just

Both of them together for both games.

I'd keep the ones with big tits. If that doesn't get Brian M out of hiding to give you a stern lecture then nothing will.

Liam, I know you were never as starry-eyed as most with Jose and we all see the game differently, but seriously. Give us your views. How do you feel about the football we are currently playing under Grant? His tactical manipulations? His formations and starting personnel? The obvious lack of understanding from the players on the park when a substitution is made? His use of players played out of position? Does the fact that we are still picking up results mean he is getting all these things near enough right in your book?

But Blimey, that no 4. is controversial (not saying I disagree though) We don't sing, we're not rowdy, we can't clap our hands because we're holding the prawn sandwich and chilled bottle of Chablis, and most of all, we don't understand football and we love it even less. No idea what the fuss is about. Am I right or am I right, Gem, Jane, Callista? Thought that might get you going It's inclusion as a suggestion, was a bit tongue in cheek, but only partially. A huge proportion of the crowd at SB are female. Way more than I see in grounds when I travel abroad and, though I don't do many away games in this country nowadays, definately more than I see when I have been to the likes of Anfield, West Ham, Villa etc. Now, I fully accept Gem, Jane, Callista, Rizza, Pudge etc are all dyed-in-the-wool Chelsea. You would probably all go to a big game and sing like canaries, shout like miners and get behind the team for the entire game. But the fact is the vast majority of women who attend, don't. And the number of females going with husbands, boyfriends, brothers, sons etc nowadays is staggering. And with those female companions in close attendance, do their male counterparts feel as inclined to sing, shout and support with the same gusto as if they were unaccompanied? IMO no. On the whole, I don't think they do. I certainly don't give the same level of vocal support when I take my 9 year old daughter. And though she never goes, because she has little interest in football, it would be exactly the same if my other half was sitting next to me. If I stood up and started shouting and singing next to her she'd probably belt me. I don't know what the answer is to be honest. But if people really felt that that was a good atmosphere last night, then I think we may have already lost the battle. Perhaps we have.

From where I sat, MHU, the atmosphere was poor at the Bridge last night. Alright, the team played poorly, but so was our support. As usual the MHL was lively but, for long periods, there seemed to be little noise coming from other areas of the ground. With the corporate Tarquins and Tasmins out in force for the home leg of the semi, I fear a repeat of the "library" atmosphere of the 05/06 home leg against the dippers. I still cringe at the memory of that night. I came extremely close to rolling around on the floor with a fellow Chelsea "supporter", who got lairy with my old dad for standing up and singing. Unbelievable. All in all it was a dire, appalling effort from our fans that every rival supporter quite rightly had a field day with. So. What can we do to prevent a repeat? For the sake of debate, lets dispense with the political correctness and consider any idea, no matter how radical or seemingly far-fetched. Here's some possible suggestions. 1. A complete ban on corporates. All coporate seats to be sold to ordinary club members. 2. No tickets to be sold through ticket agencies. Sales through the club box-office only. Hopefully this makes it much, much harder for the tourists and day-trippers to get hold of tickets. 3. A reduction in ticket prices. 4. A complete ban on female supporters for this game. 5. Not allowable under current rules, but fans to ignore the current rule and stand for the match. As we do abroad. As the travelling mousers fans will do. 6. The return of the Blue flag. f**k the fire regs. Club to pay the fine. 7. Orchestrated areas of singing, led by leaders with microphones and amplified by speakers around the ground. As they do at Barcelona for massive games. 8. No fan to be let into the ground unless wearing club colours. Yes, that means you Just. You never wear colours. 9. Stewards to agressively police the stands and eject any "supporter" not being rowdy enough. That's enough to be going on with. What's your views?

Sky stats say he's currently got 14 from 34 appearances, 5 of those apps as sub.

Didn't hear that myself Brit. People were chanting Ballack's name when they were both lined up to take that free-kick 2nd half. For some reason they didn't appear to want Drogba to take it. Not sure why. However, he did take it and was unlucky with a good effort. Saved by the keeper low down.

People say Liverpool are lucky in this competition, but we are looking the "luckiest" team in it this year. Who knows. With a firm and fair ref, the 2nd leg at home and another big dollop of luck we could do it. Sorry. That's about as positive as I can get with the formation and the football we are playing at the moment.

Haven't seen this reported Pauly but it wouldn't suprise me. Barcelona brought a player heading for the wrong side of 30 whose best years were behind him. Exactly like us with Shevchenko really. Except £15 million cheaper. And from what I've heard, Henry has been played out on the wing in many of his appearances.

It didn't happen mate. I normally sit in the Shed but was in the MHU tonight and the atmosphere was very subdued. With the match in the balance 2nd half, it did get noisier. But it was nervous tension being released more than fervent support. To be honest I've come to expect it now. We all see the suits and posh bints sitting in the seats around the ground. And the bigger the match the more suits and posh bints we see. Of course they aren't there in such abundance for the matches against the Wigans, the Sunderlands and the Derbys. But rest assured, they'll be there in huge numbers for the semi-final.

