Aesthetic Relic

Scolari wants to buy, but he's been told theres no money available unless he sells. ALready we've got £12m from the Bridge deal, so thats a start. I'd rather we didnt buy for the sake of it just because the money is there. If the player doesnt improve the team then leave it till the summer when the market is more open.

I'm sure you're not. I just think he's a frustrating player to watch at times.

So basically he's fitting square pegs in round holes. He shouldnt be accomodating anyone. Our biggest threats are Drogba and Lampard. The last few seasons stats will tell him that. We should be building our team around those two. Drogbas physical presence and Lampards eye for goal. One thing I've mentioned before and I think its worth mentioning again is why not try Bosingwa as a winger and play Ivanovic, Belletti or Ferreira at RB. It would add some balance to the midfield and it would allow crosses to be coming into the box on a regular basis. Something we've not been doing much of this season. Everything is going through the middle.

Probably as he's 6ft something and a threat in the air.

Its a hell of alot better than what we've mustered over the last month or two. We've drew 4 out of our last 5 games against teams we should have no problem with. We're about to step up a few levels and feeling confident about getting anything from OT is far from my thoughts.

One after another....I remember that. Andy Johnson

Theres more chance of a Man of the Match performance from Deco

Bosingwa usually stays back with Ash as covering defenders as they are the quickest players incase of a counter attack if the corner is cleared. Belletti is usually on the bench

At least its not Mavis or Dowd. Webbs not a bad ref.

He brought Drogba on against Cluj and paired him with Anelka. Almost instantly we looked a different side. Drogba was like a man possesed and Anelka looked more sharp and dangerous. He was able to drop off and link up with Drogba and Cluj hadnt a clue how to handle them. Another thing that has been noticed is the lack of goals from Lampard this season. Having a player like him who'll ghost into the box and score goals must be used to our advantage. Playing 2 upfront will allow him to get into the space thats created by the strikers keeping the defenders busy. We need to play to our strengths. And Lampard is definately a strength any team would relish to have. We need to get him more involved in the final third and 2 upfront is the way to do it.

We need to start taking risks. Imo Scolari playing it too safe as we dont have the players to properly play the system he favours. I dont think he has any intention of playing 4-4-2 atm. With Brazil he played 3-5-2 and with Portugal he played 4-3-3, both times he had an abundance of width to call upon. We dont have that luxury atm. So he'll continue to play the system we're playing until we get funds to change things around.

Metro I pray that they've been working on having someone on the posts for corners. I getting sick of watching us lose goals in such a pathetic manner.

Goal.com

If we dont get anyone in during the window, The only players we have who can play wide are Joe Cole (Scolari seems to have lost faith), Malouda (Isnt up to the job), Kalou(Too inconsistent) and Stoch(Dont think he'll get his chance). Thats been our achilles heel ever since Duff and Robben were sold. We havent replaced them with players of that quality and its something that should have been sorted out some time ago. Our midfield is too narrow and its crying out for some natural width.

As I said in another thread. give Joe Cole a free role and he can switch from left to right when either of the FB's go forward.

Is this the first time Drogba will be up against Vidic since he claimed he wished he's chinned him during the CL Final instead of his girly slap ? I can see us starting with Drogba. Bosingwa and Ash imo will have quiet games as Evra and Rafael like to push forward and that will keep them busy along with Riverdance and Nani/Giggs. So we will have to use Drogba as much as we can for an outlet to take the pressure off the defence. I feel the best chance we will get to score will come from a set piece so we have to make them count. Having JT nad Riccy paired together for the first time in some time will be a bonus. Maybe we will start to get a bit of stability in the defence now that both are back. We need to start winning games like this. A draw (although it may not be a bad result) is not what we really need. My head says we're going to get taught a lesson. My heart says we'll nick 3 points. Who's the ref btw? :unsure:

Malouda I see sense in that, but Kalou (as much as he is frustrating) is definately one for the future. Didnt he top the list last season for assists ? As for Ballack, If he's happy with a reduction in pay at least the club can meet him halfway and offer him a 2 year deal.

Well thats one bit of random shit you didnt know

Awwww FFS

Is he ? We cant win for shit at home. We need a change of tactics. Does he do it ?....No. He sticks to his formation that is suited to away games. We resort to humping balls into the box for a striker who is not suited to that style of play. Anelka is in red hot form. We get Drogba back and the fans are crying out for him to go 4-4-2 and play both together. Does he do it?......No. He sticks to his formation and leaves one or the other on the bench. Deco is playing shite football. Everyone can see he's having a nightmare. Does he drag him off?.....No. He keeps him on the pitch and drags off Joe Cole who's been on form and looking dangerous. Scolari has a system that he's comfortable with. It may well suit Brazil or Portugal, but surely he can see its not suiting us. If he cant see that by now he's either blind or insane. Imo we need to go 4-4-2 and drop Deco. play Mikel, Lampard and Ballack in the middle with Joe Cole having licence to roam behind the strikers. Play both Anelka and Drogba to keep defenders busy which in turn provides space for Lampard to exploit with his late runs into the box. We see in our play when one of the wing backs go forward, the other one stays and Mikel fills in. If thats the case switch Joe Cole to the opposite side and that gives us an extra man in attack. It'll spread their defence and holes will appear. Never mind Mourinho......TB for Manager

Has Scolari been living in a cave for the last decade ? It was Joe Cole who made Englands problem left side no longer a problem

Mourinho in shock Chelsea return I can see the headines now.........

Looks like it. Could be an interesting thread though.....

If he doesnt make it as a footballer he can always have a shot at making Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2

He has the potential to be very very good. If Arse Wanker was sniffing around him he must have something. The only problem is he has Milan Baros syndrome. Head down and runs into too many dead ends.