Okay, my thoughts.
We're using the same team that we have last season. Exactly the same. Kalou on the left, Anelka on the right with Torres in the centre.
And what? Kalou was being hauled off before first half. That's shame. Very shame, but he deserves that. Good job AVB. You convinced the manager that you can do your best, and manager trusted you and started you. But yet, you performed poorly,you got to go. Very good message by AVB to all the players.

Kalou out, but Malouda, seriously? We got no other option. Yeah. Malouda scored the winning goal, but he's not our solution of solving the problem.Sometimes you can't blame Torres of doing too many impossible, if he don't do it, what he want to do?Standing there waiting for a good pass? Dream that.

Ok, this part. As a Chelsea fan, I really hate to say this, but I have to accept the fact. Lampard is not the same player after coming back from injury. No more. He's slow, he can't run, he can't kick the ball accurately, he can't provide any attacking threats anymore. Josh or Benayoun should start next game.

I always wonder, do we really need to play two defensive midfielders against 'park bus' team? Although Mikel played well, I would choose Ramires as the only DM.
Oh speaking about Drogba and lampard are stepping down, who's gonna be the set pieces taker? AVB got to work on this.

Poor first half, but a better second half. AVB is doing his work.

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 21 2011, 10:12 AM

It's now on official website babeh!
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0...2427778,00.html
Really good signing, he can play left wide forward, he can play left wing, he can play behind the striker.24m, good punt

Errrr hmmmmmph. Seriously, we shouldn't expect Chelsea to win 6-0,7-0,8-0 everytime. A win at SB against West brom was actually quite good, still a lot of space to improve though.
Drogba have to wake himself up, he was useless when he came on. Did nothing. Poor first touch, had no pace.

The one you said, play Benayoun as DM, no no. That's EA football manager talk. There's no way to play him as DM.
And, please give AVB some time. It's only 2 matches! And only one at home, what do you expect. I would say give him 6-8 matches. Things might turn out good when we got to fill the squad hole. The board is doing something isn't it?

Oh and, why do you drop Ashley Cole? Top class player. West brom right wing isn't easy to deal with too.
We still need a playmarker though. Just in case Lampard really KO.
I would take Modric then.

Mata...Torres...Sturridge
Josh/Lampard....Modric/Benayoun
.............Ramires/Mikel*.................
Cole...Terry...Luiz...Bosingwa/Ivanovic*
Cech

*Ivanovic and Mikel will play when we're against big team away from home.

As for next game against Norwich, I don't think our new signings will be ready, so.

Malouda...Torres...Anelka
Lampard...............Josh........
.............Ramires/Mikel.................
Cole...Terry...Iva..Bosingwa
Hilario

Let's speed up, grab Modric now!




This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 22 2011, 05:46 AM

Can't deny that the fact of Josh deserve a start here. but I am in a huge dilemma. I don't think it's really the right time for us to drop Lampard yet.
Unless the statistic lies, from what I saw in Lampard second half performance, it was very good. He's still controlling the midfield. Although Ramires is good, but he's not that influential when compare to Lampard.
IMO, it's still crucial time for us in the league. Early of the season, stick with Lampard, give Josh some minutes and start Josh in cup matches or CL group stage matches.

And it's true, our wide areas are pretty solved.
Left: Malouda,Mata(An addition of Kevin De Bruyne might be good for future)
Right: Anelka, Kalou,Sturridge
We need at least two international players to fight for one spot. That's a very positive competition.

Kevin+Modric+Mata, I would say we have a perfect squad!

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 22 2011, 09:43 PM

Two awesome good news made my day!
Thanks god that Mikel's father is safe. Love what Mata said that he rejected Spurs and Arsenal offer and decided to join us!

There will be a press conference later, it might unveil Oriol, Lukaku and Mata!

I think if we really can't get Modric, although I am confident that we will grab him, we can actually just improve our passing skills. Do more passing training, our players ain't that bad also, Ramires,Josh,Mikel,Mata,Lampard all have talent. I have no doubt on them, they will surely do their job perfectly.

Interested to hijack Arsenal target once again?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14623622.stm
If we got Hazard, we can play Mata as midfield and we don't need Modric anymore

I am sorry Arsenal fans, but I am a big fan of Hazard.

https://twitter.com/#!/OptaJoe/status/106302114275405824
Some really cool stat. This proves that how effective is Kalou as a super-sub,but not a starter. He can always score in a crucial time.

oh and this:

https://twitter.com/#!/OptaJoe/status/105638492385718272
This is why we signed him.

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 24 2011, 07:10 PM

He is finally here! Hope he will play against Norwich!
Looking at Porto, let's see.
Falcao-Torres
Hulk-Sturridge
Fernando-Mikel
Moutinho-Josh/Lampard(Might be Modric)
Varela-Mata

I see our player are now very comfortable with AVB. Nice thing to see

Hah, thanks for clarifying for me.

Pereira huh? He might be the winger that AVB meant. Mata-Playmarker, Perreira-Winger?
Well, I am not really convinced of Perreira at all. Never watched him play before, but I thought he was a left wing back, can he play left wing?

