Norwich vs. Chelsea 1/21/12 Gamethread
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 12:28 PM GMT
in Chelsea FC: Premier League
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We have a chance to start off the weekend right this morning at Carrow Rd. A win today will put Chelsea in a more secure position in the table tomorrow afternoon regardless of the outcomes of the weekend's other games. We just need to see the club take care of business today and the rest of the results will sort themselves out. Here are the lineups:
Chelsea FC: Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Sturridge, Mata, Torres
Subs: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Bertrand, Essien, Romeu, Malouda, Lukaku
Norwich City: Ruddy; R Martin, Ayala, Whitbread, Naughton; Pilkington, Fox, Johnson, Surman; Holt, Morison.
Subs: Steer, Drury, Crofts, Bennett, Hoolahan, Wilbraham, Jackson.
Mark Clattenberg will referee
No Gary Cahill debut today, but I doubt that's going to upset too many here. More notably is our lack of a defensively minded holder today which would indicate that AVB feels we will have a fair amount of the ball. Here's hoping for a big game from the club...have at it.
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I swear to God, if this crappy tennis match goes into the coverage of the match...
…I will fly to Connecticut and burn ESPN.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
It's Hewitt, though. His history suggests otherwise.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:33 PM GMT up reply actions
True but.
He is up a break and just needs to serve the game out
See my previous comment. : P
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:35 PM GMT up reply actions
Hey, it's over!
Wonder how long it’ll take for them to put the match on ESPN2, rather than ESPNEWS
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:40 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm glad I don't have that problem
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
I immediately regret turning over.
Any is way too much much McManaman.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:36 PM GMT up reply actions
It's a Mata report now, though, thankfully.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:36 PM GMT up reply actions
How much of a sacrilege is it for me to not want us to wallop Norwich?
I want a win and a clean sheet, but I don’t need a huge win.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
I just want a big enough win that we get some Lukaku
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 12:43 PM GMT up reply actions
Would 2- or 3-0 be good?
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:45 PM GMT up reply actions
I don't know why, but I like Norwich a bit.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:46 PM GMT up reply actions
I'd like to hear the Chelsea fans sing back
“We’ve got lots of money”
by deg0ey on Jan 21, 2012 12:48 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
No Norwich clean sheets this season?
Weird.
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F*ck I missed the first 3 minutes
and that was a very, very, very short lunch I had today :(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Didn't miss much.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:49 PM GMT up reply actions
What a dribble by Meireles
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
I love how the Meireles start got presented as a conspiracy by the commentators
“An automatic choice with the Portuguese coach”
That was great by Ramires to get back to get to the ball a moment ago.
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Dammit.
Ashley Cole again!
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
Let himself be dribbled around.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:52 PM GMT up reply actions
Also, Meireles.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:52 PM GMT up reply actions
Let's get Marcelo!
He screws up but he scores too.
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
Norwich counterattack is really strong
I don’t it’s only about our problem defending against it.
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
don't think*
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
Why?
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:54 PM GMT up reply actions
I guess I'm just used to it. : )
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:55 PM GMT up reply actions
They look like South Africa
And Aussies.
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
Wait. Macca thinks 'Nando should play for United? Is this Bizarro World?
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There's a good chance that any goal scored today by Norwich will be on the counter
And/or set piece. Might want to make your peace with that. :P
Damn
BRING ROMEU!
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
Sturridge isn't looking great, really.
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Cold start
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
morning everyone
how’ve they looked so far?
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Good, could be better.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 12:58 PM GMT up reply actions
Great at the first five minuter
Bad at the moment
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
Norwich fans singing "We'd rather have Grant Holt"
Which is probably for the best because they’d never be able to afford Torres anyway.
This front three look quite up for it
I like watching them together. I could easily see this being our front three for the next few years. The midfield still needs work though…
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 12:58 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
God, I want to throw Macca out a window.
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Off a bridge, down a mine. Whatever you like.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:00 PM GMT up reply actions
Rocket bus into the sun is the BEST idea.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:01 PM GMT up reply actions
Why? He'd be into that.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:03 PM GMT up reply actions
Eh. Why kill so many impersonators?
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:04 PM GMT up reply actions
But then others will take their place.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:05 PM GMT up reply actions
Don't hate the player, hate the game.
I have nothing against Bieber. He knows his market, and that market wants crap.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:07 PM GMT up reply actions
No. We put the Bieber fans on the bus.
Kill the market, kill the product.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:09 PM GMT up reply actions
the real crime here is that this game is so boring we're talking about a teen pop star
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
in all fairness the ball in wasn't great
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
I'd say "average" at worst.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:02 PM GMT up reply actions
Mata seems to be our only hope
Of getting anything from this match. Like usual.
1970 - 1984 - 2010
"Vamos Fluzão, vamos ganhar
Eu sou do clube tantas vezes campeão!
Vim pra torcer, vim pra gritar
E por você a vida inteira vou cantar!"
Good job, Nando.
Getting back to cover.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
Yes
Well, to be fair, I dont even get up this early for work. And I slept almost not a bit. If you could see the bags under these eyes!
You haven't missed much.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:09 PM GMT up reply actions
8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:09 PM GMT up reply actions
Anyone else think that AVBs coat and new haircut
Makes him look a little like Midge Ure in the Vienna video?
I'm going back to bed as soon as it's over
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Hrm, apparently Heidi Klum and Seal are splitting up.
Man we need a goal or Bossman error to spice this up.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
I will marry her
LOVE HEIDI! She’s a girl crush of mine.
My Heidi Klum crush died when she had a child with Flavio Briatore.
I’m not going anywhere that man has gone before.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Not that it was ever a possibility. : )
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:14 PM GMT up reply actions
Flavio. Briatore.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:15 PM GMT up reply actions
to be fair
an attempted clearance might have been blocked by Norwich/bounced into the box
true indeed!
and hopefully will never have to again!
Always
We always concede immediately after he comes on.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 1:16 PM GMT up reply actions
Damn. Almost a goal from nearly nothing by Nando.
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I just saw the sun break too
let’s hope its a sign for he good guys
Preferably not from another Chelsea player.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:15 PM GMT up reply actions
Come on!
OFF the ball City!
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Pretty boring game so far
Norwich hanging around far too much for my liking. We should be bossing this. The only players looking alive are the Spanish contingent + Torres.
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 1:15 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
And Torres is what?
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:16 PM GMT up reply actions
lampard + meireles in midfield is always like this
meireles is not strong enough to hold, lampard not quick enough to press
We are looking alive. Just lacking the final ball at the moment.
Norwich will always be dangerous on the counter.
OOPS!
I meant the spaniards + Sturridge. Brain fart
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 1:48 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Surely it would be Oreo.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:20 PM GMT up reply actions
AVB almost taken out using JT.
