Fulham Broadway

Yeah but do we really want a Dutchman ?

If it's true I agree to a certain extent. Drogba will be seen in the future as a Chelsea great, and I definitely am not one to slag him off for bitch slapping Vidic and getting sent off. If Lampard or Terry had done that, people would be defending them. Drogba is used to fan loyalty at Marseille, and the Chelsea fans that cried tears for Terry because he missed the penalty seem a bit Anglo- centric - I havent heard one consolation word concerning Anelkas miss. Drogba has also been misquoted loads of times, and has been a constant target of the media for diving, when other players who do the same are conveniently ignored. Hes the big black bogey man for a lot of people

And you edited that ? Lot of prejudice against the Welsh - fucken sound people in the main. Chelsea FC saved by a Joey Jones goal donchaknow, ...and I bet you'd give Charlotte Church one

Racist

Chelsea need continuity of managership. If they get Scolari, Mancini, it'll last max 3 years, probably less, with Abramovichs quest for instant gratification. I would like Hughes or a 'hungry to win' younger manager be given the long term option. The first season may be silverware free, worse than Grants season where he just sat doing fuck all, if the manger has to introduce new players. But, I'd sacrifice a season to see long term growth and success. No one thought much of Ferguson or Wengers first season, but the respective boards had the foresight to spot long term potential and the rewards of continuity of permanent stewardship

Well he's the fans choice by a mile. Intelligent and understated, which explains his Blackburn success, I really think we should go for a 'hungry' name such as Hughes rather than an established old timer. He could play up front as well now and then.

Well Hughes is definitely the fans choice -but will Abramovich try and court public favour by appointing him ? Sky has Big Phil as favourite again now.

Filthy lucre. Plus, they worked together at SS Lazio. As it stands all options still seem open at the moment though Rijkaard seems less likely.....

Or if they want a Right Said Fred lookalike, how about Ray Wilkins ? Quite funny how Ten Cates is getting a much bigger pay off than Grant. Ten Cates was one of Arnesens ideas, so maybe he'll be out too. Have a feeling Arnesen will be kept on, if only to stop other clubs benefiting from his eye for players.Have to see if Clarkey boy is kept on in some capacity too. From The Independent -Ten Cate, with his abrasive style, proved unpopular with the Chelsea players, clashing with John Terry prior to the Carling Cup Final as the captain defended midfielder John Obi Mikel who he felt was being bullied. Indeed, ten Cate has upset many at the club with his aggression and earned the nickname 'Mad Dog'. He also got off on the wrong foot when he refused to do The Chelsea Song initiation thang. Wonder what Grant sang ?

Badboy, you're up front - Huntlaar stylee

I can definitely see a Mancini/Sven partnership a possibility, seeing as they've worked together before. In fact might stick a couple of quid on that. If the last choice is anything to go by we'll have a Warnock/Holloway dream ticket

Its definitely a guessing game at the moment. Keane ? Blimey didnt hear anything about that. Keane is just the sort of 'personality' that the board will try and protect Abramovich from. They need a cotton wool buffer zone, which is why Sven with his polite demeanor, PR friendly manner is the sort they will go for. Also, tapped up before. I dont think he'd be that bad tbh -definitely knows his football, and although not my choice, is a massive, massive improvement on the fat tramp.

you NO DAT. INNIT.

Thats because Wham Feeder Team are our real academy Sven or Scolari the more I think who it could be. How long before Hughes told Abramovich or Kenyon to do one ?

Ha ha Ha ! Rush keeper, and anyone near the goal can go in goal.

Agree about two strikers that understand each other. Even if Anelka and Drogba play together they are like two individuals, unlike the Gudjohnsen Hasselbaink partnership, who had an 'understanding'. I cant watch the whole match again-pisses me off too much -but have watched bits on Youtube etc -just so close!!. Lampard hitting the ball two inches lower would have clinched it, as with Drogbas to the right.

Academies at lower clubs have more urgency in producing players for the first team due to financial restrictions - less need at 'rich' clubs -they just buy off the peg ready made players and use the youth system as a cash cow. Oh to be a fly on the wall in Abarmovichs/Kenyons office -would make a fortune if you knew who the nexrt incumbent was

We only need 4 - your sweeper/Maka role will sort them out

So what are people drinking these days ? Laying off the shorts nowadays -but can recommend some of the Polish beers particlarly Lech and Tyskie. Tending to drink those and the Portuguese SuperBock --delicious. Amstel and Stella as well , and if you're in Kent check out Hurlimans lager (or hooligans) as its known over there) beautiful.

He' ll try and put it behind him -and doubtless there are sports psychiatrists available to the squad, that'll help. I remember reading an interview with the golfer Doug Sanders who missed a 2 and a half feet putt to win the 1970 British Open(he eventually lost an 18 hole play off with Jack Nicklaus the following day)-when asked by the journalist whether he was always thinking about that putt he replied ...'hell no-I went 5 minutes last week when I didn't think about the putt!!

Arnesens Danish Bacon

Well thats you me GZ and Aroop. I'd probably go for a 1-2-1 formation if Badboy can go in goal. We'll fucking walk it.

If only No it's just obvious from what's been happening. By that token its impossible to say Arnesen is doing a brilliant job. He heads a scouting network that is highly unlikely to ever produce regular first teamers in 99% of cases , but will still hopefully reap a profit. He may be good at talent spotting, and the next Terry or Ronaldo may be amongst the Cobham contingent , but his primary role is procurement of young players to develop and sell on. Bit like pimping. Hopefully our next manager will play Stoch and Sinclair et al and have faith ala Ferguson and Wenger.

I'd probably be up for it. silky skills still there ....-though probably only last 15 minutes

Well we may be waiting a while -though I've a feeling an anouncement could be made tomorrow. The other thing about the Youth Academy is that it can pay for itself or generate a profit whilst fulfilling the facade of potential future first teamers. A factory farm that produces pedigree players for slightly lesser teams...