Chelsea Banter Archive February 12 2012

12 Feb 2012 22:53:57
Look at the way opposing teams build their defence against us. The compact midfield bullying our "playmakers" is driving us to the wings. Norwich, Swansea, Everton, Wolves, all of them recently. They are inviting us to play wide, because they feel we got nothing to offer there.

And they are right. Our fullbacks cant cross, Sturridge is nowhere a winger, Mata drifts to the centrenand we ain't got nobody to invite a cross into the box, when Drogs is not around.

Therefor we can't score a bloody goal. Apart from a lucky showing against MU, we were pathetic. And what worries me most is that we are a "exciting attacking team". Where is any of it Mr. Villas Boas?

12 Feb 2012 20:34:10
Who else is happy about Drogba returning for our next game? I feel like we have missed him bigtime and can't wait for his return as he is a proven scorer. His been playing well in the African cup of nations.

Also very happy about the return of remires. Hands down our best player with mata.

Chelsea will finish 4th, ahead of the scumbags - Arsenal. There losing streak starts again from wednesday and will follow swiftly in the games against spurs, liverpool, newcastle which is good for us.

Shak

Not to forget, Drogba plays like a CF and doesnt drift out to the wings like Torres and you can count on him to be there in the box when a cross is swung in. Id rather have our strikers presence in the box. Torres is never there as his too busy trying to create forgetting his supposed to be scoring.

Shak

You will eat your words when drogba gets back scoring. That is to all the ppl disagreeing

Would have to agree,cannot wait to see didier back.We look lost without him,we need to give him the two year deal he wants as he still has a lot to offer

Drogba is a chelsea legend and has alot to give to us this season. More than torres will ever give. Once drogba is back, chelsea back in the top 4 for.good.

Just a thought, have you guys been watching the ACN? Drogbas looked far from impressive in a less competetive competition the the Premier league. I agree, i want him to come back quick but hes starting to look like a shadow of himself again.

AK

He scored 4 goals. Missed two penalties so it could have been 6.

His played pretty good. Against Mali he twice took the whole defence on from the wing with power and strength. To me thats good even though its against mali cuz we know he can do it against anyone. Positive signs.

Shak

Yeah I understand this but he just doesnt look like he was to play anymore. My opinion is that those stats are a misrepresentation if his overall performance.

AK

From the wing? With respect read you're last post and the posts of others re DD he ain't going to be out on the wing buddy! Yes I agree he is not the player he was and unfortunately will never be again in the EPL but AVB's job this year is to maximise the abilities of what he's got until he can build the team HE wants playing the style HE wants. This is not and was never going to happen overnight because of several years of resting on our laurels whilst trying to build a youth academy to rival others, however mixing the two is not something that CFC has much experience in as we have a poor record (in the past) from our academy. I believe it will happen, we had to change our structure and we have, we need to be patient ;-)
I have supported this club(my club) for forty years and for most of those years hoped and hoped but never really believed we would be where we are now and like everyone out there I want more(human nature I guess) but I have faith now that we will be right back at the top again in time we just need to show patience and believe in the people running our club.
Rant over from first time poster.
Peter from NZ

The way we are playing I'm excited about kalou coming back!

12 Feb 2012 17:22:42
I think part of AVBs problem at themoment seems to be his favourtism of certain players no matter how dire their form, mereiles and bosingwa being the two glaring examples. Ivanovic is a much better right back than bos, and i personally think he offers just as much going forward. With regards to the midfield, ess, romeu lamps would be a great midfield until ramires returns, then ess, lamps and rami would do the trick. Then all we need is sturridge to look up once in a while and well be sorted!

Atleast ivanovic puts in agd cross and plays with his heart

12 Feb 2012 16:16:09
Just watching Chelsea TV, 4-4 draw v Liverpool in Champs League. One of the best games i've ever watched. We had a strong team that year. Cech, JT, Carvalho, Brana, Cole, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka and Drogba. No wonder we're struggling now.

OsgoodIsKing

Brilliant game wt about Liverpool 97 fa cup 2 nill down won 4. 2

Great game. 2-0 down and then Franco pops up. Oh to go back to that era of Franco, Luca, Gullit, Sparky, Petrescu, Wise etc. Legends

OsgoodIsKing

12 Feb 2012 14:16:45
A serious evaluation of the Cheslea Squad is needed...

Here is mine...

GK) Cech is part of the old guard that, for me, needs replacing. This is probably the most simple change; Courtois has looked solid for At. Madrid this season and should be brought straight into our team. Sell Cech in the summer!!

RB) Bosingwa is just shocking! The way he jogged (and i use 'jogged' as loosly as possible) back for Evertons first goal having been out of position was shocking! For now Ivanovic, if fit, should be played there; in the summer go out and sign Azpilicueta! Sell Bosingwa, let Feirrera go, continue the promotion of Hutchinson!!

