handy15 9 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I'm tipping Torres will come good - not just for the Stoke game - just good in general.It makes no sense that a proven goal scorer stops being all conquering.Strikers go through weird phases, could be the price tag messing with him.When he does come back, he will smash them in left and right.I also think Luiz is a gem. Firm fans favorite, that kid is loving the game and has ample swager - that has Chelsea written all over it. Can't wait to see him back.***On the realism comment - every game we play is important, but Stoke?We are the ones who will go for the kill - as it has been said by a sober few, I think we a re over respecting Stoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manpe 10,861 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Yeah, Luiz reminds me of Carvalho... could turn out as good as him hopefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCFC 357 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 AVB - http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2418310,00.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanSnake 1,211 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 What is with AVB and sitting on the grass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino- 116 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Obi Mikel is ready Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsden 4,689 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 People expressing pessimism and fear over a team that has never beaten us since 1975. what would then happen when we face the big boys: barca, madrid,man utd, man city et al?. doomsday?. smh. If anything this is an indication that people lack confidence in the team's ability this season. I doubt man utd fans would find a stoke city fixture threatening the least bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aesthetic Relic 301 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Stoke have had a few more games than us to get their match fitness up and with their games against Hadjuk Split they will have a head start with genuine competitive football. Stoke will always be a hard place to go no matter when you play them, so the main thing imo is getting the points on the board.The performance isn't that important.I'd defo start with Drogba rather than Torres in this game. Huth and Upson (probably) are two big no nonsense defenders. Drogba will be more suited to this kind of game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave30 728 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Stoke have had a few more games than us to get their match fitness up and with their games against Hadjuk Split they will have a head start with genuine competitive football. Stoke will always be a hard place to go no matter when you play them, so the main thing imo is getting the points on the board.The performance isn't that important.I'd defo start with Drogba rather than Torres in this game. Huth and Upson (probably) are two big no nonsense defenders. Drogba will be more suited to this kind of gamei think it will be woodgate they've said upson wont be playing . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluephoenix 1,131 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Is Lukaku ready for this game ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manpe 10,861 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Is Lukaku ready for this game ?Even if he is, I'll give my head that he won't play... too soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slam Dunk 1,442 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Is Lukaku ready for this game ?Well, he's not actually a Chelsea player (yet). So no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluephoenix 1,131 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Well, he's not actually a Chelsea player (yet). So no.he was with other players training , so thought I probably missed the news on the deal being confirmed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawai 4 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 http://www.premierleague.com/page/MatchPreviews/0,,12306~57830,00.htmlChelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Cole, Bertrand, Mikel, McEachran, Lampard, Ramires, Benayoun, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Lukaku, Hilario, Turnbull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheva. 5,373 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 I would guess they mistakenly wrote Lukaku instead of Torres? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benny_xy 4 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 i am vary confident AVB will win at the britannia stadium with style.hope torres will score.blue forever.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the Blues 11 19 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Chelseas is going to win 2-0. Drogba gets the opener and Torres gets the other in garbage time. I just wished I could see the game but no TV here as far as I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLion. 21,491 Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 How else do you measure competitiveness if not by stats? It's the result that counts at the end of the day. Stats can be misleading in some instances but it's perfectly legitimate in this case.Erm... performances?People expressing pessimism and fear over a team that has never beaten us since 1975. what would then happen when we face the big boys: barca, madrid,man utd, man city et al?. doomsday?. smh. If anything this is an indication that people lack confidence in the team's ability this season. I doubt man utd fans would find a stoke city fixture threatening the least bitI'll be very happy for you to have proved me wrong should we end up winners on Sunday.I don't suppose you remember this fixture last season? We'd have lost by three or four if not for Petr Cech's best performance between the posts for us for some time. Yes we have a new manager, but they are the same players who let Ancelotti down. It isn't pessimism, it's called being realistic, because we are no longer the unbeatable team of the Mourinho era. Stoke are an excellent side, I will not at all be surprised if they take points out of this match.As for your recollection of our previous fixtures against Stoke, besides the 7-0 thrashing in April 2010, every match against them has been an absolute battle where we have been very lucky to either win or draw.However, you questioning by support by suggesting I lack confidence in the team's ability is about as accurate as Emile Heskey. I'm merely pointing out the fact this will not be the walkover you seem to think it will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcherfromafar 11 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Not a walkover, but it ought to be a win. Actually Stoke strikes me as a good team to play in an opener. The boys should be ready to get after it. Facing Stoke either right before or right after a Liverpool or United would be worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddandrewblue 19 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Chelseas is going to win 2-0. Drogba gets the opener and Torres gets the other in garbage time. I just wished I could see the game but no TV here as far as I know.It's on Fox Soccer Plus at 8:30am Eastern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcherfromafar 11 Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Fox Soccer Plus and early. Actually the time's ok. A less less beer and a little more sleep is always a good idea. The pisser is that I don't get Fox Soccer Plus in HD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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