Stats

LOL, wtf why would there be "beef"?

Demba Ba actually has a good record against United. Can understand why people don't want him anywhere near the lineup for this match but in our games with United last season he done very well. Gave United CB a tough time and has scored for Newcastle a few times against United as well. I don't see why a few people have MVG in their lineup. Personally I don't think he stands a chance of starting this game. Will be Ramires and Mikel/Essien IMO. Cannot see Lamps starting 3 league games in a row. Hopefully Luiz is back but I am unsure if he will take Cahill or Terry's place for this game. We beat United a few times last season and in this fixture last season we beat them 1-0. Hopefully another win!

LOL, believe me there is no issue between the two. It was similar to when Lukaku was on loan at WBA last season. He was a sub for the first two league games at WBA then gradually began to start games. Had Mourinho had an issue with him Lukaku would have been shipped out on loan again. Mourinho wanted him here for a reason and I am sure time will prove that.

Well, Lampard may have been poor but you have stated he "offered nothing". He made a great delivery for the second goal. I am not looking at his MVG completion level. I watched him play and IMO he looked very nervous. Like I said he is young and it is hard to make a step up but there was two times he had the ball and just cleared it to the opposition. If he had a bit more confidence and composure you wold have picked out a pass to a team mate. Personally I was surprised with that change near the end anyway. I think he should have brought Mikel on simply because he would of provide a lot more protection, kept possession but it seems part of the reason Mourinho brought him on is to give him game time like he promised him. I found it an odd sub for Mourinho to make. A lot of people may not agree but that is my honest opinion. Personally, I thought MVG would have started 1 of the 2 games however he did not. I have a feeling that Lampard might be dropped for United but I would expect to see Mikel or Essien come in his place, not MVG because I think Mourinho will want to control the midfield with power.

Was at the game, before I get started on my post-match reaction will point out that Nathan Ake was casually strolling into Fulham Broadway station but not that much people seemed to take notice from him. Well he had his entourage so maybe people decided to back off Anyway my comments about the match. Pleasing to get the 2-1 win as it is another 3 points but tbh that was probably the worst Chelsea match I have been to in my lifetime. Was really a poor match, some of the players were below usual standards. Atmosphere was poor and was in all a scruffy game. What I am surprised at is the amount of critics for Brana. I thought he had a solid game. Funnily enough he was the first person I voted as my MOTM before I read the comments and a lot of people seem to have chosen him as well. He was rock solid, dealt with Agbonlahor in most duels and when against Benteke done very well as well plus scored the winner and gave 100%. Cahill had a solid game as well. Him and Terry but I will compliment Cahill more because people thought he was going to be a complete liability today against Benteke and although he scored I feel our defence done well against him. Cahill's tackle in the first half was world class as well. I was really impressed with him today. Mata had a poor game but he will come good. Maybe just not match sharp yet. Oscar had another good game and impressed me. Now with Lukaku I have always supported the cause that right now he should be our no.1 striker but I think people are overreacting to today's game about his performance and why he proved he is better than all our other strikers. Not that I disagree with this notion but when coming on from the bench it is easier to bring more into the game compared to when starting from the beginning. When you start from the beginning like Ba did this game, they can be easily isolated. When coming on from the bench you are more fresher than other players and can be easier to make an impact. Ba was bad today but I will not completely blame him because the whole team was awful. I would like Lukaku to start next match my self but as I was saying he may find himself in a similar situation, he might not however it is difficult playing as the lone striker. I feel if Ba came on from the bench he may have caused more problems that is why I think people should just wait a bit for comparing someone who has started a game compared to someone who is more fresh coming on from the bench. Saying that I hope Lukaku does get a start against United and hopefully can prove a point that he is capable of being a starter here. I still feel Cole needs to offer more as a fullback. I look at most top teams in the PL and Europe and their fullbacks are very good attacking and defensive wise. Cole seems to have lost all his attacking impetus and that is a shame because I feel our fullbacks should offer more sometimes going forward to add more of a threat. He never seemed to get out of his area in the match but did good defensive wise but I do feel the lack of attacking threat from our FB might prove a hindrance sometimes. I also agree with Mourinho leaving MVG out from the starting 11 for now. He impressed in pre-season but as people know, pre-season is completely different to the real thing. He is still very young and made a big step up and to come to Chelsea at the age of 20 is a big move and he will need time. He looked very nervous last night and seemed to kick the ball anywhere without actually taking time and looking to find a teammate with a pass. I don't expect to see him in the starting line up against United as well but I think it is best for him if he slowly plays his way into the Chelsea team. I have a feeling Jose might start Mikel for that game, who knows? I will admit as a Chelsea fan that I have not been totally impressed with out performances so far and looks like we need to work on a lot of areas but the most important thing is that we have won both our games and that is what counts and is good momentum for the United match.

