dumps

Anyone see us buying Falcao with Torres used as a swap? I don't see why torres wouldnt want to go back, and i dont see Athletico complaining with Torres plus a bunch of cash. I think us having Falcao and Torres and sturridge will lead to Torres getting upset, and Sturridge leaving at the end of his contract - so i dont think we can keep Torres. If falcao ends up coming to the PL and its not our club, then we would have really missed out there. the only otehr club i can see getting him is Man City, and by god that would piss me off. Only thing is surely Man city wouldnt buy another striker, they have too much quality in that position already. Im getting wet thinking of Oscar, Mata and Hazard behind Falcao. good god what a line up!

when we went 1 -0 down i wasnt worried at all. i knew we would win comfortably. was a fantastic game, you cna really see players starting to understand each other and their roles now. and i still think we will continue to improve. We must bare in mind though that this was a poor Norwich team who have not been good recently. i liked hte subs RDM made, even Romeu got a few shots in (thats how defensive norwich were). Azpi looks good, still not seen much, but its safe to say he isnt a step backwards for hte RB position. really enjoyable game. could have been many more goals in it. the penalty shouts annoy me so much. i knew this would happen. I am yet to see Hazard dive (and if he is diving, he's a superb actor), i've seen him go down a couple of times a bit easy, but no diving. and this annoys me that hes not getting penalties and freekicks for them. the english referees are way too lenient. in other countires these fouls would be pens/freekicks! and teams are using that as a tactic! the amount of times hazard is fouled is ridiculous. and its because its the only way they can stop him, and they will continue to do so for as long as they are not punished for it.

On tv or online if its not on tv. Probably only manage to see 3 to 5 games at the bridge a season due to where I live and my schedule

Cech Ivanovic --- Luiz --- Terry --- Cole Mikel --- Ramires Mata --- Oscar --- Hazard Torres Thats my line up. would happily fit Cahill in for JT. I like how oscar runs back, almost making it a 4-3-3 at times. also if either mata or hazard are playing behind hte striker, i like how they switch around and share the position fluently during games. My priorities: 1. Premier League 2. Champions League 3. Club WC 4. FA cup 5. League Cup I would like to see Sturridge get some game time on his return, i would love to see more of Azpi, i think this weekend against norwich he should start, he wont, but he should. The formation is starting to settle and the roles of the players is looking good, i like seeing oscar behind the striker and dropping deep. I would like to see a bit more rotation, i love the depth we have at the squad and the quality of the depth and i think we should use it! Our signings have been superb, and this squad will be amazing in a few years time, especially if we continue to add some more quality young players. I've no complaints about the players that were sold, would have liked to have seen Malouda go as well, The only loaned player i regret loaning is Essien IMO. i feel we could have used him here and needed him. he may not have played much but i think he is still a quality player and can play that holding midfield role very well. I honestly see us as title contenders. we have the squad for it, theres no doubt about that. for the champions league I would love to see us go all the way, though depending on the draw, i can see us getting to the semis, would be amazing if we got to the final again - I think in a couple of years time we will be be a huge threat and favourites for the Champions league. FA cup we can and should win. I would like to see us win the league cup, but to consistently play a 'B' team in it. even if we got to the final, i think we should play our players that arent considered key players - should be a cup for them! I agree wiht the others, Marin will most likely be a squad player. Id like to see sturridge come back, get some minutes, and really contend for the stiker position with Torres and hoepfully getting a lot of game time there in the future and then hopeuflly singing a new contract! As we are at the moment, i think we have a lot of potential, and once some of the new signings properly settle in and begin to communicate with others, we are going to be a very strong team. it will be interesting to see what happens around January and i think that could be an important part of our season If we buy/dont buy anyone.

Thread for the tactical thinkers now! Okay, so we are 6 games in to the premier league, a couple of games in to the Champions League and we've started in the League cup. It's still very early days, but we have now got a taster of our team, what we are capable off and RDM's approach to games. It is still early days What I want to know: 1. What is your best starting 11? (if you want to give more than one, i.e. one for vs a strong team and one vs and weaker team, go for it!) 2. List What you see as our priority this season e.g. Champions league over premier league? (you can list the competitions in order if you want!) 3. What would you like to see changed/introduced in the near future? 4. What is your view on our new signings, our sold players, and our loaned players? - how have they affected us? 5. how far you think we will/should go in each cup/competition? 6. we havent properly seen Marin or Sturridge this season due to injuries - where do you see their role in the squad when they return? if there is anything else you would like to add or bring up go for it. Try to stick to the topics and please do not argue, everyone is entitled to their opinion, so keep it critical! CHELSEA!

when Chelsea signed him, there was a campaign on Twitter to have his name changed to 'Dave' for ease of pronounciation lol!

Ruddy (Norwich Keeper) has got me many points on Fantasy football, so they cant be that bad! seriously though, Norwich are half the team they were last season, I dont think they are a threat and anything less than a win is a failure. It may be a massive defensive display from Norwich, but im sure we would get a break through around 75minute mark. an early goal would be nice, if we can get an early goal we can get a nice big win under our belt. Would like to see a Marin start (he wasnt even on the bench mid week, hope he's not injured) i dont see why Azpi cant start either. Hopefully Sturridge can make a return. even if its just a sub, just want to get him back from injury!

