ethicalstrategy

You don't have to be the worst player on the pitch to get subbed. Most of the time Joe was subbed it was because Jose was changing his tactics. Maybe he wanted a fresh pair of legs to pose different problems for the opposition, maybe he needed to close the game out, occassionally he needed to chase the game. Unfortunately for Joe he was and always will be in a position where he is more vulnerable to being subbed. The idea that Jose had some sort of personal vendetta against Joe is nonsense. He wanted Joe to play in a particular way - just like he wanted every other member of his team to play in a particular way. If players weren't able to do as he wanted then they got subbed/dropped etc. He may have seemed extra harsh on Joe because it took a long time for this to sink in to his numbskull brain Once he got the idea by Jose's second season he played regularly. He started 26 premier league matches and was sub in a further 8. The only players who started more were Cech, Terry, Gallas, Essien, Makelele and Lampard. In other words he started more than Drogba, Crespo, Robben, Duff, Guddy and SWP - all the other attacking members of the squad!! Last season was more or less a write off because of injury, but he still played when he was available including at the end of the season in the CL and FA Cup. If Joe continues to play with his head up and to understand where and when it is right to try something then he will be a big asset. If he thinks that now Jose has gone he can just indulge himself then he will be a liability. The first couple of matches he looked like he was going to be indulgent, but against Valencia he was much better. The matches against Bolton and Boro he did ok without being outstanding. We all know that he has bags of talent and that he can use that talent to be more than just a "show pony" Let's hope that he has the brain to work out how to use it.

you think so? i'd say it's hard to tell the difference myself

I can go from the football first highlights and it was pretty clear that Didier was our main man. Whatever his misgivings about the club and certain players I think he has shown with his performances against Valencia and Boro that he will always give 100% for the team. JT is our leader, but if it was up to me Didier would take the captains armband when JT isn't fit.

It seems that the reason he subbed Gerrard was because he was running around like a headless chicken and losing possession too easily - some might say no change there! Clearly Benitez does at least have reasonable eyesight rather than suffering from the same myopia that the british press do!. It was actually quite a brave decision.

Having two english parents I'm a confirmed England fan, but would be more than happy to throw some support in the direction or the other home nations if it wasn't for the fact that they are so f**king chippy and would rather boil their own heads than support England! So instead I think "f**k 'em. Best thing about wednesday was that their loss to Georgia at least stopped them phoning up all the radio stations to gloat about England

I didn't want us to lose either, but I can't deny that I was a lot less bothered about it than I might otherwise have been as a result of how Frank has been treated. I think we will have to just live with the fact that Stevie Me can do no wrong. Nice article by Martin Samuel this morning in the Times - basically criticising McClaren but I liked the last paragraph: "We will never know whether a midfield five to match Hiddink?s formation would have made the difference, but no prizes for guessing who Jos? Mourinho would have had in the team. Here?s a clue: boo."

It would also be fair to say that although they beat France twice they could just as easily have lost both games if fortune hadn't been on their side. Not saying that they weren't both great wins, but things did go their way.

Well you got what you wished for! We were pants. The world beating Barry Gerrard axis was nowhere to be seen. McLaren had SWP and Cole playing at left and right back. I actually thought Owen had been subbed - it came as quite a surprise 10 minutes later to see him still on the pitch. Watching MOTD last night was embarrassing. How they could claim that England played well and deserved to win is beyond me. We scored a very good goal from a long punt by Robinson, a great jump by Owen and an excellent finish from Rooney. That apart we created nothing other than from a couple of set pieces. We never kept the ball, we played too deep, and after the first goal we just fell apart. What the hell was Rooney doing anywhere near his own box in open play? He's a striker ffs! I suppose that the only two good things about the match are that it should mean the end of McLaren and they can't blame the whole thing on Frank.