Lampard down.
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I understand what you mean
But AVB clearly thinks that Meireles is “good enough” to be a holder in this game.
Passing on instruction
“That way to the goal Torres”
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 1:20 PM GMT reply actions
Lampard off for Malouda.
Dammit.
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I just don't see how Malouda is the best option right now.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:22 PM GMT up reply actions
Unless it's 4-2-3-1, which seems possible.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:22 PM GMT up reply actions
Is FloMo really the best option, or are we going 4-2-3-1?
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:21 PM GMT up reply actions
AVB was giving some pretty detailed plans.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:23 PM GMT up reply actions
excellent point, he probably couldn't finish if he was brought on now
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Thats why we do it!
jk… but that is how its worked for him in the past
I'm not hating on FloMo, it just that he wouldn't really be first choice of the options available.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:25 PM GMT up reply actions
Because Meireles is the natural replacement, and Romeu is the natural player at DM.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:27 PM GMT up reply actions
But, again, that's going more defensive than before
Romeu – Meireles, Ramires
is MORE defensive than
Meireles – Ramires, Malouda/Mata
But I don't see why that matters.
Romeu can play a decent passing game when necessary. It’s not like he’s just a brick wall.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:31 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm saying I don't see why Romeu = more defensive.
He can play in a more-sophisticated manner than just DEFENSIVE. When he doesn’t have to be a wall, he tends to play more like a deep playmaker, providing a good link out of defence.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:34 PM GMT up reply actions
So you don't think Romeu is a more defensive player than Meireles??
This is very simple. The current midfield trio is MORE attacking than one containing Romeu instead of Malouda.
COME ON!
That's true
But one containing Romeu instead of Malouda is arguably better.
Do you play your most attacking team or your best team? I’d say a more defensive lineup with better players would probably score more goals.
I'm saying that it depends on how they're played.
Meireles is clearly more defensive than he normally is, because he’s playing at DM. With Romeu, he can be either a wall, or a more offensive DM. If he had been brought on, he would probably be more offensive than usual.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:38 PM GMT up reply actions
Yes, though, I do think Romeu is usually more defensive.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:39 PM GMT up reply actions
he's earned it
with ludicrous decision making, selfish play, and a complete deterioration of skills
Hrm. Calf injury. That might solve the "Lampard problem" for a while. Hopefully...
…it’s not too bad for us.
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Sorry.
Lampard Problem
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:26 PM GMT up reply actions
Was that made a running gag during the christmas period when I wasn't online?
Because I get zero here :(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
We made the Sarcasm Font more widely known.
It was an existing thing. Just add the @ character either side of what you say to denote sarcasm.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:29 PM GMT up reply actions
Aha ...
it looks more like a code box in vb-driven forums than a sarcasm tag, but I get the idea :D
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
And how did it become the sarcasm tag? ;)
Rather funny how a code tag comes to mark sarcasm :D … I only know stupid people using the code box because they don’t know how to quote properly :P
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I'm not sure anyone knows.
It was probably imported from another SBN blog.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:35 PM GMT up reply actions
0 fouls so far...
I wonder what the record is for longest time without either team conceding a free-kick.
I'm sure there's been at least one game in football history with none.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:28 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm sure there have
But it’s pretty rare to even see it get to half time without any.
I guess this is one way to stop Norwich’s set-piece threat
Okay.. .know I just got up
but has Sturridge been off today? I know he is just back from injury, but he seems a lot slower (respective to his usual), and I’ve sen some comments about his “right foot”. Maybe he gets into the groove in the second half?
It's too bad he wasnt feeling better
for some cup tie or something to get back into it
This is true, lol
but that little spinny move thing he did seemed to throw off his awareness of where his player was to pass to.
CR7 is a joke
and a caricature of himself. not 1/2 as good as Messi
I wonder if I will see the day when the world stopped discussing
Ronaldo vs. Messi. Bleh
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
don't hold your breath
they are the two best in the world, i must admit though i dislike cr
Not saying they're bad
but this constant fight between Ronaldo-faithful and Messi-fanatics is sometimes odd and … for the outsiders, just … annoying
I might not see that day, though
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
yeah but honestly i think it's a microcosm of society right now
people with brains/eyes favor Messi. narcissistic douchebags favor Ronaldo. there it’s settled! :)
you don't like Messi?
how can you not like Messi? :)
Because he doesn't play for any team I like?
I can admit a player is very good without liking him. I can actually admit a player is very good with hating him intensely ;)
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
fair enough
i hate Barca but respect Messi. wish Roman would bid 200 euros for him.
To avoid confusion
I don’t hate Messi … I don’t really hate Barca either, at least not the way I hate Pool … they’re not worth hating :D
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I agree, except I just don't like him.
I get that he’s good, but I wouldn’t care if he got a career-ending injury. Maybe it’s just because of cycling, where “good” means “cheater.” I don’t think Messi is cheating or anything, but he’s almost too good to be believable.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:46 PM GMT up reply actions
no i just really don't like him
his goal against Barca was sheer luck/goalie ineptitude. he scores a lot but he takes twice as many shots to get them as Messi.
To me they are two very skilled players
but entirely different players. For one, Messi is like 4 feet tall and Cristiano is like double that.
Ronaldo is a gunner, Messi is a team player who scores just as much.
the argument basically points out that a team player is superior to a gunner.
You're right.
He’s much more than half as good as Messi. Not better, but nearly as good.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:32 PM GMT up reply actions
3/4 as good
not nearly as good. his game has major weaknesses, Messi’s does not. and if you look at his record against big teams, it’s atrocious.
Yeah, that would've the better choice in hindsight
But he didn’t expect the miracle recovery by the Norwich defender
agreed.
i thought our passing overall (but for the final ball) was pretty good. we’ve generally been stronger in the second half anyway.
ironic
That everyone was hoping for an Arsenal win. We are going to draw if this keeps up and Arsenal will be close to a top 4 finish again. We will never win the Premiership this season, we should focus on a top 4 finish. So lets all pray United stomp Arsenal again.
we are not going to draw
we are going to win.
Arsenal draw
least points picked up possible
The goal is top 4, and we're not likely to catch United.
I don’t understand a Chelsea fan rooting for anything but an Arsenal loss.
It's not about our dislikes of other teams.
It’s about liking Chelsea Football Club and wanting to be top 4. I’d rather we stay top 4 than United finish with thee fewer points.
why not? why can't we?
why can’t we catch United? Chelsea is a team of ambition til the end, not settling at the mid-point of the season.
no, that is the minimum
not the objective. i agree it’s a transition year, but the players/coach are more ambitious than that or else they wouldn’t be with Chelsea. and settling for a lowered expectation is very dangerous … it leads to draws and complacency on a small scale, and fifth place on the larger one. Chelsea will fight to the end, to do as well as possible, not settle for “fourth place is good enough.” we’re only 8 pts off United, there is no reason we can’t make that up. they don’t look that strong this year anyway.