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 25 2011, 02:18 PM

No easy group for us.
Interesting to see Ballack will face us and Mata to face his former team.

Would like to see 10-20minutes of Mata and Josh.
Then if things turn out good, full game for both of them against Sunderland. Get prepared for MU match!

What a match. Has been a long long time since I ever enjoyed a Chelsea match.

Key moment:
-Bosingwa screamer goal! That was brilliant, Bos had a great game as well.
-Anelka sprint towards the ball and passed it to Ramires before Ram started his super run. That's one of the best counter attack football I've ever seen. I actually give the credits more to Anelka than Ramires. Great run by Ramires though.
-Fancy footwork by Mata. Tricked a few defenders and what a ball to Lampard and a pin point cross by Lamp to Iva but too bad he missed it.
-Mata's pass to Ramires was absolutely awesome. I'm sure there are more to come.
-Of course, Mata's goal! Great anticipation by the debutant, clean strike. He looks like he wanna be a star in Chelsea!
-Lukaku is a giant on the pitch. He has great pace. He made some lovely run and always wants to offer more.
-Feel sorry for Drogba, the man gave his best, it's like more than his 100%. Unlucky for him, hope he's alright.
-Torres should really do better. But Mata-Torres combo showed some good sign isn't it?
-Lampard was okay this game. Although he did not offer a lot, but he influence the whole midfield. I am still wondering who can replace him.

Speaking about we're far behind from the two Manchester, nah. I disagree. We still have the quality to fight for the top spot.

---

Added on August 29, 2011, 12:21 pmModric is coming? Good news obviously.
We can play 4131,433,41212,4231.
With Modric coming in, I think we're alright in both 433 and 4231.
433:
Mata Torres Sturridge
Modric Ramires Lampard

I am still not sure is it a right decision to place Ramires in a DM role. It's quite a waste if he's only there to hold the midfield. Expecting a box-to-box role from Ramires.

If we try 4231:
Torres
Mata Lampard/Ramires Sturridge
Modric Mikel

In this case, we might need to drop Lampard. I really fancy Ramires to play behind the strikers. His run can surely stretch the opponent defense and it allows more space for Torres and the wingers to run in.
A lot might disagree with me placing Mikel in the formation. But I think the team need him especially when we have two attacking wing backs. Mikel is very important to cover the fullbacks when they're caught out of position. This has happened a lot in our recent games.

I have a feeling that AVB will play 433 but I want us to play 4231.
Believe in AVB, he will give us the best!

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 29 2011, 12:25 PM

Yeah, fair to him too. Would be a big waste to see a huge talent can only play for reserves.
Too bad we can't get a permit for him.

Last 24 hours of transfer windows!

I think you didn't get AVB's idea. I am not saying my idea is same with AVB but I believe this is AVB's main plan.
Plan A: Get Modric and plays 433
Mata Torres Sturridge
Modric Mikel Ramires

But since our plan A is dead, so plan B: Get Pereira and play 4231, mata as playmarker.
..........Torres...........
Pereira Mata Sturridge
Mikel Ramires

Pereira will come inside to take the ball and run through the flanks to cross in while Mata will send in some strategic ball forward to allow the wingers(Pereira and Sturridge) to run in.

But it would be a bonus if we get both Pereira and Modric.
I am okay with Pereira and a cheaper midfielder like Meireles and Moutinho(He's incredible hard to get since we already hunting Pereira).

Come on!

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 31 2011, 03:55 PM

You probably pointed out the weakness of that formation.
It's depends on how AVB wants to play. If he wants to play attacking wingbacks, Mikel must start to cover the full backs when they're caught out of position. If we stay in flat back, Lampard can start in Mikel place. Ramires need to start, he's an engine, his energetic run is very useful to distract opponent defense from marking our wingers

AVB plays a 433. Varela on the left and Hulk on the right. Pereira plays as a left back. Varela will often come inside to collect the ball and run through the flanks, just what I expect Pereira to do when he comes here.
Speaking about the lack of defense here, that's why we need Ramires and Mikel. Ramires can run from one end to the another end. Mikel will cover the fullbacks.

This post has been edited by ericling: Aug 31 2011, 05:10 PM

Spurs just signed Parker.

I am not give up on Modric yet.

I actually prefer Pereira+Modric than Ribery.

Ah, 8 hours more! I can't wait anymore, got to go and sleep so that the time moves faster.

Ughh. Still no deal yet. 2 hours more!
I am really happy to see PVA and Kakuta being loaned to two best loan clubs, Wigan and Bolton.
Wigan always plays the loaned players and the players might always turns into a star. Look at Cleverly!
Bolton? Just look at our Danny boy

A bit worry about our midfield, we still need one more midfielder.

Last 10 minutes. Meiereles, pleasee!

THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS SHUT

Spam refreshing the official website now?
They can announce it after 11, but the name must be submitted to Premier League before 11.

This post has been edited by ericling: Sep 1 2011, 06:01 AM