The people who are booing Frank will do it whatever. It's driven by petty club rivalries and fed by the media. The only thing Frank can do is get his head down and do what he does best. I believe that those within the England setup know exactly how good a player Frank is and will use him whatever the booboys think. As a footnote, it is not such a surprise that Frank is copping some stick. Afterall, he has had a fair few detractors on here. It seems that being consistently good at what you do isn't good enough. Apparently, you are appreciated more if you can run around like a headless chicken whilst occassionally doing something spectacular - I cite Gerrard and before him Beckham as my evidence.

You only need to look at the match against Estonia if you want to see that. The only good things to come from that game were the Coles linking on the left and Richards and SWP linking on the right. Barry/Gerrard certainly didn't bring the best out of Gerrard and Rooney/Owen looks pretty average too.

For who exactly? Germany, Bayern. I know he wasn't great for us last year but then again he wasn't as bad as some think. Sidwell isn't now nor ever will be fit to lace Ballack's boots in footballing terms. To suggest otherwise is pretty laughable.

Being the best team but never actually winning the tournament! Sort of like a footballing equivalent of the All Blacks!

Yep - both of those. Ballack is one of the best midfield players of the last few years and Mikel has a huge amount of potential, is strong on the ball and the most composed and intelligent passer we have. I agree that he needs to watch his temperament - although out of three sendings off two were not justified and the other was for stupidity rather than any dangerous or rash play. Funnily enough it is his attitude that is his biggest danger. Jose had to be quite hard with him and this season he has looked a little lackadaisical at times. Sidwell is a decent enough and useful back up player to cover injuries and, as you say, for times when we might need some extra bite and scrapping in midfield. I just don't see him as ever being a regular choice ahead of any of the other 5 when they are all fit.

I'm rather hoping that things don't get to the stage where we have to see more of him in blue. Without injuries he shouldn't be getting a sniff at regular first team football with us.

I haven't voted for Joey ---- honestly, it was probably Just, Nibs and Barak you cheeky monkey! Joe has 4 votes now

The problem with Joey's haircut is that it's all over the place - it just won't stay in the right place! and then just when he has it looking good it goes and does something silly! Messi's hair is pretty all over the place too but somehow it just seems to end up being more effective.

Interesting to see the reaction at the end. JT calling everyone in. Grant left standing on the sideline. I looked to me like the team put that performance in for Jose and for themselves. I hope they can keep it going. Great (Mourinho like) performance and fabulous and deserved win!

Well for a start we played almost exactly as we would have done under Mourinho and showing the same spirit. So I don't think that had much to do with it. It's not as if he never played well under Mourinho. Most of my recent complaints have been about his play since Jose left. No doubt tonight he was better.

That's a bit harsh. I thought he did a couple of good things tonight.

A lot of good performances tonight. Carvalho and Drogba were excellent. I voted for Maka. I thought he was crucial for us particularly when we struggling in the first half. For Nibs & Just - whilst I didn't think Joe had a great game overall his pass for Drogba's goal was sensational (and of course he was in the right place to score too)

Travelled and trained. Whether he is fit enough to start we'll have to wait and see. Chelsea Train in Spain (so yes you did )

I keep trying

I'd love to agree but Cech's playing up-front and SWP's in goal

So now that we have a better idea of who is available: -------------------Cech Belletti----Carvalho----JT-------Cole -------------------Maka ----------Essien-----------Mikel Cole---------------------------Malouda ----------------Drogba Now that's starting to look like a team. With a bit of luck the players will know how to play it in their sleep and Grant's tactical ineptitude will not get in the way.

Cole's biggest problem is that he is so one footed. You will never ever see him use his right foot to kick a football! Unfortunately that is also Bridge's biggest weakness. I guss that's why they are left backs but I still find it incredible that they haven't been able to at least be competent with their "wrong" foot. I would say that both Lampard and Drogba are naturally right footed but in a match they will use either foot without thinking about it and with pretty much equal effect. Cole's pace gives him the edge over Bridge defensively. Bridge definitely looks more dangerous going forward.