I think it was more of a, "Let's secure fourth before dreaming of overtaking United."
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:46 PM GMT up reply actions
nothing is secured til the end
let’s keep winning is the main deal. that will secure a Champs Lg spot.
We could tooootttaaaallllyyyy catch ManUre. We dont need Arsenal to lose at all.
With these kind of results, we could win the treble!
I picked Arsenal to lose
looking at the long run of games, it was the safest option. But lets also think other positive thoughts… like WE ARE GOING TO WIN!
If I have to hear
Darke mention Torres’s goal drought one more time… I swear, I almost want the guy to get a goal more to shut him up than for anything else.
I doubt it would do anything
when Torres finally scored in April last year nothing happened
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Sure, they'd start again the next game he didnt get a goal
but at least they’d have to say something stupid like “His goal drought has been for 45 minutes of playing time” and they’d sound like a bunch of asses.
Fun fact to know and tell.
By a cursory examination, I’ve deduced that Chelsea have allowed 15 goals in DL’s 21 starts and 17 in the ten he hasn’t started. I did a quick mental tally, so it could be slightly off, but I think it proves once and for all that it’s all DL’s fault.
Then the DL-fault-fraction will come and tell you
figures and statistics prove nothing, you have to watch the game, this is why because agents and scouts don’t care about figures and statistics, but go watch the player and their games, and bla bla bla :P
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Norwich fans are assholes.
I’m not good at being able to make out chants and all but I did hear “John Terry you know what you are”. Also, our crossing is shit.
by chickenlittle1012 on Jan 21, 2012 1:42 PM GMT reply actions
Is there any reason
why Romeu didn’t come on when lampard got injured?
by ZolaDancesThrough. on Jan 21, 2012 1:44 PM GMT reply actions
Why
would you need a holding midfielder when the opposition is defending nonstop and we need to break them down.
I think we are playing a 4-2-3-1 now with Mata behind Torres and Malouda on the left wing.
we were most certainly playing Malouda in Lampard's central role to finish the first half.
4-1-2-3. There were some good chances since he came on.
I was assuming
we were playing the 4-3-3 with meireles in the holding role for this one, would have suggested pushing him up to lampards position and putting romeu in. I just really would want anything but malouda to come on
by ZolaDancesThrough. on Jan 21, 2012 1:48 PM GMT up reply actions
If I'm evil I'd say this was because Malouda went offensive to the press
he needs to play more but I’m not all that evil
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
A strange half...
The Nigerian Perspective!
by Iced O on Jan 21, 2012 1:44 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Can someone please send Macca on an exciting expedition to Mars?
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
See the Macca-Bieber impersonators conversation above.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:48 PM GMT up reply actions
Doesn't get him off my TV
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Not even being thrown out of a window/train/off a bridge?
[To say nothing of the rocket bus to the sun]
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:51 PM GMT up reply actions
A foul and a Bossman error!
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This is the Chelsea I know.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:50 PM GMT up reply actions
If you develop that power, I fear for my safety.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:51 PM GMT up reply actions
A computer monitor is sort of the same thing.
Plus, I’d assume it would just be a telepathy thing not involving the TV at all.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:53 PM GMT up reply actions
Hey, you wouldn't be his first target...
Unless you start going on about Hazard and his £33m buyout
That is very true.
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by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:55 PM GMT up reply actions
I also imagine Darke and Macca would be ahead of me too.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:58 PM GMT up reply actions
And there's another stat on cue from Darke
Norwich have only been shut out twice at home this year. So if we get a shutout, we’ll have done very good.
Come on, Chelsea, score 3 goals asap ...
I wanna see the puppy for some minutes!
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
We're lucky Norwich aren't very good
Any team with half-decent finishing could have buried us by now with the chances they’ve had…
But Norwich are VERY good on the counter.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:52 PM GMT up reply actions
We said the same about Sunderland
that doesnt speak well on us.
Come on, Blues!
Play with the confidence you had at the beginning of the season… go out there and just win it! DOOOO IT!
Torres second half hat-trick?
Only to be out-done by a Mata second half double-hat-trick?
Day dreaming.
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 1:53 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
One goal at a time.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:54 PM GMT up reply actions
NoOOO
I have a new superstition… every time someone mentions he will get a hat trick he gets nothing :(
And as I type this, poor touch on his part in front of goal.
Please Darke
SHUT UP. For five seconds, even.
Exactly. Darke is the only thing preventing Macca making noise.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:55 PM GMT up reply actions
I would think my luck would have them pass out by now
with how much they both ramble throughout the game, literally non stop. How do they get any air for breathing?
...and well wide.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:56 PM GMT up reply actions
Cole has been invisible
get Bertrand or someone…
Aw!
Torres stepped over the deflected ball, then slipped. : (
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
Yeah, unfortunately sarcasm font doesn't work in the title box
And I couldn’t be bothered to type it all out again :p
Has he been bad?
I wasn’t being sarcastic he had some good blocks
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:04 PM GMT up reply actions
Cue PANIC!
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 1:59 PM GMT up reply actions
We look a bit tired overall now
5 hour energies for all on the field!
Wingers not giving width
Ramires is checking his runs because there is no holding mid, Cole is invisible
blargh
Mertesacker had a worse miss last week
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:03 PM GMT up reply actions
As Bradley Walsh said on Soccer AM this morning
“I’m a better player than Mertesacker and I’m 54 years old and have two knackered ankles”
mertesacker is a shit CB
torres is Chelsea’s no. 9. different expectations for finishing ability.
Did you see Henry's reaction?
priceless it was a huge miss.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:09 PM GMT up reply actions
dang
What does a man have to do around here to get a championship?
Hit me up on twitter: @RockChalkChief
Hey, would you look at that.
A chance which most people will assume was easy.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
How was that easy.
The ball was caught in his feet. Sometimes it just doesn’t work for a player.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:05 PM GMT up reply actions
so the ball being caught in his feet
is not his fault? a little gremlin came and fucked up his first touch?
Have you watched a game of football before?
It happens to strikers all the damned time, and nobody uses it to say they’re shite.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:26 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm just pissed at the giant over-reactions to everything lately.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:27 PM GMT up reply actions
Well he kinda sucks.
You should more pissed at the over-reaction to Chelsea’s overall performance rather than the isolated criticisms of one player.
