jdb_thc_cfc

Annoying game last night as I actually didn't think we were that awful. Sounds stupid but with those stats last year we would win comfortably, we're just so out of form. Yes there were a few dodgy ref decisions which don't help with the loss but again we can look at our inability to do some simple defending and our inability to either create that perfect chance or actually take it.

Kenedy and Traore will be something very special if we give them the chance. Kenedy even playing at left back looks great. Quick, skill-full and direct.

I'm not going to pretend I even care about the result as it's the Capital One Cup. Sure it's nice to win it but not going to cry that we are out. Frustrating again though that we were all over them for the majority of the game and still can't win. Still let them rather cringingly celebrate like they've just won the league and we can concentrate on Saturday's game.

Genuinely don't think we deserved to lose that at all. Other than the two goals West Ham had Lanzini's chance and other than that were threatening coming forward but not causing us major problems. Don't think we lose that game with 11 men though so stupid from Matic to get sent off. We weren't great that's for sure but after reading the Sky Sports player ratings you'd have though we were beaten 8-0, quite hilarious. Personally think it is now time to drop Fabregas for a couple of games. Not been good for a long while and would love to see Ruben in there with the shackles taken off. Could also easily use Oscar in that deeper role and would offer a lot more pace/defensive stability. Even Willian could do a good job from deep, making passes and runs through the middle.

Would liked to have seen Matic start with RLC and Ramires if I'm honest. He took RLC off because we didn't have defensive shape in midfield but to be fair to RLC neither Fabregas or Ramires keep that shape so that was bound to happen.

You know what, I really like that team. Personally would swap Hazard, Kenedy and Willian around so Willian was in the hole, Hazard on the left and Kenedy on the right or try Traore out there. Pedro has been good in spells but not quite hitting the heights of that first West Brom game but we've hardly played well since then so I'm not too worried. Agree Fab needs a rest and a kick up the arse so that midfield would be good. Matic can get back to doing what he does best plus he would have someone next to him who was mobile, quick and strong in RLC. Have to say I wouldn't mind seeing this as a team: Begovic Dave Terry Zouma Baba Rambo Matic RLC Willian Hazard Costa You would get the creativity from Willian and Hazard plus if they tuck in the full backs can get down that wing. You would have pace and power in midfield, at the expense of some creativity from Fabregas but let's be fair it hasn't been there for a while. The defence would have a lot of pace with Terry there to organise and go back to doing what he does best.

Has to be Begovic for me. Watching that game only, him, Dave and Willian really played like they wanted it. Falcao does try but he's clearly limited in terms of the fact he can't run. Can't wait to have Costa back, Falcao hasn't been great and for someone being given a chance Remy has proven why Jose all but froze him out.

Pretty sure none of our player have buy-out clauses. In England buy-out clauses are only really used when players probably request them when they join a club and want to join a bigger/better one in the future. Otherwise buy-out clauses make no real sense for any club.

As much as Jose has to take some blame as he is the manager and he does make some decisions re team selection (mainly for me not giving Baba/RLC there overdue starts in the PL) that I don't agree with or don't like. The players have to take all of/most of the blame. Some of them really need to have a good look at themselves and the salaries that they are on and see if they really think performing like that is acceptable. You can tell by the look on Jose's face that he can't quite believe what is happening.

Naming rights don't bother me too much as I will always refer to it as Stamford Bridge. It will only be on Sky, websites etc that they refer to it as the actual name. Can't imagine what companies we would try and get to put their name on it though.

Embarrassingly sh*t is the only way I can describe that 'performance'. Palace played well but I don't care. They could play the best game of their entire history and we should still easily beat them. Don't get the team selection at the start as Brana was obviously gonna get murdered again today with the pace from their wingers. Bringing Kenedy on was good but utterly pointless to put him at left back. Baba could have come on and would have more likely known what position to be in for that 2nd goal and it doesn't happen. Not a slight against Kenedy as he looked good but what's the point in him being able to beat 2 players at left back. Much better if he's doing that further up the field. Fabregas had another poor game and just seems undropable. I know he can produce a magic ball at the drop of a hat but he hasn't done that properly for months. RLC had so much more energy and drive towards goal in his play when he came on. Costa was decent but had no service. Hazard was poor again, not the same player yet from last year who would run past players for fun and be the heartbeat of our attacking play. We have looked the same in every game this season and the first 2 or 3 even you can argue that it's just the start of the season. 4 games in though and you can't be playing like this.