Just back from SB and I can't lie. I saw a totally different game to you ES. Sat in the MHU tonight and the atmosphere was very poor. Yes, it got a bit louder 2nd half, but that was all down to extreme nervous tension with the game poised on a knife's edge. It could have gone either way. Should it really have been that nervy ? Are Fenerbache really that good a side? Should we really have struggled to that extent? I notice G4 has had a brave stab at guessing our formation after the substitutions. He's a better man than I. We did have a collective stab at it in the George afterwards and felt it was a 4-1-4-1 line up. The first time any of us could recall having seen such a set up. Ever. People talk about the lack of excitement with Jose's team. Well I can only say, IMO, the last few weeks has seen us play some of the most turgid, un-inspired football I have seen us play since the days of Porterfield. Truly dire. And tonight was more of the same. Still, as Avram tells us, it's the result that matters. And, yes, we are in the semis against the mousers again. So, I'm hoping that although Avi has practically no tactical acumen, he may yet prove to be the "luckiest" manager who has ever worn a pair of pants. Because the way we're playing at the minute, we're certainly gonna need all the luck we can get.

Went to the Milan V Juve Champions League Final at OT a few years ago. Always had a bit of a soft spot for AC since the days of Gullit, Van Basten, Baresi etc. Had a top quality seats. Roy Keane was sitting a few seats along.

It's a fair point about the full-backs Loz. My take on it is that whatever side and formation we put out, it should be more than enough to see off the Turks. However, I don't think we should play Avram's usual cautious game on Tuesday. Because of our second half capitulation last week, we have made the task far more difficult than it should have been. They are winning the tie. It is us that HAS to score, not them. We have to be positive from the off. The last thing we should do is sit back and invite them forward, especially when you consider that our defending is nowhere near as organised and solid as it was under Jose. For this game I really feel attack is going to be our best form of defence. I'm certain they will put numbers behind the ball and defend with everything they have. The longer the game goes without us scoring I can see the pressure building on us and them gaining in confidence. So, two up front is a must IMO. And that should be Drogba and Anelka. I will be stunned if Grant does that though.

Same as that for me. Unfortunately, as Alan said in his post, it's not gonna happen though. This is the vitally important bit so I'm going to repeat it again: I think it is crazy to leave Drogba out. Anelka on his own isn't going to get a lot of goals. That lone role doesn't suit him. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we need to play both of them.

Any videos of all those empty seats today at the New Library courtesy of SKY TV ? Wot no long, loving camera shots of the empty spaces ala' our early morning KO against Boro'? Wot no sarky commentator having a sly dig or three at all the vacant seats ala' our early morning KO against Boro'? And for such an important game as well. The English media* biased? You'd never believe it. * OK, it was Setanta screening our game against the Boro but you get my point.

This was the bit that made me scratch my head: Did the bloke watch the same 2nd half as us on Wednesday?

Mikel Obi Wan Kenobi against Levski Sofia.

I often stick a small bet on at the ground but I'm not a lucky punter Chips. Had a shared bet with my mate at the Derby home match. Went for 5-1 and Lampard 1st goal-scorer. Close but no banana. Story of my life.

I wanted to go for 1-2. Avram says it's a good result.

That's a glass half-full perspective. You've gotta have more faith

Well seeing as it was his idea, I'm going to go with a prediction in Chippy's own positive, Grant affirmative stylee. 6-0 Chelsea. And I'll double that with a punt on Avram to bring himself on for Joe Cole and grab a second half hat-trick.

Sorry but I think you're 110% wrong. Leaving Drogba out is madness at this point in the season. The guy is the best centre-forward in the world, as he proved against Le Arse the other week. OK he should have scored against the Turks. IMO he played very well first half but then, like our most of players and more particularly, also our manager, he was sh*te the second half. The main reason for that was Grant failed to respond to Fenerbache's tactical switch and, as the Turks gradually gained more posession in midfield and our half, Drogba become more and more isolated and received less and less service other than hopeful punts up field. If we want more goals and attacking threat we have to give him help up front. And that means Anelka played up front alongside him. Not out wide on the wing, but centrally. As I said though, with Grant, it's never gonna happen.

That is the team, and the formation, that should be the starting line-up for most games. Never gonna happen with Grant though.

Pauly, I think you have a fair point about Roma's missing players but United had Giggs out and Vidic, a key player for them, went off injured after only 30 minutes or so. Incidentally, I caught the tail-end of something on the radio the other day, (but I haven't checked up to see if it's correct or not), where a guy was claiming that no Italian club, be it in the Champion's League or UEFA Cup, has managed to score a single goal against an EPL club over here this season. Is this the case?

I'd agree with that asessment of Drogba for the first half Liam. First period, along with many of our players, he was excellent and the Fenerbache defense couldn't handle him. But the second half saw Grant tactically out-witted and, as a result of Grant's tactical ineptitude, Drogba become more and more isolated, received less and less service, (other than long punts up field), and became less and less effective.