bjd

Oh he heard it. Every player gets stick when they come to take a corner but it's always a different level for Gerrard! He heard it alright. It was brutal today. Banter it was not.I agree those fans who clapped deserve praise. it's a nice bit of PR for us actually. Would never happen at many other stadiums in the country and its good it happened at our place with our fans , especially in a season where our fans have taken a battering for a number of reasons. But im just saying I quite respected him for not gushing about it. Anyway far too much focus on this and that's my fault! We should be taking about the game anyway. Not that it was a game, it was more of a friendly out there today from us, especially in the second half.

Did he make a negative out of it? He just stayed loyal to himself and ultimately his club/fans. I can't argue with that. Best thing he's ever done at Stamford Bridge actually!If the roles were reversed and JT did that we'd have lapped it up (as in sure the scousies are) Guess thats the right of a football fan though!

Were you there today mate? It was certainly abuse, some of it way over the top from grown men! All game. Can't pass that off as 'banter' I'm afraid.

When he came over to take that corner it was brutal. But yes, only the same as JT gets everywhere. I'm glad Gerrard didn't buy into the 3 second applause half the stadium gave him. Like I said he went up in my estimation for that.

Gerrard got shocking abuse all game, like he always has done. Don't blame him for not thanking everyone for the applause which lasted 3 seconds. He actually went up in my estimation after that. Fair play to him.

Hazard for me, then JT then Diego. We are blessed to have them all.

Lots of people seem convinced this is going to happen - im just not so sure. I'm sure traditionally its only home teams who do the guard of honour.

If we draw it we won't be winning anything against Palace. Clearly tomorrow is going to be a tough game, the thought of watching Drogba running through treacle again doesn't inspire me. Tough players, and a tough crowd but we've got enough about us to deal with it. I just don't think it will be very pretty.

Yeah will be interesting to see. When we have won it previously I think there has only been the one home game left. Anyway I don't want to get ahead of myself just yet..

Any trophy presentation would be at the last home game I suspect - which is Sunderland.

Yep absolutely, but lets wait and see how it pans out over the next week. This Saturday is the key game i think and will tell us so much. Sometimes we can put in a blinder of a performance when we least expect it - Man City away last season is a great example - we werent playing well (but getting results) , they were on fire and yet we outclassed them. Fingers crossed for something similar on Sat. No one will be surprised with a 0:0 though!

I wouldn't go that far Davey. I think every football fan in the country bar Chelsea fans thinks its a done deal. If you take a step back its not hard to see why. 7 points clear, best goal difference, game in hand, second in the form table and unbeaten in the League since New Years Day. With some bookies we are currently 1-30 on, and they know their sh*t better than most. The reason why we are so doubtful is because of the way we are playing. But we are getting results. Of course, i think we all agree its all about the next 2 games. One thing we know about Jose is for these type of games he prepares better than anyone, his record in these matches is superb. We should know that by now. I honestly think come out these pair of games unbeaten and we are laughing. Funnily enough 2 points could actually be better than 3 if you really think about it.....

His celebration in front of that lot was worth his transfer fee alone

The next two games are certainly tough but 2 draws from them would be fine. In fact we'd be laughing. Draw the next two and that leaves us 8 points clesr of Arsenal with both teams having 5 to play, and crucially Arsenal still have to go to Utd.

Well, looking at that textbook Youtube video with his 3 goals and misplaced dribbles looks like a hell of a player is going to tear up the Dutch midtable for the next few years

Very obviously Hazard and right now he is very obviously carrying the whole team. I think deep down we all accept that. Terrifying to think what may happen if he picks up an injury.

WBA is going to right piss off a few people.

That makes perfect sense. I just don't think Jose will risk losing our two senior midfielders for a pair of back to back matches against top four sides. Time will tell! I'm sure both will start against Stoke and let's just take it from there.

Wining it at SB would be great but first things first i think we need to actually concentrate on winning a game there first! Havent won our last 3 at home. Fingers crossed we sort that right out a week on Sat.

Im expecting the Palace game to be moved too. It must be pretty soon these changes are announced ? I need to plan for the Palace game which clearly isnt going to be a Sat 3pm. Pull your finger out SKY/BT. Twats.

Awful. When Benitez was with us he wrote the same piece evey week for 4 months about him.

If they get another yellow its a two game ban

You've forgotten Ramires! How's about Mikel, Ramires and Zouma. Elegance personified!

Just posted about the Matic/Fabregas thing on another thread. I think it's a real issue and a conundrum for Jose. My gut feeling is both will start against Stoke and then Mikel may well come in for Matic against QPha. Assuming Matic isn't booked next Sat of course. The worst case scenario of them both being booked against QPha is something Jose surely won't risk ahead of he Utd and Arsenal fixtures.

I think our next two games are crucial. Win the next two and we are well on the way. City and Arsenal have a tough fixture one of those weekends too. Win those 2 games and then get through the Arsenal and Utd games unbeaten and its done. Actually we could afford to lose one but it wouldnt surprise me if we set out defensively in both. Any points we drop there can be made up in the game in hand. In fact in that respect I also think the game in hand is a massive factor too. There really shouldn't be any excuses. Biggest concern for me right now is Matic and Fabregas both on nine yellows ahead of the April 12th amnesty. Worst case scenario they both get booked at Loftus Rd and miss the Arsenal and Utd games. Our midfield doesn't bear thinking about in that scenario.