The Official Thread of Chelsea FC

[Norf Tyrone]

I was aware of the story, just a bit sceptical, there doesn't seem much evidence to back up these statements barring one obviously impressed journalist
[/quote]

One obviously impressed journalist, several other impressed journalists..... and also a film about it! There is a fair bit of evidence I'd suggest.

[Norf Tyrone]

Tom Taiwo is good news for Carlisle United

Sometimes you reach the end of a week aching to thump the drum about some inadequacy or imperfection at Brunton Park.

Other times – not every week, granted – all you see is positivity and light.

Tom Taiwo is a Good News Story that deserves its space to breathe alongside all those recent bulletins on boardroom strife and inconsistency on the pitch.

Laying down a few words of appreciation for Carlisle United's admirable young midfielder needn't keep scrutiny's torch off Brunton Park's high command forever.

Belting out the praises of the 19-year-old Chelsea loanee isn't the same as inserting fingers into ears and whistling past the more serious, sober issues to be confronted down Warwick Road, such as the Blues' financial plight and their screaming need for fresh investment.

Those matters remain well up the agenda. For one week, however, where is the harm in throwing some light on a happier story, in stacking up a few more encouraging headlines where they are unquestionably due?

In a few short minutes on Saltergate's greased turf on Tuesday night, Taiwo helped rebuild the connection between fellow professionals which many of us presumed had been broken badly by widespread diving and the waving of imaginary cards.

It turns out that mutual respect and concern have not bolted completely, and for that we can thank Taiwo, and the account of his actions in United's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Chesterfield relayed to this paper by Neil Dalton, Carlisle's physio.

To recap: Taiwo was left in a tangle of limbs with the Spireites winger Gregor Robertson after a 20th minute challenge, which delivered a regrettable double leg-break to his rival (the collision was entirely accidental, it should be added).

Instead of levering himself away from the scene, the teenager immediately recognised Robertson's plight and remained sensibly still, even offering the Chesterfield man his hand to squeeze as paramedics eventually performed the excruciating task of manoeuvring Robertson onto a stretcher and off the pitch.

This, said Dalton, almost certainly helped prevent an even more grievous injury to Robertson, who is recovering in hospital and underwent surgery on Wednesday.

A career-threatening injury was duly averted. An even bleaker scenario might have led to amputation, had Taiwo scarpered upon impact and exposed Robertson's injured leg to potentially-damaging movement. "Tom gave Robertson all the help in the world in a very difficult situation," confirmed Dalton, whose own role in assisting the stricken Spireite shouldn't be ignored in his entirely decent rush to praise others.

Robertson's father contacted United this week to applaud Taiwo, whose maturity beyond his years has popped up in other circumstances this campaign – and I'm not just talking about his endlessly impressive contributions on the grass for Greg Abbott's team.

It isn't news to report that Taiwo is one of the players of Carlisle's season for the aggressive purpose of his midfield performances since his summer arrival from Stamford Bridge.

It is more revealing, in fact, to observe his conduct at those times when he isn't kicking a ball. For example, I have sat through no more heartening press conference this season than the one given by Taiwo on the eve of Carlisle's trip to Leeds on September 29.

During the standard pre-match inquisition, I pitched what I thought was a selection of testing questions to Taiwo about his relationship with the club he left under a controversial cloud – and in particular with their hyper-critical chairman Ken Bates, who has repeatedly aimed poison darts Taiwo's way regarding his decision to quit Leeds for Chelsea in 2006.

Many players – most, I suggest – would have swerved that line of inquiry. At best you would have expected a few evasive answers, a nervous selection of non-quotes designed to dilute the story. Instead, Taiwo took on the bearded overlord of Elland Road, firmly but respectfully, and left you cheering his nerve and his eloquence.

That he followed up his measured salvo at Bates with an influential performance in United's 1-1 draw at Leeds the next day was important, too, as the need to match words with deeds must always prevail in football's modern age of hype and spin.

All I'm doing here, you might argue, is hurling garlands at someone for behaving decently and speaking honestly. Fair enough: we shouldn't get too lyrical about footballers just because they act like civilised human beings.

But my response is to suggest that any act of selflessness in a cynical sporting era, and any athlete who speaks his mind instead of succumbing to media-trained platitudes, is more than deserving of a place in our pages.

Tom Taiwo is a young man of considerable local profile who did his profession some service this week. My advice to football's jaded followers is to stop watching reruns of David Ngog falling over thin air, briefly drop the eyes a couple of divisions and observe a 19-year-old showing a more reputable way.

[TheGreatRambo]

Tom Taiwo is good news for Carlisle United

Sometimes you reach the end of a week aching to thump the drum about some inadequacy or imperfection at Brunton Park.

Other times – not every week, granted – all you see is positivity and light.

