gatesy

Can't look any further than Robbie D's. After the wait getting to a cup final, nerves and all and that strike so early well.....

It seems we all see the same names as likely to go but will the management? Could they shock us all by ditching JT, Lamps and Joey Cole and keep Ballack, Deco, Malouda etc? The red banner rags have been stirring about JT and CIty already. Let's all hope not. Losing Ballack and Deco from CM will be OK with Essien coming back, could even avoid tricky team selections going forward where Essien has to play RB just to accomodate Ballack, Lamps, Mikel and the CMs. It's up front that continues to worry me, if Drogs is getting back to his best then all well and good but otherwise we really need to strengthen. Di Santo has not really shone in his admittedly few appearances and it's only with Drog back that Lamps has the confidence that the ball is actually going to stick up front and so makes more runs into the box. Interesting few months coming up, what with the managerial situation too! Come on you blues. G

Great original post Dorset, brought back loads of memories and a real appreciation of wing play. It seems every man and his dog has spotted our recent lack of width, bar successive managers (Jose(latter days), Grant and now Scolari) .They seem to have no more than nodded to the issue by playing with type Bs or Cs to show an appearance of addressing the issue. We have adopted a safety first attitude by playing Makelele/mikel as defensive cover but this seriously jeopardises our ability to play with GENUINE width. trouble is I get the impression that Scolari is running scared for his job at the mo and is unlikely to sacrifice his safety net of Mikel to play more expansively. But here's hoping......

A well known diver but if he can get a bit of confidence can change a game so worth a punt for a couple of months I suppose. A bit worrying that even Jose couldn't get the best from him at Inter seeing as he's one of 'Jose's boys. I suppose time will tell and here's hoping.'

Alex, maybe we should vote for stinker ot the match instead...that was deplorable.