Archive for September, 2011

Why Old Trafford Performance Will Build Belief

There was a feeling across today’s media that Chelsea’s performance at Manchester United yesterday was an encouraging one – despite the 3-1 defeat.

Many have said that AVB got it right and that it was bad luck and a ruthless Manchester United in front of goal that was the difference, and that Chelsea should take heart from the performance. Bad miss aside, Fernando Torres looked sharp, up for it and took his goal incredibly well. We ran the game in midfield and created a good number of chances.

However I can’t help but feel that a team fighting for all four trophies should not be taking heart from a brave defeat against their big rivals. If Swansea played like us and lost then fair enough, but Swansea would never expect to beat Man Utd.

As tall an order as it was, if we don’t expect to get a result everywhere we go we may as well give up.

The good news is that AVB and the team didn’t share that thought, even if the press and some of the fans did. They played with belief and convinced everyone that we won’t give up. We didn’t lie down at 3-0 behind and we won’t lie down after this knock-back.

Yesterday’s game has generated belief in this Chelsea side that, after our poor performances against the teams around us last year, had diminished a bit. Villas-Boas just needs to turn that belief into results against the other top sides.

CFC Video – Torres Heaven and Torres Hell

Fernando Torres was in the news on Sunday for sublime skill and a shocking miss in a performance that will be remembered for the bad and not the impressive performance the Spainard gave during the whole game.

He has come on with every game so far this season and I hope that this horrific miss will not set him back too far in the search for his best form.

As I have said previously I still cannot believe that Chelsea lost this game however we did so if you do not want to suffer I suggest you do not watch the video.

Here are the MOTD highlights with Sexy Torres and Ugly Torres on clear display

We Never Deserved to Lose!

Chelsea lost at old Trafford today which is always crushing given our rivalry and the mutual hatred that we share, however today I am hurting as without a doubt we should have won.

With more chances created and a host of gilt edged chances going begging you should in theory be reading about a resounding Chelsea victory but instead poor defending and a failure to take our chances mean that Manchester United have the bragging rights and favourite status in the title race.

Unfortunately you could argue that it is our own fault we lost today, with Fernando Torres and Ramires missing open goals, however I am going to look at the positives.

In both halves we had the most chances and looked like we could score at any time, something that has been lacking in the last 8 months, we may have lost the battle today but my thoughts on the war are greatly improved!

More in depth thoughts will follow, but for the time being, chin up, WIN OR LOSE UP THE BLUES!

Chelsea v Manchester United – Starting Line Up

The team for the game that kicks off in just under an hour has been announced and before I head to the pub to watch I thought I would keep you posted with the line ups.

The line up picks itself for the most part, but for fans of Fernando Torres I can confirm that he starts ahead of Nicholas Anelka and a doubtful Didier Drogba.

Come on the Chels!

Chelsea XI

Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Sturridge, Torres, Mata

Subs:

• 22 Turnbull,
• 04 David Luiz,
• 06 Romeu,
• 12 Mikel,
• 15 Malouda,
• 18 Lukaku,
• 39 Anelka

CFC History Video – Chelsea 5 Man United 0

With the first game against Manchester United tommorow, I thought it would be a good time to look at one of our most memorable victories in the Premier League, a 5-0 thrashing of United.

The year is 1999, the millenium is coming and Chelsea are one of the flair sides of the Premier League playing attacking football and threatening to follow up a creditable third place finish the season before with a strong title challenge.

The Chelsea side this year was full of experience and part of one of the golden generations of entertaining football at the club, with legends Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo, Marcel Desailly and Gianfranco Zola all a key part of the side.

The game was special with Chelsea never looking like losing and putting a side that won the treble just six months earlier to the sword, this day we were so good that even CFC flop Chris Sutton scored.

Enjoy!