The TT Football Club

Ross K

Legend
Meags,

Agree with your above comments re transfers. With a few more quality signings the gunners could be so good - but they are a bit shy of that right now even with 'the ox' in such inspiring form, Rosicky playing like he's seldom done previously, VP playing stunningly well, etc. Wenger simply has to step up to the table with some bucks this summer and nail some top draw and proven talent.


PureA,

Ah, interesting re your sig.


Fena,

Just curious, how has Meireiles been playing for you lot in recent months? He's a player who caught my eye last year.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Fena,

Just curious, how has Meireiles been playing for you lot in recent months? He's a player who caught my eye last year.

I've always been a big fan of his, I was saying Chelsea should of got him years before he went to Liverpool.

He's not actually played that well at Chelsea, he's scored a couple of great long range goals, but his general play hasn't been all that good. Then again, no Chelsea player (apart from Mata and Sturridge) has played well this season. Maybe he'll step it up next year, possibly if Mourinho comes and has a word with him in the shower, like he did with Lampard the first time :)
 

PED

Legend
Great form from Arsenal lately. They were superb yesterday until they ran out of gas... and BTW who is this 'new' Roskicky player? He's quite a find - lol!

No doubt about that. They said the Ox was sick and I think his drop in form in the 2nd half was a large part of it. Good points about how Theo has been wanting to play in the center of the park for 4 years and Ox gets to do it after only 4 months.

Love the thought of the Ox and Wilshire in the midfield
 
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PED

Legend
We still have severe defensive weaknesses that can be exploited, but FINALLY some of the underperforming players are forcing themselves to compete and succeed.

Re the defense, I've heard several comments about what a leader Mertesacker is in organizing the defense. That appears to be true. He's not been the best signing but he'll get better I think.

Koscielny has such dramatic changes in form, he was a beast last night and had the measure pace-wise of Robinho everytime they clashed. Speed kills :)
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
watched Chelsea vs Birm last nite. lacking a bit in ball control and fluidity tho the 2nd half had a touch more.

It was one of the worst matches i've seen :)

Birmingham were awful, but Chelsea weren't a whole lot better. The pitch wasn't the best which didn't help, and midweek FA Cup replays aren't known for their high quality I suppose.

Will be interesting to see how they play against Napoli, they don't really have anything to lose after being hammered in the first leg, the freedom that brings would be a nice place to start turning things round.
 

TERRASTAR18

Hall of Fame
No doubt about that. They said the Ox was sick and I think his drop in form in the 2nd half was a large part of it. Good points about how Theo has been wanting to play in the center of the park for 4 years and Ox gets to do it after only 4 months.

Love the thought of the Ox and Wilshire in the midfield

ox got hurt and so did theo.....that's what killed us. plus rvp wasn't as sharp as usual.
 

Breaker

Legend
watched Chelsea vs Birm last nite. lacking a bit in ball control and fluidity tho the 2nd half had a touch more.

I think this will change if the Chelsea players let it, Di Matteo had an inferior West Brom side playing some of the most attractive football in the league without much pace to speak of in the side, however he did have Odemwingie in the side who finished everything so it's up to one of Chelsea's forwards to do the same.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I think this will change if the Chelsea players let it, Di Matteo had an inferior West Brom side playing some of the most attractive football in the league without much pace to speak of in the side, however he did have Odemwingie in the side who finished everything so it's up to one of Chelsea's forwards to do the same.

I think that's the problem, Chelsea just don't have the players to play that kind of game. Villas-Boas wanted to play the high pressing, slick passing kind of game, but the players don't have the capabilities skill wise, or mentality to do it.

That's why I think Guardiola would be a disaster at Chelsea, people think him coming in would be all it would take to make Chelsea attractive, but let's face it, Sturridge is no Messi, Drogba is no Villa, Ramires is no Xavi etc..

They say the next manager won't have much money to spend at all, so Abramovich's dream of playing like Barcelona can never really come true. Someone like Moyes would do well I think, he knows how to win with very little money to spend so he'd be able to rebuild. The problem is that the current players wouldn't play for him, it seems that if your name isn't Mourinho, they don't want to know.
 

NickC

Professional
I get home to see that Messi dropped 5 on Leverkussen today?

My god. And what's even scarier is that he's not even 25.
 

Ross K

Legend
Messi makes history...

I get home to see that Messi dropped 5 on Leverkussen today?

My god. And what's even scarier is that he's not even 25.

