Nibs

With the players missing and then JT going off fairly early, I feared the worse and wasn't expecting any points but then Arsenal weren't great today either and we could have got a draw. Once agin, too many of our players didn't do enough. Lamps, SWP and Joe - I'd expect a lot more from all of them. The way things are going - top four is all we can really hope for as we just don't seem to have players that can shine and really change a match at the moment. And the really sorry thing is that when Drogba is missing you look at Sheva, Pizarro and Kalou and realise that none of these would get a game for Utd, Scousers or Arsenal, we really are fourth best when it comes to strikers.

Bit of an exageration. But this looks like following the pattern of our game against Man Utd. Concede a goal roght on half time and second half I really can't see where our goal(s) are gonna come from. Expect them to get another to be honest. Yet a further reminder of what a bum deal we got with Ashley Cole. We part with the best all round defender in the world, who also scores plenty of important goals each season and we got old moany bollox. Word fail me

Loz had a word. Paulo starts.

That Croatia game was a complete horror show for Bridge. But he has done ok for us in a blue shirt so can we put it down to one of those really bad off days or worry that he might have another? I still prefer Bridgey over Cole and Cole will get huge stick tomorrow from the home crowd. It's a case of whether he uses it to inspire him or if he gets all niggly and ends up doing something rash. I'd go for Bridge to be on the safe side. Please let us get a result and please don't let Gallas pop up with one of trademark goals from a set piece

Most of us knew that though at the time. It was never gonna work out. Never. All the bollox about us not playing to his strengths - what strengths? For however much longer he remains with us, he would have to do something of huge significance (score the winner in the CL final for instance) to avoid being the worst premiership signing of all time (in terms of cost / return). Others have mentioned Chris Sutton and Veron, but for me they don't come close.

As a born pessimist I am not at all confident about this one. Great that the Gooners have dropped 5 points in the last two games but looks like Fabregas and Van Persie could well be available for them and when I look at our options now it really isn't that inspiring. Cannot see Sheva or Kalou posing their defence that many problems nor Pizarro for that matter, so it puts a lot of pressure on Lamps and Joe to produce - just hope they can. I am also worried about Mikel's temperament in big games like these. If we were to get reduced to 10 men we could get completely hammered. It was not that long ago that we seemed to have so much competition for places with a lot of quality on the bench. Now I am struggling to select a starting 11 where I feel every player merits a place. I'd be more than happy with a draw.

Certainly not me. Can only assume it's voters who didn't see the game but just his name on the score sheet. It was though yet again a case of who can get MOTM when no-one stood out. Carlo did ok but then hardly had a save to make. Defence did ok but were never really troubled. Midfiel did ok without ever really getting out of second gear. And Sheva and Kalou both did very little othen that Kalou set up Sheva's goal. Joe did some great things on the ball and showed some great footwork & skill without ever really doing it in areas that caused Sunderland too many problems. And I lost count of the times we knocked a ball into the box when there was little there. All in all another pretty forgetable match and I'm stlll worried that we look too light-weight at the moment.

Saw that - bloody great. I couldn't work out what the Sunderland fans were singing at him (those 'orrible accents they use), but he gave them a few w**ker signs and they weren't happy Great memories of Speedo - never seen a player of his height so regularly out jump players a good half foot taller than him. And the time he went in goal at the Bridge and got lobbed.

However, the one yesterday against Derby was as bad a dive as you're ever likely to see. Cheating f***er!!!

Diarra maybe but not Gallas. Looks like he's well happy now - he's playing well in his favoured position and is skipper. Will never get over the fact that we let the best all round defender I have ever seen go to one of our biggest bloody rivals

Love the idea of us signing a truly great skillful player who on his day is one of the very best in the world. Absolutely detest the idea of paying obsene wages to a guy that has lost the hunger and will maybe never recapture what he once had. Sure, there is always a gamble, but as we are already a laughing stock with Sheva, I really can't bear a repeat of that. I know he could do well for us but I personally wouldn't take a gamble and would leave well alone. Lets put all our efforts (and considerable funds) into finding young & hungry prospects of tomorrow who will be Chelsea for many seasons rather than yet again take this route with the likes of Goofy.

