Wigan Vs. Chelsea: Lineups/Game Thread
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 4:51 PM GMT
in Chelsea FC: Premier League
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PrintWigan Athletic (4-3-3): Ali Al-Habsi; Maynor Figueroa, Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, Ronnie Stam; David Jones, Mohamed Diame, James McCarthy; Conor Sammon, Jordi Gomez, Victor Moses.
Substitutes from: Michael Pollitt, Albert Crusat, James McArthur, Steve Gohouri, Franco di Santo, Ben Watson, Hugo Rodallega.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Petr Cech; Ashley Cole, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Jose Bosingwa; Oriol Romeu, Raul Meireles, Frank Lampard; Juan Mata, Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge.
Substitutes from: Ross Turnbull, Fernando Torres, John Obi Mikel, Florent Malouda, Paulo Ferreira, Josh McEachran, Salomon Kalou.
David Luiz (knee injury). AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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:( :-( :-( :-( :-( :-(
How serious?
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 4:52 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
On Ramires and LUiz:
“Both Ramires and David Luiz are rated with an 80 per cent chance of being fit for the Spurs game. "
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 4:52 PM GMT reply actions
With your song?
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 4:54 PM GMT up reply actions
WoaaaaaOhhhhooo
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by CanadianBlue on Dec 17, 2011 4:55 PM GMT up reply actions
80% chance is pretty good
I won’t be worried :D
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 4:53 PM GMT up reply actions
Max Frisch (Swiss authour)
said so wisely: when only 1 people bitten by a snake dies, it isn’t much, but when your the 1 out of 100 person who actually dies, it doesn’t really matter
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Anybody else expecting the SAME EXACT LINEUP?!
(Minus the one enforced change?)
wowza. Another AVB surprise!
1) Whyyyyyy?!?!?!?
2) Why no Torres?
5 Up, 5 Down - A uniquely unofficial look at the comings and goings of Chelsea FC and the EPL
Because we have been winning with Drogba?
Why change a winning team?
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 4:53 PM GMT up reply actions
It's Wigan?
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 4:54 PM GMT up reply actions
Because he doesn't score
and Ballack told us wisely you can’t win without scoring goals?
Oh wait. Torres can setup Kalou! Kalou scores goals! Only sometimes wrong goals …
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Maybe they really are shipping Torres out?
This is a serious freezing out considering the guy getting nods over him is in his mid-thirties and refusing to sign a contract extension in his last year
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 4:55 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
We need to worry about our current form
Doesn’t matter the age or whether he’s leaving or not
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 4:58 PM GMT up reply actions
If both get yellows then we might see McEachran
:)
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 4:59 PM GMT up reply actions
This lineup gives me so much of the sads
:(
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 4:56 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
And if Ramires is declared not fit...
Oh dear. Lets not think so much
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 5:00 PM GMT up reply actions
c'mon guys let's cheer up
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Would it hurt to give Josh some play time v Wigan? Put him in front of a double pivot with
Mikel and Romeu. Why risk both Lamps and Meireles who are on four yellows! We got WHL next!
also there’s this which angers me
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16230934.stm
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
I will fly to Switzerland to burn Sion's stadium to the ground.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:09 PM GMT up reply actions
...should this happen.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:10 PM GMT up reply actions
This can't be real
can it? I mean, I’ll have a tin hat moment here and say that if this should go through in ManU’s favor, then there HAS to be something happening. That is beyond luck.
Let's just all relax...
Hopefully we can snatch an early lead, and maybe get Torres and some midfielders who aren’t on 4 yellows (looking at you Josh!) into the game for 30 or so minutes.
If this doesn’t happen, THEN we can all freak out. I understand AVB going with the strongest lineup he can from the start, then working others in.
Just look up...
Starting 11 is posted.
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 5:08 PM GMT up reply actions
Then it's time for my Oriol cookies
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
by Maiev on Dec 17, 2011 5:10 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
That's fabulous.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:11 PM GMT up reply actions
I think Torres managed to do that to himself
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 5:10 PM GMT up reply actions 2 recs
The transfer was the first of a series of mistakes
by Torres himself. Not that is something new, but …
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Yes.
"Walter is a quality 2nd receiver. Jacoby is so bad that the two of them together is less than just Walter by himself." -Toolshed1
by RocketsAstros on Dec 17, 2011 5:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Regarding the sh*tstorm in the Chelsea community
upon transfer deadline? The Pool hating fraction were screaming
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Some of this
was him and his injury and he didn’t pull himself out of it well… some of it tactics. Clearly Roy didn’t help (not just Torres, but that team), as he isnt really helping his new club either. He started sucking right around the time that Benetiz was done.
In the first place
it should be the player himself being in control of his career, and not the manager. Especially at Chelsea up to now the manager isn’t an issue at all
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Retarded red cards and insane misses would do that to a player
"Walter is a quality 2nd receiver. Jacoby is so bad that the two of them together is less than just Walter by himself." -Toolshed1
by RocketsAstros on Dec 17, 2011 5:12 PM GMT up reply actions
He's not our best striker at the moment
He’s probably not even 2nd best. I’d have liked to see him play today, but I can’t fault AVB for running out our top team today. The fixture list isn’t all that congested for a bit.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 5:19 PM GMT up reply actions
OMFG WANT
Sorry, you triggered my Tina Fey nerve :P
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by CanadianBlue on Dec 17, 2011 5:11 PM GMT up reply actions
Extremely.
5 Up, 5 Down - A uniquely unofficial look at the comings and goings of Chelsea FC and the EPL
by CanadianBlue on Dec 17, 2011 5:13 PM GMT up reply actions
Maybe Chelsea area saving Torres for Spurs on Thursday?