I feel privileged to have seen the Barca/Messi annihilation of Bayer Leverkusen last night. To witness history being made (1st player to score 5 goals in a CL game), and to see Messi reaching such audacious heights of genius, it was breathtaking stuff.

And as well as the incomparable Messi, how about 'the master' Iniesta last night? And how about Xabi? And how about the Tello kid who scored two? And how about Fabregas (deployed somewhat differently at Arsenal I noted)?... such stunning players and with Barca's uniquely dazzling style, when I see them like this, I just plainly see them as one of the greatest sides ever (and red-hot favourites for the CL trophy this year.)

Side-note: it was also pleasing to observe that my only real past complaint or negative feeling about Barca, namely the histrionics and play-acting always present when I see the el classicos and some of their bigger matches, was entirely absent. If only this could somehow be expunged from their games altogether?

Although I'll add another side-note: how nice is it to see Messi's humble and happy and restrained demeanour on the pitch contrasted to the big headed, snarling, egotistical, badge-kissing, ranting and raving carry on of a lot of his contemporaries these days?

Anyhow, those Messi finishes last night though will live long in the memory... just poetry in motion... perfection... pure unadulterated genius.:cool:

And BTW, If Argentina ever get a coach smart enough to utilize him in a similar role and with similar support, I can see them possibly winning a World Cup.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I get home to see that Messi dropped 5 on Leverkussen today?

My god. And what's even scarier is that he's not even 25.

I found it a little uneasy to watch. The tie was all over, to see him keep on going after goals says alot about his desire, but to rub it in and to keep looking to hurt Leverkusen wasn't the nicest thing to see.

It's like being 30 points up at the end of the game in basketball and the superstar keeps trying to knock down 3's, you don't see that often because to humiliate fellow professionals isn't really the done thing.

I'm sure the Barcelona fans enjoyed the show, but as a neutral it wasn't very good imo.
 

Ross K

Legend
I found it a little uneasy to watch. The tie was all over, to see him keep on going after goals says alot about his desire, but to rub it in and to keep looking to hurt Leverkusen wasn't the nicest thing to see.

It's like being 30 points up at the end of the game in basketball and the superstar keeps trying to knock down 3's, you don't see that often because to humiliate fellow professionals isn't really the done thing.

I'm sure the Barcelona fans enjoyed the show, but as a neutral it wasn't very good imo.


I confess to entirely failing to get what you're talking about here. I'm taken a-back TBH. :confused:

At least three of his goals were complete works of art that had little to do with anything else aside from Messi's jaw-dropping brilliance. What isn't the 'done thing' IMO is to be so audaciously and ridiculously talented as to warrant debates as to whether he's the best player who ever lived... come Fena, you've surely got to enjoy a sublime display like that if you love football?!
 

PureAlph4

Semi-Pro
I don't think the US notion of 'running up the score,' and its associated negative connotations, really applies to football here.

It is a low scoring game, and even seemingly impregnable leads of four or five goals have evaporated quickly in the past.

Clearly, though, Barca were also sending out the message that in spite of being far behind in La Liga, they are still the undisputed top club side in the world.
 

Benhur

Hall of Fame
I found it a little uneasy to watch. The tie was all over, to see him keep on going after goals says alot about his desire, but to rub it in and to keep looking to hurt Leverkusen wasn't the nicest thing to see.

It's like being 30 points up at the end of the game in basketball and the superstar keeps trying to knock down 3's, you don't see that often because to humiliate fellow professionals isn't really the done thing.

I'm sure the Barcelona fans enjoyed the show, but as a neutral it wasn't very good imo.

I see what you mean, a bit uneasy to watch in the sense that it looked like an embarrassing mismatch. Leverkusen played like they didn’t belong there at all. I had a similar feeling watching the 2006 Wimbledon quarterfinal between Federer and Bjorkman. But you can’t really ask a tennis player to stop hitting winners out of kindness for his opponent, or a football team in a Champions match, in front of the home crowd, to stop attacking after a couple of goals, or a guy like Messi to stop trying to score. That’s what they play for. It would be like asking a fish to stop drinking. And the truth is Leverkusen really showed not a shred of fighting spirit. After the first 20 minutes or so, they looked as if the only thing on their mind was to wait for the final whistle. The German press is calling them a disgrace, and deservedly so. Or maybe they just had a bad day.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
I confess to entirely failing to get what you're talking about here. I'm taken a-back TBH. :confused:

At least three of his goals were complete works of art that had little to do with anything else aside from Messi's jaw-dropping brilliance. What isn't the 'done thing' IMO is to be so audaciously and ridiculously talented as to warrant debates as to whether he's the best player who ever lived... come Fena, you've surely got to enjoy a sublime display like that if you love football?!