It's the over-reactions to everything Chelsea
This game, should it end 0-0, is going to be, “AVB in CRISIS” It’s one of those games every team has. I have no problem making the long-term argument about Torres. He’s been disappointing, yes, but I don’t see how that affects an incident where he loses the ball in his feet. The argument is fine the other way around, where the incident can be used to make a long-term case, but the other way seems unfair to me.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:32 PM GMT up reply actions
YES I HAVE
and the point is that it happens to TORRES ALL THE TIME. not once in a while. considering that you are the only Torres-obsessed apologist, it’s rich you feel entitled to question my football observation skills. maybe look in the mirror. i swear you must be Torres’s mom.
You clearly haven't been reading my comments on this.
9 times out of 10, that’s a mild disappointment. Because it’s Torres, and because Norwich were quite good against us, the reaction is as if he sacrificed a baby to the pagan god Ba’al on the pitch.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:41 PM GMT up reply actions
yes i have read your comment(s)
your one comment that you repeat over and over. look, we will never agree on this. ultimately, i want our no. 9 to score. i don’t give a fuck what the name on the back is. when our no. 9 hashes chances (repeatedly over the season) i am gonna be pissed. if you wanna project your strawman argument onto that, go ahead.
All I'm saying is...
…His long-term failure is a different issue to his missing that shot. He should have been getting in better positions today, but didn’t. That’s the bigger failure for me than missing a less-than-certain chance.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:57 PM GMT up reply actions
It should have gone in
let’s say that was a chance that was easier to get in rather than out
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
He held on too long
he needed to shoot earlier and it would have been in. Instead he had to toe-poke and it went wide.
exactly right.
the hesitation was excruciating.
And got the ball caught in his feet...
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:04 PM GMT up reply actions
He obviously can't believe it himself
now that he even slips out if nothing :(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I'm one of the biggest Torres homers around
But that was just unacceptable. You HAVE to put that on target there. Really poor.
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:04 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
So close mata
What does a man have to do around here to get a championship?
Hit me up on twitter: @RockChalkChief
Hey, you lot are giving me plenty to write about this week.
Torres gets the ball caught in his feet, and can’t get a clean shot. DISASTER
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
He took another touch after he settled it
STILL had space to shoot and missed…
Torres gets the ball 5 yards out
dilly dallies, fucks around, reads a newspaper, shoots wide. there, you have your column. thank me later.
by dojothecat on Jan 21, 2012 2:06 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, because he got the ball in the perfect position to take a shot.
It was one of those situations where a striker gets the ball caught in his feet, and because it’s Nando it was a [fun]ing disaster.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:07 PM GMT up reply actions
no, b/c it was the one good chance this game
and Nando botched it as usual.
My point is that any other striker does that, it gets a "Damn."
When Nando does it, it’s “DISASTER! He’s regressed”
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:12 PM GMT up reply actions
A bit unfair, but somewhat understandable reaction
given that other strikers and Lampard have been scoring regularly, but Torres … well … :)
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
That shouldn't matter.
If you’re not going to hassle another player for it, then saying Torres is horrible for it is a complete over-reaction.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:15 PM GMT up reply actions
the illogic of this response is blinding.
it does not apply to Maiev’s point at all. hello, the point is that with other strikers such fuckups are occasional … with torres they’re CONSTANT.
Really? Because that was the first one in several games.
The entire team was off today, including Torres. It was one of those misses that happens to every striker. You can say that incidents like this add up to long-term failure, but it’s not nearly as huge a miss as it’s being made out to be.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:45 PM GMT up reply actions
I'm just pointing out what is a natural reaction by many fans
not if it’s deserved or undeserved. Of course die-hard Torres fans will find it undeserved, and Torres-haters (to name both ends of the spectrum) will find it more than well-deserved. That’s not my point at all since it’s largely subjective to a point, I just wanna say it’s fully understandable for me, that a player who had several, if not many horrible misses consecutively in one season, that’s just the natural reaction by a fraction of fans
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
this is too logical
he must now promptly ignore your salient points and make excuses for torres
I should say, I would have no problem having this argument...
…about any striker. I wasn’t really complaining about Maiev’s response. More the general hissy-fit about the chance.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:58 PM GMT up reply actions
you're just projecting your impression
of what you think everyone is saying. i didn’t say it was the miss of the season. it was a crucial miss, and taking “the last several games” out, over the course of the season Torres has missed far too many.
It was a miss which gains importance only because it was the...
…only good chance. Had it not been our only chance, it’s relatively insignificant. Therefore, I don’t see where the anger at Torres is coming from. Being disappointed that he didn’t score is fine, but it’s not like he intended to miss it, or that he knew it was our best chance. Would you be so pissed if it there had been another chance or a goal? No. You’re putting the anger at the fact it was our best chance on the player, which is pretty unfair for me.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:03 PM GMT up reply actions
I think it's fair to criticize a player more for missing the best chance
also if he has so many chances and doesn’t score it’s also a reason to criticize.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:05 PM GMT up reply actions
If a team doesn't create that many good chances
and one player fluffs that best chance, and it is a player who has done this for several times now in a season … then that would be the natural reaction.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Yes, the natural reaction, but not necessarily the right one.
I understand the disappointment, and am myself disappointed, but that this missed chance completely erases everything positive he’s done recently, as some seem to think, is silly. I like to try to get people to think logically, rather than emotionally. He wasn’t fantastic today, but he wasn’t nearly the worst he’s been either. Had it been a different player, it would have been a “poor day at the office.” I get that the reaction is to be negative about his Chelsea career, but it’s one game. I have to laugh at all the people who go from : D to >: ( on Torres from match to match.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:20 PM GMT up reply actions
Being fan is an emotional experience foremost
sure, you need logic to analyze a game, but I doubt we do that so much in our comments just as fans. If you put up an article on a blog for the open audience, or if you’re a journalist and write a match-report – sure I expect you to be neutral and rational. Being a fan – no. And I don’t think dojocat or any other fans with whom you disagree with aimed to prove an insightful analysis or a thoughtful match-report.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I've always tried to get people to spend a moment...
…looking at a situation from both sides. It’s a futile effort, I know, like trying to get people to realise that Norwich were actually pretty good, rather than Chelsea just being poor. I know you’re a more rational person compared to a lot of users, so I’m not really criticising you. It’s just that the knee-jerk reactions are just too much sometimes.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:32 PM GMT up reply actions
You can't make any fan analyze a game rationally
I for instance, will never be able to do it, I don’t attempt to it, for blind love’s sake for the team I support and the blind hatred’s sake for the team I detest. And other things factor into it, too, for other fans. Supporting a team itself is somewhat irrational; I was asked years ago why I support Chelsea and not Barca when I chose to support a big club abroad. Well what should I have said?