20 minutes through the first half... main point for me is how noticable it is without a natural defensive midfielder. Rami and Lampard both arent that defensively gifted hence why we are being out passed in front of our defence. having mikel or romeu there partnering really blocks out those passes/space and is a lot more defensively sound. wouldn;t work against more talented teams, so we got away with it tonight.

that chelsea tv scheldue is now bookmarked. thank you good sir!

REQUEST: I really want to watch this game and see the team we put out, however i have to leave for work now and wont return untill 11:30pm but would really love to watch the game. so does anyone know if/where/when the game is repeated???? If its on Chelsea TV that is ideal and a time would be nice. if someone would quote this post (so i get a notification) and inform me of a place to watch it will be very greatful and will be in your debt!!!!! really want to see Marin start tonight and hopefully azpi again. 4-0 Chelsea.

was a good performance. we were a bit sloppy for a part of the second half (so were arsenal luckily) but otherwise, very good performance. good individual performances as well. Oscar was very effective and probably the unnoticed hero of today. he stopped Arsenal being able to pass it around freely, good defensive positioning from him. Torres, what a lad. good game by him today. Mata was a little off apart from his free kicks. good performance and a massive win for us!!!!!! CHELSEAAAAAAA!

YES!

good half. unlucky to be 1-1, but we gave Gervinho toooooo much time then, good movement by him though. We are pretty comfortable, good possesion, someone like Moses should really open up the Arsenal Defence. Oscar is doing alright, he's making it harder for arsenal to pass it around. If Moses comes on i can see Hazard or Mata having to come off. I can see Lamps coming on For Oscar and being told to play the same role Oscar is- Not sure how that will work out though...

Luiz needs to have one of his disciplined games today. My only real worry is Terry. He isn't so fast, and Arsenal have got some pace. fortunately, after Terry goes through things like this, he always plays really well. seems to give him good motivation. very strong minded. 7-5 Chelsea - you heard it here first.

Hopeully Oscar coming back defensively can really help Lamps out. Im still not Sold on Lampard playing in that roll, he just doesnt look comfortable there. Hopefully Oscar and Lamps have a nice understanding, and if so, Frank could have a screamer of a game! sorry, just read hte above posts about lamps not starting. im more confident on the defensive side of our team now! COME ON YOU BLUES!

Arsenal: Mannone - Jenkinson Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs - Arteta Diaby - Ramsey Cazorla Podolski - Gervinho ^ rumoured arsenal line up. if so I see it being very similar to us.both teams have set up to play narrow. the good thing is Someone like moses coming on will really spread them, however, i imagine as soon as Moses comes on Walcott/Ox will come on... I see this a true battle of individuals and team work. should be a decent game.

if those rumours are true (mata, oscar, hazard to start) we are in for a cracking game! still could go either way, but my god it'll be entertaining.

Once the line up has been confirmed and shown, then i can prepare myself for whats going to happen and be confident about it because right now i dont know whats going to happen! all depends on the line up!!!!!

I think the laws on it are different (in the UK) ill look... For death its normally assumed you are allowed time off and is agreed with your employer (normally 3 days). Paternity leave for men can be taken with or without the permission of the employer... BUT after a glance at the Paternity leave rules for men, turns out you have to be at your place of work for atleast 26 weeks before you can register for it. lawfully. so unless he is given the holiday as a gesture of good will, he will be available!

On leave for a couple of weeks then?

I am a bit concerned that we come across our first proper test in the EPL and everyone is on their knees begging for Rami and Bertrand to start on the wings?! we've played with a healthy attacking mentality in the last 2 games and its worked a treat! i dont see why we dont keep the ball rolling! Lampard should not start this game, if he starts next to Mikel/Romeu he'll leave us too exposed and arsenal will enjoy passing around in that space. as people have mentioned, Oscar does get back and help out defensively so we can expect him to start. Hazard and Mata should start, i dont see why not. Would prefer Sturridge to start but we all know it will most likely be Torres. I dont think we should back in to our shells and play defensively, if we do that we will just lose 1-0 and it will be and awful game to watch. have some faith in our back four and the 2 defensive midfielders and let our attackers have some more fun. Arsenals Defenders as individuals have some simple weakneses. Pace is one of htem, starting with sturridge up front would be such a joy! we got this. take a chill pill.

ya fair point, but I must add i was taking in to consideration previous games ive seen of them. despite the poor opposition, what they were doing was right off and on the ball. and they arent massive conclusions, more of ideas. just my personal opinion on those players in that position and how i think they could work. you can't say they are bad or wrong, i can see them working but im not saying its set in stone. as said earlier, I (Scorer of 8 in 20 appearences in a soccer sixes league) could have made that wolves team, im not trying to make conclusions, just give ideas. seeing the players there just set off some thoughts in my head of these palyers and their styles.

to be fair, its not a good game to be able to judge him on. he has had next to nothing to do. but you cant say he did anything wrong. and going forward he didn't look to bad. a decent crosser, not a bad shot, sensible with his passing. would like to see him play a few games in the prem to see his defensive side a bit more though. Just finished the game. great result for chelsea and the individual players. gives RDM confidence to field a weakened team at weekends when we have a big Champions league game coming up or something similar. just a shame that wolves were really bad, hopefully the next round will be a bit more of a challenge!

haha you are very right! but i can dream! I base the stuff on Ramires from the Stoke game as well though. and i think all those points are still valid - Romeu showed he was big enough for that position in games last season. Oscar and Lampard would probably be very similar in the position. Cant wait for Arsenal. will be our first proper test, i hope RDM sides a decent team for it and doesnt stick Rami and Bertrand on the wings again. roll on saturday!