Gem

I can be doom and gloom trust me, you should see me in the match chat

Its evaporated over one signing? Wow... I guess if we lost our star striker or star winger through injury or suspension AND hadn't won a game yet... my optimism would start to go... but bloody hell - over-reaction or what?! If this Belletti/Balletti, I can't be bothered to see how to spell it, isn't great, he won't flippin' play.

24?! Always thought he was in his 30s! Blimey... Would be a good signing for Everton.

I don't think Jose would have decided who gets the armband, but lets hope he does feel like he's valued, stays and has a cracker of a season with us not bones cracking though... hopefully they'll stay healed!

What can you say? Hang 'em?

No sign of the 'week 4' thread, but feel free to create it and over-take this as the main thread... Just sick of talking about the Liverpool game Teams? Thoughts? Predictions? Portsmouth will be no easy task, luckily we're at home, so hopefully that will prove the deciding factor. I can't see Mourinho swapping it about too much, maybe Pizarro upfront or Joe Cole getting a run out in place of Kalou and Malouda respectively. Regardless of what we do in this game, don?t bet on the match analysis/reports afterwards to focus on what happens on the pitch, but more continue to harp on about ?after last weeks antics?? etc? I hope I?m wrong, I remember when I thought the Ashley Cole/Tap Up thing would forever go on, but it stopped? Keep the blue flag flying high!

He is the only ref to make a mistake in the History of the game, so you can understand. I'd love to see what would have happened if it had happened to ANY other team. Including us, the Mancs and Arsenal, the other so called big 4. I doubt any of us would have got the same amount of sympathy and outrage. Its a joke, purely because its Liverpool.

Might let a few goals in though.

I thought he added something new and much needed in both the games he came on as a sub. Maybe didn't get too many chances, but his movement and ability were there to see in my opinion. I like Kalou, thought he had a good game against the Brummies, but I'd like to see Pizarro get a chance against Pompey.

I was hoping someone would do a .gif of that...!!! BRILLIANT!!!!!! Saving that to my computer!

Good post Brian, re: Pros & Cons of the game, agree with pretty much all of it. As I repeatedly said in the match chat - Bring on Joe! Only in the next game's case - Start Joe Cole!!

I think you'll find Arbeloa jumped out of the way of Essien's two-footed lunge. And I'm afraid I didn't see anything from Kuyt deserving a booking. Two footed? Don't think so.

Captian gets my vote, although no one really stood out to be fair. Reckon if Pizarro had started or got some more service he may have nicked it. I know he missed a pretty good chance, but maybe if he had started he would have taken it. This point feels like 3, thats the best way to get a draw

Agreed. They had his dad on this morning on Sky - hard to believe that little prick is related to Harry. Need to get him off the tele NOW.

Nice banner, boys!

Can I just say - great penalty from Lamps. Seeing as Reina is probably the best in saving them, and Frank has had some high profile misses... he wouldn't have saved it even if he did dive the right way - power and precision. Oh, and can we please start with Joey against Pompey.

Lucky bar stewards we are! But last season when we should have had penalties we didn't get them, just evening itself out I do laugh at the Scousers who say we cheated to win the penalty or whatever, just think back to the Villa game where Stevie Me decided he wanted a freekick so stopped and got it... swings and roundabouts boys.

I agree with Loz that the Mancs' result will have a huge baring. A draw would probably settle both sides, but I'm sure both will still go all out for a win.

Essien! Aaaarrrgghhh great to have him back. Shame he isn't in the middle though

Right, although its a good result for us, it only becomes great one if we win at Anfield. Credit to the Man City defence, Richards sure to start against Germany in midweek after that.

Erugh. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I never watch these sort of shows because they're always so anti-Chelsea its unreal, and how right I was. They're all bitter because Jose or a player hasn't come out and talked to the press this week ahead of such a big game. They say that they're bored of all the little snipes Jose makes, saying its tiring and rolling their eyes every 3 seconds as if to reiterate it. Then they say that 'Chelsea will expect the media's help when they want to try and sell tickets again' etc.. etc.. So, they want Jose to stop talking before the match... but they think its rude, pathetic, whatever... that we don't talk to them before a match. I mean come on... Are there ANY football related talk shows that aren?t so blatantly against us? I enjoy the banter, but its ridiculous.

And one from our new boy against old foe