To me it looks like Niemi catches him with his glove / arm. Don't want to stick up for a Utd player but if a keeper comes charging out like that and gets nowhere near the ball, then it has to be a pen. If that had been Drogba, Joe, Swp whoever - I'd be screeming for a penalty, no doubt about it.

Clear penalty IMO. He's knocked the ball wide of the keeper and tried to clear the keeper but keeper has just come out pretty recklessly.

I'd have Diarra and Gallas back - no question. Would have been interesting to see us try out playing Gallas, Carvalho and JT (one of them playing sweeper perhaps?) with two attacking wing backs. Would be an even more useful option to have now with Maka's playing days coming to an end, as I am far from convinced that Mikel will ever be able to play that role well enough. As Loz says - nowhere near enough discipline.

No way was Keanes tackle worthy of a red card. Wasn't two footed. Disgraceful decision (although the fact that it's a decision going against Spurs makes it no quite so disgraceful after all come to think of it). But I do feel sorry for Keane. As for Diouff - he must be the most hated player there is now - well certainly up there with Hunt. He is the sort of player you could see get a terrible career finishing injury and actually enjoy it.

Can't believe he is unhappy. Especially as we are all so happy with how he has settled in and is performing

Hope you lads that went had a geat time - be good to hear about it. Don't suppose you drank much, the reporter on Talk Sport mentioned they were charged £11.00 a pint at the place they went to

Great result and a very decent perfomance. Although I am sure there will be some (mentioning no names) who will still be able to find some negatives.

And if we're 1-0 down going into the last 10 minutes I wonder if we'll push JT to play up front and hoof long balls up there? Ah, the good old days....................................

Great info Dorset. Really interesting. Lets hope at least a couple of those mentioned make it sooner rather than later. Now you can get back to your more favoured Press/ Gooner / Wenger bashing type post

I've never wanted us to take the route of signing big names who have already done it elsewhere. Okay, when I say never, I'll admit in the early rebuilding days, I was "Over The Moon Brian" when we got Hoddle, Gullit, Vialli, Hughes and of course Zola. But since our success under Mourinho, I want more than ever, to see young talent develop and do well for many years in a Chelsea shirt, when they haven't already made their name elsewhere. I don't want any more Sheva / Ballack signings and don't want Ronaldinho or the like. Of course the likes of Sahar and Sinclair have to be good enough to break into the team and then stay there but up to now they certainly don't seem to have been given a fair crack. I guess the powers that be won't allow it. Gamble on youngsters and fail and that would be seen to be unforgiveable - especially if we miss out on a Champions League spot. Be interesting to see if Carlton Cole continues to improve at West Ham. Claudio's Young Lion - so much was hoped of him and he looked like yet another one who wasn't going to make the grade. However, he seems to be doing very well of late and it would be kinda ironic if West Ham benefit after the good players we've nicked off them (as have many others). Right now I would certainly prefer Carlton over either Sheva or Pizarro.

I pity the fool who signs for A*se. ...sorry Quit your Jibba Jabba. I've got Gallas in my fantasy team and he's earning me loadsa points. Oh how I rue the day we let him go and got Ashley bloody Cole. Don't think we need reminding who the better defender is and who keeps popping up with very important goals. That will always go down as one of the worst deals in our history (as in player exchanges as opposed to just wasting huge sums of money on the likes of Sheva and SWP). Even beats the Le Saux / Livingstone and the Cascarino / Boyd great bits of business. What is it with us

Blimey Jack, you really are all doom & gloom these days. I didn't think you could get more negative after recent post but I stand corrected!! We won 2-0. And the performance really was not that much different to many I witnessed under Mourinho. Also think yo're wrong about the straight fight with Man City & Blackburn for 4th place. You seem to have forgotten about Everton and Pompey.

That would go a long way in explaining Bridgey's performance.

Just heard a re-run of the interview McClaren gave yesterday following his dismissal. Although he apparently called the gathering, all he said when questioned was "I don't think that's a question for now" or "that's a question for another day". Yet again another total waste of everyones time. What a of the very highest order.