Our 'team'

[cousin benson 76]

we never replaced ROBBEN!

[termninja 5,290]

we never replaced ROBBEN!

We did. With Kalou and Anelka later XD

[cousin benson 76]

Oh yeah that waste of space, Kalou!

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

The best manager is one who can bring the best out of his players, not one who implements a system that requires whole new players. It's still early, but clearly, AVB hasn't brought out the best in his players yet. Instead, he's brought his fancy Barcelona romance thing to Chelsea, which is the total opposite of what we had been doing for so long, and now, our defense, which used to be one of the best in the world, is in shamble, and we're doing well only in keeping possession but not with doing anything useful with it. (YAY now we're like Arsenal!)

I can see how efficient it can be if it works out well, but with lack of discipline and teamwork at the back it's never going to happen. Those aspects of the team he completely ignored and it showed today. Half the time, Ivanovic and Luiz didn't even know where each other was, and Terry, Luiz, Mikel, and Cole tried to do some fancy turns to try get out of trouble instead of using their sense and clearing the ball away. I hate to say this, but I completely agree with what Neville had to say about our defense. (Not that it helps to listen to that asswipe when we're losing. Anyway, who the hell gets Neville to commentate a match between Chelsea and Liverpool?) Anyway, I'm not quite sure whether AVB does or does not have the right players for his philosophy, but either way they are not ready for it. He probably took a wrong approach of hurriedly implementing his style of football before he solved the problems we had since last season, and it's going to be very difficult for him to turn things around now in the middle of the season. In other words, I don't want to sound pessimistic, but we may be screwed... for the season.

[incometax 116]

Obviously no one is a fan of avb's work this season, but sacking him is just unrealistic at this time, and judgment on him should be after at least 1 season and a bit. The thing that worries me is how will we be able to sign a top talent like cavani as someone mentioned earlier in this thread when were playing in Europa league? I have come to terms with not making cl this season, but Christ we are so desperate for signings in certain positions it will be hard to attract quality. Avb and gourlay have considerable work ahead of them this summer, we will have to look at new targets that are willing to join a team not in cl. Possibly targets like de bryne and someone like gaston rameriez wouldnt mind a season w/o cl maybe. I just hope we don't suffer for lack of organization in the summer.

[Naked Mole Rat 437]

By the way, I feel kind of sorry for Mikel. That was a pretty big mistake and all, but it was Cech who unnecessarily put him under pressure, and that always happens. It's not just Cech, but with Mikel being a formidable ball-keeper, his teammates tend to rely little too much on him and put him in situations like that. He usually does well to spin away from opposition players, but it was always going to happen.

[Blue Armour 4,436]

I keep saying this a lot but, winning the Carling Cup is an excellent target for the team at this moment. And no I'm not being sarcastic or pessimistic.

I think the lads should keep their heads low, concentrate on winning all the upcoming EPL fixtures till Jan (and at least drawing the ones with City and Newcastle), getting through the CL group stages, and do their absolute best in the Carling Cup.

Winning this Cup would send a strong message to the other teams, as we would have had to get past virtually the best of the top 4 to do so! More importantly it gives us the label of being the first team to win any real silverware this season, and also reminds the players that they are still in the hunt for trophies. This will give us the drive needed just like in the end of 2009-2010, and of the 2008-2009 season...

Say all you want about it being a transition period, but its better to finish a season brightly even if it doesn't necessarily mean finishing as English or Euro champions. It will also set the tone for the next season..

[Kojo 4,676]

I want to say thank you to everyone, great debate going here and good points about it. I thought i would be into arguements but many have surprised me. It's obvious what we need is drive in the midfield, and we have to accept players like Lampard will not make our midfield world class. The only way Lampard could play in our midfield and for it to be world class in my opinion, he would be playing as he used to, centre attacking basically, roaming behind the defenders making his sneaky runs, and there would have to be a very good DM, with a lot of drive and an engine in midfield, also Ramires would have to be putting in top games like he does now and again, but be more consistent.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

I would happily seeing us win the CC and the FA Cup this season.

It is easy to see that we are relying on a backbone which is used to a different style of play and a system that AVB doesn't want to use. And i expect more faces to come in January, giving, what thers might call 'dead-wood' time to find there next step while also giving there replacements an oppertunity to get fixed into the new style. It is bad this realisation of going through an transitional peroid has come a little latter then what the fans have wanted to see, but we have a least taking the starting steps - time for the next to come in January.

Time to through away the sentimentals and look more critique to each member and the role which they have, and the effect that could be amounted if they can't establish themselves into the new system.

[True_Blue 469]

I saw some IDIOTS making comments that Chelsea aint a Big Club anymore.

Well......

FUCK OFF TO MANCHESTER CITY

I saw some IDIOTS making comments that Chelsea aint a Big Club anymore.

Well......

FUCK OFF TO MANCHESTER CITY

Ohhh please let the Glory Hunters read this,and fuck off as soon as possible.

I am shocked by the amount of people that are surprised by this.this had to happen every team gets in a bad season and i guess this one will be ours.

I hate to say it but i told you so,King Carlo was not supposed to leave even though i like AVB a lot.

[Krypt 241]

Ohhh please let the Glory Hunters read this,and fuck off as soon as possible.

I am shocked by the amount of people that are surprised by this.this had to happen every team gets in a bad season and i guess this one will be ours.

I hate to say it but i told you so,King Carlo was not supposed to leave even though i like AVB a lot.

This season will show who will support the club for life and who will just leave at the first sign of trouble. im hoping AVB can turn this around i think he has the potential to be great. but it does make you wonder why people were calling for Carlo's head last year , the problems were already showing then and most of them haven't been fixed.

[Peace. 4,352]

This summer we have chosen to believe that Malouda, Kalou Anelka and Bosingwa would lead us to the glory, and we have chosen to stick with them. That was an error, because that impedes us to make a transition season, and because with such players, it is difficult to reach the spots for CL qualification. Now, we have what we deserve.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

If we're talking about this season, I still think that this first 11 : Cech, Ivan, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Essien, Meireles, Lamps, Mata, Sturr, Torres

has enough quality to get us the 3rd place and *maybe* win a cup or two. Quality is in this first 11, but there are couple of things

that needs to be sorted:

1. Essien needs to be fit off course. if not, get a new DM in Jan.

2. Torres.. well come on already...

3. A winger is much needed. Not necessarily a starter, but someone who can offer more than Malouda.

4. Sort out the issues on the defense. AVB must stop playing this high defensive line(or do something else to improve this system.. idk)

In the coming summer AVB need to get like 4-5 players to make this team his. No Maloudas and no Mikels (how shit he's he ah? i told you

that alllll summer).

[termninja 5,290]

In the coming summer AVB need to get like 4-5 players to make this team his. No Maloudas and no Mikels (how shit he's he ah? i told you

that alllll summer).

Don't blame Mikel that much. He is not world class, but he certainly isn't shit. Sure he made a mistake, but Cech should take a bigger blame for that horrible pass even though he had both JT and Luiz on the wings. JT slipped against Arsenal and cost us points but he isn't shit?

[Kieran. 6,317]

I think Mikel would shine in Italy, a league much slower than the Premier League. I feel that the PL is too quick for him, thoughts?