ethicalstrategy

I do agree that Napoli are not as good a team as many are suggesting. They have some very good players but their danger is on the counter. When they have to make the running they find it a lot harder. Lots if claims that it was the best night they can remember. For me, the 4-2 against Barca is the best game I've ever been to. Both teams were exceptional.

Not much left to be said really. Great night. Fantastic support. Nice to play a game in the CL where it's reffed fairly. Credit to Napoli and their fans too. Made it a wonderful spectacle.

Thanks Chippy. Just saved me about an hour trying to write my own post. That's spot on. My only change would be to bump everyone up by 1 point. But I'm known for my generosity! You are wrong. They can tell the ref anything they like. Ultimately it will be the refs decision though.

I really had a problem choosing. I reckon there were at least 6 credible candidates - which may well explain why we won!! In the end I went for JT. Say what you like about him but if there was one person I'd want beside me in a crisis it is him. He's never going to die wondering. Great, great night. Also agree 1000% about the referee. What a pleasure it was to have a match unsullied by refereeing controversy. He controlled the game beautifully and never looked anything other than calm and assured.

We already did that with Torres.

After watching the Bayern game last night, I'd go with Robben and Ribery out wide for us tonight!

I see young Josh isn't seeing much playing time at Swansea. Not sure what that's telling us. Rogers was keen to get hold of him, so I assumed that he might play him. I'd have thought that he'd fit their style perfectly.

I'd say that's a pretty fair assessment. The next two games are the key for me. We have to beat Spurs and pick up at least a point against City. I think it's going to be very tough.

It would be a miracle with that line up.

Based on what? He hasn't looked like scoring in recent games. In fact, he hasn't looked like wanting to even risk missing. We need to score at least three goals - I can't see us keeping a clean sheet. We need all those players who can put the ball in the net. In particular, we need Frank and Drogba and Frank needs to have a licence to get in the box. I can see it going a bit like the Monaco game. A couple of early goals but then Napoli getting one and it all going a bit flat. We'll see though. Stranger things have happened.

I can't agree with that analysis at all. It was clear that Di Matteo selected a physical side to combat Stoke. We started very well and created a number of good opportunities. Once Stoke went down to 10 men he was quick to see that we didn't need the extra cover and to bring on Mata to help break down the blanket defence. Mikel had an excellent game and helped to move the ball quickly - more so than normal. I accept that he wasn't playing top quality opposition, but at the same time this is the MoTM thread for a particular game, not the player of the season awards. When we were still struggling to score Mikel was sacrificed for Sturridge, which made perfect sense. However, after scoring, Mikel's absence hurt us. Stoke started to push forward and take some chances and we struggled badly to keep hold of the ball in midfield. We effectively only had Lampard and Ramires in the centre and we lost control of a game that we had otherwise dominated. Mata did play well, although he was far from his best.

Seriously, I wouldn't want him anywhere near us. He has had success. There is no denying that. But it was as far back as 2006 that he last won anything. His success at Liverpool was at the start of his tenure and it all went south from there. If what is said is true then his man management made AVB seem like a master. We need someone who can carry players with him whilst we transition from the old to the new and I don't see anything that makes me think he will be able to do that. On top of that you also have the reality that most Chelsea fans, myself included, don't want him because he was the manager at Liverpool and there was a lot of bad blood and rivalry with them. Any manager needs the fans onside otherwise he has no chance.

A very emotional half time. Bobby was very moved by the reception he got. I was proud to tell the guys around me about your effort with the Shed End card Gem. I hope your day was a memorable one.

I'd be inclined towards Mikel. Whilst it wasn't the best performance overall I thought we did ok. RDM seems to be a very decisive manager. Whether all his decisions were right is another matter but he seems to know what he wants to do. Lets see how we go on Wednesday.

Just on my way back from the game and , without naming names, there are some serious f**kheads on here. Overall I was quite pleased with today's performance. I thought the manager went in to it with a plan and we started very well. Stoke offered little and we created some good chances. After the sending off things got tougher as Stoke defended very deep. On the whole we were patient, unlike some of the crowd. I thought bringing Mata on was a smart substitution and showed initiative. For what its worth, Mikel was excellent. Although I understand why he went off, we looked a lot more vulnerable when he did. Drogba had a bit of a shocker but when it came down to the big moment he stepped up and took his goal beautifully. Let's take care of Napoli next.

Balague is banging the Benitez drum very hard. My objection to him is both personal and professional. ABB - anyone but Benitez.

I'm sure Val will be delighted to be cast in the same age bracket as you moi!!!

I've had a little play too. Doesn't work on a computer all that well but looks like it will be awesome on a tablet. Its early days but MS are putting a big effort behind getting developers on board. That will make a huge difference.

I see you've fixed it. Still reads like gibberish to me.

Good. I'm glad we've cleared that up. I've taken the Lib Dem approach and amended the title to keep everyone happy. Or, more likely, that no-one is!

Plumbing new depths in pointless threads!

Now just remind me, it was about two weeks ago that AVB was being caned for leaving Essien, Lampard and Cole on the bench against Napoli? Now RDM will be caned if he plays any of them? Strange world.

You can't have two favourites. You have to pick just one!

The two teams I keep an eye on are Doncaster Rovers and Aldershot Town. My old man was on the books at Doncaster, his home town, when he was a teenager. My Nan was a big Aldershot fan. She used to go home and away and was the biggest football hooligan that I've ever met!!

In English?