CB) I hate to say it but JT's days as a regular starter are numbered, he is loosing what little pace he had. Why did Cahill get benched for the Everton game, why not play Ivanovic at RB and play him at CB? i'd play Cahill with Luiz as often as possible but for now JT is the better option! Look forward to seeing the progression of Chalobah!!

LB) Cole should remain the starter but if he's not available why not give Bertrand the start...don't play Bosingwa at left back...don't play Bosingwa anywhere!! Cole to remain Bertrand the heir apparent, Van Aanholt couldn't get in the Wigan side, he wont make it at Chelsea!!

CM) Essien coming back was good, he is yet to retunr as the Essien we all remember; and love. Ramires is the first name on the teamsheet here. Lampard isn't guaranteed a starting place and if he can't handle that then it would be best for him to leave, harsh on our best midfielder ever; but in reality its fair! Romeu should be played as much as possible. Obi Mikel to be sold!!

ACM) We still dont have one!! Mata signed to play left wing has to constantly come into the centre of the pitch to influence the game...and Malouda keeps getting played here; not a good situation. We need a player with pace, skill and creativity. Should have pushed through the signing of Lucas Moura in January; have to push this signing through in the Summer!!

RAM) Sturridge is not a winger, he isn't comfortable out there and doesnt want to play out there...it is clear that he isn't happy. Problem is we have no other player who can play out there. Just like Lucam Moura...we should have pushed through the signing of Hazard in January; have to push this signing through in the Summer.

LAM) Mata has been a great player for us, but he is expected to do too much of the creative work. The signings of Moura and Hazard would take the pressure of him; these three roaming into different positions would make us a completly different attacking beast.

ST) Unlike I have with AVB, I haven't lost hope with Torres; there is a great player in there waiting to burst out! Remember when Scolari was at the club and Drogba looked like he couldn't hit a donkeys ass with a frying pan? Hiddink came in and a couple of weeks of good man management got him back. If someone could come in and do the same with Torres he will get his confident swagger back. Of this doesnt happen, offer him to At. Madrid plus money for Falcao!! Sturridge to be given a chance in the middle of the attack!

My team, and their understudies, for next season would be...

GK) Courtois / Turnbull

RB) Azpilicueta / Ivanovic
CB) Cahill / Chalobah
CB) Terry / Luiz
LB) Cole / Bertrand

CM) Ramires / Lampard
CM) Romeu / Essien

CAM) Moura / McEachran

RAM) Hazard / Lalkovic

LAM) Mata / De Bruyne

ST) Torres / Sturridge


13

Glad you reminded of the Drogba/Scolari situation, it is very true, Drogba looked a shadow of the player he once was, maybe the same can happen to Torres?
Scotty.

That would mean bringing in Rafa Benitez to sort out Torres. Thanks, but no thanks.

Torres has flopped under two managers. The guys lost it now and isn't getting it back. His lost pace and doesn't like shooting. Watch his last few games if you don't belive me lol

12 Feb 2012 13:19:15
Why is Bosingwa on the field per se? He is out of contract in June, the club hasn't offered him a new contract, he will be gone. He is nowhere good. What is the point? What good does it do? I can't believe it.

We bought Cahill for what exact purpose? To have on sidelines? And poor Ashley Cole has to get carded or injured to get a game off?

You know, i was one of those people who asked for stability, long term manager and so on. I still do. The problem is, this man we have is not the man.

12 Feb 2012 13:13:08
We need major changes to this club. And AVB is not the first to be addressed. It is obvious to all that players do not perform well under this man. That is right. But they are being paid to perform, not to express their unpleasantries. Sadly, this is exactly what is being done to yet another man.

Players ousted all of our managers. Mourinho included. This crap has got to stop. We have to get rid of Cech, Terry, Lampard, Malouda and Drogba, or face the consequences. The egos are to big for the dressing room.

These players have carried this football club, for almost a decade. They are the reason we were successful and are the reason we have failed at the same time. Clearly noone has don more damage to our chances of lifting the CL cup tahn Drogba. Even Ovrebo.

What we are seeing is a silent protest of certain players against yet another man. It is very unfortunate, but it is true.

The club has to decide on one thing - do we sacrifice CL next season, or not? If we do - stick with AVB, let him fail nad clear the house in the summer, or sack him now, lose another 50 million on the experiment (porto buy out, Carlo sacking, annual salary and the hiring of temporary boss) and clear the house in the summer. {Ed002's Note - You are rather far from the truth blaming players for the various managerial changes.}

12 Feb 2012 11:17:52
hi ed, according to your analysis of the CFC;
1}What has AVB achieved and what shows that he has potential of winning a treble or a double for the club?
2}In our current ranking and players we've got, do you think this is best of AVB?
3}We are in transition period. About seven players will move on at the end of the season and currently we already have shortage of players. Do you think cfc will sign about 7 first team players in summer?
4}cfc fans are worried and i guess the club management as well. Is there anything being done or should we expect some changes soon?
Thanks for the good work you've been doing. We do appreciate you.

