BigIzz

The CL is a crapshoot. The teams in the knockout rounds are all very close to equal. I still think Barca was the best team last year but they didn't win the tournament. If you play four rounds against equal opponents (supposing you have a 50% chance of winning a given round), mathematically you have like a 6% chance of winning the tournament. Even if you have a 75% chance of winning each leg (you don't though, no one does), you still only win it it 24% of the time. One of the things that attracts me to football is the fairness of the league system compared to American sports and their playoffs. Every team, home and away and the best record is the Champion. That all goes out the window with the CL.

If Drogba isn't ready to start this match, why did he play 30 minutes last weekend? I guess his issue is a matter of fitness more than injury recovery?

Ramires almost was enough to encourage me to go to this match as I'm 20 minutes from Giants Stadium. Alas, ticket prices are ridiculous and I had to pass. The lack of news regarding Ramires is concerning - it seemed like last week it was all the talk and now...nothing

The under 21's are there regardless of how many of the 25 we are able to register. If we planned this better we could have filled 24 or 25 spots in addition to the young kids, rather then 21 or 22.

Interesting hypothesis. But if he isn't a center forward and he doesn't play well out on the wing really then where does he fit in?

Lampard is certainly not without his flaws but he is a great player and I don't think making him a substitute would prove a benefit really. I'm not sure his weakness are related to fatigue. Terry is much closer to becoming a sub then Frank is.

Ross Turnbull? Crap we already got him... No, I agree I'm sure it is easier said then done. I just think that it is something to look into. I think that is part of the reason we were linked with David James, he may have fit all three criteria (maybe didn't want to be a backup though)

We should dump Hilario and get a homegrown keeper. Hilario isn't very good and a homegrown keeper would free up a roster spot.

But if the shoe fits...

I don't disagree with a word of that.

I suspect that is the answer. Can't help but wonder of it's the right answer though.

Not to overreact to a glorified friendly but if Ivan isn't playing right back he is the first choice center back. Any chance Terry sees a reduction in playing time this season? I can't imagine he'd handle it well.

Excellent point

Sturridge was probably our best player but he didn't play that long so I went with the big Serbian. Ivan picked up right where he left off last season. What a fantastic player.

The only two concerns I take from this match are Cole and Terry. Cole looked very disinterested and was probably most responsible for the first two goals. Terry looks very slow. Cole's issue is easily fixable but Terry's not so much.

Ugh....what was Hilario doing there?

It's a good question. Or if he is just pouting because they won't sell him.he seems to have absolutely no interest in defending and just wants to get forward which is problematic when you're a defender.

What on earth was Cole doing there? Terrible performance by him today.

He seemed very disinterested. Particularly at the defensive end.

Don't get why Cole didn't mark Valencia on that goal. Doesn't he need to fill in the spot JT vacated?

I'd have thought that too but what it tells me is that Carlo's first choice back line may be Terry and Ivan in the middle with Boswinga at RB. I bet if this were an "important" match we'd see Ricci in the middle. It also may suggest that Ricci is on his way out.

Um, what?

Good luck Deco. I apologize for saying I wanted to lock you and your family in a barn and set it on fire sometime last season.

I think the winner of the Shield has won the league each of the last three years. Coincidence? Of course.

I like Zhirkov but can understand why Chelsea might be interested in flipping him for a decent profit. He doesn't have a vital role on the squad. I wouldn't sell but it's not my money.