Closed Chelsea 3-0 Bolton

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Im not sure what your standards are, they appear to be ridiculously high. If you judge the performance today by the general standard of the top teams in England this season, it was a good performance. No it wasn't Barcelona or Real Madrid, but then no team in England can rival them at the moment, however 3-0 on any day is a good result, even for the two big Spanish teams.

So because a defender scored it lessens the performance? Somebody should alert those Barca fans that they shouldn't have celebrated that victory over Madrid with Puyol scoring for them (from a set piece no less), it definitely took away from their performance and the joy of their victory.....

Obviously there are tougher teams ahead but maybe you should consider the phrase "you can only beat what is put in front of you" we did that today, by 3 goals, will we win the Champions League and the Premier League this season? No. However, considering that you are, apparently, a Chelsea fan, perhaps you could show a bit of joy that we have just beaten a team by 3 goals to move into the 4th spot that we are fighting for this season. Is it ideal? No. But today was an important 3 points because getting 4th place to set us up for next season is vital.

There was nothing from the first half. Again with the dull passing, no final pass in the final third.

Nothing done by the forwards nor the midfield.

David Luiz did the same runs that he done in the past. Sometimes he get it sometimes he don't.

After this, Bolton just caved in, a team under pressure in the relegation battle.

You won't get such thing when you play against the Spurs, Newscatle and such.

I will have some hope if when we play against Napoli there is a better display. Won't matter if we get eliminated, as long as they get back some pride and give them a run I will be happy.

Today was nothing for me to be happy.

[francozola 2,040]

Lampard was phenomenal.

LOL

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

I'm really happy for Lampard, he's a legend, but that goal is going to overshadow a rather poor performance. Def the worst in the midfield.

Essien was really good and has probably cemented his place as the holding mid after that display.

Mata had a poor first half but a decent 2nd half.

Drogba was very very poor this game too, another player whose goal is going to overshadow a poor performance.

Cahill was great.

Luiz MOTM, beast of a goal. Can we seriously consider starting him as a striker one game? I don't see what Drogba or Torres have done lately that Luiz couldn't give lol. What a beast!

Midfield is still lacking. I'd say Essien-Ramires-Meireles probably still the best midfield we can field. Actually, maybe Malouda instead of Meireles, had a good showing against Napoli.

[Joker10 946]

I see some are not giving Lampard the credit he deserves for a really good game, but then again those are same people who called him the Chelsea weak link.

Lampard and Raul play in different roles though. Raul is played as a DM which he is horrible at. If he was played further forward then a better comparison could be made.

Raul has played Lampard position on many occasions.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Lampard and Raul play in different roles though. Raul is played as a DM which he is horrible at. If he was played further forward then a better comparison could be made.

I remember he used to get picked over Lampard when Romeu played as our cdm.

[Madmax 9,219]

Justin - Bilbao's playing in a few hours. Off you go.

[francozola 2,040]

I remember he used to get picked over Lampard when Romeu played as our cdm.

That was earlier on in the season right? I don't think Raul was actually that bad up until 2 or 3 months ago.. He started off playing quite well! then he became average and finally he became atrocious.

[francozola 2,040]

I thought drogba was rather good! His link-up play was intelligent and slick. A million times better than how he fared against Napoli - or any of his recent games come to think about it.

He's clearly lost some muscle and a hell of a lot of pace but he gave a spirited performance today

He's not going to drag us to 4th place by himself but it's better than our useless #9

[zolayes 14,489]

There was nothing from the first half. Again with the dull passing, no final pass in the final third.

Nothing done by the forwards nor the midfield.

David Luiz did the same runs that he done in the past. Sometimes he get it sometimes he don't.

After this, Bolton just caved in, a team under pressure in the relegation battle.

You won't get such thing when you play against the Spurs, Newscatle and such.

I will have some hope if when we play against Napoli there is a better display. Won't matter if we get eliminated, as long as they get back some pride and give them a run I will be happy.

Today was nothing for me to be happy.

newcastle 2 wolves 2

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

I thought drogba was rather good! His link-up play was intelligent and slick. A million times better than how he fared against Napoli - or any of his recent games come to think about it.