Viewed from outside, it’s just plain. There is one player who had certain misses, and some very good chances blocked by very good saves from opposition keepers, in various games where we’d won if those chances were converted. Those situations generate frustration. It happens again. Frustration builds up. It goes down ;) Well yeah
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
b/c look at this damn goal/game ratio
is he your little sister or something? we don’t hate Nando, we love Chelsea.
Judge the incident on its own merit, not on history.
That wasn’t a catastrophic miss, it just got caught in his feet.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:16 PM GMT up reply actions
But why does that change how bad the chance was?
As I said, any other striker does that, it’s not a big incident.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:19 PM GMT up reply actions
yes it is
everyone would say “he made a royal has of that.” thing is, other strikers would make up for it with a GOAL!!!
Whatever.
The fact that scoring record changes the severity of the offence shows how stupid your argument is. You’re using long-term trends to make a short-term argument.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:23 PM GMT up reply actions
no, you're using obsession as an excuse for logic
yes, each fuckup Torres has is magnified b/c he’s had so many of them. that shouldn’t be hard to understand.
But you would excuse it in a player who's scoring.
The very fact that you judge the chance more harshly based on his history means you’re not being logical. I feel the same about that as I would if any striker had missed it. He should have been better, but he wasn’t. It doesn’t mean he cocked up a glorious opportunity. it was a decent chance, and the ball got stuck in his feet. It happens. Take issue with his overall performance, fine, he wasn’t good today, but his missed chance wasn’t that horrible in the history of misses. Definitely not bad enough to justify the response it’s received.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:50 PM GMT up reply actions
But of course we do judge players based on their history
and try to fit it in the context. Sure, saying Lampard wasn’t a fine player 2001 doesn’t make much sense, but it’s this current season Torres we’re talking of. How should we judge one player without bringing past games into it? Then we couldn’t even say player XYZ made a progress
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I'm not saying we can't judge a player, just that...
…judging an incident based on a player’s history is a little unfair. If you wouldn’t judge the incident in a player who’s scoring…By that, I don’t mean forgive it because of the goals, I mean find it insignificant…then it’s unfair.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:06 PM GMT up reply actions
But if we wanna judge a player properly and fairly
we have to take many single incidents from a game and analyze them, and put them into context, don’t we? I don’t think it’s really “judging an incident on the history of a player”, but rather put them together in a context; if a player misses many good chances (we can debate how “good” those chances really are, of course, but that’s not my point since opinions will vary greatly on this) in a row (and I think one season is a fair stretch of time to be judged on), of course you could draw a conclusion. And that’s it. Some fans, like dojocat, are not saying “That miss is horrible BECAUSE Torres missed good chances earlier”. They are merely saying “Torres’ finishing isn’t good, as evidenced by this chance and chances fluffed before”. That’s a difference to me
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
But they have gone completely negative on him.
It’s one thing questioning his ability to finish, but it’s another to act as though there have been no positives in a game because of a chance every striker misses ten times a season.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:23 PM GMT up reply actions
We need to decide ourselves what we expect from one player
and for Torres it’s difficult because as a striker your quota of success is measured commonly in the amount of goals. That isn’t necessarily fair – I for instance don’t do it – and the good contributions Torres provided in the past weren’t in that regard. That’s the main difficulty. Now this is similar to the “Lampard why you no create but score”-dilemma.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
I have no problem with people...
…questioning his Chelsea career, or his overall performances, but I think people getting so out of shape about such a chance is a little over the top. I know I have a soft spot for strikers because I’ve generally played striker when I play football. People tend to have unrealistic ideas of what strikers can do, so it pisses me off when people act as if every half-decent chance should be a goal. : )
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:35 PM GMT up reply actions
Strikers are in a way "special"
to other players since they are in a eat-or-die-situation often; goals win games. Strikers are those who get most of the fame, so it’s quite natural they shed most of the blame too when things are not running properly. The biggest stars in world football are mostly strikers. Sure, it doesn’t need a striker to score for a team to win necessarily, but if a team doesn’t score, the blame rains mostly on them. On Torres especially; since his Chelsea career wasn’t gifted with luck and success. If he’d be scoring regularly I bet nobody will see anything in a miss like today’s.
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
That's my problem.
I’d view such a miss as a minor mistake either way. I think Nando’s biggest problem today was that he wasn’t getting into good positions and looked a little off the pace. The miss seems unfortunate to me. The other things are more worrying.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:47 PM GMT up reply actions
no i'm being very logical
i did not say it was a catastrophic miss and the fact that you keep projecting that onto me is ridiculous. it was a bad miss for sure, and worse b/c it would have won the game. but the point, which is quite simple, is that a player who’s scoring regularly does earn a leash to fuck up a little. torres, who has fucked up regularly and has hardly any goals, has a lens on him.
I'm going off your reaction.
You’ve been acting as if it were a terrible miss. It’s not just that you’d forgive a scoring player for the miss, it’s that the miss would have little lasting impact on your mind.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:09 PM GMT up reply actions
ok fine you're right and everyone is wrong
only you can see Torres clearly for what he is, an extremely valuable non-goalscoring number 9. can we stop talking now?
I'm not saying it was a good thing, but it's not like it was anything more than...
…unfortunate. Yes, he should have done better, but it’s the sort of thing that happens to every striker, rather than something truly notable.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:20 PM GMT up reply actions
And?
It’s one incident. I’m not disagreeing with the fact that it wasn’t good. My problem is with the massive over-reaction to it.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:24 PM GMT up reply actions
I think everyone should temper their expectations of him
when he gets an opportunity in front of goal just expect him to miss if he does no harm done. If he doesn’t awesome.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:27 PM GMT up reply actions
seriously.
mpbx is completely obsessed and doesn’t seem to notice that literally EVERYONE else feels differently about this.
It doesn't mean you're right.
Opinion is not subject to a vote. I don’t view the miss as being as bad as everyone else seems to.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:51 PM GMT up reply actions
Well what a poor state for our team
if everytime our main striker scores we need to cry out in joy :(
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Open top bus parade through the city
should he score a brace.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:00 PM GMT up reply actions
So much for lowering expectations :D
maybe then an Ancelotti-alike troll will come and tell us we need to lower our expectations because if we expect Fernando to score, we’ll put pressure on him and he might crack?
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Disagree for once
Torres should’ve done much better. At least on target. That was shit
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:09 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Mata should've gone across goal there. Two players on the far post.
I’m getting the sads
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:06 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Torres also hit his target
It takes a lot of skill to get a ball to bounce so perfectly into the knees of a teammate to help him pad his goal stats. That was selfless, not inept.
Meireles shot from distance
Not on target. I’m shocked
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:11 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
We look desperate
I mean, I know we sort of are, but seriously. Come on boys… get your cool. Lukaku warming up… replacing Torres?