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
the real question is.....why is kalou not starting.....he is a dynamic player
Where is the meatloaf?
Kalou is best as sub
at least if there was something he has proven to the club then this would be it
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
ummm no......kalou is the best player we have........you know nothing about irregular talent!!!
Where is the meatloaf?
i was being sarcastic, but actually it doesn't have to be. Its just that kalou is that much irregular
you know what ferreira can do or cant do, the same for solksjaer when he used to play, same for owens now
Where is the meatloaf?
I think we should do an investigative series on kalou and torres, as to why they are talented and yet irregular
Where is the meatloaf?
saving him for spurs would be my guess.
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Even though that doesn't make much sense? : (
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:24 PM GMT up reply actions
He handed in a transfer request..,..
(no, not really)
don't be, we need to win as much as possible and right now drogba give us the best chance
its as simple as that….no grudges or hating on blonde hair
Where is the meatloaf?
Because he has been shit and Drogba has been lights out
and AVB doesn’t want to mess with the team before the Spurs game. Boom.
"Walter is a quality 2nd receiver. Jacoby is so bad that the two of them together is less than just Walter by himself." -Toolshed1
by RocketsAstros on Dec 17, 2011 5:24 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
Has he though?
Torres hasn’t started a match, excepting the Carling debacle, since the Genk massacre, and I wouldn’t call Drogba lights out. He’s been good, but not lights out, as he was two years ago.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:27 PM GMT up reply actions
Love this
Game about to start and we’re still debating Torres. Some of you are just amazing.
by el chelsea fuerte on Dec 17, 2011 5:25 PM GMT reply actions
Sometimes I always have a bad feeling when
Meireles and Lampard are together on the pitch
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
No, because they
tend to neutralize each other … and finally they are so similar to each other
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Can I change my Xmas wish?
I’d be just as happy with a pink slip for Warren Barton as I would with Neymar
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 5:27 PM GMT reply actions
But the guy delivering the pink slip needs to wear a Neymar mask
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 5:28 PM GMT up reply actions
Can it be Neymar wearing a Neymar mask?
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 5:28 PM GMT up reply actions
Can WB be wearing a Neymar mask too?
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:29 PM GMT up reply actions
Oh GOD, the solar panel kit!!!! It's super bad luck!
knocks on wood
A guardian guy has written
it was essentially to remind Torres what a net looks like :(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
in all seriousness though, neymar is better at 19 than messi was, thats crazy
Where is the meatloaf?
Oh, [fun] off, FSC guy!
Didn’t you get the meme re: AVB and celebrations?!
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
Give me everything tonight..........
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
forgot he was out there...
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
I hate when we play teams in blue.
I always forget for the first ten minutes, and freak out because we’re constantly passing to the wrong team.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
I was thinking the same thing.
Even worse is FSC is giving Wigan the blue background.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
The white shorts should be a giveaway.
I don’t think Chelsea have EVER worn blue with white away. And not since the ’60s at home.
It's a rational thing.
It’s just one of those see-the-primary-colour-of-the-kit things.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:39 PM GMT up reply actions
All quiet on the (Greater Manchester) Western front.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
They're having the same problem I do.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:41 PM GMT up reply actions
Is this our usual sloppy start
(like against City) or do we really want to do it slowly yeah slowly …
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
No holdup play to be had
We’ve had like 95% possession so far
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 5:47 PM GMT up reply actions
What the crap?!
JT with a good long-range shot? Ludicrous, but fabulous.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
I for one welcome our monobrow overlords.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 5:50 PM GMT up reply actions
Let's get wide to Sturridge and (do we have a left winger?)
Stop trying to dribble through the middle of the parked bus!!!
That was Cole's fault
He broke in on the pass
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 5:53 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm at work, so might have to sneak off to watch the game. But I'm not watching it now.
How are we doing?
The Nigerian Perspective!
I was really convinced that Wigan were going to play today
I was wrong I guess
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 5:56 PM GMT reply actions
Chelsea look lazy
Drogba, Lampard, and Miereles in particular
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:00 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
how was that not a foul?
sublime from Drogba to Sturridge
It's amazing how quickly our midfield goes to pieces without a proper..
…box-to-boxer. I can’t wait for Essien to come back, so we can have one when Rami gets a game off.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
That's especially amazing since we have 2 box-to-box midfielders currently
on the pitch
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Neither are really box-to-boxers in the Ramires/Essien sense.
Chelsea almost always do well with a holder, an Essien-type, and a Lampard-type. Right now we have a holder and two Lampards.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 6:03 PM GMT up reply actions
That's why I said at the beginning of the thread
I never feel good for us when Meireles and Lampard play together. They neutralize each other
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
question
How long do you think it’ll take Essien to get into Ramires like form?
by nsleepy3 on Dec 17, 2011 6:02 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
I wasn't gonna ask that
Because I know that’ll take even longer :(
by nsleepy3 on Dec 17, 2011 6:04 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
Inflammation of your crosses.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Let's get some Joshy and Torres please
Please?
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:02 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Why Torres?
