Chelsea F.C [2008-2009]

[pede54]

I might send him my one Fili. Maybe that will cheer him up a bit the grumpy twat.

I thought the scarf idea was cool TBH. I think that whatever club did that for their fans, then the fans would actually love it. Because it happens at Chelsea, there is always a negative slant on it.

I don't remember at all that alledged quote from Jose. That was fabricated by media scumsuckers like him to destablise the club and it's fans at the time. Jose denied ever saying anything like that and threatened to sue the Sun unless an apology was issued., but this guy uses it like it is fact.

Then he says the prices are too high to attract the kids, but then he says the ground is full of schoolboys. Pratt.

Ah well, at least juvenile crap like that seems to be on the wane these days, which makes articles (and writers) like that look even more ridiculous.

Damn, I've now got butterflies in my stomach thinking about the game tomorrow. Either that or I need to eat something.

 

[Mandieta6]

I'm hoping for a good match. I think we'll get a pre-20th minute goal and contain Pool for the rest of the match, and then get a goal in the last quarter of the match.

We're doing really great, but we need to prove that we can beat the tougher teams, which we haven't really done so far, unless you count teams like Villa.

 

[Zakov]

To be fair to us, we've played out of our skins in some the matches(Pompey and Boro) and it was a result of our dominance those teams made were broken down quite easily. Don't forget we've rarely got results against Boro away, so that should count as a tough fixture too. Wigan as well.

Really nervous for the Pool match.

 

[Zakov]

Its over lads. All good things must come to an end. And I'll just say this, at least we didn't lose it to Arsenal.

I'm sure plenty of positives can be gained from this defeat.
We really missed Drog. Anelka's pace isn't suited against teams like Liverpool.
We all knew once Liverpool scored, they were going to play deep. Thats what happened, as I've stated in the Pool thread.

Ash Cole had a chance to level up things but it just wasn't to be.
This defeat signals the end of a proud record, but hopefully the start to something even more bigger for Chelsea Football Club.

Keep yer chin up fellas.
This ain't over, not by a long shot.

 

[newbie original]

Good game....like you said in the Liverpool thread, winning the EPL would be more important than keeping the streak alive.

You're absolutely right about Drogba...he's so crucial to your attack.

 

[pede54]

LIke I said before the game, I have no worries about Chelsea at the back or in midfield, but our forward line is weak weak weak.

I think Anelka has had enough playing time now for us to form a pretty good opinion about his worth to us. I have and I'm sorry to say that he is pretty awful at the best of times. Too many missed passes, and he shy's away from a lot of physical contact too. Not impressed at all, and that's why Scolari feels the need to buy a striker in the next transfer window.

I know it was difficult for the boys to break down Liverpools 11 man defence, but the few chances we did have were squandered. How many times did we lose the ball on the edge of their area? Too damn many for players of the quality that we have.

Our forwards were muscled out of almost everything, and that is something that I am not used to seeing. Kalou and Malouda are too lightwieght in that respect, and Anelka just lets the defender have it, or gets harried into making another misplaced pass.

Yeah we missed Drogba for this game for sure. To play a team who concentrate so much on the physical side of the game, you need players who can stand it, take it and give it back. None of our forward line at this time could do that. The defence coped with it and the midfield coped with it, but the forwards did not.

Nine games out of ten, perhaps this does not pose a problem, but these days more and more teams "park the bus", and it's becoming more common to have to counteract this tactic. The least you need are forward players who will get in amongst them and fight for everything. I saw a lot of fancy footwork on the edge of the area from our boys but no penetration. Ashley Cole our left back, was a more potent attacking force than our 3 forwards.

I know the same players beat 'boro 5-0 last week, but that was a very different type of game. Liverpool played like CR Cluj did against us recently, using an 11 man defence and counter attacking until they score. Then all fall back to defend that goal. Much like the Chelsea of early Mourinho I guess.

We need to find a way to get through this tactic, and we need to find a way very soon, because it is happening more and more lately.

Saying all that though, I thought the Liverpool players all gave it 100% for the entire game and fought like crazy to stop us from scoring. So well done to their commitment.

Right now that's over.......Happy that the home record can now be forgotten. That had become like a lead weight around everyones neck, and as Zakov said, "at least it wasn't the Arse". Hehehehehehee

Come back Drog, and come back sooner than later.

 

[Filipower]

How the hell was it a weight? Come one man it's not like Chelsea supporters have to cry about the record being stopped but you're almost saying the record itself was a bad thing

 

[pede54]

Well when the players actually come out and say that they worry about the record, then you know it's detrimental to the team. Four and a half years is a long long time. Who needs it to go on even longer.

It's a record to be proud of, but I'm glad it's over as do most of us down the Bridge. All that was worrying us was who it would be to stop it from going on and on. It didn't really matter in the end of course, but I'm still so glad it wasn't Arsenal.

 

[pede54]

Hull City 0-Chelsea 3.

Great win last night. Beautiful, wonderful goal by Lamps after 2 minutes set us on our way nicely. Hull played a good hard game though and worried us a few times it has to be said. They have 4 or 5 useful players who make the difference, but the rest of their team rely on roughing up the opposition to compensate for their limited skills. That does make them a hard team to play, but not a hard team to beat if your coach actually does his homework before the game. Take note Wenger.

Nice opportunist goal from Anelka. It was the only thing he did all the game, and I think it will not be long before we say goodbye to Nico and replace him with a proper striker with some enthusiasm. He tries his best but his best just aint good enough for what we need.

We are still breaking in Kalou and Malouda, who are progressing nicely, but we just can't afford to have those two plus Anelka, as our first options up front. We miss Drog a lot but even when he returns I think we need to look around for another striker anyway. I have a feeling that Scolari has an eye on Giovanni from Hull, and looking at him last night I can see why.

