Chelsea FC - Supporters' Rally

[Glen2712]

Ain't no switching camps, period!


This win got Chelsea completely back on track after crash in Wigan. They've recovered and even increase their confidence, looking again the team to beat. Add to this the restored 'Deco factor', and Hilario's almost perfect appearance, and you'll find out that nothing at Stamford Bridge is the same as it was before the game started.


Essien was at his best and looks like one of the best midfielders in the league. Made Gerrard's attempts to link up with Torres non existent. Ballack was industrious and disciplined. Lampard got into the game as it went along, but isn't at his best. Ancelotti complained about the pace of Chelsea's passing midweek and sent his team into the first half with Liverpool with a rocket up their collective arses 'cos they were pinging it about like they were on a pinball machine.


Liverpool worked their socks off closing down the manic Chelsea movement and despite creating less chances maintained a terrortorial and possession advantage. Chelsea played well, took their chances, Liverpool didn't.

P.S: List Of UPPEES is not in full due to the capacity limitation of the signature function (not be longer than 300 characters excluding BB Code markup). Rest assured I've all ur nicks n u'll be awarded. If I do missed u, kindly PM me.


Appreciate the PM, Bro BatistaSG, Bro steamystreamsg, Bro Linkus, Bro Regaine, Bro evo7_5, Bro Thongchai, Bro curiouslooker, Bro PS3SG, Bro Red-Card, Bro jerrystockton, Bro Cytan7, Bro =WK=, Bro dbhh, Bro awesome04, Bro skyhawk958 and Bro dingding75!

[Glen2712]

PAT NEVIN: STRIKING MATCHES

First blood to the man in blue wearing 11 reckons columnist Pat Nevin as dust settles on the weekend's big match.


It was being touted as the game that would decide who would be challenging Manchester United at the end of the season. Liverpool came to the Bridge and it was no surprise that they shaped up in their more negative format - as predicted in the match programme by yours truly.


The two sitting midfielders chosen by Rafa Benitez meant that there was no room for Yossi Benayoun, which delighted me as a Chelsea fan. The Israeli has been in outstanding form this season but his boss decided discretion was the better part of valour and Chelsea for my money benefited.


In that the visitors pitched up with those two sitting midfielders it was never going to be a real classic open flowing game. If it does then partially come down to a battle more of power than technique, I always feel that Chelsea have the upper hand in that area if both sides are at full strength.


Talking of power leads neatly on to the Torres v Drogba debate that raged before the game. I was surprised that in most of the votes that I witnessed, the Spaniard was being touted as the best out and out striker in the world just now, with Didier trailing behind. Now I understand Torres is younger, he has started the season extremely well and has had a fine goalscoring run recently, but Sunday was a very good time to gauge the relative merits of both strikers given limited opportunities in a tight match.


In the end, even though he didn't score, the man in blue won hands down and for the reasons any Chelsea supporter would have suspected in advance. Drogba has a raw power to add to the undoubted skills both players have in abundance. Neither player had a whole lot of room, both were generally surrounded by quality defenders and deep lying midfielders when they managed to get on the ball in the danger areas.


The result of course was two assists for Didier while Fernando had the very odd timid effort directly on the goal while under pressure. Maybe it is a little unfair in that the Liverpool tactics did leave their player more isolated while our man often had Anelka in support or at least creating some space by his movement.


The real reason most people gave when pressed as to why they preferred Torres before Sunday, was that they felt the younger man had a more dependable attitude. Whatever the circumstances they thought that his head would always be right and he would give the best he could, while there have been occasions in the past when they felt the same couldn't be said about Didier. It is a bit of a shame that this one concern swung the preferences one way or the other, because I do think it is a better debate to have with the conceit that both players are on form, fit and mentally up for it.


Maybe to a degree it is like comparing apples and oranges, one player might suit one style while the other suits something else. I would say that this season even at this stage of his career Didier Drogba seems to me to be still improving as a player. I say that, but maybe he is just getting the opportunity to show off more of his talents. I am thinking particularly about his link up play and his creative powers.

