luiz against Suares, especially if Chelsea are going to press and push higher up on the pitch, because both JT and Chill lack pace.

All this talk and constant bashing on the defense and individual players shows a poor knowledge of the game. When Ashley has a poor game and then Betrand also has a poor game, doesn't that give people some hints?! Do you think Shaktar played a lot on the right by accident or perhaps they saw something interesting there?! Perhaps they watched what Valencia did there a few days earlier? David made one mistake in my book: bad positioning in the second goal (he lost the man for a second there). It was a tough cross to mark, but he cannot mark the ball (he tried to block the cross), but the player. In the first goal he was marking a striker in the box when he had to rush to the left to cover a number of bad plays and tackles from Ramires, Hazard, and a slip from Bertrand; he also correctly blocked the narrow cross, but Shaktar player passed back (which is also a correct play in that situation). in the first half I think, Fernandinho makes a diagonal run already beating a couple of players, and David joins him in the run blocking the shot all the way, until the shaktar player gives up and has to pass the ball back. Pretty much a perfect defensive play and yet the announcer manages to criticize David by saying something like he takes a too relaxing approach to defending... Terry will certainly help with his experience especially, as both Cahill and Luiz lack there. However, I am getting worried about defending in general and that has very little to do with the center backs, or even the fullbacks. The entire team is marking very poorly. Starting with Torres who has bursts of dedication, but it's just not consistent enough (not talking about attacking here). Mata is a very poor marker, and honestly I haven't seen anyone as bad as Hazard when defending. Oscar is a bit better, but no tackler either. Hopefully mechanics will improve, but regardless of the defenders picked, I see many conceded goals ahead.

defending has been poor this season... you can play any pair of CBs there and they will be under pressure and will eventually concede. Swansea attackers are hardly world class and still caused problems espec in the second half. It's just math really... Last season we had more players committed to defending, so the defense line was far more protected. Mata was the only player who did not contributed to defense last season; now we've got Mata, Sturridge (esp playing wide), Torres (Drogba was better in defense too), Hazard, Moses, and to a lesser degree Oscar (he defends well at times, but not consistent).

Wasn't crazy about his decision to foul Young; it was a professional foul and a clear red. It's all a split second decision, but I hope the coaches are talking to him about it; so many things could have happen in that play: Young could've missed a step (like he often does) and Ivanovic would've been there to stop him (or someone else); Young might have missed or stopped by Cech. A goal in that united game was a dime-a-dozen (almost literally), so I'd rather we stayed with 11 players one goal down.

lol I too favor a more defensive style. I've lost too many times to the Italians not to respect the way they play. However, that's not what Chelsea wanted to do with the new signings and the system used. The defense will be exposed. It's just math... However, once again, I will disagree concerning style: a player is either good enough or not. I prefer my CBs to be as skillful as possible for those times when they have to face pacey, strong, and skillful forwarders, like the ones ours had to deal with in the last CL. In those times, I want my defenders to be able to take the ball from the attackers without fouling them... without having to rely only on good positioning, or strength, or even height. I want a defender who is just as confortable on the ball as the forwarders: someone like Baresi for example.

If this, horrific officiating handing a win to United on a silver platter, happened once in a blue moon... but no... it takes place week in, week out. I've supported Chelsea even before the Hasselbaink days, but I see myself becoming an Anti-united fan, which is pretty sad to be honest.

His own goal!?! Petr is still trying to put the post back together after it got shattered by RVP strike. I think it's enough to say I completely disagree with your opinion concerning David. I'm willing to bet that if we bring any other defender, regardless of fame, he will suffer the same way. People wanted a more attacking-minded side, but don't seem to be willing to pay the price: guess what, the price is that the defenders will be exposed. Both Cahill and David are relatively young for defenders. I personally think David will become one of the best defenders in the world very soon (he's already very good). Brazil management seem to believe the same (so do Chelsea's). Positioning and awareness are traits defenders learn as they age; much harder to improve technique though. It just baffles me that all that these same defenders have accomplished (you know getting tested by the best among the best) in the last CL can be forgotten so easily after a drastic change in the system. And yet, people don't connect the dots: same players, different system. Anyway, I'm tired of defending Luiz here. If you really want a boring drone in defense, I am not the one you must convince.

Do you know why he was out of position?! He ran to the left to cover Ashley who wasn't there. Simply incredible ppl are criticizing him today when Cahill had a far poorer game. Not that I think the poor performance had much to do with the defenders mind you. Football is a bit more complicated than: if you concede, it's the defender's fault and if you don't score, it's the forwarder's fault. Defending is the responsibility of the entire team and so is attacking. If the defenders cannot pass the ball, for example, it hurts attacking.

agreed concerning attacking play, but defensively they were pretty much absent. Now, can you really expect lots of defensive contribution from those 3? Perhaps Oscar is the one who can drop back and add a little in the midfield, something he did not do enough against United, but Mata and Hazard are attackers first.

Once again, David is criticized for the style of his play, rather than his performance. He was Chelsea's best defender against United. RVP beat Cahill twice, once for each goal. So much for being predictable... However, can you really fault Cahill too much? RVP is one of the best strikers in the world and I feel Chelsea (read RDM) should've handled him differently: some f* cover?!

Chelsea's last chance... does he fucking know Chelsea are playing with 9 men!?!?!

Sad really: Torres does even know how to fucking dive properly! Honestly, game is lost now.

Sad really: Torres does even know how to fucking dive properly! Honestly, game is lost now.