Hell yeahs!
He’s a lefty too; should be able to dominate the full back and then cut inside to score.
Russell Martin is going to score the game-winning goal for Norwich just to fuck with me, isn't he?
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
games like these are painful to watch
we are so lacking ingenuity it’s ridiculous
0-0
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:14 PM GMT up reply actions
completely forgot sturridge was playing until that touch
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Oh right, Sturridge is on the pitch
I had forgotten. To say he’s been anonymous this half would be generous
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:14 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Just sayin' he could do worse :)
or assist Norwich. He didn’t. That’s also something :D
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Torres finally gets his foul in the penalty box!
oh wait
by Dochinzo on Jan 21, 2012 2:15 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
finally a shot on target
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
I know we are supposed to beat norwich but ill take a draw........ We ve been so irregular
Where is the meatloaf?
I won't especially considering the games coming up tomorrow.
We gotta take advantage with them
by Bluesforlife on Jan 21, 2012 2:17 PM GMT up reply actions
that means nothing this is the team that beats man city and then ties with fulham.
Where is the meatloaf?
we're getting stronger
please tell all these whingy fans to shut off
See now this here, this is a goal
Now hit it with a shot, you big lump. Preferably past the goalkeeper.
Because everyone over-reacts to everything.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:17 PM GMT up reply actions
to be fair, this is one of his better, less-crazy games
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 2:17 PM GMT up reply actions
They can't
Unfortunately most journos don’t look at his performance, they just read the script of what they’re supposed to write and if there’s time change the words a bit
Come on boys
Let’s finish this. We’re clearly the better team here. COME ON CHELSEA!
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:19 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
that guy cannot be 18
What does a man have to do around here to get a championship?
Hit me up on twitter: @RockChalkChief
Is it that apparent?
What does a man have to do around here to get a championship?
Hit me up on twitter: @RockChalkChief
essien coming on next
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
I spy with my little eye
An giant behemoth of a man-boy
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:21 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
I must have a serious lag on my TV
who scored?
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:23 PM GMT up reply actions
I am sure there is some logic to these subs
but I’m finding myself a bit puzzled by it all.. from the initial lineup to the subs.
Essien with a laser from 40 yards for the winner!
Still day dreaming
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:22 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Raul
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:27 PM GMT up reply actions
I would've taken out Sturridge, moved Torres wide
But hey, maybe this will work out. We can only hope. Draw is no bueno here though
by FootieFromAfar on Jan 21, 2012 2:25 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Last minute win, anyone?
The Nigerian Perspective!
by Iced O on Jan 21, 2012 2:27 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
in a midfield w/ Lamps/Meireles and then Malouda
Ramires has way too much responsiblity. w/ Essien on he looked much better and could attack
Torres is to Sturridge what Drogba is to every other striker?
Devours them!
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:31 PM GMT up reply actions
Sturridge's play got him sent off against us.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:34 PM GMT up reply actions
Ohhh
Is that why he missed the game against Arsenal? It would’ve been a lovely reunion.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:35 PM GMT up reply actions
He's a man-eater
Oh here he comes
Watch out boy, he’ll chew you up!
by DPeezy on Jan 21, 2012 2:33 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
So, Malouda has started to play kind of well again...
What’s next, the return of Kalou?
oh ffs Malouda
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
AVB always talks about the power of motivation
and yet I haven’t seen our side very motivated against opposition like Norwich.
Because there's no way Norwich could have played well today. : P
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:35 PM GMT up reply actions
In truth it'd be a disaster
but the longer he’s fit the less worried I am about him.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:40 PM GMT up reply actions
So we drew...
Sad!
The Nigerian Perspective!
by Iced O on Jan 21, 2012 2:36 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
that was the flattest of flat performances
"I was so drunk I thought a tube of toothpaste was astronaut food"
My Twittah!
Hey, we didn't give up a stupid goal.
We’re improving!
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
The team are travelling to mallorca for five day
Team building
by Bluesforlife on Jan 21, 2012 2:38 PM GMT up reply actions
FUCK
that’s why we criticized Torres. the best chance of the game, he fucked up. we shoulda had the 3 points.
Was that really the best?
Not being snarky here… I missed the first 20 minutes…
Bah
well, definitely shit play on Torres’s part there, but sad that we didnt create more, I guess.
Exactly.
The fact that that was the best chance has got to be worse than that it was missed.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:42 PM GMT up reply actions
it sucks that we didn't create more
AND it sucks that our no. 9 isn’t clinical.
If someone missed the best chance of the game
or a penalty, in that regard and the game ends as a draw you could always say why didn’t the team create more chances. That doesn’t make it up so much
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
The chance he had wasn't exactly a great one.
It was a good one. It’s not nearly as bad as Lampard’s missed tap-in earlier in the season.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:52 PM GMT up reply actions
That is so frustrating ...
and let’s see how much we will be talking about that “miss”
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Yeah, this is going to be a fun week listening to the whining.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:38 PM GMT up reply actions
Probably a lot
more from the fans than anything, I bet
Fernando Torres
has cost us the 3 points. Shite player all season. Couple of moments of brilliance in a couple of games and people are getting orgasms. The biggest flop in the history of football.
One word: Bebe
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:39 PM GMT up reply actions
You must work for the media huh?
by dodgerboy03 on Jan 21, 2012 2:43 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
I blame David Luiz.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Norwich was just excellent today
Very very good defending all game. We just can’t break down teams that pack the box this season.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:39 PM GMT reply actions
Aren't you listening?
It’s never what the opposition does right. It’s what we do wrong!
FIRE AVB! SELL EVERYBODY!
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
Thats why I think we require more of a creative player then a winger.
Mario Gotze/ Ilicic > Lucas Moura/ Hazard
if it was that easy to get Goetze, of course we would.
German players are much harder to get out of Germany than a Belgian player out of France.
I believe that Dortmund won't sell him to Bayern.
he just has no reason to leave Dortmund at the moment.
If he desperately wants to leave for Bayern (which he doesn't)
they would consider it, I think. Dortmund is no Spurs
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
Mata is our creative player
but playing him centrally mean we have to play malouda
agreed, they got back to defend excellently
Bosingwa crossed aimlessly, we had no one to meet crosses, and w/ Mata off form (2 games in a row now) we could not break down the defense. we sorely need to buy in this window.
I'm not sure that we've been more methodical this season.
We played at a pace reserved for glacial melting. Sturridge was pretty bad, and you can say all you want about Torres’ all-around game, but Chelsea are going to need goals from their striker. He’s just not putting away chances like a number nine should.