Tom Taiwo is a Good News Story that deserves its space to breathe alongside all those recent bulletins on boardroom strife and inconsistency on the pitch.

Laying down a few words of appreciation for Carlisle United's admirable young midfielder needn't keep scrutiny's torch off Brunton Park's high command forever.

Belting out the praises of the 19-year-old Chelsea loanee isn't the same as inserting fingers into ears and whistling past the more serious, sober issues to be confronted down Warwick Road, such as the Blues' financial plight and their screaming need for fresh investment.

Those matters remain well up the agenda. For one week, however, where is the harm in throwing some light on a happier story, in stacking up a few more encouraging headlines where they are unquestionably due?

In a few short minutes on Saltergate's greased turf on Tuesday night, Taiwo helped rebuild the connection between fellow professionals which many of us presumed had been broken badly by widespread diving and the waving of imaginary cards.

It turns out that mutual respect and concern have not bolted completely, and for that we can thank Taiwo, and the account of his actions in United's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Chesterfield relayed to this paper by Neil Dalton, Carlisle's physio.

To recap: Taiwo was left in a tangle of limbs with the Spireites winger Gregor Robertson after a 20th minute challenge, which delivered a regrettable double leg-break to his rival (the collision was entirely accidental, it should be added).

Instead of levering himself away from the scene, the teenager immediately recognised Robertson's plight and remained sensibly still, even offering the Chesterfield man his hand to squeeze as paramedics eventually performed the excruciating task of manoeuvring Robertson onto a stretcher and off the pitch.

This, said Dalton, almost certainly helped prevent an even more grievous injury to Robertson, who is recovering in hospital and underwent surgery on Wednesday.

A career-threatening injury was duly averted. An even bleaker scenario might have led to amputation, had Taiwo scarpered upon impact and exposed Robertson's injured leg to potentially-damaging movement. "Tom gave Robertson all the help in the world in a very difficult situation," confirmed Dalton, whose own role in assisting the stricken Spireite shouldn't be ignored in his entirely decent rush to praise others.

Robertson's father contacted United this week to applaud Taiwo, whose maturity beyond his years has popped up in other circumstances this campaign – and I'm not just talking about his endlessly impressive contributions on the grass for Greg Abbott's team.

It isn't news to report that Taiwo is one of the players of Carlisle's season for the aggressive purpose of his midfield performances since his summer arrival from Stamford Bridge.

It is more revealing, in fact, to observe his conduct at those times when he isn't kicking a ball. For example, I have sat through no more heartening press conference this season than the one given by Taiwo on the eve of Carlisle's trip to Leeds on September 29.

During the standard pre-match inquisition, I pitched what I thought was a selection of testing questions to Taiwo about his relationship with the club he left under a controversial cloud – and in particular with their hyper-critical chairman Ken Bates, who has repeatedly aimed poison darts Taiwo's way regarding his decision to quit Leeds for Chelsea in 2006.

Many players – most, I suggest – would have swerved that line of inquiry. At best you would have expected a few evasive answers, a nervous selection of non-quotes designed to dilute the story. Instead, Taiwo took on the bearded overlord of Elland Road, firmly but respectfully, and left you cheering his nerve and his eloquence.

That he followed up his measured salvo at Bates with an influential performance in United's 1-1 draw at Leeds the next day was important, too, as the need to match words with deeds must always prevail in football's modern age of hype and spin.

All I'm doing here, you might argue, is hurling garlands at someone for behaving decently and speaking honestly. Fair enough: we shouldn't get too lyrical about footballers just because they act like civilised human beings.

But my response is to suggest that any act of selflessness in a cynical sporting era, and any athlete who speaks his mind instead of succumbing to media-trained platitudes, is more than deserving of a place in our pages.

Tom Taiwo is a young man of considerable local profile who did his profession some service this week. My advice to football's jaded followers is to stop watching reruns of David Ngog falling over thin air, briefly drop the eyes a couple of divisions and observe a 19-year-old showing a more reputable way.

A great article about a genuinely good deed, let down by a cheap shot at the premiership in the last two lines. I'm sure falling over and winning dubious penalties is just as prevalent in the lower leagues

[Archie Mitchell]

A great article about a genuinely good deed, let down by a cheap shot at the premiership in the last two lines. I'm sure falling over and winning dubious penalties is just as prevalent in the lower leagues

I think the article isnt saying that diving to win penalties just only happens in the premier league. Its more saying that a good deed like this has gone unnoticed, whereas if it happened in the Premier League, it would have got more coverage, similar to the N'Gog incident. The same incident wouldn't have got as much coverage had it happened in a game between Carlisle and Chesterfield.

[Norf Tyrone]

Just wondering do Chelsea have more players going to the World Cup than any other team?

