Closed Basel v Chelsea

[Jase 43,479]

Any idea if Ake and Paulo traveled?

Nope. We should find more about this later today.

[chelsea blue 615]

Chelsea's squad has been boosted ahead the first leg of our Europa League semi-final by the return from injury of Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill

The two defenders are on the plane that left London for Switzerland this morning (Wednesday).

Cole has recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the home game against Manchester United on 1 April. Cahill underwent a minor knee operation on 30 March.

Oscar, who came off at Anfield on Sunday with a slight groin injury, is among the 19 who have travelled.

[Jase 43,479]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dv1kt1vkxg

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

Basels manager

“Will we also use Dracula tactics on Chelsea? We have the necessary bite to do so — but I would prefer it if the match doesn’t end up resembling a game of Pac-Man.”

[Rupert 130]

oh how i wish Mata, Hazard and Oscar would for once work their lazy ass off to track back and defend all game long like Ribery, Robben and Muller did last night

*awaits onslaught*

You are not allowed to say that about the "three amigos". And didn't you know that when they slow down a game and, in Oscar's case, give the ball away often, and fail to create openings for the others it is Rafa's fault even though they were doing this before Rafa arrived. But when they have an occasional good day it is because they are the fabulous " three amigos".

[Special Juan 28,122]

You are not allowed to say that about the "three amigos". And didn't you know that when they slow down a game and, in Oscar's case, give the ball away often, and fail to create openings for the others it is Rafa's fault even though they were doing this before Rafa arrived. But when they have an occasional good day it is because they are the fabulous " three amigos".

Do us all a favor and stay logged off.

[Rupert 130]

Do us all a favor and stay logged off.

The truth hurts, doesn't it.

[Special Juan 28,122]

The truth hurts, doesn't it.

The truth? Coming from you?

If I had a dog half has daft as you I would drown it.

[Rupert 130]

The truth? Coming from you?

If I had a dog half has daft as you I would drown it.

At some point in the near or distant future will you answer the footballing points made by me or will you continue to spew personal insults?

I can quite believe you would drown your dog if it disagreed with you. My guess is that the only reason you keep your dog is that it is on a leash and can't answer you back.

[The only place to be 11,313]

At some point in the near or distant future will you answer the footballing points made by me or will you continue to spew personal insults?

I can quite believe you would drown your dog if it disagreed with you. My guess is that the only reason you keep your dog is that it is on a leash and can't answer you back.

My guess is that your dog is called Rafa and you make it lick peanut butter off of your nutsack.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Little suggestion guys: More talk about football and less about dogs, please. Thanks

[YouNameIt 1,511]

That's what Benitez will do because he wants 'troffees' over Top 4.......

Yes he does. But we can actually win the EL and end up top 4. Top 4 is not about resting our players, its about not to do what we did against Liverpool. Lose focus the last 10 seconds. And to maintain our focus and effort through the whole game.

I want us to win the EL. We're not some shit club who will settle with only top 4. We are bigger than that. We are better than that. And we should have higher ambitions than that.

No i dont want us to lose, I dont want our key players to get tired. I know we shouldnt underestimate anyone, Marin benayoun and moses doesnt look to good but id rather not fatigue any of Mazacar.

Fatigue isnt an issue, as far as Ive seen.

[Stingray 9,441]

Little suggestion guys: More talk about football and less about dogs, please. Thanks

Well more talk is:

Mata and Hazard were arguably the best players around this season. I don't know why @Rupert is getting antagonistic on this subject himself - while at the same time so complaining about haters. I currently have 'The Folly of Fools - The Logic of Deceit and Self-Deception in Human Life' open here and this is a text-book example of that very book. Good read by a world beater by the way .

If any 'department' slowed thing down for us, it is the pivot. In transition we 'forwarded the ball' so slow that even our defense felt the urge to hump it forward (Luiz, Cech, ...).

Also, I have been a critic of Torres, but still liked his play the last games (except the actual last - which Rupert agrees on). I believe he might be good once in a more stable environment (Chelsea just isn't an easy club to be a player in as such) - so never for us. We may never have been a match.

Mata seems to be there as a game changer for sure, although some have suggested that he can disappear in big games. I agree on that sometimes (but which player doesn't actually - our goals for player should always be remain rational), but I wouldn't want to miss him - in the easy games but he sure did good stuff in tough games as well. and that is incredible for a guy his age and 'pedigree' in the EPL. Torres was here before, he also was a star in the EPL before ... and doesn't come through. He just doesn't here.

I feel really bad about that. Reasons for that - I put that in another thread.

Hazard?

'What ... is he slow in build up? He holds up play? I think he made a difference going forward in this team on that one, actually. He has inconsistencies, yes. he is 22. But what about our defence, Rupert? I guess that has nothing to do with Benitez' tactical performances (not qualities - sense the subtle difference). If I - at work - agree on a target and do NOT perform accordingly, I have problems. Btw, every work has that. Why are Benitez' performances apparently a open credit line in our beloved SB.

You have an 'idea fixe' - i start to believe, mate.

Everytime I see you post, Rupert. It really IS antagonistic. Never sympathetic, not friendly, nor humoursly intended .... just bitter a bit.

So ... no more dogs and no more bullshit.

Why do you think the way you think? What is the root cause? Without the antagonistic shit? Why do you think what you think?

Ps: If you - or other enthousiasts - ever want to read the standard on bullshit (and I bullshit you not)

http://www.linguistik.tu-berlin.de/fileadmin/fg72/PDF/Peters_PDF/FRANKFURT__H._G.__2005._On_Bullshit..pdf

To quote an interesting passage:

"There is nothing in theory, and certainly nothing in experience, to support the extraordinary judgment that it is the truth about himself that is the easiest for a person to know. Facts about ourselves are not peculiarly solid and resistant to skeptical dissolution. Our natures are, indeed, elusively insubstantial.notoriously less stable and less inherent than the natures of other things. And insofar as this is the case, sincerity itself is bullshit."

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ps: If you - or other enthousiasts - ever want to read the standard on bullshit (and I bullshit you not) http://www.linguisti...n_Bullshit..pdf

Saved to read later

[Rupert 130]

In reviewing Basel, Rafa mentioned Phillip Degen was one of his players at LFC. He said he was good. Degen was almost permanently injured at LFC - LFC spent most of the time trying to get him well enough to sell him. I think they had to pay Basel to take him. He was a nice guy, and occasionally there were flashes of talent in his attacking play - when he ran down the wing with the ball. He is quite quick for a full back. But defensively he was very poor. If Chelsea turns up focused they should win both in Basel and at Stamford Bridge. I am predicting 2-1

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3156073/title/benitez-another-tough-test?