I actually don’t mind this result too much. Norwich is a very good side and we were pretty unlucky. Hopefully Arsenal lose tomorrow.
we weren't horrible
but a draw at this point sucks. we should be able to beat a team like Norwich
I concur with this
I’ll agree that Torres scoffed a couple of chances today (that huge overshot and the 5-yard sitter), but I think one of the only other ones I saw was his toe-poke somewhere in the first half. He should have done better with the first two, and should have had a goal from one of them.
But let’s not pretend we all thought we’d easily get these points before the game- Norwich away we knew would be tough with the way we’ve been performing overall lately. That said, it doesn’t speak entirely well of our performances through the middle of the season.
Cole and Bosingwa were absolutely dreadful today
We’re getting absolutely no contribution from the fullbacks
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:41 PM GMT reply actions
You might as well give them away
I’m sure someone somewhere is screaming out for fullbacks
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:42 PM GMT up reply actions
Does Bosingwa even count in that regard?
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:43 PM GMT up reply actions
fine keep Bosingwa
we need a lb more anyway.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:44 PM GMT up reply actions
Ha!
Is there anyone Arsenal fans hate more than Cashley?
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:49 PM GMT up reply actions
THe situation is dire
We won’t have a left back until April. Not counting Gibbs because he’ll play once and get injured for weeks.
There might be a few Arsenal fans hate as much or more. JT is up there.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:51 PM GMT up reply actions
$amir Na$ri is catching up in that regard
Arteta, it's all about the right pass it goes left to the left foot of VAN PERSIE
Proud member of Fusillade and The Short Fuse
by Aidan Gibson on Jan 21, 2012 2:53 PM GMT up reply actions
Adebayor is just amusing
Arteta, it's all about the right pass it goes left to the left foot of VAN PERSIE
Proud member of Fusillade and The Short Fuse
by Aidan Gibson on Jan 21, 2012 2:58 PM GMT up reply actions
agreed
bosingwa plays some many aimless passes that are just not on, its like he doesnt see the opposition players. Cole doesnt seem to be able to make the runs he used to
by ZolaDancesThrough. on Jan 21, 2012 2:43 PM GMT up reply actions
Not surprised Brani wasn't ready
He’s been off for a month. I’d expect to see him next week
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:44 PM GMT up reply actions
Bosingwa was very good in the first 5-10 minutes
Put in a glorious cross that nobody attacked.
And then it was all downhill from there.
Cole was a clown show defensively.
word.
Cole had a couple (maybe one?) good low cross(es). Bosingwa was abominable.
You know what I hate about games like this?
reading some of the comments after the fact. Good lord… sometimes I wonder…
We did more or less
Mata isn’t really a winger as such and Sturridge is more of a striker
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:46 PM GMT up reply actions
And I was pretty impressed with the puppy today
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:42 PM GMT reply actions
I don't know that I'd go that far
He should probably see some more cameos though
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:45 PM GMT up reply actions
fair enough, id just like to see him get more than 15 minutes to make an impact
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 2:46 PM GMT up reply actions
So would I, but he's still pretty raw
Points are awfully important right now
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:47 PM GMT up reply actions
true, but a game like today
where torres was….“less than good,” does it really hurt to bring on lukaku sooner? like around the 60 minute mark
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 2:49 PM GMT up reply actions
I though Torres was ok
Not great, not bad. A couple of inches narrower on a few finishes and we’d be talking MotM
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:50 PM GMT up reply actions
It would have been risky
he hasnt really produced a good performance from what iv seen this season, maybe not through his own fault, in the carling cup, but today he looked more promising
by ZolaDancesThrough. on Jan 21, 2012 2:50 PM GMT up reply actions
Simply Poor
what a poor game by Chelsea. Really disappointing to see the way Chelsea played. Malouda has no vision at all, while the rest just don’t look motivated AT ALL. The midfield just look really poor and has no creativity at all. Have to really sort it out.
We’ve seen Torres rising slowly, but he now falls down again. AVB’s response just shows it all. I’m definitely behind the team, but looking at Torres just makes me sigh. He should be how he played in Liverpool, always lurking around goal.
The poor midfield is the one which makes Torres needing to drop further back to help out.
We did make a number of chances but we are not making use of it at all.
Frustrated is the only word to describe my feelings now.
by Marcus_Cfc on Jan 21, 2012 2:42 PM GMT via Android app reply actions
So we made a number of chances, but we have no creativity at all?
It’s a disappointing result, to be sure. But slightly more clinical finishing (Torres, Ramires, Malouda) and we easily walk this one.
What makes you think we're not addressing it?
AVB and the coaches are not out there playing and shooting…
the fact that we continue to play the same formation. To me torres cant anchor the line, even less score
Where is the meatloaf?
True. Its just not helping either..... I just wish something could spark torres, how da hell do you lose finishing?
Where is the meatloaf?
What has our formation got to do with it
We have been playing 4-3-3 since the Mourinho days. ITS NOT THE FORMATION.
Why?
Why doesn’t AVB try a 4-2-3-1? We really need an out and out winger, someone like Adam Johnson or Hazard. we’ve always seen in occasions where crosses are put in but there just no one to meet that cross.
We wanna see Torres in the past, always around the box, making those instinctive runs.
Sadly, we aren’t getting that any time soon. We need quality finishing, and we thought Torres was a classy finisher. sigh.
by Marcus_Cfc on Jan 21, 2012 3:00 PM GMT via Android app up reply actions
But formation doesn't make players finish more clinically
I think we can agree that if we had a clinical finish today we won’t be talking about this and that right now
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
It might help, but on a whole ...
our team might just fare better in regard of results if we could just score our chances. If we change our formation and we still don’t finish – and finishing isn’t depending on formation – we still have the same mess
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
well i think torres is the better overall player
drogba would have had no problem finishing that golden opportunity. that is why he should be the first choice striker right now
That's pure speculation.
Drogba misses a lot as well. Not as often as Torres, but it’s mostly because Drogba tends to be anonymous more than Torres. Both should be much better.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 2:55 PM GMT up reply actions
Really?
I think he gets a lot of praise here
Don't get that ...
just the praise for him gets under the lots of criticism his teammates earn
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
he doesn't look good when we are in need of creators
he’s not that kind of player
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 2:50 PM GMT up reply actions
Yeah I think I mentioned that up there somewhere
Cech was good.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:53 PM GMT up reply actions
What I got to see, yes
I have to go back and watch, but he looked to make some good stops. And he got a guy in the balls, so that was just an added funny for me.
Fullbacks
We were basically playing with 9 today, Cashley and the unibrow might as well have not been on the pitch
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:51 PM GMT up reply actions
We might have been better off with Miquel and Djourou
Bosingwa and Ash literally did nothing at either end. Useless in defense, useless in attack.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:54 PM GMT up reply actions
Maybe
the squad is just too thin because of injuries!
