AmericanBlue

The Professionals

It clearly looked like a bad call to me. This is a concept that is hard for me to understand as an American fan. I think that the NFL has been much improved with the introduction of instant replay. It really does not disrupt the flow of the game as much as one would think.

When I was watching the game today, I didn't hear any mention of why Sheva was left out of squad. I know he left the game vs. Villa with a knock. Any details on his status?

Glad to see SWP play well today. Would have been nice for him to score one of the chances on the back post. But he certainly gets an A for effort. Even the Newcastle fan's look liked they respected his dive for the second chance. Hopefully he can build on this performance, if we are to compete for any hardware, we will need his pace and skill.

As a fan who only began watching Chelsea this season, many times I have felt that SWP is the most sucessful player on the team in the area of using pace and talent to beat defenders and create chances. I responded to a thread this week about the most exciting player on the team, and named SWP. I was quickly informed by more experianced posters that he is a player of "below par class", with little chance of developing as a player. All of this being said, it's easy to recognize his lack of finish (The two great chances at the back post today). Belleti must being given credit for his effective cooperation with SWP on the wing. IMO SWP is the MOTM.

I was watching the Man City v. Aston Villa, and the Man City v. Blackburn games last night on DVR. Wow, is all I can say about the pace and the ball delivering talent that Petrov played with. Not knowing anything about his price, or current contract, but I think he would look good in Chelsea Blue.

Great Post.

I for one am excited about Ballack getting more time on the pitch. Between this injury, and the ACN, we will have plenty of time to either enjoy or bemoan Ballack's play. The Boxing Day game was probably the most exciting game of Football that I have seen in my very brief viewing career.

Let me start by saying that this is the first year that I have watched any kind of professional football outside of World Cup competitions. In recent years I have grown tired of American Football and College Basketball. My satellite company finally acquired the rights to Setanta Sports and I have become an avid, yet unknowledgable fan of the English Premier League and the Bundesliga. I threw my support onto the Chelsea bandwagon partly because of the number of quality English player's on the Stamford Bridge side. And also partly because of the antics of JM and the ownership by RA. Chelsea reminds me of the NY Yankee's, they have deep pockets and a swagger about them. This being said as I have watched and learned as this season has gone by, I have realized that Chelsea's strategy is not nearly as high flying and exciting as I initially thought. However, I certainly appreciate the tactical, conservative, and defensive team I watch each week. As an American Newb to your sport and team I hope that you all can tolerate my short-sighted opinion. In my opinion Sean Wright-Phillips agressive, in your face style of play is what we need to pick the lock of other defensive minded teams. I think that he will continue to develop as a player whether for our club or another and eventually be a difference maker for the Enlish national side.

Anelka's celebration is generally referred to as the "Dirty Bird" in American Football. Patented by Deon Sanders if I remember correctly.

I thought the thread was discussing "excitement" rather than "quality".

I think that besides his lack of finish, Wright-Phillips plays with the most excitement on the team.

I don't believe that Kalou deserves the accolades that this thread is showering upon him. The ball to Cole was a no brainer that was set up due to a Rover's mistake at the back. Kalou's lack of imagination and ball control limited the Chelsea attack today. Lampard was pure garbage as well. I was impressed to see Hilario bounce back well after being caught out on the corner that Santa Cruz steered wide. MOTM for me belongs to Carvalho. Alex also put himself in good positions and was not caugh out. We were fortunate to get all three points. Never the less a win is a win, and boy did we need it with the other three of the big four carrying three points on the weekend.