It was a Champions League tie that was over, if it was in the league against someone like Real Madrid where you're battling them for the title then by all means go for it. Beating up on a clearly weaker, beaten opponent isn't really what I watch football for.

If Man Utd go to town on a weaker team way below them in the FA Cup, well it's not really in the right spirit. Putting 7 past Leverkusen counted for nothing, apart from making Messi look good, not really my thing.
 

Ross K

Legend
It was a Champions League tie that was over, if it was in the league against someone like Real Madrid where you're battling them for the title then by all means go for it. Beating up on a clearly weaker, beaten opponent isn't really what I watch football for.

If Man Utd go to town on a weaker team way below them in the FA Cup, well it's not really in the right spirit. Putting 7 past Leverkusen counted for nothing, apart from making Messi look good, not really my thing.

Okay, we'll beg to differ because, well, I can't comprehend why you are not acknowledging Messi's sublime display.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Podolski on his way apparently. Good signing to add to the attack but not to replace RvP.

Great signing, him playing from the left, with van Persie instead of Klose up top could be pretty deadly.

Okay, we'll beg to differ because, well, I can't comprehend why you are not acknowledging Messi's sublime display.

:) I'd look sublime destroying weaker, beaten opponents too. If i'm ever 5-0 up playing against a bunch of lesser players, i'll remember it's acceptable to rub their faces in the dirt and make them look foolish. Somehow I think it would be me who would end up looking foolish in that situation, but hey, as long as I look sublime doing it, it's all good, right? :)
 

Benhur

Hall of Fame
:) I'd look sublime destroying weaker, beaten opponents too. If i'm ever 5-0 up playing against a bunch of lesser players, i'll remember it's acceptable to rub their faces in the dirt and make them look foolish. Somehow I think it would be me who would end up looking foolish in that situation, but hey, as long as I look sublime doing it, it's all good, right? :)

Leverkusen is in 5th place in the Bundesliga. They’d just beat Bayern 2-0 a few days ago. They had eliminated Valencia in the previous round (Valencia is 3rd in the Spanish league). It’s not like they are some regional division team or some group of weekend amateurs you have to take it easy on.

Anyway, this concern about the evils of possible humiliation and the notion that you must take it easy on your opponent after you're up 5-0 seems to be a recent scruple (if it really does exist). There are plenty of scores worse than 7-1 in the history of the European Cup competition. Here are a few examples from the 50s, 60s and 70s of teams scoring more than 7 goals. Clearly, none of those teams knew they should stop scoring after being up 5-0.

Milan 8 Union Luxembourg 0
Ipswich 10 Floriana 0
Lokomotiv Sofia 8 Malmo 3
Ferencvaros 9 Keflavik 1
Bayern Munich 9 Omonia 0
Grasshopper Zurich 8 Valletta 0
Ajax 10 Omonia 0
Manchester United 10 Anderlecht 0
Real Madrid 8 Sevilla 0
Red Star Belgrade 9 Stade Dudelange 1
Benfica 10 Stade Dudelange 0
1860-Munchen 8 Omonia 0
Dinamo Bucuresti 11 Crusaders Belfast 0
Feynoord 12 KR Reykjavik 2
 

NickC

Professional
LOL Chelsea are terrible. Up a man for 65 minutes and they only score one goal. Odd decision making by the manager too, taking off a defender and replacing him with a defender. Kind of pointless when up a man at home, but what do I know? :/
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
LOL Chelsea are terrible. Up a man for 65 minutes and they only score one goal. Odd decision making by the manager too, taking off a defender and replacing him with a defender. Kind of pointless when up a man at home, but what do I know? :/

Stoke came to defend, the sending off didn't really change much as it was a forward so they could keep the two banks of 4, which Chelsea have always struggled to get through.

Still, two wins and two clean sheets isn't so bad. If we beat Spurs in a few weeks we will only be 1 point behind them, it could get tight between the 3 London clubs, with one missing out on the Champions League. Chelsea are outside looking in at the moment and odds are that's how it will end up, but it would be good to see it being so close in the closing weeks.
 

Ross K

Legend
Just WTF is going on with Harry and Tottenham??!! :evil: Another disastrous result. At this rate we're not even going to get in the top 4. A quite catastrophic period for Spurs fans.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Just WTF is going on with Harry and Tottenham??!! :evil: Another disastrous result. At this rate we're not even going to get in the top 4. A quite catastrophic period for Spurs fans.