He's clearly lost some muscle and a hell of a lot of pace but he gave a spirited performance today

He's not going to drag us to 4th place by himself but it's better than our useless #9

I agree,he was brilliant today.Showed some good skills and scored a good goal.At 33,hes way better than Torres.

[francozola 2,040]

I see some are not giving Lampard the credit he deserves for a really good game, but then again those are same people who called him the Chelsea weak link.

Raul has played Lampard position on many occasions.

Has he played with the same duties that Lampard has? Because I always felt that Meireles had much more defensive duties. I don't claim to be a tactical mind so I won't even try to confirm my opinions with analysis but my point is this:

The difference between Lampard and Meireles isn't that great. Meireles is horrible - when played at DM. When he's played further forward, he is better. Lampard scores goals, which has value. In terms of what he actually gives to the team, he provides nothing.

In my opinion.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

A good team performance and a convincing win in my opinion and no one can convince me otherwise.

David Luiz- MOTM for me. Despite a couple of defensive mistakes in the first half, he was crucial for our attacks. I think he benefited greatly from a DM in front of him with the tactical awareness to cover for his forward runs. His long balls were quite brilliant as well.

Garry Cahil- I was pleasantly surprised by Garry's performance. He seemed a bit nervous on a couple of balls, but was pure class in two one-on-ones in the first half.

Frank Lampard- Great performance for our legend. Was very involved in both attack and defense and could've got more than one goal. I think he's still lacking a bit of sharpness in the final third, but he unquestionably proved that he is definitely a much better option than Raul Meireles.

Drogba- Played very well and was vital in the build up of many of our attacks. His little touches and sometimes even his mere presence provides so much to the team. I just hope that Knee injury isn't something to worry about.

Essien- Good game. After Having Raul as DM for the last month, it's refreshing to see someone in that role who can actually find a pass with accuracy. He may have lost some strength and technique, but he did not lose his tactical awareness and discipline.

Mata- Just wasn't his game really. His passing and movement was a bit off. I think he did not enjoy the physical nature of the game today.

Ramires- Much better than his game against Napoli but not quite back to the level he was before injury.

A very enjoyable match, all in all. :cfc:

[bababoom 4,478]

There's really not much difference between the 2. What I will say for Meireles though is his reactions are much quicker than Lampard's currently, and he had a good game in Naples despite the gloom reactions.

No he never, he constantly gave the ball away, afraid to make tackles and didn't close down the opponents. Raul and Ramires were both poor against Napoli.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

newcastle 2 wolves 2

Great but as I said I will save my praise when we face a decent team.

And that one should be Napoli.

At that point I don't care about winning or passing to the next round. I want to see if they can have a fighting spirit to at least play their hearts out and leave everything in the field.

Like Chelsea did against Liverpool with Hiddink in the CL (even though we pass). Fight till the end.

So until then I won't get carried away.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Luiz is a better midfielder than Raul.

[manpe 10,861]

Good! Exactly what we needed. A convincing win and a clean sheet.. doesn't matter if the opponent was a poor Bolton side, we just needed a win against whoever. And Lampard just loves scoring against Bolton, doesn't he Voted for Luiz as MOM.

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Despite Lampard having an o.k game (he was not brilliant IMO) I will just say this:

My fear is that he will score for another couple of games and then play horrible and setting the team back before being dropped again.Tthen he will moan and there will be a media outcry for him to be put back in the starting 11. How can this continue? This is game is not an excuse to keep him as a starter for the next couple of years. He will play shit again as soon as he gets complacent. That can not continue.

[francozola 2,040]

I've ranted too much about Lamps. Lets focus on the positives!

Luiz - class today. Took the initiative many times to create something in the first half. A couple of sublime passes to Drogba. Didn't have much to do defensively but I just love this guy. I can't help it. He plays with such exuberance and passion for the game and desire to help us win. Absolutely fitting that he scored the opener.

Cahill - another solid game. Dealt with mostly everything he had to deal with with ease. I'm very happy with this signing.

Essien - good performance as well. I don't know how he'd fare against a better midfield though. But still an improvement on Meireles in that role.

Drogba - was very good as well! very impressed by his energy and work-rate. Hope the injury isn't serious.