Previously the Ivorian was thought of as a battering ram that could also hold the ball up, a great finisher who would tie up at least two defenders, but essentially a dangerous lone wolf always on the prowl.


This term however playing in a two-pronged attack his assists have been at least as impressive as his goals. Sunday was the perfect example. For the second goal there was basically nothing on and he had two big strong defenders surrounding him, indeed trying to foul him. Three seconds later Florent Malouda was presented with a tap in from two yards, brilliant.


The first goal was if anything even more impressive. He made the space this time on the left hand side and had the presence of mind to find his strike partner with the low cross to the back post. It was particularly impressive because it showed his understanding of his partner's strengths. Didier didn't necessarily pass to Nicolas Anelka, he simply put the ball in the area between the defence and the keeper and trusted his mate to get on the end of it. He knew that is just what Anelka wanted, because as a striker that is precisely the ball Didier would have wanted himself.


No doubt the debate regarding Drogba and Torres will arise again in the rematch at Anfield later in the season, hopefully then our man will get a fairer hearing.


Last week I asked how many draws there had been in the Premier League this season. When the question was posed, the correct answer was four, an extraordinary low number. Many got it right, though just as many suggested eight for some reason. The winner chosen by the newly-crowned Under 15 Girls' Scottish Badminton Champion, was Chris McDonnell from Northumberland in England.

P.S: List Of UPPEES is not in full due to the capacity limitation of the signature function (not be longer than 300 characters excluding BB Code markup). Rest assured I've all ur nicks n u'll be awarded. If I do missed u, kindly PM me.


Appreciate the PM, Bro BatistaSG, Bro steamystreamsg, Bro Linkus, Bro Regaine, Bro evo7_5, Bro Thongchai, Bro curiouslooker, Bro PS3SG, Bro Red-Card, Bro jerrystockton, Bro Cytan7, Bro =WK=, Bro dbhh, Bro awesome04 and Bro skyhawk958!

[Glen2712]

P.S: List Of UPPEES is not in full due to the capacity limitation of the signature function (not be longer than 300 characters excluding BB Code markup). Rest assured I've all ur nicks n u'll be awarded. If I do missed u, kindly PM me.


Appreciate the PM, Bro BatistaSG, Bro steamystreamsg, Bro Linkus, Bro Regaine, Bro evo7_5, Bro Thongchai, Bro curiouslooker, Bro PS3SG, Bro Red-Card, Bro jerrystockton, Bro Cytan7, Bro =WK=, Bro dbhh, Bro awesome04, Bro skyhawk958 and Bro dingding75!

[Glen2712]

P.S: List Of UPPEES is not in full due to the capacity limitation of the signature function (not be longer than 300 characters excluding BB Code markup). Rest assured I've all ur nicks n u'll be awarded. If I do missed u, kindly PM me.


Appreciate the PM, Bro BatistaSG, Bro steamystreamsg, Bro Linkus, Bro Regaine, Bro evo7_5, Bro Thongchai, Bro curiouslooker, Bro PS3SG, Bro Red-Card, Bro jerrystockton, Bro Cytan7, Bro =WK=, Bro dbhh, Bro awesome04, Bro skyhawk958 and Bro dingding75!

[Glen2712]

P.S: List Of UPPEES is not in full due to the capacity limitation of the signature function (not be longer than 300 characters excluding BB Code markup). Rest assured I've all ur nicks n u'll be awarded. If I do missed u, kindly PM me.


Appreciate the PM, Bro BatistaSG, Bro steamystreamsg, Bro Linkus, Bro Regaine, Bro evo7_5, Bro Thongchai, Bro curiouslooker, Bro PS3SG, Bro Red-Card, Bro jerrystockton, Bro Cytan7, Bro =WK=, Bro dbhh, Bro awesome04, Bro skyhawk958 and Bro dingding75!