He’ll probably be less effective than Drogba against a packed box. At least Drogs can play with his back to goal.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:04 PM GMT up reply actions
My hoping for Torres to play in this match was contingent on Wigan not packing the box and playing like this.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Drogba is CAPABLE of those things
But he’s sleep-walking out there. Not gonna do shit today. Let’s give Torres a run. Maybe he’ll be hungry
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:06 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
He's the only guy in the box with 4-5 defenders at any given time
He’s not the problem today
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:08 PM GMT up reply actions
Drogba isn't doing so badly at all
but with that midfield it’s not going anywhere, be it Drogba, Torres of Lukaku I bet
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
We did, then Rami was injured.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 6:05 PM GMT up reply actions
Oh wow
now WIgan have discovered we don’t wanna play, so they decided they could try it instead. Hilarious
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Bat-Cech looks pissed
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This is so boring
Chelsea look sleepy, and Wigan aren’t actually good enough to come at Chelsea
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:08 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
why chelsea
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=_KqqRPvM_Sw
by Bmoney556 on Dec 17, 2011 6:09 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
it's not posting the videos I hate my iPhone
by Bmoney556 on Dec 17, 2011 6:10 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
Nice turkey hat...
Now you kids with your loud music and your Dan Fogelberg, your Zima, hula hoops and Pac-Man video games, don't you see? People today have attention spans that can only be measured in nanoseconds!
by Tracer Bullet 82 on Dec 17, 2011 6:09 PM GMT reply actions
It's Pat.
Now you kids with your loud music and your Dan Fogelberg, your Zima, hula hoops and Pac-Man video games, don't you see? People today have attention spans that can only be measured in nanoseconds!
by Tracer Bullet 82 on Dec 17, 2011 6:10 PM GMT up reply actions
Turkey hats are the new captain's armband...
Now you kids with your loud music and your Dan Fogelberg, your Zima, hula hoops and Pac-Man video games, don't you see? People today have attention spans that can only be measured in nanoseconds!
by Tracer Bullet 82 on Dec 17, 2011 6:10 PM GMT up reply actions
Nearly 40 min
and no shot on target. That says nearly everything about how we play now
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
ohh drogs. best chance in a while
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Looks better with 2-3 guys in the box
Wigan have to make choices
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:11 PM GMT reply actions
STFU about Torres FSC
There’s actually a game on
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:12 PM GMT reply actions
Define "game," please.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
That stat has to be wrong
They definitely don’t
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:15 PM GMT up reply actions
i like Chelsea's composure
more incisiveness needed tho
Bosingwa
because I think he did quite well today, but then I may have missed something in the last 5-10 minutes
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Could it be
he responded well to benching, like Lampard?
OK, Lampard today actually didn’t respond too well … :(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
How so? The first Lampard was benched and came back again
he played well … and Bosingwa plays well currently, too
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
And there doesn't seem to be a real need for Romeu
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:20 PM GMT reply actions
could we move meireles back and put josh in for romeu. since lampard wont like to move back
Where is the meatloaf?
AVB has sacrificed the DM in matches before...could the same fate befall Romeu (or Meireles?!) to bring on another wide player
We need Malouda on the left. Make it so.
Drogba and Lampard have been useless
Useless.
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:21 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
I was going to say purgatory...
Nothing’s happening…
Now you kids with your loud music and your Dan Fogelberg, your Zima, hula hoops and Pac-Man video games, don't you see? People today have attention spans that can only be measured in nanoseconds!
by Tracer Bullet 82 on Dec 17, 2011 6:23 PM GMT up reply actions
To be fair, we also had opposing teams that actually were trying to play
Wigan set out to defend with 10.
They had one shot on target and a situation were at least you could argue if there was a penalty
(though I don’t think so) We however …
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
wow nobody likes how we're playing
i kinda feel like they are gonna turn it on in the second half. they seemed pretty composed and i liked the defense. i expect AVB will make them play a higher tempo second half and if not, make early changes.
I think so too
I’m not worried, just bored out of my mind
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 6:27 PM GMT up reply actions
haha fair enough
but Chelsea is showing glimpses, now they have to pull some combo moves off, get a goal and that’ll be enetertaining …
yeah that's what i liked
the defense is a lot more assured
Joshy for Lampard. Torres for Drogba
Miereles drops back. 4-2-3-1
THAT’s dynamic
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:27 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Why would you drop a player back into a holding role when they are packing the box?
If anything we should be pushing another player forward
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:31 PM GMT up reply actions
We drop deeper to attract them coming out more and kill them on the counter attack
Aye Sir!
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
They haven't even come out 30 yards
Dropping deeper won’t change that
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:34 PM GMT up reply actions
Get Lamps off
and put Josh on while Meireles plays in place of Lamps…
Gutted while writing this as Lamps is my all time favorite…but this should be happening…we need some pace…
would not mind seeing Torres join Drogba
take out lamps or meireles draw Mata back to midfield
Can't disagree more
His arms were tucked into his body, exactly where they should be
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:32 PM GMT up reply actions
How the fuck can you argue that the Ivanovic block was a penalty?!
Shut up, second studio “analyst” on ESPN.
the thing is ivanovic was too scared to take in his stomach so he purposedly moved his hand in the way
by Bluesforlife on Dec 17, 2011 6:30 PM GMT up reply actions
thats what youre supposed to do to not draw a penalty like lescott. were are you supposed to put them if not there?
Where is the meatloaf?
wtv i give up arguing.
you guys are probably right!
by Bluesforlife on Dec 17, 2011 6:33 PM GMT up reply actions
Well I can understand hey are debating about whether it was penalty or not
there is not much to be talking about in THAT first half. So talking about penalty or not penalty although it was a non-pen seems natural to me
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
This game is....
BOOOOORING. I’m thinking about a halftime nap, but afraid I may not wake up to see the second half.
they showed it like a million times
i am listening to Fela Kuti instead of these wanker announcers but i also noticed they had the camera on Drogba for like 30 seconds after the play. what were they saying about him? trying to tear him down, or giving props?
please play josh for the zombie lampard, bring on a striker or move sturridge in
Where is the meatloaf?
Seriously
And we need somebody like Sturridge on the left, too, to give us balance.
