just

Well, considering the strong team we put out, there willl be one group connected with Chelsea who'll be sniggering at this result. Our youth team and reserves will be laughing their tits off. Give youth a chance? Not at Chelsea we won't. PS: Dark cloud - silver lining = Good to see Drogba back

Loved Mickey Hazzard. Magic wand of a left foot with lovely touch and control. King Kerry used to say he loved playing with him because wherever he ran Hazzo could pick him out with a pass. Eamonn Bannen was another lovely little footballer. In his all too brief spell at Chelsea he was the only glint of class amongst all the dross he had playing alongside him.

In terms of who we have missed the most through injury, I'd say Drogba 100%. In terms of who we've missed the most period, I'd say us missing out on Robinho is looking like a major, major loss. I've always like him as a player but will freely admit I had doubts about how well he would cope with the pace and physicallity of the EPL. Well, watching him at City, (who, for all the money, are still a pretty average side), he has blown those doubts away. If we'd got rid of Malouda and put Robinho in his place we'd practically be home and hosed by now.

Let me get this clear. The guy selling is a company director called................ Sebastien! Reckons he's been a Matt Harding ST since '93? hhhhhhhhhm. Personally I'd like a bit more proof of his allegedly, "Blue Blood". Sounds like a JCL cashing in to me.

Fair summation IMO apart from the "constantly giving away possession" comment. Very similar to Walcott isn't he? Both in his appearance and his style of play. And, after gently being eased into first team action by Wenger, we all know how Walcott has progressed over the last few months. Maybe, just possibly, given the same chances and self-belief Sinclair could be the same type of performer for us. After all we are not exactly blessed with pacy, direct players who can run at defenders. Joe Cole is injured, Malouda couldn't go past someone if he was in his car and we can't buy anyone in until the transfer window. What is there to lose by trying him a bit more?

Interesting, but is it an informed comment? I have to ask. How much have you seen of Scott? Have you seen him out on loan anywhere? Do you catch many of the reserve games? Where do you think he is strong and where could he improve? Personally, I'm willing to gamble and give it a shot. Instead of giving Malouda the start and Sinclair the final five minutes, I'd be happier if it were the other way around.

Just back from the game and I've logged on specifically to post on this thread. When I read this in the papers this week it bothered me greatly. Couldn't say I was shocked by it because of course Kenyon has 'istory. He is, after all, the John Prescott of football administration. Move the lips first. Put the brain in gear second. And even as Chelsea fan there is now a perverse pleasure in listening to him and hearing him. It has become both ghastly and amusing at the same time. You know. Kind of car crash TV. But what on earth prompted these comments? What was he thinking? Anyone reading this would think we are brazil '70. But then we have a centre-forward, who although undoubtedly one the very best in the world, is increasingly suffering serious injuries and prolonged absences. And then we have two wide players, (G4 may perhaps permit me to call them wingers, although I agree, it may well be a mis-nomer), who have huge, nay massive, question marks hanging over them. I accept kalou has promise and may well prove to be the genuine article, but boy, does he have consistency issues. Not to mention his final ball issues!!!! Not to mention his best position issues!!! And then Malouda? Well, I'm sorry. I said a long while ago he just isn't good enough and unfortunately every game against big opposition, he is proving me right. Don't believe me? Then tell me which one of the top four teams he would command a starting place in and why? Don't mis-read this my friends. These comments aren't borne out of frustration at today's result against the mousers. They aren't. And I appreciate that there isn't a whole host of top-class wingers and centre-forwards who are readily available and that we can just go out and grab. But Mr Kenyon, please. Please, please, please. Don't say we ain't even looking.

I'm gonna vote for Drogba and Joe Cole. Not that they played of course. But it's games like this that remind us how lucky we are to have them. Hope they're both back soon.

Hopefuly 'arry can do the same wonderful job with Spurs as he did with Southampton. He could have an ulterior motive here. He is a life long ............... Arsenal fan. I kid you not.

Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy is walking down Tottenham High Road when he sees and old lady struggling with two big, heavy shopping bags. He goes up to her and says. "Alright. Can You manage love?". The old lady replies, "piss off you twat. I don't want the job"

Belletti was a good swap for Malouda who, once again, disappointed against a better class of opposition. Hope Belletti keeps the palce for Sunday. But the major let down was Kalou. His final ball was laughable. Not since Gronks have I seen such consistently dire delivery. He didn't make one telling pass or cross. And the truly frustrating bit was the number of times he got the ball, with time and space, in really dangerous positions, only to blast it straight at the closest defender or pass it to MR A.M Nobody. Felt we missed Drogba tonight, but then I think we always do. But, with the performances of Malouda and Kalou, I also felt we missed Joe Cole as well. Still Mikel was excellent and JT was so up for it. Job done.

Mikel. In terms of their footballing contribution there was no-one even close to him. But in terms of passion and spirit and the sheer will to win JT was Captain frigging Fantastic. JT is our leader and let no-one forget it.

If anyone wants to make some easy money here's what you do. Take your dollar down to your local friendly bookie tomorrow and put it all on Jose to take over from Old Red Nose when he retires in a season or two. Trust me. I know this is going to happen. And don't forget you heard it here first.