[cflohfia]

Originally Posted by uncle gg

deep penetration from their diamond midfield.

i like that phrase, bro! finally the blues penetrate all the way to the top!

[Glen2712]

P.S: List Of UPPEES is not in full due to the capacity limitation of the signature function (not be longer than 300 characters excluding BB Code markup). Rest assured I've all ur nicks n u'll be awarded. If I do missed u, kindly PM me.


Appreciate the PM, Bro BatistaSG, Bro steamystreamsg, Bro Linkus, Bro Regaine, Bro evo7_5, Bro Thongchai, Bro curiouslooker, Bro PS3SG, Bro Red-Card, Bro jerrystockton, Bro Cytan7, Bro =WK=, Bro dbhh, Bro awesome04, Bro skyhawk958 and Bro dingding75!

[BaD CrC]

They are playing with a real swagger, their recent home league record against United is formidable and in Didier Drogba they have one of the best, if not the best, front-men in world football. Win at Stamford Bridge this weekend and they can open up a five-point gap over their nearest Premier League challengers. So why wouldn't they look forward to it?

But the flip-side - a United victory - should concern the league greatly. Even though Sir Alex Ferguson's side is playing below its best, United are still within reach of top spot. Everyone must realise there is more to come from them, far more. A victory on Sunday would not only give United belief and confidence but leave Chelsea thinking 'wow - we're playing out of our skin here and we can't shake this team off'.

If I was a United fan I would be concerned if Wes Brown and Jonny Evans start at the back on Sunday because the pace and power Anelka and Drogba will be a real handful for those two, based on what I saw at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

If United want to win it Nemanja Vidic's got to play - and play well. If United can stop Drogba they've got every chance, but if he and Rio Ferdinand don't play then I can it getting very messy for Man United. It could even be 4-0 if he doesn't play.

[Whoopee Nooky]

I totally agreed. But i doubt they can stop Didier Drogba all the time !

[no_faith]

i must admit we were not playing at our best against manutd.

first half, i can say both were at par.
second half, manutd were goin on the offence. they nearly equalized.

our goal in fact i am quite shy on it.
a free kick not really meant to be. a goal which can be rule offside.
drogba was not playing well but his partner anelka was gd, supporting the flanks, mid, holding ball, passes, on target shots.

dun forget abt him, yes many ppl toks abt drogba, nvr forget abt anelka when he wore his arsenal jersey. cuz nw he is playing the role like sheva juz came to chelsea. main focus was on drogba.

nevertheless, we won, open the gap. keep on marching forward CHELSEA

[Whoopee Nooky]

Yeah keep marching forward CHELSEA !! Salute*

[Peter_North]

Lampard and Drogba added to injury list.

Bosingwa on long term medical leave.

In Terry, we have the slowest defender in the Premier League.

Roman should bargain for Roman Palvychenko from Spurs and have him partner Zhirkov.

Joe Cole should keep Lampard on the bench as long as possible.

[uncle gg]

testing times ahead. ivanovic has proved to be a worthy replacement at right back. our stable of midfield "should" be able to withstand the absence of the africans players come january.

zhirkov fit for russia but struggle to meet requirements for the club. puzzled.

overall, does the team has enough credentials and competency to last; bringing the league title back to bridge?
yes we can! winning the champions league will be another extra dose of ecstasy

[Peter_North]

Win the Champions League...and make sure we thrash Barcelona and Man Utd along the way or in the final. Then Chelsea will cement her spot as a Top Top European Club. I don't want Chelsea to win the Champions League the Mourinho way - by beating Porto or Lyon.

Originally Posted by taurus75

yipee....BOSS finally named this EPL section...but still can see past world cup's posts..but nvm..its oredi very kind of BOSS to release this section for EPL lovers...

ALL CHELSEA's SUPPORTERS PLS RALLY HERE...

Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.