Mata keeps drifting in and the left is wide open, but nobody’s there.
true indeed
i saw you’d like Malouda but i think nowadays he also drifts into the center mostly to take ridiculous shots. i wouldn’t mind seeing Torres wide left, i know it hasn’t been done before and is unlikely, but we need some pace there right now.
He's the best we got on the bench
But Torres could be an interesting option out there, too, provided he stays wide(r than Mata).
Let's get this game over with
I’ve got drying paint / growing grass to watch!
by DPeezy on Dec 17, 2011 6:33 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
they play much better at a higher tempo
there is not enough of a link b/w midfield and the forwards right now (missing Rami/Essien). the passing has to be quicker there. would very much like Mata to drop back a little and play central while someone else fills that left forward role. sucks to not be able to play Anelka at the moment.
its funny because if it was torres out there people would be like well he hasnt had a good ball given to him, he needs a good pass
Where is the meatloaf?
You and I
must watch different channels. My commentators always say he needs to be out there when he isnt, and when he is, they say he is terrible and needs to be benched. The comments you put up there would suggest any of the commentators apply some reason with their opinions. I hear them talk shit on Drogba, Torres, some others… not really Danny though… they love him.
i don't think Drogba has been bad
questionable decisions at times, but he’s been the main pivot of what little attack we’ve had, plucking long balls down. if he can release Sturridge down the right more things will happen.
Well as long as both Meireles and Lampard stay on I have little hope
we see a more fluent game
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Really? I never noticed
And I thought I watches precisely when I cut his figure for the wallpaper
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I don't believe so.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 6:43 PM GMT up reply actions
What's our shape now?
4-2-3-1 with Lampard / Miereles deep, and Mata CAM?
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:41 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Nvm, just saw the upstairs comments
My phone wasn’t loading them before
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:43 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
no way
Lampard and Raul can’t play that deep
by Bmoney556 on Dec 17, 2011 6:43 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
Lampard has a broken mouth.
Shoos cameras away.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
STUDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
STUDGE!!!!!!!!!!!
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
That'll do, Danny. That'll do.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
what a shot that was!
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
WHAT A FINISH
That’s class Sturridge
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:50 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
That was a fantastic fantastic famtastic run and a perfect first touch and shot
That was everything fantastic
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
[Fun] them!
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 6:51 PM GMT up reply actions
Was that beautiful ball in from Ash?
It’s was fabulous.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
It has been proved again
that we play better with 9 or 10 players on….
Lamps was off the field…
Cole made a Mata-esque pass….
Sturridge with a superb finish…
How many teeth does Lampard have left?
Maybe this could be our “ace-in-the-hole” move. Lampard off the pitch, distracting people with all the blood.
Sturridge kinda dances like a white guy...
Loud noises!
by Tracer Bullet 82 on Dec 17, 2011 6:53 PM GMT reply actions
When can this game be over so I can watch it?
and probably be bored the entire first half (judging by the comments, thus far).
I have a thing
I can’t watch the games live now. While I wait to watch the games we have been winning. I am not always for superstitions but this is one I’ve had with sports the better part of my life. If we lose while I don’t watch, that might make me feel okay with watching them live again.
I don't understand AVB's brain
Why Mikel? Why not Joshy?
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:55 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Up 1-0
Put on a holder. Makes perfect sense
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:56 PM GMT up reply actions
Yep
Although I’d have put him on for Lampard
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 6:57 PM GMT up reply actions
Yep, this is a lesson AVB learned from the Leverkusen game (iirc)
When our mids started to lose composure and he waited too long to bring on Mikel
FOR MATA?!?!
Fuck this bullshit
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 6:57 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Makes perfect sense
Of all the players on the pitch, Mata offered the least defensively
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:58 PM GMT up reply actions
you're right.
I’m just irrationally upset that if Torres ever gets in, he won’t get to play with Mata (again!).
He's been very good today
Credit to him
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 6:59 PM GMT up reply actions
Does Mikel have a chest injury?
It looks like he’s got some sort of pad on
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 6:57 PM GMT reply actions
What has Mata really done though?
Anonymous in the first half. Kalou brought some pace with him into the game. Our goal was from a long ball by Ash.
So... when do we start wondering if we are a team
that performs best when under a huge amount of pressure, and not always the other times? I mean, not saying that is the case yet, but the thought has lingered through my head once or twice.
Not sure this game says something about this
since two of our players who give us the most drive – Rami and David Luiz – are NOT on the pitch
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
But then you can't compare it to other games when we played well
because you don’t if it was just because we miss our key players, or because we can’t perform when not under pressure
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I'm not sure about that
This was the most ultra-defensive anyone has played us since Stoke. Hard to make much of a judgement based on that
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:01 PM GMT up reply actions
The thought isnt from this game alone
but, like I said, not committing to that yet… just observing if others wondered and also keeping my eye out for any developing trends (lets hope not)!
After the recent run of fixtures
It’s very easy to see why we may have lacked a bit of concentration/motivation for this one. Wigan’s defensive attitude has not helped matters either.
By the way, is Iced O watching this?
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I still haven't seen anything substantial
Is there something I’m missing?
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:03 PM GMT up reply actions
I've seen those
Nothing from a decent source though
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:05 PM GMT up reply actions
Go limp when you're pile-drived.
Lsss chance of neck injury.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:03 PM GMT up reply actions
Or "less chance" even.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:03 PM GMT up reply actions
Well, there are two meanings.
An unpleasant wrestling move, and a possibly-unpleasant other kind of move.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:07 PM GMT up reply actions
He could only go one way
Any skinnier than he was back in the day, he would’ve been had to sent to eating disorder rehab.