Hussen in Nairobi, kenya {Ed002's Note - I don't really care too much for such things, but here goes: (1) Trebles and doubles are not part of any concerns for the club. AVB has just lost the first league game since the turn of the year and there have been rather too many draws for everyones liking. (2) I don't really understand the question, but if you mean is this the best the club can do with the staff it has then the answer is probably not. (3) You are right about transition but I cannot say how many players will actually arrive in the summer. (4) The club are willing to do what it can to assist the situation but I would not expect too many changes soon.}

12 Feb 2012 11:40:33
The only positive from yesterdays game was actually when Essien was taken off for Malouda and the travelling fans were shouting "you don't know what your doing" and AVB responds to that by saying "its part of the job".

I doubt the hazard, moura types of players would sign for chelsea if were in the europa league. So next years project don't look at the moment.

Shak

Totally agree, there never going to want to come! Sad news really!

12 Feb 2012 10:33:22
What is going on at Chelsea. We have not played well for quite a while. All season I can only remember two spells where I enjoyed the football and seen something positive where we were able to create chances, in our defeat at utd and the second half against spurs. The rest has been average at best. I can,t remember a game other than those 2 where we have been able to get behind the opposition. Can any one remember any through balls behind the defence where our strikers have been put clear( and don't say Torres will miss it anyway). Not me. What is our footballing philosophy that AVB goes on about because I don't know what direction we are going in. firstly you need a solid back 4 which we haven't. Seriously watching yesterdays game Luiz is all over the place. Cahill has to play with Terry and Ivanovic at rb. Bertrand at Lb as I feel Cole is having an average season. Essien in front and this gives us a foundation to build on and hopefully get something out of the season

12 Feb 2012 09:21:42
When Chelsea first announced that AVB was going to be the new manager I was delighted! I'd wanted a young manager who could do a 'Ferguson or Wenger' at Chelsea and build a real dynasty at the club in the next decade! I thought AVB would be this man; he categorically is not this man!

He has taken on the look of someone who is way out of his depth, a fact that he as good as admitted to when talking to the press after yesterday's game! This is honestly, for me, worse than when Scolari was at the club; they haven't been this bad since Abramovic took over!

I've tried backing the manager! If we, as a club, continue to back him now then we are backing ourselves out of the top 4! I still want that young manager, I still want that dynasty! But what I really want is to see Jose Mourinho back in the dug out at Chelsea!

All rise for the return of the king!

13

Pretty much echo that, i think ive been patient enough now, defended him more than most, he is a likeable bloke and i wish him well but hes completley lost the players and i think hes making desperate decisions now. All this wouldnt be an issue if we had De Bruyne instead of Malouda and Josh instead if Miereles. These results and performances would be a lot easier to take because we could at least see this rebuilding, but im finding it really hard to find any small redeeming features about it all whatsoever now. I dont think he has the confidence or courage to change the formation/tactics either incase it backfires. We are in a RUT

SHED END {Ed002's Note - Interestingly you may not see De Bruyne in a Chelsea shirt next season either.}

Could you explain please ed ..... {Ed002's Note - At present it is not planned to take De Bruyne next season.}

12 Feb 2012 01:01:33
Avb to be sacked on Monday! Get down to the bookies and make some money before they cancel the betting. Capello possibly next man in but dont rule out a hiddink return for 6 months again

Would love this, Hiddink is the man.

11 Feb 2012 23:49:07
once again torres was cluless!! better play him as a defensive midfielder because he has been indulging in tackles these days. torres never looked like scoring and he should have been substituted at 50min with lukakau coming. some of substitutions avb makes are very awful. taking your best man( juan mata ) out when you have meireles sitting on a yellow card.next week drogba and kalou coming. avb should play them becoz they are right now in ecent form for ivory cost. bosingwa should be rested till summer and his place should go to luiz.

kings xi punjab chelsea brisbane roar

1- we have no midfield, do you expect torres to take the ball off cech and beat 11 players the walk the ball into the net.
2- mata was bad yesterday too, he could have taken anyone off.
3- you must have have a short memory, kalou aint going to save the day he's the worst player ever to pull on a chelsea shirt.
- but I dont think avb is the man to fix our situation.

Kenny

I think that all the substitutions he makes are pointless and have NEVER changed the game to our needs. Not once his substitution made apositive impact on the way we played, or the actual result.