The Official Thread of Chelsea FC

[Norf Tyrone]

Shite today. No tempo until Malouda (!!) came on. Only Terry, and Malouda showed any urgency with Torres and Oriel trying their best. The rest. Well.

There appears to be a major difference in this team when Ramires doesn't play. He's suddenly the main man.

Saying that their keeper played very well, and Torres shouldv'e had a penalty, but sometimes you get what you deserve.

It's 2 from 4 for those CL spots.

[Norf Tyrone]

Great story. Welcome back Big Sam!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2079142/Sam-Hutchinson-makes-incredible-return-Chelsea.html

[Norf Tyrone]

Get the positives out of the road first.

Good to see Sam Hutchinson back. Remarkable comeback.

Secondly. Good to see Deirdre pay respect to Peter Osgood with his goal. Thinks like that are important.

What would be more respectful, would be if Drogba put a f**king shift in after that. Shockingly ordinary display.

I am starting to fear for AVB now. I thought he was the right appointment at the time, and believed that despite the bad results he needed time to get his players in, and get the style of play he wants. However we look lost at present.

In my opnion, not one player can escape criticism today. Not one. I actually thought Torres looked promising when he came on, and at least gave a whiff of a threat.

My AVB worry is where's the plan B? I would love to see him go with Torres and Sturridge up top with Mata behind and a middle three of Oriel, Ramiries and Luiz. A back four of Bertrand/ Cole, JT, Ivanovic and Bosingwa.

The two full backs to bomb at every opportunity with Luiz and Oriel offering cover. When we have the ball Luiz can carry forward. However what we get is the same old 4-3-3 with square pegs in round holes.
He also needs to let one or two of the younger fellas off the leash. Bertrand should be in the team for home games against mid table sides like Fulham, or Villa. I don't think the young lad will be world class but he's promising, and Cole needs rested.

He also needs to stop talking dross to the press conferance. The more he talks the more he leaves himself and the players open to criticism.

Truth be told, I am not sure what direction the team goes from here. We are probably shy a midfielder (Essien's comeback in two weeks might help), a right winger, and a right back.

Happy New f**king Year!

[Captain Obvious]

Will AVB end the same way as Scolari, out the door by February?

[Orangemac]

Time is catching up with the Chelsea pensioners. Terry,Cole,Drogba,Lampard,Cech are not the players they were. Bosingwa and Luiz were never defenders to start with.

Shocking how easily Chelsea have been cut open in a lot of games this year. 2nd goal yesterday was criminal, Petrov simply strolled into the box and had all the time in the world to pick his spot.

It may be premature but AVB seems out of his depth.

[Norf Tyrone]

Time is catching up with the Chelsea pensioners. Terry,Cole,Drogba,Lampard,Cech are not the players they were. Bosingwa and Luiz were never defenders to start with.

Shocking how easily Chelsea have been cut open in a lot of games this year. 2nd goal yesterday was criminal, Petrov simply strolled into the box and had all the time in the world to pick his spot.

It may be premature but AVB seems out of his depth.

Terry is 31 and still playing well, and Cole was 31 last week. Hardly pensioners. Cole just needs to be rested every now and again as he is asked to play every week. Luiz needs moved to midfield, and the stats show how poor Bosingwa is.

[Norf Tyrone]

The old pensioners Cole and Lamps combine in the 89th minute!!

Funny that!

[Puckoon]

Fantastic determination from Lampard to get on the end of that cross from outside the D when Torres released Cole. I like auld lamps.

[Norf Tyrone]

Probably one of Torres' better games today. His run led to the corner for the opener, and his sublime pass made the second goal. The quality of ball into him was poor, and he had to scrap for everything he got. Definately better.

[Dinny Breen]

Probably one of Torres' better games today. His run led to the corner for the opener, and his sublime pass made the second goal. The quality of ball into him was poor, and he had to scrap for everything he got. Definately better.

Phil Thompson was slating him on Sky saying he was woeful but I thought he was one of Chelsea's better players and really wonder how those pundits get work...

[Norf Tyrone]

Probably one of Torres' better games today. His run led to the corner for the opener, and his sublime pass made the second goal. The quality of ball into him was poor, and he had to scrap for everything he got. Definately better.

Phil Thompson was slating him on Sky saying he was woeful but I thought he was one of Chelsea's better players and really wonder how those pundits get work...

Funny when Fulham drew with Chelsea on boxing day the 18yo lad, Frei was excellent. Looked at the paper the next day and they gave him 4 out of 10!

[EC Unique]

Probably one of Torres' better games today. His run led to the corner for the opener, and his sublime pass made the second goal. The quality of ball into him was poor, and he had to scrap for everything he got. Definately better.

Phil Thompson was slating him on Sky saying he was woeful but I thought he was one of Chelsea's better players and really wonder how those pundits get work...

Thompson is not really a pundit. He is set in there for the rest to take the hand out of him. He is a muppet.

[Bingo]

Any talk on Chelsea forums of Torres having a transfer request rejected tonight?

Maybe PSG or Malaga have turned his head, it happens this time of year with him.

[Jonah]

The old pensioners Cole and Lamps combine in the 89th minute!!

Funny that!

Neither should have been on the pitch at that point both deserved red cards in the game.

[Norf Tyrone]

Any talk on Chelsea forums of Torres having a transfer request rejected tonight?

Maybe PSG or Malaga have turned his head, it happens this time of year with him.

Not a mention anywhere!

The old pensioners Cole and Lamps combine in the 89th minute!!

Funny that!

Neither should have been on the pitch at that point both deserved red cards in the game.

I can see how Frank could've been sent off, especially with modern reffing. However I honestly think he tried to pull out of the foul and that elevated his foot to where it ended up.
I think nearly every tackle that is made is with studs showing anyway.
Cole- Nah definately not.

Strange that MOTD failed to show Torres bursting through and being too strong for the Wolves defender and giving Mata a virtual open goal. Only for the ref to give a foul against Torres. Never a foul.
They seemed to ignore that Doyle through the ball at Cole too, which is also technical a red card.

Sometimes MOTD edit the highlights to suit a certain aspect of the game, and leave out other key talking points.

Thought Jonathan Pearce mentioning Lampard's mother in the post match interview was a bit poor. Meant well, but came across badly.