Star

Your best bet is to become a member ! I got two tickets online yesterday and got a guest house, on the beachfront, Roker side, £40 quid including breakfast !

We all know on his day Didier is unplayable and in a three pronged attack as a lone striker possibly the best in the world even now in his later years. In Europe especially, like when we bombarded balls up to him against Bayern Munich in the second half a few years back. However, like it's been mentioned i'd been more concerned about replacing Frank Lampard in the long run. 20 odds goals from midfield and let's face it that's harder to replace than a 20 goal a season striker. In fact we already have one in Anelka and who's to say young Sturridge isn't the man in the future to bag that amount too. Also in playing a diamond as opposed to out and out wingers, or even any system with one player behind the front two requires the two front men to work in tandem and as we found with the likes of Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen sometimes the unlikiest partnerships will click. Let's enjoy Man Utd trying to replace Ronaldo's input over the past few years and let's remember we've played 4-3-3 for years, who's to say the next ten years will be a decade of diamonds !

Pato is the man, but funny you should say Robben. I was speaking to a mate who works for the 'magic sign' in Spain, he's a gooner and decided to wind me up when the Terry saga was on. He told me that we were going to re-sign Gudjohnson and Robben so to re-create the blues brothers in JT's new games room in his pad!

That's what i'm getting at, I don't think Roman had any intention of buying big from day one of Carlo's reign. Pato is the clearest example, if he wanted to make a point, please Ancellotti or just put the likes of Man City in there place, a world record bid would secure him. He won't, well I think he won't ! We are more likely to as i've said to end up with the ageing Pirlo, let's hope for his sake we can negotiate a better deal than we did for Shevchenko !!

Fair point, Ribery could play behind the front two and plan B would be ideal with Ribery wide. But there is no doubt Ribery is better on the wing and we have the likes of Joe Cole to also consider at the tip, who arguably would be better, Pato would be more versatile in any case. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be adverse to Ribery being signed, but the system Carlo has played, in training and on the USA Tour has been the diamond, with 4-3-1-2 his possible alternative if his Milan days are anything to go by. I play a bit of poker, not consistently well I hasten to add, but think there is a slight difference to blagging and bluffing - in this case they were saying they were going to splash the cash, JT I know for a fact expected them to ( He told me as much at the Chelsea Player of the year Awards and so did Jason Cundy, when Kenyon to my Mrs to be that we were signing Zhircov and another Russian I cant remember his name) Therefore they blagged the fact they were going to spend big but it wasn't a worry because they knew Ancellotti would change our system of play to suit basically what we had to get success, who would have thought Turnbull, Sturridge and Zhircov honestly would have put us in with a chance of winning the title ? We will go off the bookies favourites, I know Utd have drifted because of Ronaldo going, but there has been significant money on betfair in our favour since Ancelloti's appointment. We will win the league i'm sure, whatever happens.

