just

Maybe we as fans can argue the toss, but I think the players who played with Marcel at Chelsea undoubtedly looked up to him and saw him as a legend. An inspiration. A Rock. I hark back to Gelshenkirchen, but imagine yourself as a player that night. 53,000 Turks, German riot police, the hail of missiles. Remember Roman's aides got him out of the stadium early because they couldn't garauntee his safety. The players walked out onto that pitch and you could sense the tension in them. But throughout the entire pre-match warm up there was Desailly. Walking round talking, cajoling, reassuring the whole team. I had never seen him so animated. But he had been there, done it and brought the t-shirt. He was getting them all in the right frame of mind. Concentrating on the job in hand. Blocking out the atmosphere. And then the way he played on the pitch. He never put one foot wrong all night. It was the perfect Captain's performance. Ranieri had little to do with our victory that night. It was Marcel Desailly's. For me he's not just one of Chelsea's greatest ever defenders. IMO he is one the greatest defenders ever to kick a football.

I will never accept that BJD. He simply got old, lost some of his physical prowess and just wasn't the same player at the death, (exactly like Sheva for me). But I honestly never saw a game where I felt he wasn't giving 100%. And that for me is the biggest crime you can ever commit wearing the Chelsea blue. Not giving your all. Wave that accusation at Jimmy. Wave it at Robben and Ballack, you'll get no argument from me. But Marcel ? No. I find a modern day comparison with Maka. Why ? Because a lot of opposition fans level that criticism at Makelele. "He strolls through games". I always answer it by saying he is so much better than anything you ever watched before, and so far above those around him he makes it look easy. Desailly was the same. And don't forget Marcel had Frank Le Plank playing alongside him for much of his Chelsea career. Frank Le Plank, a man that was to defending and positional stability what Vanessa Feltz is to hang-gliding. I remember the game you talk about, but I actually think he peaked in Gelshenkirchen against Besiktas. AWESOME. No, I'm sorry. The word doesn't do justice to what he was that night on and off the pitch, all in the most hostile atmosphere I have ever encountered. Marcel Desailly - Chelsea Legend.

The Brit would argue that. The Rock was one of the the greatest defenders I ever saw. JT always said how much he learnt from him. If only he could come back and teach Carvalho.

Arjen Robben. That bloke that looked old, but was really young. Whatever happened to him ?

Can't believe the CSR are not celebrating Didier Drogba. 30 goals in a season !!!! King Kerry knows what that takes. Lord God, if Shevchenko had reached that milestone, G4, would have a full page advert in the Times. "Didier Drogba. La, la, la ,la ,la"

Well that's a rant if ever I saw one. And as someone who who has watched football all over Europe, facking well wide of the mark.. Political correctness has yet to catch up with Portugal it seems!!!!!!!!! I saw Valencia fans singing songs and taunting home fans en masse last night, twenty yards from the entrance at Stamford Bridge. What say you Sofa Manager to that ? And, hang on to your hat, I saw Porto fans do exactly the same. The difference is, English fans carry numbers. Far greater numbers. Far, far, greater numbers. Far, far, far greater numbers. And our friends in Europe don't like that. They don't like that at all.

No they'll fine Chelsea.

Was also at the game. Had a fantastic view, (from behind the goal), of their strike and Cech looked to not fully extend his arm. Their seemed to be a momentary pause. Whether he thought it was going wide or not I don't know, but from the angle we watched it we felt he could, and should, have got something on it. The substitutions really took away some of our 2nd half momentum. Especially taking off Kalou. He was doing their defenders for fun on either flank. He can go past opponents with either foot. People go on about Robben, but for me this kid is going to be twice the player he is. I was stunned when he was subbed, generally it's a good idea to keep your better performers on the pitch! It was Jose's equivalent to Jol taking off Lennon in the FA Cup qrt. final at the Bridge. Diarra was MOTM and he has surely cemented that right back spot regardless of who may come in during the summer. Cashley did alright but still doesn't deliver the ball from wide areas as well as Bridgey. I notice some are saying Sheva played good, well I'm sorry but I didn't see that. The odd isolated moment here and there perhaps but he just doesn't impose himself enough on defences, and by christ does he get muscled off the ball easily. Generally he reacts too slowly in 50-50 situations allowing defenders to nick the ball off him and the difference in sheer physical strength between him and Drogba is huge. These things wouldn't have mattered in the days when he had searing pace, but that's gone for good. One things for sure, Valencia were no PSV pushover. It's going to be a tough, tough task at their place. I'm going next week, but I won't be betting a penny on us getting through out there.