He could have been better but he scored the decider in the FA Cup quarter final replay against United, 2 goals in the Cup game against Southampton on his debut. Got us back in the game in the semi final game against City which we unfortunately ended up losing. Popped up with a few prem goals like the decisive goals against WBA in our 1-0 victory. Could have offered more but he certainly was not awful. Similar to Anelka but I think Ba had a better start than Anelka and Anelka ended up being a quality signing for us, so I think it is too early for people to write of Ba just of yet.

http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/69491#matchPreview

Well even if he does play the 90 mins, we have got 5 days still our match against United. More than enough time to prepare. If we are in a comfortable lead then maybe. Also think Lukaku will start. He deserves it. Ba is 3rd choice atm and I know many people who have Ba playing are thinking because Lukaku will be a better impact player however Lukaku did not commit to staying here this season by being a super sub. He will get starts and I will be surprised if he does not start tomorrow.

Also ironic that in this article: http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3419363/title/mourinho-considers-the-contenders it mentions Oscar and Hazard as the players who had impressed against Hull.

I guess it is called "Chelsea Daft" for a reason

I will give it a few hours until you are sober

No. He does not get game time while there is an important PL game. This is not pre-season anymore, hello. This is back to serious business now and when Cech is fit for a PL game he has to play, even though Schwarzer is a very good keeper. He will not play, Cech will and rightly so. The PL and CL are arguably the most important trophies for us so why would we go about rotating keepers?

Yeah "in case". There are cup games. Cech has rarely been injured for the last couple seasons. We can rotate other outfield members who burn more energy. There is no need to replace the keeper for PL matches unless it is a pointless game in which our PL position has been assured. Schwarzer knows coming to Chelsea that for most games in the PL if not all of them, he will be on the bench. He is good cover but he will get games in the cup. Not this one. Would be crazy to think Cech is rotated for PL games. We don't do that. We are not Valencia and United only rotated there keepers when they were unsure of who was there actual no.1. Cech is the undisputed keeper here.

He will not be rested 100%. He is our no.1 keeper. If he was promised to play it would be the cup games etc. Not important PL games. We don't have time to be rotating keepers when we have one of the best keepers in the world. Schwarzer is good cover but he will not be picked over Cech for PL games. No sense in that.

Of course Cech will play. He is the no.1 keeper and we never rotate keepers for league games.

Erm who do you think that? I think you might look stupid with that comment at the end of the season. I sure will remember this if Lukaku does score more which I will bank on him doing.

IMO would be a completely wrong move to move to us or City. Can see why it will be luring for him but he is playing regular football for PSV who are in European football and you never know may beat Milan. He should continue to stay there for at least another 1-2 years then evaluate his options. Amazing talent though and was called up for the Belgium team against France but unfortunately got injured. We will definitely hear more about him as the season and years go on.

He was not excellent but then again he was not poor. He instigated the first goal, got fouled several amount of times to win us free kicks and was doing constant defensive work and second half we did not attack Hull as much as we could of so all in all thought he had a good game. I don't have any worries for him though. He is young, great stamina and I am sure he will step up to expectations as the season goes on.

Lukaku to start please and hope to see Mata and Hazard playing in the starting 11 and 3 points

Excuse me?

Lukaku 100% I am sure.

Mourinho's first game so will take the win but second half was poor. Tempo was awful and I know Mourinho has no Ronaldo but I hope we up our tempo and go for goals like Mourinho said because we held back too much second half but the win is most important anyway. 3 points anway and on to Villa but I hope Mourinho does not do any of this 1-0 defensive minded football. Hopefully not!

I just keep clicking the match thread every second hoping someone posts the lineup. The anticipation........

Can you change my name from CFC_Lucas to Stats please? Thanks.

Well when you look at it they still have the same team from last season and sent a huge message out yesterday. The only reason why people are doubting United is because of Moyes replacing Fergie but that is quite exaggerated to say it is "absolutely unacceptable" to finish below them. They are still very strong and most importantly have the best striker in the league.