As I tried to explain in my Ribery and Villa post, I really feel we were never seriously considering a marquee signing. If we were to analyse our signings so far, both our young signings were primed for the European 'Home Rule' , our keeper is ideal for the bench as he hasn't a hope in hell of taking a fit Petr Cech's place, whilst Sturridge can come off it and offer something different. Zhircov is the cover for Ashley Cole that we needed, but unlike Wayne Bridge is able to seriously challenge for a starting place in direct competition with Malouda, despite how well the latter played at the back end last season, he was often the only option as opposed to the alternative. With Shevchenko, virtually committing himself to the cause ( I used the word lumbered because he's hardly ever set the world alight here!) It's clear as it can be Ancellotti is thinking of pairing either Stiurridge or Sheva or Di Santo ( if he isn't loaned out ) with Anelka when Drogba is banned in the Champions League and away with Kalou ( If he isn't at Arsenal by then ) at the Afican Nations. All this John Terry business has really opened my mind, the facts are the likes of Drogba, Ashley and Joe Cole are sure to pen deals to tie them to the club as Obi Mikel and Malouda have. In the past we have let top players in limbo toward the end of their contracts, whilst struggled to offset signings and reclaim transfer fees. As a top club we shouldn't have to wind down negotiations as we did with the likes of G****s and Lampard and lose money and loan out players as we have with the likes of Crespo and Shevchenko. JT and Lampard were the first, like a lot of Chelsea fans ( including myself ) to say if we were to seriously think of regaining the Premiership Title and winning the Champions League we needed a couple of players to make that difference. I wanted Benzema, Ribery and Tevez, but it's clear by the USA Tour the only players that suit the diamond system Ancellotti is bedding down are PATO and PIRLO. AC Milan are not stupid, but Roman isn't either. JT has been told we were in for two players but come up short. They were Kaka for certain, the other is debatable but one thing is sure in my mind we didn't have a cat in hells chance of getting either and maybe just maybe the club knew that. Cue Ancelloti's system and Ribery wouldn't suit it, or Villa in my opinion. PATO is the real deal that could. Anywhere in the attacking third, a top top young player. PIRLO is the Milan wage bill with a couple of years left at the top and a player Carlo admires who can play at the base of a diamond and provide cover for Mikel and Essien when they are away. IF Chelsea are in the money game, a HUGE bid for Pato and i'm talking 60 million would possibly nail him. But are we prepared to do that ( despite him having sell on value at his age ) I think not. Are we prepared to pay the 35 million Milan want for Pirlo, again I think not, but make no mistake if a deal can be done to suit both parties it will be done. If Pirlo comes on the short side of 15 million, Chelsea would have made Ancellotti's day and spent very little this summer compared to other clubs vying for success. Despite the clubs open intentions to get that marquee signing they will have got away with spending sh*tloads, I am very confident that Carlo will deliver us the Premiership this season, but we might come up short again in Europe. That is why we are .... Blagging our way to success !!!!!!

and mine !

There you are my friend consistent as ever and not on my intelectual level ( I have mis-spelt this to give you a hand !) Blagging to success , means I am impressed by Ancellotti's formation, he is playing with what he has got, Ribery and Villa are marquee signings that no longer fit into our system. Thus Chelsea will not spend the money expected from the likes of JT and Lamps, but we will get an oldie in Pirlo to cover when Mikel and Essien are away in Africa, saving a few quid along the way but winning the title along it at the same time. Unlike Ballack and Shevchenko who completely destroyed our system when we signed them, Ancellotti is going a cute way of doing things and is 'blagging to success' to save us fortunes. Who wouldn't want PATO ? But Milan won't sell him unless Roman breaks the World Transfer record, we all know he won't, but they want Pirlo off the wage bill and we need any old fart capable of playing the holding role for a month or two .... Comprendo ?

How ironic that on the day JT finally confirmed what every die hard Chelsea fan truly believed, that he was staying a blue, the two players both he and Lamps openly stated were the players they'd like to see at the Bridge this season, remain as the only marquee men currently still available. Now correct me if I am wrong, as forwards go we are now lumbered with Shevchenko again, with Pizzaro the only one sure to find another club. We are surely set for a diamond formation, with loads of options and two strikers up top. We have the African Nations and Drogba Champions League ban to contend with. To the left of the diamond we have ample cover with Malouda and Zhircov, the tip is our oyster with Lampard, Joey Cole and even Deco or Ballack. The base controlled by Mikel or Essien neither of whom will be available when the African Nations kick in. Ballack would be a liability there for sure, cue Modric's goal at three point lane last season. To the right surely Essien is the ONLY contender bombing forward as his days in Jose roaming right back mode. But we have alternatives in Joe Cole and a conservative option in Ballack. I'm getting a horrible feeling here, another pay packet from AC MILAN, not a young Kaka or today's option and the only player who could fill many a forward position in PATO ( C'mon Roman prove to JT you are as good as your word - make them an offer they can't refuse) are you getting it our marquee signing ... Brucie Buck style ... alright my loves ?? Step forward the ageing PIRLO, Ancelloti style, his lynchpin with an attacking verve, to sit in front of our back four when the African Nations start, it's so 'kin obvious it's unreal. Why is it suddenly Ribery and Villa, do not look likely in our current formation ? Because we are blagging our way to success again !