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:55 PM GMT up reply actions
No, you wouldn't have.
Arteta, it's all about the right pass it goes left to the left foot of VAN PERSIE
Proud member of Fusillade and The Short Fuse
by Aidan Gibson on Jan 21, 2012 2:56 PM GMT up reply actions
the Alvaro Pereira interest really does make a lot of sense now.
Ashley is still very highly regarded. I think this summer might be the right time to sell him on.
is bosingwa always that timid about taking on players?
seriously it was like he saw a brick wall
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 2:54 PM GMT up reply actions
Yeah, I noticed this as well.
Normally he dribbles at players without hesitation. Today, he was dicking around too much, making him far less effective.
chelsea need a lot of stuff. we ve been living off the old squad, we are more than due for this to happen.
Where is the meatloaf?
I agree with this
I think we’re really suffering from the lack of planning. Unfortunately (or maybe not so much), Chelsea may become the posterchild for what not to do with squad turnover and transfers. If so, I hope AVB at least does some more magic this summer to start getting the team he wants. I feel like part of why we performed better in the beginning of the season was that honeymoon feeling and they were all excited for a new manager and new approaches. But while we can talk about the confidence of individual players all we want, to me the team confidence or general feeling seems to be in limbo… it is really strange to watch.
The team lacks inspiration and need a new signing in front to spice things up
The Nigerian Perspective!
by Iced O on Jan 21, 2012 2:52 PM GMT via mobile reply actions
Replay of the Torres shot that he tried to curl into the far post with the outside of his foot
He was ready to run towards to corner to celebrate. Ruddy came out of nowhere. What a nice shot that was.
it was a great shot
when he goes with his instinct he pulls off brilliant things (or almost does). when he gets easy chances, he hesitates and fucks them up.
Definitely on that latter part
I dont get it. How has someone not taken the guy, shaken him, and said “just shoot! don’t try to shoot, just shoot!”. He should at least try it for a game and see how it goes… cant be any worse than what he’s been doing with those chances now.
Someone please tell him
to stop shooting, its gone to his head since genk
by ZolaDancesThrough. on Jan 21, 2012 2:56 PM GMT up reply actions
He had a good long range effort today
put into perspective, that was even one of our better chances today
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
When he was at liverpool?
Torres was pretty decent then too.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 2:56 PM GMT up reply actions
I guess this means I'm cheering for the Manchester clubs tomorrow
I need a shower
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 2:57 PM GMT reply actions
I have never had any problem supporting United when they are facing Arsenal
I love seeing Arsenal lose. Especially now when we are contenders for the 4th spot.
Willian not in the Shaktar squad today.
I don’t put any weight in the rumor, really, but interesting.
God, please no.
I’d be gutted if we signed him. He wouldn’t have helped us today either. 0 vision and awareness. Mindless player with lots of pace ( Krasic / Walcott type of player).
What are the chances that Chelsea sell Torres, Drogs, Kalou and Malouda in the summer transfer window?
And in which order should they be sold?
The chances are 0 that they sell of them in the summer
and therefore there is no order that they should be sold.
The only one I would try to sell is Drogba, because that’s preferable to him leaving on a free in the summer.
AND?
Zero. None. Zilch. Won’t happen.
Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.
None
Two of those players are out of contract in June. Can’t be sold this summer, either extended or let go on a free.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 3:20 PM GMT up reply actions
OK in case of this
Drogba and Malouda would leave probably in the summer … expect we offer them sweet contract extensions, or Drogba changing his mind about salary expectations (since it’s unlikely we offer him more). Kalou we might sell. Torres I think will stay no matter what
Tor ilisar'thera'nal!
1. torres 2. torres 3. torres 4. torres
kidding…kalou should be 4th
If chelsea are spending this week in spain training
what are the chances of more signings, or selling malouda, before the end of jan?
by ZolaDancesThrough. on Jan 21, 2012 3:05 PM GMT reply actions
that was our flattest performance since the beginning of the season
perhaps this will spur management to make a purchase, like it seemingly did then
I know that every team is a different "world" but playing against a team like norwhich i would go with the more offensive formation a diamond or a 2 striker lineup
Where is the meatloaf?
Meireles & Ramires are nowhere near the same type of player
And Raul was playing the proverbial “holding” midfield role, too.
they aren't the same..
raul is a better distributor. ramires uses his pace to make driving forward runs
but to say that they shouldn't play together because they're both CMs
is disingenuous. they play at different levels on the pitch and have different tasks
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 3:19 PM GMT up reply actions
with who? i wouldn't start lukaku yet
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 3:23 PM GMT up reply actions
how would the rest of the formation look
im just curious btw
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 3:24 PM GMT up reply actions
mm i'm not a fan of the diamond
no width, plus i think we’ve tried that and it hasn’t worked out
by marc.nicholls1 on Jan 21, 2012 3:30 PM GMT up reply actions
I'd say not good enough at the time
He was a late bloomer, he was pretty lousy in most of his loan spells. We also had a shitload of depth at that point, they’re all just really old now.
by Stephen Schmidt on Jan 21, 2012 3:22 PM GMT up reply actions
You would you compare him to Sturridge
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:24 PM GMT up reply actions
bad sentence
Would you (anyone) compare him to Sturridge?
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:30 PM GMT up reply actions
Later kids
I’m off to a museum to go look at some more “creative” things today. More than what I saw in our match or from some of the commenters here ;) Play nice! And go Manchesters! (washes mouth with soap).
Actually...
almost… Degas Nudes (my friend LOVES Degas… I’m being supportive.. I am more of an architecture or watercolor gal myself). Alright, for reals… I am gone this time because I am late!
Torres
For every time Torres shows he’s back, he shows why he’s a flop again.
Think about it, its true.
by Marcus_Cfc on Jan 21, 2012 3:23 PM GMT via Android app reply actions
And shows why making bold statements like "he's back" and "he's a flop" every game is silly.
Even I try to view him for what he is. A less-good-than-he-used-to-be striker who has been good recently.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:27 PM GMT up reply actions
How is he less good?
well he doesn’t score very much anymore
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:31 PM GMT up reply actions
I was referring to the fact that he clearly isn't as good as he once was...
…and in the three games before this one, he was very good.
Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!
by Kevin Kostka on Jan 21, 2012 3:42 PM GMT up reply actions
Wow good for him
getting a goal after so long.
by Sabrina Dessipe on Jan 21, 2012 3:33 PM GMT up reply actions
What was the bigger chance? Malouda's non-existant volley, or THAT miss?
If Malouda hadnt gambled on a defender not recovering and actually headed the ball, it would’ve been an almost sure goal.
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