mickyg

Just wanted to raise the issue of thread structure again. i really think the threads in the main General Chelsea section are getting too long and that this leads to a "boring" forum. For example, as of now, there are about 5,500 posts in the Conte topic thread. i understand that there needs to be a balance. But every time I go in, the board looks pretty much the same. I would much rather see, say, three or four, latest "hot" topics for Conte - even if that meant there was some duplication of ideas between them. I could then pick the topic(s) I am most interested in and go straight to that content. For example - “Conte’s Sending Off”. At the moment, it is almost just like looking at a directory of names and is a bit dull. I love TheShedEnd and have read it for years. I appreciate all the effort that goes into running it. That is why I want the best for it and am offering my thought in that spirit. I really think that the thread structure needs to be livened. What do you think?

Ha!

So I think for all of us, Torres has been a big part of our Chelsea life for the last few years. Thoughts such as: "How did he miss that" "OK this is the big chance to silence the critics" "What?!" But for me, a large chunk of his failings are forgiven because of the night that, even though we were going to get through anyway, he scored the goal against Barca that gave me one of the best moments of my life. And now he's gone, almost "just like that." On the one hand I'm not too concerned - Costa and the rest of the team look great right now and we're moving on On the other hand I'm almost feeling like Torres deserves a bit more of a proper goodbye. For me, Zola's farewell was beautiful. But, in general, how do you think we do at saying goodbye to players? Do all the right ones get the testimonials? Are there any players that you think we've allowed to just "slip away" without due recognition?

Fantastic performance - he was full of energy and the assist was great!

Yeah, I think you're right. But it's always good to see him!

Drogb is always Chelsea - so I think it's valid to post about him here! Coincidence that since he came on CIV scores two?

Well played Oscar - some really good crosses as well as the oal. Also, I'd like to see us get Modric.

This is going to be very interesting.

I'm watching it now on Fox Sports in Boston.

I think that if our squad this year had included Drogba-at-his-best, then we would have already won the league. So if I follow that logic, our main focus should be on another Drogba.

Michel Platini must be hating this!

Ref seems OK - so far

Our record of getting into the Champions League semis over the last decade is fantastic. Also we've done well in the FA cup and the Europa win was nice. In terms of the league we have also done well in the last decade. But somehow we seem to perform better in cup competitons. Have I got this right? Maybe there is a statistical way of determining if this is true or not? Is geting into the top four of the CL more difficult than getting in the top four of the Premier League? I would think it is - at least when you take a 10 year average view. If it is true that we are a better "cup side" then what explains it? Maybe because we get more up for the big nights and the intensity of knock-outs? And the flip side of ghis would be that an away game against the likes of Palace orQPR in the league doesn't get the juices flowing?

Eden's haircut makes him look a bit like Joe Cole.

Is it mainly player motivation or mainly tactical savvy?