Arq

Anyone think Roman's worked out a deal with Pep? This came so suddenly, even for Roman's standards. It's either that or our next manager (please not Rafa) has already been decided and will get a multi-year contract.

Well, Robbie's statement is now null and void...

I just told my wife... To quote her: "What the f**k is wrong with them?!?!" Robbie deserved so much better. Just gutted, angry, depressed, confused... The emotions are just everywhere right now.

Robbie thank you for delivering the prize that our owner, and many of the players and fans, wanted most. You'll always be a legend for that accomplishment alone! 19 May 2012. We will never forget.

No, no, no, no, bloody f**king hell no!!!

It's on the website. It's official. Oh my God...

Rafa? Please no! This just spells of disaster all over the place. If RDM were fired, and Roman would go after Pep, why would Pep even want to come here? One blip and he could be gone! Our managerial rotation is making me dizzy. Yes, we could be eliminated from the CL. Yes, we've taken our usual November lull. Still, I don't think RDM should be fired in November. This just smells bad all the way around.

COYB!! The game isn't on here but I will be following on my phone. I hope for a good performance from the lads. They know more than we do about how important it is to win tonight.

Danny has to start Tuesday and moving forward. Danny didn't finish today, nor did he pick up Mata at the far post but he was creating chances. That's what we need. A striker not creating chances is a wasted player on the pitch. There can be no doubt that Torres didn't create chances today and Danny did. Danny also did make very intelligent runs. That's something I haven't seen Torres do consistently for a good long time. It needs to be Danny until January at the very least. And that should start Tuesday. I don't think it will, but it should.

I believe today was my breaking point. I was at the point anyway of giving Studge a fair run of matches but today just confirmed that Danny needs to get a fair go until January. I've supported Torres, I've cheered for Torres, and I've even had it in my mind that he could still turn it around for us. He cannot. It's time to move on. Give the time to Danny to see how he does. Either way, we need another striker in January.

He's doing a few more if I read correctly. I believe he was signed on for two more and maybe three? From the early rumours, Bond 24 and 25 are parts one and two (respectively) of one story.

Bayern is set up nicely for the future, however with how well Heynckes is doing with them at the moment I can't see them wanting to make a managerial change. It is Pep though, so who knows. Pep to Man City is a real possibility. The management seem to stick behind their man more than we do. Plus, they have unlimited funds for Pep to mold the team to his liking. I can really see this happening especially if Mancini has an early CL exit plus doesn't repeat as PL champ. No trophies? Expect to see Pep's name linked with Man City quite a bit. I don't think Pep to Manu has much traction to it basically because of timing. Fergie isn't going to retire for a couple of years and Pep will probably be planted somewhere by then. He could end up there in the future, but I don't think he'll be there this summer. Why would he want to go to Arsenal? They turn a profit but they don't sink money into their team like they should. Pep wouldn't put up with that maddening situation, I don't think. Obviously Pep coming to us is a real possibility. I think he'd want some assurances from RA that he might not get. I bleed blue, but have to admit that we aren't the most stable of clubs for managers in recent years. So why would Pep want to come here? Money, transfer funds, club success, etc. However, if he thinks he could be fired for finishing second and not wining the CL in year one, I could see him potentially staying away. I'm not sure I want to see him come here... Yet. For me, RDM has been doing a fine job so far. Yes, we're third and we've had a little blip. Yes, we're not undefeated in the CL. However, Robbie hasn't done anything to really question what the heck he's doing. Everyone makes mistakes and I think he'll get things straight. I might change my mind at the end of the year, but for now I'd rather stick with our man. I could see Inter as a possible landing spot for Pep. If they open up the purse strings to get him and for transfers, he might want to try his hand in Serie A. I can't see him even debating the AC Milan job. I just don't see that as a fit for Pep at all with the disarray happening there. Could Russia be a fit for Pep? I have no idea. I would imagine if Anzhi or someone through gobs of money at him that he might consider it. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. If I had to guess where Pep would land based off of where things stand today, my money would be on Man City.

That last goal was just... I don't even know what words to use to explain it. It was unreal! Zlatan, interested in wearing a different kit?

You shouldn't beat yourself up over these things. Oh I know it was a horrible line, but I had to say it!

Thank goodness for the positive news. It could have been a lot worse. Here's hoping that it's closer to 2 than 6.