JT Down holding his knee.
Oh Dammit.
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That's not good.
CENTER BACK CRISIS!
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:05 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Nobody
Would have to put Mikel in the back and McEachran or Malouda in midfield
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:06 PM GMT up reply actions
No one
DL is hurt and Alex is in Siberia
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:06 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
same exact thing happened to greg jennings a couple of weeks ago for the packers.
he’s out 2-3 weeks
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Luckily the Pack can go on and still win
and on a random note, but not too random: Donald Driver is the man. The unsung player of that team for a long time. Not gonna say I’ve paid mind to his stats or anything this season, but I think of him fondly when I think about all the Pack games I’ve watched over the years.
But Aaron Rodgers is a City fan.
Seriously, he’s fabulous, but [fun] that guy.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:10 PM GMT up reply actions
What?
No… I will not have that. Rodgers has done extremely well, but I still have a hard time thinking he will be in green and gold for long. Dunno why, but I can’t sink the feeling that he’ll move elsewhere sooner than later.
He did an interview wearing a City shirt the other day.
I don’t know. If he wins a second Super Bowl this year, I don’t think he leaves. What can any team offer him that he doesn’t have?
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:22 PM GMT up reply actions
Exactly why he may go seek a new challenge
I dunno, if I achieved the top level on a team a few times, I might seek a new challenge, and one that might offer more money, a city with different things to do, a change of scenery. But, that’s just me.
Basically though, I don’t yet buy him as a player with “loyalty”, really. He might be, but I fear that cheese heads will once again get their hearts broken for placing too much hero worship on the guy. The typical fan behavior parallels with Liverpool never cease, for me.
But seriously… someone should teach him a thing or two about the other football, and then maybe he wouldn’t go wearing a City shirt.
I don't know.
He doesn’t live here most of the year, so it’s not like he’s trapped in a small town.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:58 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm not watching the game, people. Couldn't sneak from work. My boss is keeping a close eye on me :-(
The Nigerian Perspective!
Bring on Hutchinson!
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:08 PM GMT up reply actions
that was so stupid
was it Meireles with the back pass?
Brani, I think.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:08 PM GMT up reply actions
Coming on soon, I should say.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:09 PM GMT up reply actions
Oh good it's Malouda
That makes A LOT of sense
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:10 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
It's true
though I wouldnt have moaned, I’d have just laughed about it. I’ve been in laughing stage for awhile now.
There would be no other player anyone would say such a thing.
Imagine: Malouda on. No Josh … WTF?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Actually, I said exactly that when Mikel came on
“why not Joshy?”
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:16 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
You didn't say
now AVB made all 3 substitutions – now Josh can’t get on! That’s the difference
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
He hasnt started him in a legit game in awhile
Unless you count Italy, when he got the concussion in the first few minutes.
I think if he makes the squad for Euros it will prove he’s been kept as a good luck charm. If so, hey, it may have just worked. Ha.
Spain needed talismans?
They didn’t needed Raul either … and he was/is in better form than some other Spanish strikers
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Simply put
Torres probably should have seen his spot go to Soldado a couple of times (though, Negredo is a more likely candidate to replace him, but he was injured recently). But Soldado keeps not getting called up, and Torres keeps getting the call, even if he sits on the bench or in the stands. But in the recent past, they’ve won some big tournaments for teams he’s been on, even if he did shite.
So, if he continues to make the squad, without having played worth a damn, it would have to suggest that he is in it for some other reason. Del Bosque would have to attribute it to something as silly as a “good luck charm”
All the attention paid to the situation.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:13 PM GMT up reply actions
Controversy or fuss.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Which is exactly why you don't take off Drogba
He actually is a huge help in defending set pieces. Better chance to maintain that margin without the switch.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Makes sense. From your comments, I get the impression...
…they’re being ultra defensive
The Nigerian Perspective!
ill just say this "bosingwa has owned moses for the day" that pretty much says it
Where is the meatloaf?
Yeah we're fine
Boring ass game
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:18 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Malouda is Sturridge
except worse at everything.
He needs the dreads back
I’ve determined he looked much cooler and was better with them. This matters much to footballing skills.
Cech
I think Moses was offsides as well
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:20 PM GMT up reply actions
We jinxed it
When Iced-O asked his question. We jinxed it
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:20 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
It's times like this I ask myself why we let Di Santo and Borini go and are stuck with ...
I give up
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
So glad we decided to sub off our two best attacking players.
by deco and the bunnymen on Dec 17, 2011 7:20 PM GMT reply actions
No. But
due to the flow of the game, we should have kept our options open. Expect the best, plan for the worse.
by deco and the bunnymen on Dec 17, 2011 7:28 PM GMT up reply actions
you mean we should've kept up the attacking intent
Which is exactly what AVB/Chelsea were criticized for earlier in the season?
Damned if you do; damned if you don’t.
no. now
you’re putting words in my mouth. we should’ve have kept one on.
by deco and the bunnymen on Dec 17, 2011 7:33 PM GMT up reply actions
I was not necessarily bemoaning defensive substitutions. I was bemoaning the players that were taken off, i.e. drogba or lamps would have been preferable. I don’t know if this would have improved the outcome, but I do believe it would have offered us a better chance to win the game should Wigan equalize.
by deco and the bunnymen on Dec 17, 2011 7:46 PM GMT up reply actions
Why does this always happen when I don't watch a game?
I’m getting really annoyed with my boss now….
The Nigerian Perspective!