My mate went to the game, he just rang me ( he has only just started to watch soccer as he says ! ) he was impressed with Lampard and Deco, more impressed with Tommy Langley and Steve Finneston close by singing in his words 'Gooner Reject' to Vieira ! I asked him how he knew it was Tommy Langley and Jock and he said it was some Neil bloke who told him, sounded like Neil Barnett ????? Haven't seen the match myself but he reckons we were pretty impressive in the midfield area compared to Milan. By reports it looks like the diamond as PLAN A and 4-3-3 the back up this time around. At least we now have and A and B !

Bit of a nothing game, Inter and AC Milan will provide a test that we need and will determine Ancelloti's blue plan for the way forward, both with team and formation/players required to be bought/sold. Sturridge gets my vote, took his goal well, linked up well with Anelka for the second, slightly ahead of Lampard and Terry, the latter deserves a mention for the way he has conducted himself since the day he landed in the states and indeed it was the same old JT lunging in tackles and putting his head in where it hurts. I'm with Jason Cundy on Deco's performance to be honest. What's happened to Neil Barnett 'the spy' like Kenyon not my favourite behind the scenes man ? Not at the Chelsea Player of the Year Awards, replaced on the USA tour by Rob Andrews, lost his spot on the Chelsea TV phone in to Jason Cundy ... Have Man City snapped him up :D

Firstly i'm in the camp that Mr Chelsea, like a certain Steven Gerrard, has no intention of leaving the club closest to his heart. BUT there comes a time when a player starts to think he is bigger than the club itself and unless he comes out and ends all this garbage with a statement of intent we as a club will suffer in our pursuit of the top players John craves for. Man City are beginning to look like the Rich Man's Tottenham of the past ... "we nearly signed ...." Kaka, Eto'o has joined a growing list and as we all know you have to be in the Champions League to attract the cream, unless of course you are a mixed up Robinho ! Bridgey and SWP maybe miss his footy playstation but JT has to think of the Club he loves and not think they are a media circus, for the jokes are flying and the natives are restless. Explain to me again why Sturridge chose Chelsea over City ?

A work colleague of mine was doing a bit of media work in Milan at the weekend and rumours ( those associated within the hierachy of both Inter and AC Milan - concrete stuff 100%) are circulating that Peter Kenyon has upset both clubs with his pursuit of A) PATO B) MAICON in a manner where UEFA should take action. It is said that Roman is fed up with his under hand tactics and is finally thinking in the lines of the majority of Chelsea fans, myself included, realising that the bloke is a liability and not the person to deal with the finances or branding of our beloved club. Deco and Carvalho's move to Inter are being held up because of the moves to replace Kenyon, it is reported in Italy that Arneson and wait for it Hiddink are involved in negotiations for the purchase of Zhircov ( Ah, he did not lie to my fiance' !)

I shouldn't be so sure, the biggest bet was struck a week or so ago by Graham Sharpe at William Hills ( his personal contact number is on the Hills website - i'm sure if your City pals ring him he will lay them Tevez close to 4/6 when he was 1/10 when the news broke on sky yesterday !) Hills priced Tevez as 6/4 fav to come to us after *that bet* I'd say it would be a 5/6 shot for both Chelsea and City at the moment. If I was laying, but I won't be! If you get him, you will deserve it and will have to earn it. At the moment we hold you firmly on the pitch but as negotiators go I think you may well hold the cards, if Peter Kenyon was at your place i'd be more than confident of getting him! Whatever happens enjoy the ride for the next few seasons, it's great also for the real supporters in Manchester to have the feeling that something big is about to happen. Good luck for next season, think you will finish between 5th and 8th, but hope you squeeze past Arsenal sometime in the future!

