Chelsea Thread

[Kongster]

It is now.

[Jebus]

Was it just me that thought it was a crap game generally?

[abigsmurf]

The only thing I've taken away from the match so far is that referees still let Paul Scholes do one horror tackle free.

Yep, friendly or not, that was a clear as day yellow (and on a player recovering from an injury).

Chelsea weren't playing at full tilt until late in the second half. Sturridge impressed me but remains to be seen if he moves closer to first team. Ashley Cole was pretty solid.

Anelka, Essien and Kalou were perhaps the ones looking less strong. Anelka did nothing, Essien wasted possesion with hopeless attempts, Kalou should've done better with lots of his chances.

Think the game makes it clear that we need to get a couple of signatures on the dotted line before the window closes.

That game was better than anything I saw in the world cup and it was little more than a glorified friendly with teams experimenting and not playing at full pace. Go figure.

The Man U fans booing Terry/Cole and cheering Rooney, Chelsea fans booing Rooney, cheering Terry/Cole was fairly comical.

Was it just me that thought it was a crap game generally?

Charity shields are little more than tests for the full strength squads. Can't recall a single outstanding one.

[Kongster]

I'm sure you lot will rediscover your form next weekend against West Brom.

I'm glad that club football is back though it's a bit strange that there is a meaningless international friendly or two in midweek.

[abigsmurf]

I've got a ticket for that game so I hope we get use that game to get our form back.

Should see more games as their's an open season ticket from an uncle (who won't be seeing many games this season) that my family will be passing around.

It's a good seat, Will be my first game in the lower tier at Stamford Bridge since the early 90's when I was sitting on the benches in the rain \o/

[nakamura]

I quite enjoyed the match. It had some nice passing with a few moments of excitement. It is hard to have an exhibition with 2 such fierce rivals but overall it was a decent enough show.
I think Chelsea are still the side to beat mind.

[Jebus]

I still don't understand why everyone rates John Terry so highly, he's ****e in my opinion. Just because he's "brave" and "hard" doesn't actually make him any good!

[abigsmurf]

He's lost a lot of pace in the last year or so but he organises the defence incredibly well. He was fairly instrumental for Mourinho's style of play enabling Chelsea to win back to back titles.

[Jebus]

I don't know he's a good captain, but I've never seen such a highly rated defender with such poor positional awareness and skill. The amount of times he gets caught out of position is comical.

[JU!]

I don't know he's a good captain, but I've never seen such a highly rated defender with such poor positional awareness and skill. The amount of times he gets caught out of position is comical.

I agree mate but as had been highlighted many times JT needs a quick defender next to him. He could have closed Rooney a lot better though. I think JT is a great captain personally and even if we changed captains Frank`s a bit quiet for me.

[JU!]

Ah how I missed posting several times in a row because of the lack of Chelsea fans in here ;_;

I should stop saying I like players. They're all getting injured or putting in shocking friendly performances.

Alex is now out for a month,

Sorry I`m not in here so much as spend half my time readin the Guardian and listenin to the Guardian footy podcast, or to BBC 606, Monday night club, World football phone. Plus Football Ramble. Sometimes I can`t be bothered to type so much. Love chattin to other Chelsea fans, not many on NTSC though as you said.

Wow, Chelsea have had a really really awful pre-season.

Still, at least Drogba will be fit for the Charity Shield

Yep and it gets worse add the Charity Shield to that . I believe World Cup tiredness is the prob at the mo.

[abigsmurf]

On the way back from the game. Great stuff, starting this season the way we ended the last. Big off a tough return to the bridge for di matteo.

Nice bit of early pressure for man u

[Leon Retro]

Great stuff, starting this season the way we ended the last.

Yeah, it's great that we've got off to a really positive start. Morale is so important and all the players looked happy and relaxed. Of course, stronger teams will challenge us far more, but I have confidence we can beat our rivals.

[abigsmurf]

Very laid back first half, just about doing enough. Only takes a moment to lose a 1-0 lead though, won't be comfy until we get another.

Wigan's stadium is barely 1/3rd full. I know it's coming off a thumping but you really shouldn't struggle to fill a stadium to that extent against the top team in the country. Away Chelsea fans were making far more noise, even before the goal.

[abigsmurf]

Well.. hot damn.

Our second half performances have been pretty special so far. Double digit goal differences for both teams tonight after 2 games.

Incidentally: not a single corner that game. Freaky.