Lazy sleepy is never the answer
That’s why we aren’t winning right now. That’s why taking Mata and Sturridge off was stupid. We needed more dynamism, not more sleepwalking
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:21 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Oh for fuck's sake
Petr Cech couldn’t hold onto a trivial shot. Blaming that on the substitutions is idiotic
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:22 PM GMT up reply actions
What does Malouda give us that Sturridge wasn't?
Just because Mata hadn’t done much to start the game, doesn’t mean he has to go off. How many times have we seen Drogba sleepwalk through most of the game, and end up having a moment of brilliance. I understand wanting to put on more defense, but we can’t put a slower midfield out than Meireles, Lampard, and Mikel.
A rested Danny against Spurs.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:29 PM GMT up reply actions
My point was that if we were up two or more goals then we can afford a defensive mistake or two
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:32 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Being up 2-0 is great
But opening up the game to get the second goal when up 1-0 makes the equaliser much more likely
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:33 PM GMT up reply actions
If Wigan didn't have that chance
they nearly said “that shows you what error it was to bring on Malouda instead of … Torres?!”
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
And again, I'm wondering why we got rid of Di Santo and had ...
I can’t help myself but when I’m frustrated I’m frustrated
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Last second half of the season he scored more than one certain Chelsea striker
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Di Santo is an awful, awful, striker
The fact that he has scored a bunch of deflected shots means nothing
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:25 PM GMT up reply actions
Reminds me of a Pool fan 3 seasons ago to teach me about how awful Frank Lampard was
Whatever. Among the blinded ones, the one-eyed guy is king, too. And we looked very blind today
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Did you... not watch di Santo when he played with us?
He’s scored six times in 68 appearances.
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:31 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm not saying he's great
But today shortly before their equalizer he made us look like meerkats. That’s outright frustrating
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
4 minutes stoppage time
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Remember when we used to go for as many goals as possible against teams like Wigan?
And not shut up shop after one goal? Yeah, that
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:24 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
I'm with this
in the sense that tactics certainly influence things, but these guys are supposed to be some of the best players in the game, and they lose focus soo easily. But then, I do wonder sometimes what goes on at training and in their pep talks before and during games. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
It baffles me
all those horrible talk about “beautiful beautiful football” and then we revert to the worst Mou days and try to close off after we scored one just to concede in the final minutes
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
If David Luiz is being controlled by a kid on Playstation...
…are our meltdowns controlled by Homer Simpson?
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Who doesn't?
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:26 PM GMT up reply actions
Should of started Ross Turnbull!
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
The second guessing around here is getting ridiculous
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:26 PM GMT reply actions
It's every single thing that happens now
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:26 PM GMT up reply actions
Not just that
the way everyone talks on here when something goes wrong goes south. People’s disagreements get a little overheated when we’re down and not winning. During the games I mean… wish everyone would not take it out on each other when they get pissed at how the team performs.
Look, people sometimes say unthought-through things when they’re pissed, and it happens on both sides. Why doesn’t everyone wait to have their “battles” when they can all think a little more clearly. Note, this goes for everyone (just typed it in this spot)
Aw geez
Only one point.
Chelsea back in crisis. Or something.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
fucking dammit
still a point is nice I guess
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
I'm disappointed with our lack of determination and concentration against smaller team'ss.
That’s the same problem Liverpool has…
And sorry I couldn’t watch the match :(
The Nigerian Perspective!
this is only the second time we've dropped points against smaller teams.
By “smaller teams” you must mean “big teams.”
Stoke, Wigan
Arsenal, and Liverpool…I count 4
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:28 PM GMT up reply actions
Genk
second leg… Leverkusen wasnt a smaller team, but a situation where I would have thought we were the favored team even playing away. Smaller team is not the term I’d use, maybe… “underdog” might be.
we need ramirez back today has been a dissappointing match, this is never a chapionship material
Blue is the color football is the game
well
I’m not re watching this shit game
by Bmoney556 on Dec 17, 2011 7:27 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
We were not very good at all
1-1 is about right. Pretty stupid way to drop points though.
"Walter is a quality 2nd receiver. Jacoby is so bad that the two of them together is less than just Walter by himself." -Toolshed1
My thought right now is that it was, frankly, a fair result.
The players didn’t earn three points today.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
And at least one against Arsenal.
If not for the freak slip/backpass, and conceding while pushing for 4-4, a draw. is easily fair.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:32 PM GMT up reply actions
Fuck me...
What a painful game to watch. Not only was it horribly boring, but then we make some interesting subs and drop points. To Wigan. Christ.
petr Cech did this to us
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=_KqqRPvM_Sw
by Bmoney556 on Dec 17, 2011 7:28 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
We just needed Cech to hang on to a simple ball
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:31 PM GMT up reply actions
to get the win, yes.
But in terms of putting in a good performance, i felt the element we were missing for much of the day was an energy B2B type.
Where was that needed?
There was no need for a box to box guy in the first half, we already had all the possession in their end. Nobody actually needed to rush back and defend.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:33 PM GMT up reply actions
There was nowhere to move
They let us pass it at will around at about 35 yards out. Guys could run around all they wanted, what we were really lacking was the passes into the box. Our crosses were mostly shit, and our feeds to drogs sucked.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:37 PM GMT up reply actions
we had no urgency.
We needed to force the issue, which is what Kalou did when he came on.
That’s not the only problem. Our crosses were terrible, and even with the packed box, Drogba wasn’t at his best today. He had a few moments, but he coasted for stretches.
He's off to Napoli.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:30 PM GMT up reply actions
Great....
I saw that rumor the other day, and didn’t think twice about it. Shit Saturday.
by Joe DelGreco on Dec 17, 2011 7:31 PM GMT up reply actions
MAAANNN
AVB sure is gonna be cutting loose at a few slackers in the dressing room today. >:O
The good string might’ve smoothed a thing or two over. Regardless, a dressing down was a bit due.