I still think it has alot to do with the England job and Redknapp, that was where they starting to go off the boil.

You'd of thought Chelsea and Arsenal would start to pick it up a bit, knowing it's the home straight and they have the experience. Having said that, I think Tottenham are the better team of the 3 and that might be enough.
 

PureAlph4

Semi-Pro
I think the next two league games are essential to Spurs. If they can get 4 points against Stoke (H) and Chelsea (A), then they should be fine with their run-in.

Ditto for Chels. City (A) and Spurs (H), though they will still have to play Newcastle (H), Arsenal (A) and Liverpool (A).

Hopefully the Arsenal squad can keep the results flowing, and can beat Everton away on the 21 March (no mean feat the way they are going atm), when Chelsea and Spurs hopefully draw.

Shaping up to be really exciting.

Are we all in agreement that the absence of goal line technology is becoming increasingly farcical (QPR this weekend, Milan recently etc etc)? To me the scale of errors being made now just completely outweigh the 'flow of the game' argument.
 

Ross K

Legend
I think the next two league games are essential to Spurs. If they can get 4 points against Stoke (H) and Chelsea (A), then they should be fine with their run-in.

Ditto for Chels. City (A) and Spurs (H), though they will still have to play Newcastle (H), Arsenal (A) and Liverpool (A).

Hopefully the Arsenal squad can keep the results flowing, and can beat Everton away on the 21 March (no mean feat the way they are going atm), when Chelsea and Spurs hopefully draw.

Shaping up to be really exciting.

Are we all in agreement that the absence of goal line technology is becoming increasingly farcical (QPR this weekend, Milan recently etc etc)? To me the scale of errors being made now just completely outweigh the 'flow of the game' argument.

It's been incomprehensible for years why proper technology isn't being utilized. But although incomprehensible it isn't such a surprise as those ultimately responsible are the likes of EUFA and Blatter, of whom the words 'corrupt' and 'inept' go a little way towards describing.

Re Spurs, I'm getting a bit fed up with Redknapp saying how we "totally battered" Everton and how we were very unlucky to get nothing out of Man U. Fact is we picked up zero points in these 2 (and we really HAD to get at least a point against Everton to remain relatively strong in 3rd spot.) Plus all this IMO stems from the only 'real battering' Redknapp/Spurs have been involved in of late - and that's the battering Arsenal gave us. Redknapp has to immediately show the kind of skills and decision-making that's got him so highly thought of re next England manager and Spurs great run earlier etc, or else he is really threatening to blot his copybook.

I don't know. As a certain Bordeaux-guzzling, gum-chewing, tyranical Glaswegian once famously remarked: "Bloody football eh?" Three weeks ago we're genuine title contenders; Eden Hazard wants to join us; prem managers are saying we've played the best football in the Prem this year. And now we can't buy a point; we struggle against the mighty Stevenage; and we have a real fight on our hands just to remain in 4th place. I wonder if it's any easier being into rugby?!:)
 

Breaker

Legend
The abysmal away form continues, haven't scored more than 1 away in the league since the fifth of November against QPR.

With Stoke and Arsenal as the next two away fixtures I'm not feeling confident especially since United have every one of their difficult games out of the away until City late April.

Not going to say it's over but..not looking so good.
 

Ross K

Legend
^^^ Yes, not quite sure how Utd have got where they are. Every time I've seen the this season I've been pretty underwhelmed, and especially in Europe where they've been total pants. Mind you, you have to also point at Chelsea and Arsenal for being so off the boil for most of the season and failing to mount a challenge higher up.

On a positive note though, just what an amazing job is Brendan Rodgers doing eh? He is showing incredible potential and I love how he tries to get his team playing such attractive, flowing football. One to really watch for sure, and he'd be certainly be on any short-list I'd think up for the next Spurs manager, though it would be risky and I'm not saying I'd actually go for him over a few other candidates.
 

PED

Legend
^^^ Yes, not quite sure how Utd have got where they are. Every time I've seen the this season I've been pretty underwhelmed

I think it's the "Fergie factor". Plus they still have the Ginger Prince and Giggs to show the youngsters how it's done. Above all, they have that mentally of winning. Similar to Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders: just win Baby!

I remember reading the Keano book last year (on your rec :) and was struck at how Fergie squeezes the most out of the team.

It's not been pretty but somehow they are above City now and with the quality that City has on board, that's impressive.

