just

Ben Sahar, Sahar. What ever will be will be, were going to Wemberly, Ben Sahar, Sahar. Shevchinky who?

Ah, I understand. So it was Drogba's fault we scored nul punts from that game. Repeat after moi. "Muppet, me am"

Eh ? What game were you watching ? As Elliott said in his post above Drogba was a constant threat and one of, if not the best player on the night. He mucked up the chance from Essien's cross, we all know he should have headed it, (or even controlled it and shot), rather than go for a first time volley, but other than that he was excellent. And I think we can forgive him that one with some of the stunners he has fired home for us this season.

He didn't want to go if we gave him parity with the other top boys and paid him ?100K a week. We dicked him around and tried to get him on the cheap, he acted like a spoilt French tosser. No gold-stars for anyone in that episode. Now, if it was me, who would I have given the ?120K a week to ? Ballack or Gallas. Gee that's a tough one. And even if Carvalho is playing better this season than his last two he isn't, (for me anyway), as good defensively as Gallas. Gallas was pretty damn perfect.

Agree 100% Bluenut. This terrible slump in Maka's form must be happening when I'm not looking. I'll have to pay closer attention in future.

Drogba and Carvalho picked up their fifth booking last night. The official site says both are suspended for the Wycombe semi-final first leg.

...............................My nan Steve Clarke......Hedman .....Ma Kalambay.......Bridge ................Lampard........Essien........My nan's mate ................Geremi.........SWP...............Hilario Subs: Anyone under 85, not injured, not suspended, reasonably fit and who owns a pair of boots.

Ah, so you are a Manc. Why didn't you just say so in the first place ? And why haven't you answered the question I asked in my previous post ? And wouldn't swop Ferdinand for Terry ! Well OK, perhaps that should be one for neutral fans to answer. But even if you feel Ferdinand has Terry's measure as a defender, (which IMO he doesn't), I'm certain you'll agree that as a leader he isn't a patch on the inspiration and authority that JT encompasses . Afterall, that's why one is England's Captain and the other isn't. You mention quality back-ups. Well in terms of squad players we have quality but obviously there is only so far you can go with that. And in any season there are always key personnel that you can never afford to lose for crucial periods, and Petr Cech and John Terry certainly fall into that category for us. Even Joe Cole, who was never a nailed on starter under Mourinho but was arguably our most inventive player last year, is out for the whole season. What club in the world has a whole second string of players of a similar level who are content to play back-up and sit on the bench week after week? If Ronaldo breaks his leg this afternoon at St. James Park who's gonna come in and perform the same job for you ? Kieran Richardson ? Don't think so do you? But would that mean Ferguson had not done his job properly by not having a player with the same quality ready to step into Ronaldo's shoes? So to recap. It's not a difficult concept but I will say again. If you lost Van Der Sar and Ferdinand from your back four for any period of time, and had to consistently play Wes Brown and Tomasz Kuzsczak, (who are ya?), you too in all likelyhood would be suffering from increased defensive lapses and goals conceded.

Have you considered it maybe has something to do with having one of the world's top five centre-halves and the world's best keeper missing at the same time ? Although they are clearly not in the same class as JT and Cech, don't you think United losing Van Der Sar and Ferdinand from their back four would have a detrimental effect on them?

Yup. But he's not doing it very well.

Yeah but youll still be at the Bridge for Fulham - c'mon Coombsie youve seen a lot worse - must be Chrimbo blues! Course he will. And I'll be there with him, 'cos he's treating me. Well, that's what Big Brothers are for!!! Are you gonna pop in the Peli before the game ?

Q) Didier Drogba is the superest, fandabiedoseiest forward player, strikiest in the worldiest player ever, ever, ever in the entire history of Chlesea Football Club. Even better than Luca, JFH, Dixon, Weah, Jimbo, Hughes, Torres, Jimmy, Adriano and Shevchenko. And was a total bargain at ?24 million. in the worldiest, everest, and we are not worthy and anyone who doubts him now is stupidest, mentalist, silliest, nonobbyiest everest. So help, help, help me Amen.

Chip, I agree with every single word of that. We could have Claudio Bloody Nice Bloke back in charge, but if we were winning titles and dominating like we are now, (unlikely though that is under Bloody Nice Bloke), we would be just as hated. I think a great many people fail to realise a huge part of Ranieri's appeal to the wider footballing supporting public and the media was that, ultimately, he was a loser.

Fair points Loz. Putting down the blue specs for a moment, and trying to give my own honest, unbiased appraisal, Lamps had, by his own high standards, a fairly average season last year. And for me, his form has continued in the same vein at the beginning of this campaign. Though he still normally performs at a reasonable level, he is showing nowhere near the levels of consistency and influence that he had in our first Championship winning season and before. The reasons for that ? Answers on a postcard please. Personally, I think he's looking all footballed out. He's human. He needs a rest every now and then. PS. I also think it a wise move for the PK's to be handed to another player for awhile.

True BB. I seem to remember they were in one of the lower leagues and not very good. A bit like the SW6 Chelsea, at that time.

I need some Aussie help. In the old days, on the summer pools coupons, there used to be a team playing in the Aussie leagues called............................. Chelsea ! Are they still going ?

I want Lahm, but I think it will be Cole. I'd love it to be Lahm partly because I've wanted him for a long time, (way before Germany 2006), partly because of Cole's Gooner roots.