ethicalstrategy

Have heard bad things about it. Had a little play with one at the airport the other day. No email client unless you use a blackberry phone. All depends how much you want/need flash. My experience with flash on tablets like the Tab or the HTC flyer is mixed. Streaming video works pretty well but most other stuff isn't designed for tables and is not very useable without a mouse. Can't speak for games as that's not my thing. Choices for tablets are 1. Size. 7 inches or 10. 2. iOS or Android. Overall, I keep coming back to my iPad, but android honeycomb is getting better quickly. I hear the new Galaxy Tab's are very good.

Martin Lipton is convinced it will be Emenalo. Just been chatting with him on twitter. Says AVB is happy enough with it though.

I think you underestimate the capacity of our press to create something from nothing. I've already seen an article in the Times saying that he promised to create social role models from all his players and another where he has put JT on notice that both his captaincy and his place are in danger. Henry Winter reported that he has sanctioned a hit list of transfer targets, despite AVB stating numerous times that he wasn't going to do anything until he had the opportunity to work with the current playing staff first.

Interesting article from Graham Hunter Link

Tell them you were flying first class via Hawaii.

I renewed mine ages ago and haven't had anything except the confirmation at time of renewal. Rather disconcerting as I then got a load of emails reminding me to renew and offering me membership. Sadly, that seems to be par for the course. If you got a confirmation you will be fine.

Reports are saying that Lollichon, the goalkeeping coach is also on his way. Lollichon was Cech's coach when he was at Rennes and came to Chelsea on Cech's recommendation after Silvino Louro left with Jose. It is interesting that Cech's best form for us was under Louro. Obviously, Cech suffered from the head injury and some other less well publicised problems with his shoulders and this has undoubtedly had an impact too, but I don't think Louro's influence should be underestimated. Look at what happened with Julio Cesar. He went from being a decent keeper to being regarded as the best in the world under Louro and yet last season will be best remembered for some howlers in the CL matches against Bayern. It seems that AVB has some thoughts on the subject anyway!

Barca is the only team that he might not get in to. The others would have him in an instant. Not actually true. After Dalglish arrived Liverpool had the second best league record after...Chelsea.

If we are looking to sell him, I don't expect there to be any shortage of takers - home or abroad. I know he is not really your cup of tea but ask yourself this. If he was at Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, City, Madrid even Barca, would he 1) get in to the team and 2) improve their team? I reckon the answer is yes on all counts.

The more I read about this guy, the more I like what I'm hearing. Would have been happy with Guus but I think this choice is more progressive. Getting excited about it all again. Yeah!!

Have to say that I'm excited by the prospect of AVB joining. A gamble, for sure. But I get the impression he knows what he is doing. This interview before the Europa League Semi Final is long, but very interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU409a0XQNA

Can't see the point. He barely ever made the bench last season.

Definitely just a short term appointment until Jose is free to come back after he has won La Liga and the CL next season. Can't wait. He'll get Drogba and Lampard playing well again!

Well he didn't start at all for 3 months last season and that went well didn't it? !!

Coz Frank never creates anything. Right?

It's a bar steward when that happens!!! :) For me it is less about Drogba and more about Torres. I can see the argument for moving on from Drogba (and some of the other ageing stars) even though I don't agree with them. I just feel very nervous about Torres.

and goodbye!

Torres has done nothing to suggest that it would be wise to build our team around him. If we do go that route and it works out then great but it will be a hell of a risk. Neymar. He is young and an outstanding prospect but would it work in the PL? I just have visions of Robinho.

Some great stuff here Carshalton Blue. I've just put it all in one thread for ease of reference. Cheers ES

The prospect of us starting with Torres and Neymar up front in the PL fills me with dread.

I'd agree on the tackling. He knew what he was doing. That said, in his prime he was a top class player.

Unless the 91 in your user name indicates your age I think you are wrong on that. We will win it. I do agree that we have passed up two golden opportunities, but if we keep knocking on the door it will eventually open.

Val If it is reading books that is your main priority then go for the Kindle. It has the best selection of books - much better than the Sony Reader - and is the best solution for reading outside. The iPad and the Galaxy TAB are both really good and you can get a Kindle app which lets you read your Kindle books and keeps them sync'd across all your devices. But unless you want all the other things that a tablet lets you do, the Kindle is the way to go. It's also a lot cheaper and has much better battery life.

I like that! I use it all the time with my kids! :DBut surely the FFP rules will mean that there is never any chance of a Forest or Wimbledon happening again? The poor clubs stay poor and the rich clubs stay rich and there is no way of changing that. As least in a free market a club can progress if it can find the backing. Clubs that make a hash of it will pay the price. The FFP rules aren't designed to promote fair and equal competition between all the clubs. If they imposed caps on salaries and spending which were the same for everyone then that might make a difference (not that I agree with that). Instead they impose limits based on revenues.

Why is it wrong? Isn't it just an extension of what has always been true? The richest clubs have always had the most success. The fact that there are clubs who have money because they have rich owners - us and City - as opposed to clubs that have money because they get a disproportionate share of TV rights or are pseudo supported by their national government doesn't really make any difference. I appreciate that the amounts of money involved are astronomical and some may say obscene, but ultimately, if you have the money why shouldn't you be allowed to spend it? It is interesting that whilst having money has made a huge difference to Chelsea over the last 8 years, it hasn't led to us dominating the game either at home or abroad. We've done well but haven't won the CL. We've won the PL but not every year. FFP will just ensure that the "traditional" top clubs will have their positions further entrenched and no "new kids on the block" will be able to break through.