Still, I'm like you. When you see the Utd team sheet, it's not one to instill fear.
 

Peters

Professional
It says a huge amount about the current level of the Premier League in my opinion. Man Utd have been poor and workmanlike for vast swathes of this season and somehow they're now on top and - looking at the fixtures - arguably will be favourites to win it.

Man City are withering as the season goes on, Tottenham are entertaining but lightweight, Arsenal/Chelsea are all over the place and Liverpool have been utterly dreadful (bottom 3 in PL form since Jan 1st).

Not the greatest quality level in the PL at the moment. And I think it's been reflected in English teams results in Europe aswell.
 

PED

Legend
YES!!!!
Nice to see some desire and spirit to grab the W.

I think 3rd is going down to the wire this year.
 

Ross K

Legend
YES!!!!
Nice to see some desire and spirit to grab the W.

I think 3rd is going down to the wire this year.

Taking into account our respective run ins, and looking at the great momentum to say nothing of how brilliantly Arsenal are now playing, I think 3rd is going to be yours actually. I reckon it's between us and Chelsea for 4th. Chelsea have arguably the worst run in of the 3 London clubs though, so perhaps a smidgeon of hope there for us beleaguered Spurs fans. Mind you, given our present crisis, all bets are off. Plus it will be interesting to see if Chelsea can galvanize themselves for the Napoli game - they've also picked up some momentum post-AVB - but can this carry this through into the next few weeks?
 

PED

Legend
^^How does Fergie avoid this kind of let down almost every year. We've had 2 big swoons this year and who is to say we won't have another. Spurs and Blues are the same.

It's almost like Fergie refuses to allow it to happen, Mourhino was the same. I'd like to see him at City: nice to have a new villain on the scene.
 

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Everton are so poor! Not sure how they're still keeping company with Moyes, I think he's taken them as far as he can.

A lack of ambition and a taste for mediocrity is the reason they've not made any major changes for several years.

I know it's a risk trying to change a working system but ...
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Arsenal, Lyon, Chelsea and Inter all out before the Quarterfinals? It's an interesting Champions League this year!
 

PED

Legend
Robben and Co were impressive today. The overall quality of Munich was pretty solid.

Their overall movement is so smooth.

I wish we'd drawn Inter instead of AC milan ;)
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Robben and Co were impressive today. The overall quality of Munich was pretty solid.

Their overall movement is so smooth.

I wish we'd drawn Inter instead of AC milan ;)

For sure, AC Milan and Napoli are far more dangerous than Inter are. I think Juventus will be great in Europe next year aswell, Conte has them pressing all the way up the pitch Barcelona style, it's both tough and tiring to play against.

As for tonights game, i'd be more confident with Villas-Boas in charge. I think the only way we can win is to really go at them hard and all out attack, and that's what the old manager did. Napoli will score, they're too good not to. Our only hope is to score 3, 4, 5, Di Matteo is a bit more conservative and it probably won't be enough.
 

PED

Legend
^^Really curious as to the line up. Does DiMatteo just give in and go with the old guard. It doesn't really payoff for him to take any risks.

Surprised at just how many players Inter still have in their starting squad from 2 years back. They were not that young then. Teams seem to move personnel around more in the PL.

I really enjoyed watching the first half of Bayern. Enjoyed having the English ref as well. Would love to see Barca play against an English side with PL refs. Barca is magical but it's different when they just let them play. Clattenburg ref'ed it like an MMA match the other night.

One last thing: I really don't like watching games with Howard Webb. He screwed up the WC final and he was just horrible on Monday with Newcastle. Tiote might has well been playing American football with the challenges he was making.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Hey you, don't watch that, watch this!
This is the heavy heavy monster sound
The nuttiest sound around
So if you've come in off the street
And you're beginning to feel the heat
Well listen buster
You better start to move your feet
To the rockinest, rock-steady beat of madness

One step beyoooonnndddd!! nah nah naaaah, nah nah nah nah nah naaaaah.

Nice one :)
 

PED

Legend
^^^Well done and well deserved. They shut down Napoli holy trinity of strikers today. Cavani and Lavazzi were non factors.

Di Matteo has to feel good.

I don't really feel sorry for AVB, part of management is motivating people and he apparently did a poor job of that. 34 is awfully young to have a job of that stature and he'll be back wiser and better.
 

Meaghan

Hall of Fame
Very happy for chelsea, good game, reminded me of the nerves I feel in a liverpool match. Good to see an english club still flying the flag.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
^^^Well done and well deserved. They shut down Napoli holy trinity of strikers today. Cavani and Lavazzi were non factors.