I was born in '61 not far from Stamford Bridge and lived the early part of my life in Acton. My dad was a Chelsea fan but first took me as a very small boy to Brentford. Don't ask me why. I have vague recollections of sitting on the terraces there...... bored bloody witless! When I was bit older he inevitably took me along with him to Chelsea. He's well into his 70's now and has trouble walking far but I still occaisionally take him up to SB with me. But you know what? I have never ever asked him and I have no memory of what my first Chelsea game was. He took me to a fair few games as a kid but but sitting here now, I remember none of them. I do remember things other than the football itself though. I remember the sheer excitement of walking down the Fulham Road with so many men all headed in the same direction. I remember being wedged so tight in the Shed I could hardly move. I remember silly little things like asking Don Revie for his autograph, (sorry Bluebeard), outside the East Stand and standing on his foot! But I do remember the first game I ever attended unaccompanied by my dad. FA CUP 3rd round Burnley 1977. We were living in leafy Stevenage by then and a Chelsea Supporter's club bus ran to every home game from The Sportsman pub in Letchworth. Me and my mate Jim had spent all Friday night polishing our DM's and ironing the silk wrist scarves specially for the occaision. The day of the game was really cold and we were the first on board that bus and promptly bagged two prime seats at the back. And just as promptly, when the big lads turned up, we had our arses kicked back up the front. Didn't care though. We had ten No:6 to share between us and we were going to Chelsea. I remember the singing on the bus. I remember the piss taking. I remember the sheer excitement and expectation. And then we there. The Bus stopped at the bottom of the North End Road, by the junction with the Dawes Road, and we all piled off. We walked straight towards the ground. Me and Jimbo were buzzing. Then someone near us remarked on the flow of people going in the other direction. Away from the ground. Odd. There was only an hour or so to kick off. And then, just as we got level with Fulham Broadway tube, we saw the first sign............. "MATCH POSTPONED". The pitched was iced up, (yes, that really used to happen kids). Couldn't believe it. And to make matters worse the bus had gone off somewhere and wasn't coming back until the end of the game! So what did we do me and Jim? Well, believe it or not, his nan lived quite close to Stamford Bridge and the highlight of our big day out to Chelsea was us sitting in her flat having tea and cake! How can you ever forget a day like that?

PS. How the fark did we drop two points to them at home

Could it really be possible? Am I starting to believe? The joy of 76/77 relived? Oh, please let be so. Gem any pictures of Gus "Mr badge-kisser" Poyet for us?

Know what you're saying Loz but there is a big difference for me. I have seen Anelka perform at that level against top calibre opposition many times. OK not in a Chelsea shirt...... yet. But I have seen him do it many times for other clubs he has played for. Unfortunately, as I have said previously, I doubt we will ever see the best of Anelka until we play another out and out forward right alongside him. He needs a foil. From Dennis Bergkampf to Kevin Davies he has always produced his best football with a strike partner next to him. It takes defenders away and allows him to drift along the line. Personally, I'm gutted we haven't used Drogba and Anelka in tandem. For whatever reason it's a formation we just haven't tried and yet you only have to look at the second half against Le Arse last season to see how potentially devastating it could be. Whereas with Malouda, if everyone was fit and available next week, I wouldn't have him anywhere near the starting 11. And, despite his recent good form, I'm still waiting to see him dribble past an opponent.

Yes. Yet again. Lucky and winning. They are making a habit of it. Not a combination I like them to have.

He wasn't MOTM. I'm one of those who needs to be proved wrong. And I'll happily admit, over receent weeks, he has started to prove a point and look less like a bumbling clown and more like a bloke who should perhaps get paid to kick a ball about professionally. However. It is only a short while ago he was getting the shepherd's hook at half-time against Man U for being the worst player on the pitch by a frigging country mile. He went off, Drogba came on and suddenly we had 11 proper players and United were in a game. It's all very well looking top dollar against the likes of 'boro and Bordeaux but he has some work to do to show he can reproduce that against the Man U's and Barcelona's of this world. It's a big game for everyone next Sunday but IMO it's bloody massive game for Mr Malouda. Let's not go overboard. Let's wait a bit and see if he's up to it against Dignity Carragher and Co.

I don't agree with the comment on Sinclair. I must have missed him giving the ball away.

Belletti for me also. And by some margin. Kalou played well but had two big slices of good fortune for his goals.

Two jewish fellas arrive at the ticket kiosk at White Hart Lane and ask if they can have season tickets. The lady behind the counter asks them if they are circumcised? The two jews reply , "yes. Of course we are". The lady says, "Then I'm sorry. I can't let you have the tickets. You have to be complete pricks to become Spurs fans".

I'm just a humble carpenter and wouldn't for a moment pretend know or understand the ins and outs of the club's finances. And I say that even after reading Dorset's post which, as usual, is as informative and entertaining as ever. However, throughout the 70's, 80's and most of the 90's Chelsea was a name synonomous with the word "debt". With, it has to be said, much justification. We all know the story of the club "allegedly" being on the verge of bankruptcy and collapse immeditately prior to Roman's takeover. As Tea Bar Boy will tell you it's not a story I have ever personally believed. But of course, I do accept that the club were in debt and the financial picture under the Bate's regime could have been far rosier. But that was all in the past and Mr Abramovich had arrived to save us. And I was led to believe that the really big plus of Roman's arrival was that, finally, the words "debt" and "Chelsea" would never again be an issue. Not even a topic for discussion. So, I was somewhat suprised and perturbed to hear part of an interview with Mr Buck this week admitting the volume of debt we now carry and hearing him say that debt is a legimate business tool. Well, he could be right. That may well be the case Mr Buck. But as a Chelsea fan who suffered through the 70's/80's and early 90's. I don't like it much. And I suspect there are many others who are just as uncomfortable with it as me. In fact I'm suprised this thread has not had a lot more posts submitted to it given the potential gravity of the topic.

I feel your fear and share it. http://www.theshedend.com/index.php?showtopic=8763&hl=

Ok. So then in what circumstances do you forsee see any of our most promising youth/reserve team players being given a taste of first team action? Do you think we should even even bother with youth and reserve teams?