Always wonder why we didn't go for Vidal, would have been perfect for the position we want Pogba in and would have been cheaper. Better defensively but can't doubt Pogba has the potential to be better than Vidal has ever been (could even be now). Pogba is one of those transfers that really get's you properly excited if it could go through. Would have been exciting to sign Vidal but not Pogba level excitement.

Against City there is no way Mourinho isn't playing Ramires if I'm honest. A midfield 3 of Rambo, Fabregas and Matic would make sense. Could see us being dominated in midfield as Cesc isn't good enough defensively to be there with Matic in the big games. I'm a bit worried about Sterling up against Ivanovic after the bumming he got from Montero on Saturday but we will see.

I agree he shouldn't have come off but who else would you have taken off? Would never take Hazard off, Fabregas has that moment of magic in his locker. Possibly Willian but he is better at playing wider than Oscar is. Shame he went off though as he was looking sharp and beating people quite easily.

Red or not, I still don't think Courtois should have rushed out. Taking someone down there is always risking both a red and a pen. Would rather he stayed in goal and tried his chances at saving it. At least then if he didn't it's only 2-2 with 10 men. Obviously he made a split second decision and it didn't pay off this time, unusual as he usually always gets it right.

A frustrating game really just like the Arsenal one. Although actually though we were more on top against Arsenal than the game yesterday. The result isn't great but at least we didn't lose. More worryingly for me is the lack of chances we are creating. Look at both the goals yesterday, one was a total fluke let's be fair and the other was a crowded free kick that went straight through. Other than that I can only really remember the Hazard shot that was even close to being a chance we should score. Fabregas seems to still have his end of last season form, he's just not finding those balls he used to. We also seem to never shoot when we have the chance and pass instead. Great when it works but not so much when we need a goal and it's not coming off. Specific problem yesterday seemed to be right back. Brana was getting murdered by Montero, was so glad when he went off. I love Brana and he has been superb but he offers little going forward and we need someone with more pace out there. A new LB and switching Azpi would be great. Also thought Hazard was quiet yesterday, when he wasn't getting battered by every Swansea player that is. On a positive note Costa looked good and was at the heart of most of our good stuff. Also thought Oscar was really good until we had to take him off.

He looked like he had more pace as well. The one problem for me with Oscar last year was how he would beat his man but seemed to easily cut inside last Bellerin today, not the greatest defender but quick. Really do think we need to utilise his all round ability a bit deeper though. He's a great passer and could help keep that midfield ticking over. For someone with such a slight frame he's also a good tackler.

Was at the game and from what I saw he looke good. Haven't seen the highlights up close to see what he actually did though. Agree his touches were nice and he worked hard. Had a couple of chances where he could have got a shot off (through ball over the top from Fabregas?) but certainly not an awful display. He doesn't seem to have that need to grab the ball and try to beat 3/4 that Torres developed. Actually just sat and remembered how bad he was when we'd all be screaming for him to score. Never seen a player just lose it like he did.

Agree with that. Would be huge money if we ever sold him but can't see there being anyone who would come close to him. Here's one to ponder though. Say next year Madrid offered £100mill and we could get Reus for £40mill. Do you take that and have £60mill left to spend? Me personally would go back to what you said before. Other than Ronaldo/Messi there isn't another player like him or that will be like him!

Not the best result today but frustrated more than anything. We weren't great but then neither were Arsenal in my opinion. We just didn't have that killer instinct today and seemed at times that we didn't pick the right pass. It's still early so I'm not worried but would have been nice to win! Thought Willy was superb throughout, Matic was a beast and Courtois had a good game. Also thought the defence was pretty good throughout despite the goal and a couple of breakaways. Now there's the strikers. Don't think Remy did himself any favours today. I rate him highly but he can't be offside that much! Falcao had some good touches, link up play and ran well so hopefully if we give him chances we will get goals. That said, cannot wait to have Diego back.