BlueBeard

Sacrilege!!!

Awful though that version was, I thought it was a significant improvement on the original (I had the misfortune to hear the original while trying to find the copy you were after, Valerie) I've never watched West Side Story, and never will - the few clips I've seen over the years have convinced me that I could never sit through it for longer than about 30 seconds. Again, while I was trying to find the copy you're after, I found the lyrics to 'Tonight' - it was a close call whether I fell off my chair laughing or whether I'd throw up. Luckily I managed to navigate away before it was too late

If he really feels that way, doesn't it strike you as a bit strange that he's been stalling on signing a new contract for bleedin' ages?

I wouldn't want us to pay £3.5m for Berbatov, let alone £35m. He's a good player, when he wants to be, but that's the problem - if he isn't happy about something, he switches off. In short, he's a temperamental whinging selfish git. Thinking about it though, that could describe about 95% of premiership players We're not desperate enough to waste that kind of money - surely Roman must have learnt by now that spending big bucks doesn't guarantee success. If he's happy to pay out that kind of dosh, then let's get a player in who's actually worth that much.

Sell him! If we get this Serbian lad, we've got 5 centre-backs, or 6 if you count Boulahrouz out on loan. Ben Haim has been crap for us so far, I can't see any reason to keep him - from what he's shown so far, he's no better than Boulahrouz.

Does no-one remember Ballack going down for a penalty while playing for Bayern against us? It wasn't that long ago.

Ballack can play very effectively as a defensive midfielder, he did it for years in Germany. I might be wrong, but I think it was a German national coach who got him playing a more attacking role?

Ballack, no question.

Naah, Grant actually said "I'm pleased we've taken 12 points" - I saw the post-match interview, made me laugh at the time

Apparently we're now also interested in that football legend, Kevin Doyle. Have Reading become our feeder club? http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/pr...icle3298434.ece

The FA can, and frequently are that stupid. Worse, they're corrupt and incompetent, although not quite in the same league as UEFA or FIFA - yet. Two-faced, lying, cheating c*nts, the lot of 'em - they must all have scouse genes!

Ballack is a top quality player, and would be a perfect replacement for Lampard were he to leave. I don't think it was a bold decision by Grant to give Ballack the captaincy in JT's absence, more of an obvious one - Ballack is a natural leader, and after all, he's been captain of Germany for quite a while. The team has been crying out for a leader whenever JT's not around, now we have one.

Peter Crouch is one of the most over-rated players in the history of the game! The only reason the press don't ridicule him is because he plays for their beloved scousers - and they can't possibly be seen to question a Liverpool signing, can they? The bloke's a clown, and his reputation got over-hyped when he started scoring goals for England - against the likes of Jamaica, etc.... If we buy Crouch, then that would prove what I've thought from day one - Grant isn't fit to manage Chelsea, or even Tooting & Mitcham

Definitely back to BlueBeard now, Geezer, Bluechin didn't stay around too long I've had a look in the "90 Years Of The Blues", and the Charlton game was shown as a testimonial for Bobby Tambling - played on 21 April 1969, we won 5-1 with goals by Bonetti (2), McCreadie, Osgood & Hutchinson. I've been wondering why I didn't go to that game, then noticed that it was played only two days after we beat QPR 2-1 in the final game of the season (which I did go to). Probably couldn't afford two games in such a short time on my pocket money! It was things like this that pushed me getting a paper round and delivering milk on Saturday mornings - don't think I missed a home game the following season

Moyes is too classy to do that. Besides, I'm pretty sure he'd already arranged for Big Dunc to pay Fabregas a visit later this week

Not sure what quality Dalla Bona is nowadays. I had high hopes for him when he was at Chelsea, but when Milan came calling he couldn't help himself, he had to go - don't really blame him. If he's anything like he was, then I think he'd do well at Rangers. At the very least he would be decent cover for the amount of bans Ferguson & Thomson will pick up

I don't mean to sound pedantic, but wasn't that Bobby Tambling's testimonial in 1969? I only ask because I remember going to Bonetti's testimonial a couple of years later in May 1971, when we played Standard Liege and lost 1-2. Later that summer we played Surrey at the Oval - 6 or 7 a-side footie, plus a game of 50-overs cricket. I think it was a joint testimonial for Peter Bonetti and a Surrey cricketer. It was a bit of fun, but fanatical as I was in those days, it did begin to get a bit boring - bloody hot day too!

So true, Enrico, so true Ideally we'd ignore both of 'em and get someone like Klose or Huntelaar in, but I won't be holding my breath.

Got to agree with all of that

Thanks for that, Geezer, I didn't know about that book. I bought the original "90 Years Of The Blues" from Ron Hockings himself (he lived less than a mile from me). It's about time I bought the new book though, a lot's happened in the last ten years! Ron Hockings was probably Chelsea's #1 fan, I'm glad his son is keeping the tradition going

Keown was right in a way - Leeds are my second most-hated team, just ahead of Liverpool & Septic, but miles behind Spuds.

Too right mate. The newbies have only known success, and so expect it all the time. Older fans nearly saw us relegated to the old Division 3, and tend to regard success as a privilege rather than something to be taken for granted (no pun intended) Having said that, I remember Peter Houseman used to get quite a bit of stick back in the early 70's, but that was mainly because he refused to steam into tackles like the rest of the team did. Even then, the fans still gave him credit where it was due - he was one of the best left-wingers I've seen at Chelsea. Then one day he must have got frustrated, went into a tackle and left his opponent wondering what hit him - thus was born the immortal song, "Tiger, Tiger Houseman, Tiger Houseman on the wing!"

Although he's a good player, I reckon Berbatov's got an even bigger attitude problem than Anelka. Worse, he plays for the scum at N17. I'd take Anelka over him, no question.

I've got no problem with anyone who is proud of their country, but.....who pays Drogba's wages? Who pays the price if Drogba gets injured in an international game? Ivory Coast? Do they f*ck! A player's first loyalty should always be with his club. If playing for their country is more important to them than playing for Chelsea, then as far as I'm concerned they can f*ck right off. And that goes for any country, including England. I'm totally pissed off with players going off to play for their country, then coming back injured and not playing for Chelsea for weeks. Clubs rarely get any benefit from having players represent their countries, I f*ckin' hate internationals sometimes.

Steve Bennett