Let's go use Roman's credit card to help us get over this loss.
If you need me, I’ll be in Dortmund.
Dortmund don't
wanna sell – but they could still change their mind after Christmas
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I don't think he'll choose us if Real are in the lot for him
but Dortmund have said multiple times they don’t wanna sell in January. If they sell, they do it in the summer. We’re not the only club who are looking at their contingent :P
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I don't know which is worse...
…the performance today, or the inevitable reactions.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
hello Mr. Avb, ur a cunt.
why, because – 1. u subbed mata, 2. u subbed sturridge, 3. u didnt bring on torres, 4. u brought on malouda, 5. u u wasted a sub by getting off romeu and later bringing on mikel.
He did nothing wrong.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:34 PM GMT up reply actions
Tell me what you would have done differently that would have had any better effect.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:37 PM GMT up reply actions
got off drogba in 15mins for sure. and i would NEVER play malouda in my team.
wouldnt have taken off mata and sturridge or atleast on of those 2.
Who'd have done better than Drogba?
They gave us nothing to work with, and I’d rather have Danny and Mata with fewer minutes in their legs against Spurs.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:43 PM GMT up reply actions
Even fired-up, he'd have done nothing today.
There was really very little for him.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:46 PM GMT up reply actions
why not give a chance to a player who was warming up for twenty mins and then he brought on mikel and malouda?
is this chelsea he wants us to be?
When they were made, each substitution was perfectly justified.
No team could have run riot over Wigan today. They shut up shop big time, and we had another individual error.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:50 PM GMT up reply actions
How?
Wigan gave the players nothing to work with. It’s simple to run rampant over a team who are fighting back. When you have to break through 9+ men every time, your effectiveness goes to nothing.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:54 PM GMT up reply actions
Thats what Barca do like every time
Most teams go there and park the bus But they still win emphatically
At the rate how we played today especially
more creativity can never be a bad idea ;(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
When we can get a team easily twice as good as the...
…lower lights of our division, I’ll accept that premise.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:57 PM GMT up reply actions
and for those who feel i'm a plastic fan who supports avb when we win and bitch baout him when we dont
you’re wrong. i was against the decision to sack ancelotti
I think we mostly just feel you're wrong.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:00 PM GMT up reply actions
But you're just blindly bitching about everything he did today, justified or not
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 8:00 PM GMT up reply actions
how do u even manage to support his decisions?
he exiled alex so could have as less defenders as possible.. now if we assume that bossy is our main RB who’s his backup? Ivanovic. and if we assume DL and JT are our main CBs, who’s their backup?
So,
not knocking your right to be upset at the performance or not care for AVB, but a lot of the last couple of comments is speculation and Daily Mail stories.
Maybe take a break from posting your thoughts while upset, and come back when you’ve had some more time to cool off? Not just you, this last idea could go for a few people here.
This is even something AVB has denied literally
so these days, the tabloid papers carry more truth than the official Chelsea homepage?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
not but looks like he's gonna sell him for sure.
is torres that bad? is he worse than kalou and malouda? i dont think so.
We don't exactly know what happened
between AVB and Alex and that particular situation. We only know a report from the SUN which is probably wrong – like most of the things the SUN reports about So without knowing anything about the concrete situation it’s worthless to draw conclusions.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
if he's accepted a player's transfer request
that means he’s not gonna play him now. i havent ever went to SUN or daily fail’s websites.
You said he "exiled" Alex
All we know is Alex doesn’t play for the First team anymore. We don’t know what happened between Alex and AVB. You seem to draw the conclusion that Alex wants to play for the First team and AVB didn’t allow that and banished him, but since you don’t know what happened in Cobham that’s a baseless conclusion
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Branislav Ivanovic
DL was out injured today, but otherwise would have played.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:16 PM GMT up reply actions
Jose Bosingwa.
After that, Paulo Ferreira, who is good enough for an emergency.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:19 PM GMT up reply actions
I don't see the problem.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:22 PM GMT up reply actions
Just throwing out there
that even in a recent interview, AVB has said he has the ability to bring in Alex still. He wouldn’t with Anelka, but Alex isn’t necessarily going just yet.
Transfer requests just typically mean getting separated from training… Alex and Anelka had to know that, especially because they put them in so early.
what about the passing movements and attacking chelsea?
since when mikel and malouda are good passers?
Where was there room to play a good passing game?
We ended up making a lot of lateral passes, I expect.
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by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:23 PM GMT up reply actions
It was because Wigan were deep in their shells.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:26 PM GMT up reply actions
Only one of them was playing to start the match
I’m fine with dissent, but can you make better arguments?
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 8:27 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm not sure I understood you correctly
so if I misunderstood, I’m sorry – but what I got was – you’re saying Kalou and Malouda shouldn’t be playing because they are no good attackers. Besides the fact Kalou had decent efforts today – we didn’t play better without Kalou on the pitch in the first half – and second the time Malouda and Mikel came on it wasn’t practically about attacking anymore, but simply save our asses
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Like when we rolled over them for two legs in 2009 by parking the bus?
Or when Inter did the same thing to them in 2010? They are just as susceptible to it as anyone.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 8:00 PM GMT up reply actions
We can't all play the Levantes of the world...
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:01 PM GMT up reply actions
OK, I actually think you're serious. I couldn't believe he wanted to defend a 1-0 lead (that's
what subbing Mata for Mikel means) when we’re looking so shaky, but today was 80% Cech’s fault and 20% Bane’s fault.
