Arq

That it would... One can dream.

Oh, they definitely had a decent spell but they weren't putting us under a lot of pressure. Still, I didn't have a good feeling being up 1-0. Unfortunately that bad feeling is continuing... Shame.

Can't argue with this. Ivan was just horrid today and others clearly did not show up.

I don't know about you Virosh, but I was scared of a possible equalizer and it's not because of Wigan. It's because we seem to have either poor performances, subs, or just bad luck. Today was no different.

1-1.

If anything, I would have held that third sub in case Cech, JT, or even Ash is more hurt than they are letting on. Normally I get that managers shouldn't usually do that, but we've seen a few knocks over the past few minutes.

Nice feed by Cole. Nice first touch and nice finish by Sturridge.

Sturridge!!

Mata has moved to AM with Kalou on the left opposite Sturridge. Should help the midfield a bit.

Kalou on for Romeu

Definitely a lethargic first half. Hopefully AVB is lighting a fire up some rears. Ivan's incident was not a penalty. That ball was going to hit his body anyway and go in the exact same direction. He wasn't making himself "bigger" with his arm, he was just protecting his body. Good no-call by the ref.

Absolutely. I want to get one and give it to my son.

True, except Loz is the one that changed the avatar. And it is Tevez. Ruthless Loz.

Brilliant post Star, and completely accurate.

This news should scratch David Villa's name off of any January transfer list. He has broken his leg. http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/7355018/club-world-cup-2011-david-villa-breaks-leg-barcelona-win

Nice read Dorset, as usual. Very insightful. I do think that City have gotten off a little more lightly than they should for their CL exit, but I can't help but think part of that is because they are the "new kids on the block" as far as the CL goes where we are not. I also believe that Manu exiting has given them a bit of a break where our London counterpart qualified after the fifth game. For Arsenal to be in the situation they are, and qualify early like they did, would have just been fire for the media to throw it in our faces. We qualified, so ha-ha to them. Lastly, I just want to see the scouting report on Cyrzx Yzr.

Key word is... "if" No conspiracy theory or anything behind it, just wondering if that's what AVB has in his plans. I would think this would be the time that Torres is put out there to get back on form or not. However, I have no idea what AVB is thinking or planning.

Nice Zola, thanks! And I agree, great run and technique for the finish of the first goal!

1. The pitch should be a uniform size for all clubs, in all leagues, in all countries, etc. 2. Goal line technology is a must. 3. Change the offside rule. If you're offside, you're bloody offside. All 11 on the pitch are in the play damnit. 4. Red and yellow cards should only apply to the competition that they are issued. 5. If someone is deemed to be diving... Straight red. That will stop that sh*te, quick. 6. Refs should explain any questions about yellow or red cards immediately after the match. I believe someone said within 30 minutes, that's a good time. At least we would then know the reason behind the decision.

Unless you believe the rumours that we're swapping for Villa or getting rid of Torres for £20 million in the upcoming window.

I'm surprised it took this long for these articles to appear. Whether or not it's true? I doubt it.

The gut wrenching feeling of trying to pull for Arsenal to keep Man City within reach or the pleasure of watching City pound a plethora of goals against Le Arse. As much as I'm not conceding the league, I can't seem to root for Arsenal, Spuds, or Liverpool unless it's a dire need to benefit us which I don't count this as. Decisions. Decisions.

Exactly what I was trying to say, and maybe didn't do so well. If AVB doesn't want Torres around, then sitting him is just not helping anyone. I know I want to see Torres get back to that lethal form that he had at Liverpool before his injury. Sitting on the bench though is not going to help him get back to that, if he can at all.

I want to know why he's been relegated, what seems to be permanently at the moment, to the bench. And I'm not saying that he should be starting over Drogba, who's had a good run of form. I agree that Torres was playing a lot better earlier this season and TrojanMan I wish I could explain why he's found himself on the bench... However, if AVB isn't going to play Torres he is wasting RA's money by keeping him on the bench. By play, I don't mean 10 minute cameos here and there. So if he is going to just be relegated to the bench for the foreseeable future, why wouldn't he want to go elsewhere or why wouldn't we want to sell him to recoup some of the money that was spent on his transfer? Drogba certainly isn't the future of our striking core, but it appears to me that Torres might not be either. Maybe AVB believes that Sturridge is going to be our future centerpiece. So if Torres isn't in our future plans, then I say let's sell him to get some funds to apply towards our back line or a creative winger. I think a lot of Chelsea fans want to see Torres succeed, but it looks more and more like he's not in AVB's plans. I know I want him to succeed here, but what's best for the club is my main interest.

Ruthless Loz... Ruthless.