19

Portugal- Hilario, Deco, Carvalho, Fererria, Bosingwa
Germany- Ballack
England- Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, JT, Lamps
Ghana- Essien
Serbia- Ivanovic
Ivory Coast- Kalou, Drogba
Nigeria- Obi Mikel
France-Anelka, Malouda
Brazil- Alex
Slovakia- Stoch

[Norf Tyrone]

I'd have my doubts that he's that seriously injured. Could be very likely that he just didn't fancy a trip to the Ivory Coast to play in a dead rubber.

Looks like another 'dead rubber' for Drogba tomorrow as he will miss tomorrow's game v Wolves, after the injury sustained via the boot of Johnny Evans.
Bit of a mini crisis at SB this weekend, with Drogba, Lampard, Ballack, Bosingwa and Deco all missing along with late tests for Ashley Cole, Zhirkov, and JT.

With that in mind Gael Kakuta, Borini and Nemaja Matic all added to the squad. Kakuta is the one that everyone has been raving about in the youth/ reserves the last few years so it'll be good to see him. However the UEFA controversy will add some pressure to his shoulders.

The aul fella supports Wolves so I daren't lose this one!   

[Never beat the deeler]

I'd have my doubts that he's that seriously injured. Could be very likely that he just didn't fancy a trip to the Ivory Coast to play in a dead rubber.

Looks like another 'dead rubber' for Drogba tomorrow as he will miss tomorrow's game v Wolves, after the injury sustained via the boot of Johnny Evans.
Bit of a mini crisis at SB this weekend, with Drogba, Lampard, Ballack, Bosingwa and Deco all missing along with late tests for Ashley Cole, Zhirkov, and JT.

With that in mind Gael Kakuta, Borini and Nemaja Matic all added to the squad. Kakuta is the one that everyone has been raving about in the youth/ reserves the last few years so it'll be good to see him. However the UEFA controversy will add some pressure to his shoulders.

The aul fella supports Wolves so I daren't lose this one!    

You're taking the 'we' thing a step too far... How exactly are you going to affect the outcome 

[Norf Tyrone]

I'd have my doubts that he's that seriously injured. Could be very likely that he just didn't fancy a trip to the Ivory Coast to play in a dead rubber.

Looks like another 'dead rubber' for Drogba tomorrow as he will miss tomorrow's game v Wolves, after the injury sustained via the boot of Johnny Evans.
Bit of a mini crisis at SB this weekend, with Drogba, Lampard, Ballack, Bosingwa and Deco all missing along with late tests for Ashley Cole, Zhirkov, and JT.

With that in mind Gael Kakuta, Borini and Nemaja Matic all added to the squad. Kakuta is the one that everyone has been raving about in the youth/ reserves the last few years so it'll be good to see him. However the UEFA controversy will add some pressure to his shoulders.

The aul fella supports Wolves so I daren't lose this one!    

You're taking the 'we' thing a step too far... How exactly are you going to affect the outcome 

Well if a beachball can do it, so can I!

[Norf Tyrone]

For all you first scorer gamblers, Ancellotti has strongly hinted his 11 for tonight.

Cech
Zhirkov
Terry
Carvalho
Ivanovic
Obi
Ballack
Malouda
Deco
Kalou
Anelka

[Norf Tyrone]

As above bar Drogs for Kalou. Good to see the racial assault on Drogs has not overly affected him.

[Archie Mitchell]

Great performance from Chelsea today. Look unstopable and Drogba is on fire. He loves scoring against Arsenal too.

I fear for City next weekend given the 2 teams form at the minute.

[slow corner back]

Impressive stuff indeed from Chelsea, the form team of the league so far.

[Norf Tyrone]

Our back for were immense, with kudos to Ivanovic. However Terry was unreal IMHO. Anelka's work rate too is fantastic at the minute and allows Drogba the room to do the Drogba think!

Long way to go.

As a negative aside. This season we have seen a player struck by a missle at OT, a fan try to attack Bellamy at OT, and today a missle almost hitting Frank Lampard. As of yet little action or condemnation.

Last season a fan throw a flag onto the SB pitch at the end of a game (Not at anyone), and Chelsea were fined £100,000. Why the differance?

Anyhow.... onwards and upwards.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Twas like St Gall's v The Loup!

[TheGreatRambo]

Our back for were immense, with kudos to Ivanovic. However Terry was unreal IMHO. Anelka's work rate too is fantastic at the minute and allows Drogba the room to do the Drogba think!

Long way to go.

As a negative aside. This season we have seen a player struck by a missle at OT, a fan try to attack Bellamy at OT, and today a missle almost hitting Frank Lampard. As of yet little action or condemnation.

Last season a fan throw a flag onto the SB pitch at the end of a game (Not at anyone), and Chelsea were fined £100,000. Why the differance?

Anyhow.... onwards and upwards.

I think u'll find that Bellamy attacks fan would have been closer to the truth