BigIzz

In a race as close as this one there are a lot of "what ifs..." I had forgotten about Terry's goal against Burnley, that was huge. Some other big ones... JT's goal at the Bridge against Man Utd. The two goals in the home fixture against Fullham. We were losing 0-1 for a long time in that match until Drogba and Own Goal (yes Own Goal of Man Utd fame) gave us a quick decisive margin The penalty Ivanovic drew and Lampard converted that gave us a late win against Portsmouth But I'll go with Cole's goal at OT

Awesome, thanks

The table I saw earlier only had the top six places and I don't think they were listed. Don't worry I'm sure they are still doing well in the Champions League or FA Cup

They're selling the new kit with all the FA cup badges on it on the website so Im pretty sure they are.

Agreed. Bring him back as long as we keeping using him in this role

One thing you have to love about Carlo is he does absolutely nothing to draw any attention to himself. He doesn't want to be the story or the center of attention. He is just calm and level headed all of the time. And with the circus that can surround this team at times, he is the ideal personality to lead them.

No idea in all honesty I can't really remember the part of the match that actually was a match and not an exhibition but I'll go with Kalou.

That was a helluva season.

I just hope we can survive the African Cup of Nations without him. It's sure to derail the season :)

Only thing left is for Carlo to crack a smile

Drogba!!!! Let's go for 200 :)

Kalou really has been playing some good football lately Wow what a goal from Anelka!

Drogba is behaving like a spoiled brat today. Why on earth would he think he would take that penalty? Go out and get a goal the old fashioned way Drogs

Come on guys, open the floodgates now

That is huge...let's get another!!!

Matic in the subs bench...Where's Deco?

I liked the older Google page as well. Why change something that works?

A few thoughts about your projected US lineup. Bear in mind I have a few more weeks of observation under my belt. I think the starting center backs will be Onyewu and Demerit. No idea who starts at full back - figure Cherlundlo, Spector, Bocanegra or Borenstien. Michael Bradley will definitely start if he is healthy. Not only is he the coaches son but he played more minutes than anyone in qualifying. Donovan and Dempsey are locks to start as well. I'd bet the other starting midfield spot will go to Edu, although that may depend on what formation Bradley prefers. Up front, I doubt Eddie Johnson will start. Altidore probably will start as one striker and the other starter will be Davies (if he can prove his fitness and show a decent form), Ching or Casey. Won't be surprised to see either Hercules Gomez (leading scorer in the Mexican league) or Edson Buddle (playing very well with Donavan in MLS) make a very late run into the squad, although I'd be surprised if either started then first match. Personally I'd only play one striker (Altidore) but I'm sure we will see two. Pencil my projected lineup as Howard Cherlundlo Onyewo Demerit Bocanegra Dempsey Edu Bradley Donovan Altidore Ching

That kind of thing only happens in Philadelphia. It's a wonderful sports town where their fans are known for booing Santa Claus, having jail cells added to their stadiums and cheering for opponents who have suffered career ending injuries. Theyre trash, its English equivalent would be Liverpool.

Mikel has done very well for us but I'd roll out the same lineup as last week even if he were fit.

Good choice. I have a soft spot for Ivanovich who has been superb without any of the otherworldly natural talents that Drogba has been blessed with but Drogs is very deserving. It's hard to put a value on the high level of play he constantly provides at center forward. Players of his level are irreplaceable.

Like the shirt but am I crazy to think we should see this crazy 2009-2010 journey out wearing our 2009-2010 kit?

That was a wonderful post. I'm about as unsenentimal as they come but that story kinda got to me. Thank you for sharing.

Hopefully, regardless of what happens these next two weekends, Carlo will be the coach of this team for a long time to come. A good manager who is here for the long term that brings stability and is allowed to build his own squad would be fantastic. As wonderful a manager as Jose is, he will never fit that description. I couldn't imagine him ever lasting more than four or five years at any position. While he will no doubt win, he won't lead a long and sustained period of excellence. Let's not overlook what a great job Carlo has done this season. The season was up and down, to be sure. But he has out the squad in a position to win the double. Now its up to the players over these next 180 minutes. The tactics and squad pretty much pick themselves at this point so there is much more Carlo can do but sit back and watch like the rest of us. These next two results will determine if the ghost of Jose becomes fond memories of times gone by or grows and continuens to loom large over whomever manages this club.

Three or four times in the first half, he made great runs that advanced the ball into dangerous attacking positions. Rather then be satisfied by a positive play, he tried to make like Maradona and beat two or three defenders. It never worked, the ball was easily stolen and it lead to a Liverpool counter each time. That is what really irked me.