This article is absolutely correct, thanks for posting it. One of the main issues with Torres has been his runs. Look at example #1 in that article. He's waiting for Hazard to pump the ball into the box so he can make a play. No Nando, you need to create the play for Hazard. Make the run, Hazard crosses, and hello scoring chance. If he gets caught offside, oh well. If the keeper comes out to catch or punch the ball, fine. However, give the man a target to put the ball to! Even if Torres draws the defenders towards him during the run then the chance opens up for Oscar on the near post. With Mata trailing in, and if the defenders move to cover Torres, Mata will have space in the middle if Hazard decides that's the better scoring opportunity. Making the run will continue the scoring chance. Nando's lack of run allows for the congestion to happen and the chance is gone. This has happened way too often. We need someone that helps create these types of chances. I'm not sure if Studge is the answer, but give the lad a chance before we possibly lose him in January or over the summer. We can't rightfully say he's good enough or not good enough without a fair chance. To date, he hasn't had it.

I'll beat the dead horse for a min but how we let RVP go to Manu for 24 mil without even putting in a cheeky bid is beyond me. Even if Arsenal weren't going to sell to us, and I know they weren't, it still might not have hurt to throw one out there and see how they reacted. Well, since that didn't happen, moving on... We went after Hernandez and had our bids declined. I don't see that changing in January unless we go WAY over the top. He's also CL tied so he doesn't help us there. I would cross him off the list. I also don't see Atletico selling Falcao. He's making them a top 4 team all by himself. Does anyone really think they're going to sell to us since he could generate so much revenue for them? I don't think so. I will say though, I'm not quite sure how much trouble they are in with their debt. If they're desperate they could get rid of him. It'll take Torres-type money to make it happen though. It's something to keep an eye on. Lewandowski is a name I wouldn't mind seeing here. However, he leads the line for Dortmund and I think we'd have to pay way over the top to get him. That still doesn't mean they will be willing to sell to us, plus he's CL tied and again that doesn't help us for any CL matches this season. Berbatov is an interesting name. I wonder how he would do with the trio of Mata/Oscar/Hazard behind him. He, imho, never really got a fair chance at Utd and think he might have something to prove. He's not necessarily a "hard worker" like Torres but he certainly fits the poacher definition. He certainly might be worth a punt if we could get him for a fair price. We do need someone else. The question is, are we going to go after someone to replace Torres or bring someone in that could potentially play alongside Torres (as needed)?

Got some cruddy sleep last night, guess it was just one of those restless nights. Anyway, have had a chance to calm down after wanting to toss my remote into the television. I just knew that after the equaliser it was going to stay a draw. It was just one of those days. I thought the team looked a bit deflated after JT went down. We were firmly in control with JT on the pitch and it just wasn't the same after his injury. I hope he's ok, but I fear the worst. By no means though are we in panic mode even if JT has a lengthy injury. Azpi has shown he can be more than suitable as our RB and that gives us an Ivan/Luiz/Cahill trio for our CB. JT is our rock, our leader, but we can cope with him being out. Hopefully it's nothing more than strained ligaments and he'll be back quickly. If not, we will do what we have to do. Man City got their three points partly due to AVB's help. Manu got three points from Villa deciding to crumble. Liverpool was up for it today. They did not crumble, they did not bottle it. Things can, and will change. Have faith people. We're in third and only a few points from first with a very young team. We'll be fine.

I'm just f**king pissed off. That's about all I have to say at the moment.

I get tears in my eyes every time I watch that video. If Drogba wasn't a Chelsea legend before, and I certainly think he was, the performances at the end of last season cemented his place as one of the greatest in our history. No one will ever forget that header that equalised in the final in Munich. And for him to take the last penalty to clinch after being sent off in Moscow? Justice served. It was very sad to let him go. I wish we would have kept him around but there comes a time where everyone has to leave. I still think it was his time to go. He left the club on top, and that's one of the best ways to be remembered. If he wants to come back to us to train, absolutely! He may not be playing here, but this football club is his home. Didier will always bleed Blue. I would like to see him come back in some capacity as a coach if that's what he desires.

Completely agree with you Cam. Liverpool has given us trouble over the past few years and I can't help but have a bad feeling about this one. Four our CB pairing, I think it has to be JT and Cahill. We've struggled to keep a clean sheet in the past and it's partly because we've missed JT's leadership. Cahill is very solid and is not prone to the up and down performances like Luiz. So I hope it's JT/Cahill as our back two. Berty will be fine as LB, and I'm pretty sure it'll be Ivan at RB. I think this is what we'll see: -Ivan----Cahill----JT----Berty- -------Rambo------Mikel------- ---Mata----Oscar----Hazard-- --------------Torres-------------- Unfortunately, it's JT's first match back and I think we'll still struggle to keep a clean sheet. We will have Moses and Studge if things aren't working on the offensive side. At the end of the day, I think we have too much firepower. I'll say 3-2 to the Chels.

Horrible call. Saved!! Ha!

Everton got a couple of quick scores to take the lead. Moyes is doing a great job with them this year so far.

3-3. Giroud hits the post then heads one in.

Clear penalty to Fulham, and Berbatov converts. 2-3 Fulham.