Closed Chelsea v Crystal Palace

[Weckerz 3,781]

Azpi <3

If only he could play on his natural position, might get some decent crosses from the right

[Rmpr 8,977]

Ok, we have lead, but it have to be much better in second half. Finally goal from Torres and absolute screamer from Ramires. It will be nice to score 3rd before 60'.

Hi beauty!

[Barbara 15,149]

Can we have André for Mata?

Mata did little, I think Willian has a much better work-rate (which we'll need given how bad we're defending) although offensively he didn't do much more than Mata did.

We NEED André objectiveness and speed. Hazard is playing well, but he turns his back to the goal, nearly the midfield line, holds it while the opponents pile up around him, and while it's useful and I do think he's playing well, having someone to do the opposite, receive the ball and just run. His long-distance shots are a MUST in this match as we seem completely incapable of penetrating their defense.

[didierforever 7,349]

I don't think our leaky defense has anything to do with Cole's absence unless you call him an amulet.

Ivanovic's side - and some people still call him a CB - is the place where most goals we've conceded lately came from. The fact we didn't concede in early matches with Cole in the team is a miracle because every.single.match people ran by him as if they were strolling in the park and he was raped by a few opponents too.

Fact is our defense seems to be fragile for whatever reason. It doesn't surprise me much. in the transfers threads before the season started I did say we needed a LB and a CB (in addition to a CM). But I'm actually surprised Ivanovic has been so shocking. And still we see formations in every match thread being suggested with him in CB. If he's so bad in the RB I can only imagine how terrible he'd be in CB. The Swansea match last season comes to mind...

does not the barca match come to head or almost half the season under FSW come to your mind when he was simply immense when DL was imployed as a DM. but yes, the only thing that comes to mind is the swansea match in which he made 2 personal mistakes which actually has nothing to do with playing CB/RB, it was just a bad day for him.

[DanishBlue 426]

We need a new CB, a new CM and a new striker. I hope we fix at least one of our problems come this january.

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

Saw their goal again. Essien and JT were so lazy.

[lionsden 4,689]

dont think it was willian's fault. the ball from hazard was a bit weak. but the run from torres was horrendous. make a bloody near post run and score for heaven's sake!!!

You would think such simple elementary rule of attacking wouldn't be a problem for any experienced striker to grasp and execute.

[mac.bo 48]

I'd like to the stats were we concede must free kicks/goals ? The most seem to come down the right side in view,another point is unless we have a new F.lampard/essien we are always going to surrender ball retention, and our once dominance in midfield possesion football has gone since Jose was here last time,now every team playing against us seem to score with 2/3 chances grrrrr

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

Hi beauty!

Oh dear

[Barbara 15,149]

Hi beauty!

be careful, his profile states that's a he, so you're either seeing a product of modern medical technology or a gf or sister.

I'm kidding @der Kaiser on the medicine part, mate.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Only just now saw their goal better.. Mistake by Luiz. If he holds his position and lets Ramires deal with the player on the edge of the box its an easy clearance.

Pity really, we shouldn't be conceding at home against Palace. We need more width, Dave is offering very little going forward. IMO Ryan should be given a chance at some point. Have to score a few more in the second half.

[The Skipper 20,593]

What do you mean? Did we discover how to industrially produce male human beings?!?

Lmao. You should really ban yourself dude

[Rmpr 8,977]

be careful, his profile states that's a he, so you're either seeing a product of modern medical technology or a gf or sister.

I'm kidding @der Kaiser on the medicine part, mate.

Have I been Ronalded?

[didierforever 7,349]

as there is no mikel , lamps and GC today plus torres has scored so iva has become the scape-goat today.

torres comes deep, loses the ball

rambo tries to tackle but fails.

luiz comes out of position to get the ball but fails

iva could not stop the cross which i would say was the least of the "mistakes"

JT is ball watching and not taking his man.

essien should have been covering for DL but is no where in the picture

but somehow, IVA is to blame. this forum is HILARIOUS!!!!

[The Skipper 20,593]

as there is no mikel , lamps and GC today plus torres has scored so iva has become the scape-goat today.

torres comes deep, loses the ball

rambo tries to tackle but fails.

luiz comes out of position to get the ball but fails

iva could not stop the cross which i would say was the least of the "mistakes"

JT is ball watching and not taking his man.

essien should have been covering for DL but is no where in the picture

but somehow, IVA is to blame. this forum is HILARIOUS!!!!

Just all round bad defending tbh.

Happens when you don't have a consistent back four.

[lionsden 4,689]

Hazard, cesar and JT have been our best players so far. essien has actually been decent which is a surprise and rarity these days.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Hi beauty!

Playyyerrrrr...

Dude not in the middle of the game.

[Barbara 15,149]

Only just now saw their goal better.. Mistake by Luiz. If he holds his position and lets Ramires deal with the player on the edge of the box its an easy clearance.

Pity really, we shouldn't be conceding at home against Palace. We need more width, Dave is offering very little going forward. IMO Ryan should be given a chance at some point. Have to score a few more in the second half.

that's his kind of defending. We can't blame him when there were four players around Chamakh watching him score. So yeah, Luiz was unfortunate (didn't do a mistake, he tried to tackle, but the guy was faster), but we have to blame mainly JT and Essien, while two other watched. Sorry mate, this isn't the goal you can blame him, he was back in position when the ball was crossed.