Welcome on board mate. You're not the same Lofty that used to knock around with the Northolt/Ruislip crew in the late 70's early 80's are you ? With The Twins, Bogsy, Chris White etc ?

I know!

Myself, Dorset and Loz have been Tevez fans for quite awhile now. Robben for Tevez. And if the Spammers want more, we could throw in Ballack.

See Robben's brought himself a new motor. http://www.freefoto.com//images/28/01/28_01_2_web.jpg?&

We saw that against Watford. what a creative side we were I'll give you that one. Watford is the type of team Robben likes to terrorise. Hey GB, I bet you're looking forward to the return of Joe Cole.

I really don't think so. As you say Robben hasn't been in great form, and when you consider SWP's recent upturn, (and that, hopefully, will boost his confidence). And the imminent return of Joe Cole, Mourinho's options are much the same as they were. When I posted this I forgot about Kalou. Told you we wouldn't miss Robben.

Well done to all the lads who got a ticket and made it to the Lane. You did us proud.

I really don't think so. As you say Robben hasn't been in great form, and when you consider SWP's recent upturn, (and that, hopefully, will boost his confidence). And the imminent return of Joe Cole, Mourinho's options are much the same as they were.

Robben injured again ? Now where have I heard that before ? Actually, I must be blind because I don't think it hurts us that much at all really. PS: Agree about JC needing time to find match fitness.

We've got 31 Thousand Tickets. Its on a Sunday so you wont have any problems getting a ticket! Think you're right Rob. The club have already set a date for season ticket holders and members to buy additional tickets. Whoever wants to go should be able to get one. Gonna be a busy week. Back from Valencia on the Weds and then I've got a 17 seater bus booked to take us up to the Theatre Of Muppets on the Sunday. Missus is well pleased.

Glory what was that song the club tried to get going over the PA a few seasons back ? If I remember rightly wasn't it "Bring me Sunshine" the old Morcambe & Wise number ? That died on it's arse in a matter of weeks, and quite rightly so because it was sh*te. You gotta admit Strolling ain't exactly got the passion and emotion of "you'll never walk alone". In fact thinking about it I'll hand one thing to the scousers, they have themselves two great anthems, YNWA and Ring of Fire.

Alright then, how about if everyone stands up and sings "up, up and away in my beautiful balloon". Or, "there's no-one quite like Grandma" ? Surely, it's got to have some Chelsea/football link ? My old fella has been going since the mid-50's and he loves telling Chelsea stories the way Uncle Albert liked telling Del Boy and Rodders a nautical tale. And I have never once heard him mention "Strolling". Perhaps we could wheel out Gracie Fields to belt it out at half-time ? Jesus wept, Le Arse and Rottenham fans will be laughing their tits off.

Strolling ???? How old is that ? Jesus, they'll be wanting "The Pensioners" nickname back next and brown lace up footballs. Surely they can come up with something better than that?

Norway 1-2 (HT 0-2) Bosnia-Herzegovina Carew (pen) 50 Misimovic 18 Muslimovic 33 Bookings: Hagen 39 Pedersen 90 Bookings: Hrgovic 52 Custovic 2 Sent Off: Loz 50 seconds - flying vegetable attack

Wee Pat

Totally agree. Lennon was one of the few bright spots. Probably the only the only player we had capable of beating an opponent. And when he lost it, he had the nous to go and try win it back.

I don't mind Swedes, Moos. UlrikaKaKa and the blonde one from ABBA can call me anytime.