heckel

hockey score; I can hear Mourinho's gleeful derision as he munches left over turkey and counts the 6th million out from his contract payout.

For those who want to review this week's goals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbEkxCX_ZJs (Haven't seen these posted, apologies for doubling if they have)

We're all pissed off at the appointment and I think a few of us are willing Grant to fail. Beyond that I can't say I'm particularly fussed - objectively it may alienate some of the players, and I agree that he shouldn't have officially taken over till Monday to save unrest. That, for me, is the mistake. We can't expect someonw who has spent 40+ years observing Yom Kippur to say bollocks to it - I would have less respect for Grant if he did cave in to work pressures in any event. My attitude to Grant is lets hope he's a good steward for the side, can hang on to our good players and keep us competitive until we can secure the right manager. Let's not get to into villifying him or we'll ruin the season for ourselves criticising someonw who's probably not worth the effort in the scheme of things.

I'll certainly be chuffed if we can go to Old Trafford next month with a five point buffer - if we were to then win that match we'd be in the '04-'06 driver's position and could mount a better CL campaign.

I would offload him only on condition that we do a Lyon on their arse: ?30million with ?25 million as our target selling price

I really enjoyed the the five-point-palm-exploding-heart technique at the end of Kill Bill.

Agree - makes him sound like a fit for Mourinho's vision of the game. Have a lot more hope for this signing now, viva Malouda!

Two (non-consecutive) seasons with Real, two titles - and he'll still get the sack

Welcome back Claudio!! Love the man and would love for him to take Man City into the top five - hope he shows all the fools who gave him so much grief for leading us into our GOLDEN era where they can stick it. All hail king claudio!

Keep him but GET RID OF BALLACK. If the stench of Ballack leaves I reckon Sheva will come good. I predict than when the Drogs heads to the ACN and Sheva gets a clean run he'll shine - the goals will come. F*ck off ballack you squad spoling, lamearse good for nothing c8UNT

good laugh! Does look set up though - cameraman's ready for it

I think Beckham should be definately back in the squad. After being chastened by being dropped there will never be the Beckham + support band quality to the team from Eriksson's era and that come Euro '08 and SA '10 he could be very useful coming into the game in the second half for set pieces etc. As his performances for Madrid lately have shown his talent is still unmatched in world football in bending crosses into the box. I think him and sweepy represent two great options on the right (though they should never be seen on the park at the same time

Sell Ballack - even it requires us to keep pay out some of his remaining contract, as long as we break even, no sweat. Essien, Lamps, Mikel, Diarra, Sidwell, with Makalele coming in for games where we need more defensive solidity provides the right balance of cover and competition for places and takes care of the African Nations Cup. If Ballack stays nothing makes any sense

Favourite goal of the season?? Just for a slightly different verdict: Cole's goal in the first leg against the pool. http://www.d1g.com/video/show/932420 I just love this move and have watched many times. Two passes from box to box, each inch perfect along the floor. It's great to see Drogba's wonder goals but this for me underlines why he now is a complete striker. That surging run to show his pace, the control and foresight to nick inside his man and the strong precise pass to Cole (and where did Cole after his injury get the pace and composure for that finish? ) This season Drogba truly is the striker we've been waiting for and shows what a false dawn Jimmy's 20 goal season was. He's had the control of Flo, the power of Hasselbaink, the head of Crespo and the workrate of Wise. A true Mourinho product and true blue. Long may his form continue!!

Hear Hear - no two players other than God himself have done as much to set up our current status. Forza Gullit, Forza Marcel, Forza Milan tonight.

For: Despite the cash he hasn't looked to bring in pre-made stars* Has used the anti-chelsea brigade as a strength and unified the team around it He likes humble hard working players, so despite the sometimes stilted football we are a powerful side that cannot be unsettled by the likes of bl*ckburn. Against: His maximum impact management style strikes me as a bit flash in the pan, and sometimes it doesn't feel like he's building for a dynasty but as a part of a job interview for another club. Say what you like about Wenger and Ferguson but they are in it for the long haul and don't give off the impression that they would like to taste a bit of this then a bit of that in their careers. *Brought in B*ll*ck

Don't you mean the Chelsea Rugby Club?

brilliant

I think a bigger shout out for Kalou is called for. In extra time he was the one who was unsettling their back four and his pace was keeping them deeper in their half than they otherwise would have been. A gap opened up between their defenders and their midfield as they tried to push forward just before the goal, the space in which the Kalou, Drogba, Lampard goal was fashioned was, I believe, Kalou's work. In the first half Cole did good work in that tight space, it then closed up with Robben out wide who wasn't moving infield enough and a lot of moves ended at the touchline. With Kalou operating out wide and then effectively in the centre with fresh legs it was set up. I expect big things from him once he matures a little, gets used to the pressure and can keep his head when he shoots. I don't want to do player ratings when it's something that has only brought joy - good on them all, the team spirit showed, keep these lads together because they are tough, fast and when they understand each other's football better we will get 'sexy' football. (Have to add, however, Ballack OUT!)

Echo Kev here. Gigg's didn't do anything you wouldn't expect and if Cech's life is really in danger from a challenge like that, he shouldn't be out there. There are no handicap stickers in football!!

Brilliant to avoid penalities - finally we found a way through the middle!! FA CUP WINNERS 2007 - how f*cking great does it feel!!!!

Thanks for the loz Warning for future link-followers: stop the the clip at 2:37 SHARP, to avoid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pivGGmkSNuE There have been many tears of nostalgia for the happy, attacking days of the 4-3-3. We should also remember how isolated Hernan became without any support under Mourinho. We really should have seen more performances like this from the great man in an all-blue shirt. Viva Mourinho but good riddance to the 4-3-3.

Good one Mak! Kool and the Gang will be on loop today - might kick off work and head down to the pub Finally:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk1B2EAF ... ted&search Like Jose, he certainly had something to be proud of: ... ed&search=