Dorset, you are on the money mate. 100% concrete we are in for Tevez, betting patterns have suggested this for a good few weeks and I know for certain talks must be at an advanced stage. We are clearly talking Man City or Chelsea and unlike the Robinho situation we won't be mugged on the line or indeed blocked in any way from speaking to the player. As Man Utd have confirmed he was offered a five year contract and a wage close to the likes of Berbatov and Carrick, this speaks volumes of Tevez's intent and the fact money will not be the main issue, not many players turn down Man Utd given the chance. He wants to be valued and appreciated, as i've banged on about before he brings honesty and desire to the table and everywhere he goes the fans love him. He would be a sensation at Chelsea i'm absolutely certain. I'm not really into wearing replica Chelsea shirts these days, but one with Tevez on the back would make my season before it's even started, taunting the Mancs in my locality, you bet! If we are to believe Ancellotti has already spoken to him, that Roman has direct contacts within the camp, it shouldn't be a problem for my old mucker Peter Kenyon to pen him down. It's not Asia and the US buying into the Chelsea concept here, this is us selling Chelsea Football Club, what it stands for and the standing we currently have in football compared to Man City. Words can be pretty but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that to get back into the Champions League if he went to City, he would have to inspire them to oust Arsenal pretty sharpish to realise the dream. To be honest, i've said it before, when Roman came here we were already in the Champions League and among the top four clubs in England. For Man City to break into the top four in the next five years, whilst not being impossible, it's swimming against the tide compared to if they were in Spain or Italy with the same resources. If we don't get him, we should be worried for sure and fingers deserve to be pointed.

Fair play TT, Did you back us for the Champions League ? I've done it for the past 5 years or so. Got on at 9.6 for £400 this year, laid half back at 8.8 already, will chip away as we progress. Always have the field up 'in green' by the semi's - apart from the year bloody Porto won it ! When the Ronaldo deal news broke I had a little on Real and laid that back as well ... that yellow info bar on sky sends betfair mental and often us bookmakers are half asleep or busy with the Horse arbers to notice quick enough. Good luck with your footy punting next season mate.

[quote name='Star' date='Jun 17 2009, 20:29 PM' post='203692' Today was a clear case .... but if you want a cert dropper tmoz - get on freemantle at ascot with hills or paddy power at 11/8 ! Now 2.2 to lay .... hope you were all on early ( magic sign were 11/10 ) Paddy were 11/8 .... best odds guaranteed ... win would be handy but if it loses money back guaranteed !

TT, though I work for the 'magic sign' have to say since the introduction of betfair most bookmakers and especially traders are running scared of laying bets in the traditional way. I know a lot of old timer traders who have jacked it in principle. l guess like most of us you scan oddschecker, wait for everything to go blue and click on to Bet 365 only to get laid £3.65 ( they should change their name to bet 3 pound 65 !) just because it's half a point under on betfair. Watch Hugh Taylors tips on at the races website ,,, they crash the prices everywhere , without laying hardly anything. He's lucky he's at the top of the tree, he picks a 10/1 shot ... his boys get on ... then it's all over the website - it's 5/1 everywhere he lays it back with more than a bit to spare. Same with pricewise, those boys are loaded take it from me. The game just isn't the same anymore, but as we both know their is a window of opportunity for those with plenty of cash and an oyster card in London !

Difference is bluenut is if you place a spread bet you rely on it going up or down - you can win a lot or lose a lot. Spreads on cricket and rugby are nightmare's ! With arbing ( if you get rid of it or know when to get rid of it ) you cannot lose. Today was a clear case .... but if you want a cert dropper tmoz - get on freemantle at ascot with hills or paddy power at 11/8 ! But don't come looking for me if it drifts mate !!

Spot on , but us lucky ones in the horse industry, get to know a horse that is backed early doors at say 7/1 ... drops on betfair to 5.6 for example and today is pay day !

It's called Arbing Bluenut !

I was on with VC a month ago as well TT ! Secret is, with as it's called in the industry 'arbing' you get marked up pretty quickly, get a mate betting on golf, sports and football NEVER HORSES ... I use his account with all the bookies , as horse betting goes i'm £10 a bet everywhere but on sports the world is my oyster ! A few of us in the office have got between £1.65 and £100 on .... betfair will see us drift only a little !

Im in the industry mate - trust me

http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action=go_ty...&AFF_ID=369 On Chelsea official site - i've just had 100 on at 4's and laid it back on betfair at 3.6 ! In other words - if Chelsea fail to win the league you recoup your £100 If they win it £140 profit GET ON !