Chelsea post match thread...

[CAD]

Surprised no one's done one of these yet, so here goes...

Good team performance, very compact and well organised. We were never gonna play them off the park, but i felt we were the better side and had Torres not been injured, we'd have probably won.

Special mention for Mascherano, who was immense. Babel threatened to impact on the game, but never quite got going. Kuyt was fairly decent. Gerrard seems to be playing far more conservatively and could've won it for us if he'd let fly at the end, instead of passing AGAIN.

Skrtel was fairly solid, good to see.

Decent stuff, hopefully confidence will start coming back. AND we're only 3 behind Everton, meaning our game in hand would still take us above them into fourth, which i wasnt expecting to be the case tonight.

2 games unbeaten!!!

Pretty much nailed it there DJS. Not the making of a great thread

[Craig_H]

Pretty much nailed it there DJS. Not the making of a great thread

i can do no right...!

[rage]

i thought we were toothless to be honest. Typical crouch, doesn't take his chances but then at least he gets in positions to have chances. not sure what the rave reviews about kuyt are for-he didn't have a shot on target, lucas wasn't all that - Brazilian player of the year my foot. babel looked lost for much of the game. skrtel next to carra won't work as neither can step forward with the ball.

you've all got used to mediocrity.

[Craig_H]

I dont think Crouch had clear cut chances.

As for mediocrity, our recent form HAS been mediocre, so a draw at Chelsea in those circumstances is decent.

[AFII]

Mascherano to run the show like he did today after playing in the US a few days ago shows how excellent he is.

The best holding/defensive midfielder in the world without any doubt at all.

[rage]

Mascherano to run the show like he did today after playing in the US a few days ago shows how excellent he is.

The best holding/defensive midfielder in the world without any doubt at all.

which is why playing another defensive midfielder next to him is a waste.

maybe lucas has more to his game but i don't see a box to box player there.

[Craig_H]

The tactics today were spot on.

I have no idea why people expect us to go and wipe the floor with chelsea at Stamford bridge...rafa has lost EVERY away league game to Arsenal, United and Chelsea so far...and we've been in a woeful run, no confidence etc...

Let's have some perspective.

[Reece]

The tactics today were spot on.

I have no idea why people expect us to go and wipe the floor with chelsea at Stamford bridge...rafa has lost EVERY away league game to Arsenal, United and Chelsea so far...and we've been in a woeful run, no confidence etc...

Let's have some perspective.

Some people are simply not happy unless they have something to moan about and criticise.

It's ****ing boring.

That's not directed at you Syd.

[Craig_H]

Well why the hell isnt it, god dammit?

[DomL]

Looks like Hyypia will be fourth choice when Agger gets back. Rafa won't need to rush Agger back and that is always good.

Excellent game from Skrtel. Another good signing by Rafa Lucas showed today that he should play with Masch in the middle. Gerrard should play in the position he played today, as the right sided player in a 4-3-3.

Our best TEAM performance the last couple of months.

Its a formation we tend to use as a breaking system it seems but need quicker players in the central and wide right possition.

If we can get winger and a left back Our regular 442 formation will be very good at home and with many of our players used to the breaking system of the 433 it should work very well away next season.

In my opinion.

Lucas is in his right role just behind gerrard of the 3 in the middle so he can tick the lay over with his on touch passing but his communication with gerrard needs to improve as you can see lucas trying a pass put gerrard has allready moved.

Gerrard needs to step up his game when he is playing their or he needs a better central partner in front of him in the forward line because he really did work off crouch or he just realised that he runs would leave him on his own.

Its so ****ing frustrating seeing the potential in this team but lack of funds has slowed the proccess down a bit.

Hopefully next season with the right funds we can be in a better possition on and off the pitch.

[Nicey]

Very solid performance.. was watching the game with a mate and could not pick a player to sub 2nd half .. we were the better side again ..easy to see why they are unbeaten at home in an amazing 4 years !!

Skertel was very good and Masher continues to grow in stature ... Bable no longer looks like bamby on ice .. happy days

[Skillz]

Thought it was funny that they set up for counter attack. Early on we were bringing the ball out of defense and noone was coming at us. Skirtel, Carra and Finnan passing to each other with noone in sight. Thought Rafa got it spot on and there was much to be pleased about, Skirtel who was excellant considering and basically the fact they we are starting to look like Rafa's team again.

[Nicey]

Yep .. that was a very good display ...Lucas, Skirtel, Masher, Babbs .. we are starting to look strong again ... ManU droped 5 points in one week ...

Dare to believe

[Harv]

I dont think we played like the home side, we played counter attack for a start...

did we?

since when do teams playing on the counter have the majority of possession?

If anyone played on the counter it was the Chavs mate.

[Harv]

I thought we looked good. Masher and Lucas look a good pairing. Gerrard in the middle doing floating seemed to work well.

The forward formation also worked. Babel looked lively (if he improves his delivery he will be a star), and Kuyt worked his bollocks off.

Replace Crouch with Torres, and Kuyt with Yossi and we will be hard to handle.

Good signs.