Fuck it, make Bane a RB and keep Hutch at 3rd choice. No way he can make this many mistakes.
His subs made sense
somehow. Andy may ask why he didn’t bring in Torres, but it wouldn’t have made any chance to throw him in
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
At the time he subbed in Mikel
I doubt throwing in Josh would have been a good idea – anyway I don’t think it was a mistake he brought on Mikel, maybe there were better options
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
At half time
it would have made sense. At the time when Mikel came on and half of the team looked as if they didn’t wanna score the second goal anymore – I doubt it would have made more sense. It’s like throwing on Torres in the last 10 minutes and hoping he’d do wonders. It won’t come
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
And I guess it's time for me to stop hanging out in the game threads, if it's demotivating me to the point I can't write about the team
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:35 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
This is how you know your blog has become successful. ;-)
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
One defensive mistake shouldn't cost us that much
Who shuts up shop after just 1 goal against Wigan? That’s asking for trouble.
That’s where it’s on AVB. We should be going to more goals.
I’m obviously not blaming Cech dropping one ball on AVB. That would be ridiculous. But the fact that we didn’t even TRY to get a second goal is stupid. Performance, not result
by FootieFromAfar on Dec 17, 2011 7:36 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Backup goalkeepers are a waste of money
by Graham MacAree on Dec 17, 2011 7:37 PM GMT up reply actions
Is Cech's patella tendon now connected to his hands?
He was in perfect position for that save and just pushed it in front of net. He could have saved that without any knees.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:40 PM GMT up reply actions
the ball struck to his thigh and rolled towards gomez.
and when ur injured, its common that u lose ur concentration.
well we dont
We have Ross Turnball
by Bmoney556 on Dec 17, 2011 7:38 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
Why?
To play 2 games a year? Cech’s knee had nothing to do with pushing a ball in front of an open net.
by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 17, 2011 7:39 PM GMT up reply actions
playing conservatively with a lead against a team as bad as Wigan with ten minutes left is not a bad idea.
The fact that our keeper dropped a ball does not rule a strategy invalid.
Sure it's demotivating but
then again there’s that thing about starting the game with a poor work rate and deteriorating EVEN that to a further low instead of cranking it up appreciably midway onwards.
Is there any way to shut down the site for like an hour or so?
There is way to much negativity right now. Today was an example of a team not giving us anything, and more defensive meltdowns. Same story, different game.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
That's what I am doing
Wigan played in a defensive shell all match, Chelsea struggled with the crosses and the feeds to Drogba, Cech made a terrible blunder at the end, shit happens sometimes.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
No, I mean for everyone.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:44 PM GMT up reply actions
How are going to a drink to everyone here?
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:48 PM GMT up reply actions
I don't drink either, and I can accept that...
…as much as it wasn’t the fun move, it was the best move, apart from the, frankly, random Petr Cech error.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:52 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm hoping everyone is just frustrated enough
and starts it themselves, without you needing to worry about that :D
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Cech is no stranger to fuck ups. He completely flapped against a cross in the first half.
He couldn;t choose another game to push the ball into an open net? A game where we’re leading 5-0?
FFS!
He's been doing well in the reserves matches lately
I think, right? I almost wonder if a more youthful team might have done the trick today. I don’t know if fielding some of our lesser played team members necessarily means not fielding a strong team. By all accounts, our reserves, or subs, should be able to do well against Wigan.
But then, I guess that is all the woulda coulda shouldas that come with hindsight :-/ I am especially good for that kind of drivel.
So uhh,
thinking I may not even watch this game, judging by the comments! Don’t need to add any blah-ness to my life right now, I’ve got plenty as is.
There is really very little nuance to be picked up from this.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 7:52 PM GMT up reply actions
It's only a bit b*itching against others
nothing special. Quite usual when we f*ck up
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Those
are blah too, but the other comments about how we played, don’t look particularly good either. I am in a place in my life where I need to cut down on some stress, and watching games that may clearly indulge nail-biting and throwing things at my tv and punching my throw pillows, might not be advised at the moment.
There's nothing you're going to understand better by watching the match.
Basically it was:
Wigan park bus. Chelsea blocked by bus. Chelsea somehow find a way through. Cech Error. Goal. Sad.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Dec 17, 2011 8:07 PM GMT up reply actions
I learned becoming a diehard supporter the hard way
exactly this way – damaging things. And spending awful time repairing them. But then there is surely a difference if we played well and lost to stupid referee decisions and you damage things, or if we played crap and lost and you damage things, I agree
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
If you look at the upcoming schedule
It’s easy to see why AVB subbed of Mata and Danny. He figured that the players out there could hold a lead against Wigan (which they absolutely should have) and that Chelsea have to play a very good Spurs team on Thursday and then have to play a Fullham team (who are playing well at the moment) on boxing day and he wanted to rest the two best attacking players in the squad at the moment. The substitutions make sense, it was the players who let down
I could be wrong, but
I think he’s injured.
by deco and the bunnymen on Dec 17, 2011 7:54 PM GMT up reply actions
frakity frak frak fraking frak
We will rebound against Spurs!
We BETTER beat Spurs!
(and then remember to beat even the easier teams that we are favored against, thereafter!) ;)
Bane is so good at RB, but once he takes a few steps to his left, he becomes so horrible.
Hutch can’t be much worse of a CB. Use him.
But the media says Luiz is the problem, LOL.
Lets get Alex back till Jan
And then buy a CB,preferably someone who is good enough to replace Terry aka Hummels/Subotic
AVB has said
he can still bring him in… but it wouldn’t be ideal, given his lack of playing with the first team, some potential bad feelings, and his lack of recent form.
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