coco

Yeah i only dropped Ricky because Alex has more to offer all round, and Mikel over Joey or Joey over Mikel could go either way, just thought against Arsenal he will be needed for his strength in midfiled.

Looks like we have our squad sorted for the rest of the season. Lets try and determine our best XI from an uninjured squad, the league game at home to Le Ars on Sat 12th April is our scenario (could have full fit squad by then), so pick your best XI for any formation you like for that game. Full squad: Petr ?ech Ashley Cole Claude Makélélé Michael Essien Ricardo Carvalho Andriy Shevchenko Frank Lampard (vice-captain) Steve Sidwell Joe Cole Didier Drogba John Obi Mikel Michael Ballack Claudio Pizarro Florent Malouda Scott Sinclair Wayne Bridge Paulo Ferreira Salomon Kalou Tal Ben-Haim Carlo Cudicini Shaun Wright-Phillips John Terry (captain) Alex Juliano Belletti Nicolas Anelka Henrique Hilário Branislav Ivanovic I'm throwing down this team..... ---------------------?ech--------------------- Belletti--------Alex---------Terry---------Bridge --------------------Essien--------------------- ----------SWP-----Lampard-----Mikel---------- ---------------------------Anelka-------------- ------------------Drogba----------------------- Subs: Cudicini Carvalho Maka Ballack Kalou Drogba front man, Anelka working around him & into the corners, only time Anelka is lone striker is when opposition have corners (as Drogba defends corners). No place in squad for Sheva or the new player Ivanovic.

Would rather buy Richards, every oppurtunity we have to buy quality English youngsters over continental players will work in our favour in the long run. Lets show Wenger the English kids can play.

I hate yellow, please tell Rom we are the blues not f***ing yellows, thats for them yorkshire lot.

All I'm saying is that he missed an oppotunity to put pressure on Arsenal by simpley saying something like 'the difference is only 4 points and they've still got to play here.' Wenger never beat Jose, his record v Grant played 1 won 1. For those who don't think this kind of thing works, Newcastle lost a 12 point lead and the league as their manager becoming a jibbering idiot down to a flippant remark made by Fergie to 'stir things up'. The title of this thread is ''are Arsenal botteling it?'' Avi could have turned up the pressure a bit to find out. Grant could have used the question to his advantage but missed the oppotunity. Thats all I'm saying. I think it's a fair point. The pressure on Arsenal will come from consistant results, not post match banter !

stoked ? is that anything to do with stoke on trent ? sorry if its cockney slang, im not upto date on it.

He is so focused on mangaing the team. Just because the whole of England & the MHS knew the Arsenal score dont me Avram should. All managers act coy about hearing the other teams scores on camera, theyre like "who the hell are they" ? Avram came over like he is focused on the job, thats the main thing.

Brian you make some excellent observations. I think he is waiting for some Tulips to blossom.

Good shout. Right back is (defensivley) our weak spot.

Yes... Once they get their hands on that first spot, which they now have, it will be very... very... hard to catch them. How can you say it will be very very hard ? We are only 4 points adrift & they have yet to play at fortress SB (Over 2 years undefeated). We have only 8 away games remaining, utd have 9. Have you seen the remaining fixtures ? We have easily got a chance of snatching this. The big weekend will be Saturday, 12 April 2008. Birmingham v Chelsea Chelseav Reading Portsmouth v Chelsea Chelseav Liverpool Tottenham v Chelsea West Ham v Chelsea Chelseav Derby Sunderland v Chelsea Chelseav Arsenal Chelseav Middlesbrough Man City v Chelsea Chelseav Wigan Everton v Chelsea Chelseav Man Utd Newcastle v Chelsea Chelseav Bolton Reading v Man Utd Man Utdv Portsmouth Tottenham v Man Utd Man Utd v Man City Newcastle v Man Utd Fulham v Man Utd Man Utd v Bolton Derby v Man Utd Man Utd v Liverpool Man Utd v Aston Villa Middlesbrough v Man Utd Man Utd v Arsenal Blackburn v Man Utd Chelsea v Man Utd Man Utdv West Ham Wigan v Man Utd

THAT game was the greatest. That game is what football is all about, the passion and skill was immense. Barca really were an incredible team that year, probably THE best Barca team EVER. It was without doubt our clubs most significant game in our entire history...... our Agincourt. May i also get a mention in for this game which is persoanlly my fav game ever, i was only 16, Cardiff 3 - 3 Chelsea 31-03-1984 Division 2 (old).

Alex because i cannot imagine trying to get through this season without him.

Lol yeah, was dam hilarious ! Arsenal ...who ?

Anybody else think Arsenal are showing signs of bottling it ? Everyone in the media has fallen in love with Arsenal this season. Now Chelsea have gone through an absolute horror of a first season injury wise, but some how with all the injuries and suspensions we still grind result after result.Over 2 years unbeaten at home. If Gallas hadnt scored against us we would be level on points with Arsenal @ 48pts. If this was a horse race we would be coming out of the final bend on the tails of the 2 leaders, absolutley breathless & not a drop of sweat on us.

Di you see that little 6 yr old girl pick SWP up and place him back on the pitch ? lmfao.

lmfao

Marbronque should have had 2x yellows. Thats enough of a mistake isnt it ?

Ballacks looking a bit jaded 2nd half.

Spuds should be down to 10 men, and thats WITHOUT Marlbromque getting a straight red for the TWO FOOTED studs challenge. He should of recieved 2x yellows, blatant yellows.

Now Maka brings Marlbronque down and gets booked, and Marlbronque subbed, he was def going to get a red card.

yep, and Wiley's decision today was correct. he's officiating a great game, allowing the game to flow. No he just missed a 2nd yellow on Marlbronque again, blatant yellow.

Steve Malbromque yellow card was just the same as Mikas RED card last game.