ethicalstrategy

WTF!

You're quite right of course. He was no worse or better than most on show last night. The trouble is that as soon as a young English player shows any sort of promise the fans and the press go, quite unrealistically, mad. Wilshire is promising and did well for Bolton on loan. He has started to get some playing time with Arsenal, mainly because Fabregas (who was shocking last night btw) has been very injury prone. He doesn't look out of his depth but already he has made his full international debut and is hailed as the future of English football. At 18, with just a few first team starts at the highest level that is ridiculous. He hasn't earned that through his performances. It is simply the clamour for new young blood in the wake of the World Cup debacle. Josh falls in to the same category, although from what I've seen (and I accept that I am biased) he actually looks rather better than Wilshire. Both may turn out to be fantastic, but it is way too early to know that. The last thing either needs is the pressure of being the English Xavi/Iniesta/Messi. Josh has only got near the first team because of injuries and even then has only been used sparingly. At 17 he has plenty of time and I don't see any need to rush him. Writing him off as some seem to be doing is a joke, but heaping too much expectation on to him is also very dangerous.

Although watching Wilshire last night I saw nothing to suggest he will be anything very special.

Yeah, coz all his previous performances against Spurs have been top notch. I just can't understand where those cretins got the idea that he might be a weak link :unsure:

It was probably JT but based on what I expected, I had to vote for Paulo. He did an excellent job, with help, and really looked like he was putting 110% effort in to making up for some disappointing recent performances.

I've emailed Drogs and told him to take a look at your advice. I'm sure he will be grateful!

I've noticed that she always seems to be a bit out of focus from a distance too. Most unusual.

Interesting to hear JT's interview on Sky after the match. They kept referring to a big "clear the air" meeting that Carlo spoke about. When JT was asked about it, he said "was there? I must have missed that" and went on to deny there ever was such a meeting. Very strange.

A real dilema for Carlo. Team lacking in confidence and very few options. I think it will be more about tactics than personnel. If we play our normal game we will play in to Spurs hands. Our fullbacks have to be more cautious and they need some help from midfield to avoid one on ones with Bale and Lennon. We can't afford to leave big space in behind. Ferreira is not good enough. I can remember him being subbed off in the first half by Jose in an FA Cup match against Spurs having had his pants pulled down by Lennon and Keane. 5 years on and he isn't looking any better. Unfortunately, I am convinced that Carlo will pick him, so he has to have help. If Frank is fit then he will play, but it would be unreasonable to expect too much from him given how long he has been out. More likely we will see Essien, Mikel and Malouda with Kalou, Anelka and Drogba up front. Carlo's team: ---------------------------Cech Ferreira------ Ivanovic----Terry---------Cole -------------------------Mikel ------------Essien-------------Malouda ---Anelka------------------------------Kalou ----------------------Drogba My team: --------------------------Cech Ferreira-------Ivanovic----Terry---------Cole ------------Essien-------------------Mikel ----------------------McEachran ----Anelka----------------------------Malouda ------------------------Drogba Having looked at either team on paper they ought to be able to put up a good show, but confidence seems so low and luck so against us that I remain very concerned about the outcome of this game.

I hope for his sake that he isn't Joey all over again. But seriously, I like the kid and I would like to see him start on Sunday. I just thought that Ivan was our best player last night.

Looks like I'm the lone voice of dissent! Josh did do well and I think he has earned a chance in the starting lineup ahead of Ramires. But Ivan was our best player, comfortably.

Formation will be important but it is tactics that will decide this. Spurs are custom built to expose the weaknesses in the way we play. Our fullbacks push high up the pitch and this leaves space in behind. With Lennon, Bale and Defoe they have the pace to exploit this as they shoed last season. We have to be smarter and make sure we don't give them that space. I like the idea of playing two holding midfielders in Mikel and Essien and letting, hopefully, Frank sit behind Drogba with Malouda and Anelka providing some width and a bit of defensive cover. The fullbacks need to be more cautious and we need to make sure we don't give the ball away cheaply when we are over committed. The onus is on Spurs to win this game. A point for us would be quite acceptable.

Thanks for that. Will have a listen.

Agreed that most of the problem is in midfield. There is no link between defence and attack. Essien played well in the first half but disappeared completely in the second.

Agreed that Carlo has very few options assuming he doesn't fancy any of the youngsters. (which appears to be the case) He is, however, making the very least of those options. The injuries have not helped but that doesn't excuse today. I'm not saying he should be sacked but he really has to come up with something soon.

Any credit earned in the first half was pissed away in the second. If he played off Distins shoulder in the first half then Distin must have been playing an attacking midfield role for them. I don't see the point of playing a striker who rarely gets in the box.

I can only assume you watched the match with your balaclava on back to front.

Comic poll? Every player and the manager should hang their head in shame after that second half performance.

The trouble is we aren't rebuilding. Carlo isn't showing any faith in the youngsters. He is picking the same players and getting the same results. I really thought today would be different with JT and Essien back. In the first half it was better. But the second half was pathetic. At the first sign of pressure from Everton we just crumbled. Things aren't right. Don't why but we are in more than just an injury driven blip.

Not likely as he has gone for his knee op as far as I know.

There seem to have been a lot of people employed at Chelsea who were not really contributing. First Wilkins, now Frank. Makes you wonder why we employed them to do nothing in the first place! :)

They did play well but Madrid made it easy for them. They sat off, gave them time and space and lost their shape completely at the back. It was the last thing I expected from a Mourinho team. Say what you like about him, but he has always known how to set his team up against the likes of Barca and Arsenal. I can only assume that the players didn't do what they were supposed to. It will interesting to see what happens now. I am guessing we won't see much of Marcello again, certainly not in any big matches. However, this game hasn't decided anything yet. Let's see where things are come May.

Cech Bosingwas, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole Mikel Essien Ramires Anelka, Drogba, Malouda Subs: Turnbull, Van Arnholt, Bruma, McEachran, Lampard, Kalou, Sturridge,

Nope. None of the ES fortunes were risked on the outcome. I did say that I wasn't convinced about Madrid's defence! Can't say that I saw 5-0 coming though. Barca were excellent. Madrid were dire. I thought Pepe and Riccy weren't too bad. The problem was Marcello and Ramos who were absolutely shocking. Alonso and Khadira were no better either. I agree Messi is better than Ronaldo, but you can't blame Ronaldo for being poor last night when Real never had the ball. If they had swapped teams last night I'm sure Ronaldo would have been very good.

Looking forward to watching this. Madrid have been good this season but still look a bit vulnerable defensively. Apparently, Higuain is out and the suggestion is that Mourinho will play Diarra as an extra defensive midfielder. I think Jose would be very happy with a draw and I wouldn't bet against it.