Great to see Malouda get Chelsea's 3rd goal though, after a wonderful pass across the area from Ricci. After blasting about 5 shots over the bar, he eventually put one in the net. That goal will do him good, but he has to be more pecise with his shooting boots.

Boswinga had a bit of a mare last night, but he's been so hot for us that one average game is acceptable I think. Belletti and Ivanovich came on late in the game but both did really well. They are two very good players.

Joe needs a couple more games to get his fitness back, but last night he gave his all as usual. Jon Obi was solid again as was Deco.

So another 3 points towards the League title. Sunderland are next.

Ricci is out for 3 weeks with a thigh strain. Joe is out injured again after being kicked off the park by Hull last night.

 

[Zakov]

Great performance against Hull, some of me m8s believe Lamps intended to cross for that goal, but I feel sorry for them, cause Lamps doesn't need a name ending -inho -aldo to be judged of deliberately meaning to do such a clever chip.
I'm really glad he'll stay with us for the rest of his career. Looks like another 20+ goal season for him.


Sorry Pete, I disagree with you about Anelka and the two. I think he' still a useful player for us against teams like Hull, Boro, Pompey, etc. Like Malouda and Kalou are. The team has been heavily rotated, I think against Liverpool and Roma we were found wanting in attack, but those are quality teams with quality players, of course they are harder to break down.

The problem with Anelka is, he needs the whole team to be playing well, to be playing well himself.
Thats where we need Drogba or someone with physical presence.
Malouda, I still think is doing better this season, he's trying his best for us, and he did mention he was willing to fight for his place even if he wasn't first choice.

Kalou is still young and learning, I'm sure he'll get better soon. He just needs to learn how to pick a pass, and not over-dribble.
I trust Felipe's judgement, I also believe we won't go diving into the transfer market this January.
Apart from Owen, there aren't really any available quality strikers who aren't cup-tied for the CL.

So I doubt we'll go for a striker. We do need a proper winger tho, Kalou is not a winger, he's more of a second striker, thats the position he plays in the Ivory Coast NT, and it seems to bring the best out of him.

 

[BimboBang]

I am a racist bigot.

 

[pede54]

What a wanker.

 

[Zakov]

Wanker who's got horrible typing/spelling skills.
At least if u want to insult us, get it right first.

 

[pede54]

Like I said Zakov, Malouda and Kalou are progressing nicely and I don't really have a problem with them. Anelka is a different matter. He stated that he needs a good run in the team to settle in and show us what he can do. With Drog out this season he has had plenty of playing time, and Scolari has played him in the position that he prefers, and in the position that Anelka said he plays best. Well so far his influence has been minimal this season.

We need a striker who takes the game by the scruff of the neck, whether the rest of the team are playing well or not. We do not need someone who is relying on 10 other players to perform before he can make an impact. Someone in his position should have the ability to spark into life a game that has maybe become lacklustre, but instead of that he mopes around the pitch with minimal enthusiasm.

He is a passenger in most games, and he is taking up a place in the team every week that I am sure could be filled by someone who is better and deserves it more.

We see the same Anelka that we have seen throughout his career. He has always played like this, and frankly he isn't anywhere near the quality that we need up front.

I don't see any other clubs clamouring to sign him, and fans from other clubs are not at all envious that we have him. That is a pretty good sign that he is ordinary.

Compare his hunger for the game to Giovanni at Hull, or Rooney when played as a striker, or even our own beloved Drogba. I could name a hundred players who give more to their team than Anelka gives to us. He does not possess any hunger or enthusiasm at all. In short, he is a major dissapointment and it would not be hard for us to find someone who deserves to wear the shirt, and deserves his massive wage packet.

Sunderland at home today. Lets see if Anelka sets the world alight shall we? I very much doubt it.

 

[Mus]

Great post.

 

[Filipower]

hahahahahaha Anelka

 

[pede54]

Chelsea 5-Sunderland 0

HA!......See what happens when I give a player a slagging off? I should do it more often.

Yep, he had a fair game did Anelka, got himself a hat trick for crists sake, but to be fair not only were we fantastic but Sunderland were crap.

It's in the big games that we need him to be potent, so hopefully this first hat trick of his will encourage him to maintain some kind of momentum.

Alex is a monster is he not? There was a time when Ricci was out injured that we would be so worried, but Alex and to a certain extent Ivanovich are wonderful players, and cover well for Ricci. Nice to see Alex get his first goal for Chelsea.

The entire team were great today, and it's very hard to single any one player out but Joe Cole was World Class today. His silky skills are a pleasure to watch.

So lets hope Liverscum drop points today, and we will remain at the top where we should be.

Couldn't go to the game 'cos I've got flu. Why is it that if I rarely miss a game it turns out like this?

C'MON U BLUES

 

[Filipower]

Oh come on he made you eat your words admit it mate haha

 

[pede54]

No mate. He might have scored a hat trick but I have to admit he still does not convince me.

Let me see him do that a few more times. Let him show some consistancy and then maybe, just maybe I might alter my opinion of him. Not yet though.

To be honest, all his goals were tap ins (one was offside), that I could have put away with ease. He still made too many sloppy mistakes and gave the ball away much too often. He still has something to prove to me.

 

[Mandieta6]

Part of being a striker is knowing where to be at the right time. I haven't seen the match, but, a hat-trick means Anelka has what it takes, but you're right, he needs to perform against top teams too, or we need a new cover striker for Drogba (or starter) if Drogba's injuries persist).

Has anyone else noticed our GD is twice that of the other times in the leagues? Current 2nd are Utd. and Arsenal, and I'm really glad to see us as the feared side of the Premiership again.