Di Matteo has to feel good.

I don't really feel sorry for AVB, part of management is motivating people and he apparently did a poor job of that. 34 is awfully young to have a job of that stature and he'll be back wiser and better.

Very happy for chelsea, good game, reminded me of the nerves I feel in a liverpool match. Good to see an english club still flying the flag.

Thanks :) It was good to see them put in a performance to be proud of, it's been a while.

It was the heart that got them through in the end I think, a traditional English style performance that restored a bit of pride for the Premier League.
 

Ross K

Legend
Great win for Chelsea last night. I thought they had a real belief and purpose about them - and I think John Terry has a lot to do with that. Now can this be continued though in the Prem?

Side-note: surprised but Torres actually looked pretty good to me. I forgot that lovely way of moving and shifting the ball around he has. Some nice link up play and he gave an outlet to others. All he needs is a few goals of course. Anyhow, even without the goals, he looked a lot better than I thought he'd be.
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Great win for Chelsea last night. I thought they had a real belief and purpose about them - and I think John Terry has a lot to do with that. Now can this be continued though in the Prem?

Side-note: surprised but Torres actually looked pretty good to me. I forgot that lovely way of moving and shifting the ball around he has. Some nice link up play and he gave an outlet to others. All he needs is a few goals of course. Anyhow, even without the goals, he looked a lot better than I thought he'd be.

He was running round hunting everything down, which he has done all season. He never looked liked scoring and didn't do much else besides that, which is the same as always. It was the type of selfless performance we needed on the night, but he can't be relied upon to get goals anymore.
 

Ross K

Legend
He was running round hunting everything down, which he has done all season. He never looked liked scoring and didn't do much else besides that, which is the same as always. It was the type of selfless performance we needed on the night, but he can't be relied upon to get goals anymore.

Well, I said I rated Terry and even Torres's contributions last night, but not having seen a lot of Chelsea this season it was interesting to check out a few others...

Drogba is frustrating as at times he clearly shows his age now and can look awful, yet as he demonstrated perfectly with his goal and in how he set up the last goal, he still has some real game-changing class... Ivanovic can look like a thuggish lump - but he can also add some drive and steel - I like his energy - and he took his goal very nicely... Ramirez, a player who has impressed me a lot previously, seemed quietish... Mata - he's just a player I really like with enormous quality IMO... and as for 'Side-show Bob' :), he always looks like there's a big accident waiting to happen with him, but, yes, i do like his style generally.

Any thoughts or secret knowledge on who will be managing the blues next season, Fena?
 

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Well, I said I rated Terry and even Torres's contributions last night, but not having seen a lot of Chelsea this season it was interesting to check out a few others...

Drogba is frustrating as at times he clearly shows his age now and can look awful, yet as he demonstrated perfectly with his goal and in how he set up the last goal, he still has some real game-changing class... Ivanovic can look like a thuggish lump - but he can also add some drive and steel - I like his energy - and he took his goal very nicely... Ramirez, a player who has impressed me a lot previously, seemed quietish... Mata - he's just a player I really like with enormous quality IMO... and as for 'Side-show Bob' :), he always looks like there's a big accident waiting to happen with him, but, yes, i do like his style generally.

Any thoughts or secret knowledge on who will be managing the blues next season, Fena?

Terry has been outstanding all year. Villas-Boas liked the high line, he liked to be open and attack, and Terry was playing alongside Luiz, who has been all over the place all season. That made Chelsea concede goals easier than they used to, but for some reason people have been looking at Terry and saying he hasn't been playing well. Individually he's been as good as ever.

Luiz was actually really good last night, best defensive game for Chelsea i've seen from him. Ivanovic is just always there, whatever you need from him. He plays right back, centre back, he scores goals.. if every player had his outlook, we'd be in a much better position than we are now.

Mata was actually pretty poor yesterday, I like him alot, but I don't think he's been as great as people like to make out. I think that has alot to do with him being the only creative player in an older team, who don't have genuine wide players to spread the opposition, and also being stuck out wide alot.

As for the new manager, who knows! It won't be Guardiola, which is good. The only one it can be is Mourinho, if it's not him then who else is there? Moyes? Capello? Benitez? Maybe they might stick with Di Matteo if he does well, that could be a mistake with this being the time to rebuild the squad, is he really the right manager to do it over the next 3-4 years? I'm not so sure.
 
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