Davey Baby

AVB needs to stay. Let's get that out of the way first. We appointed him, we knew the risk, we have to give him a fair crack, anything else is just absurd and makes us a laughing stock. Alas he is going to have to learn under the intense glare of public scrutiny, and I am worried for him, and for us. There are personnel problems but there are also mentality problems, as was so evident yesterday. We lack belief. We lack confidence. We are edgy. We are conceding crucial goals at the end of games, which is always a tell-tale sign. This is where the manager is responsible. He has to tap into his players' heads. That's his job. Right now, their heads are AWOL. He needs to make big calls and quick. Drogba is finished. He cannot run. He doesn't have a good 90 minutes left in him. It is over. Etc etc. I could go on. The problem I want to raise is one of instinct .. AVB just does not "smell" a game in the mould of a Jose or a Hiddink. We improved second-half and were unlucky not to be in front. We were pressing for the goal and well on top. The stage was set for Torres, it was as if it was written. Torres would have wanted half an hour to make his mark, twenty minutes at least. He left it too late. When he did eventually make the change, he brought on two ex-Liverpool players, Torres and Mereiles. I know it's easy to be wise after the event but I had a bad feeling about this, two was too much, it was tempting fate, and so it proved, with an ex-Chelsea player scoring for them. It was as if AVB asked for it. Bringing on both ex-Liverpool players at the same time, with the game drawing to a close, and bringing off Ramires, just felt wrong, and I'm afraid AVB's substitutions leave a lot to be desired, as does his reading of a game. Hopefully he will learn. Hopefully he will be given time to learn. He needs our support and we must back him, accepting that he will make mistakes. He got the job on merit. He may prove to be an outstanding manager. He may prove to be painfully out of his depth. He deserves the time to let us find out.

We have Oriol, a perfectly good holding player, who is ready. You're right about Mikel. I've had enough seen enough. He didn't even play particularly badly yesterday, he gave us all he has to offer, which isn't much. AVB has had enough time to see this. Josh? Why the hell isn't he playing? I just don't get it. Right now the one player we miss more than anyone is the Essien of old. We have gone soft. We have no presence. You can cut through us like butter. It is so sad. It wouldn't be a problem if we could hold on to the ball for long spells but we can't, not against good sides, we are just not good enough in possession, and that's where Josh comes in, or (probably) someone of his ilk that will hold him back another couple of years. Mikel? Don't. Get. Me. Started. We have never looked so vulnerable. There is no protection. He has got to go. I can't stand him and I make no excuse for it. I've been banging the same drum for years and slowly but surely more and more people are coming round to the obvious. Not good enough. Ta ra. Sorry but I'm depressed and angry. I don't even blame him for the goal. Cech does that a lot. This time his luck run out. Cech gets way too much credit in my book but that's another story. Same against Arsenal. Every shot they had resulted in a goal. Yes he makes saves but so does every keeper. I'll shut up now.

Good luck with it Mark ..

http://www.guardian....ool-luis-suarez This is an interesting one. It appears Suarez admits to using racial terms, but his defence revolves around the fact it is inoffensive to use those terms in his country. I saw the game and Suarez and Evra were embroiled in a running feud, and regardless of whether those terms are acceptable in Uruguay, I think we can safely assume Suarez was trying to wind up Evra, and could see that it was working, i.e. he didn't use those words in a flattering sense and it was clear that Evra was objecting to them yet he kept on using them. Meanwhile, look at the words used by Dalglish .. "I don't think there is any doubt that any player at this football club who finds themselves in a bit of a bad time is always going to be well looked after by the people here," Dalglish said. "That is a given for this club." Edit: I hope our club takes heed, if and when Terry is charged. We need to back him to the hilt, regardless of what the papers say, and they will say a lot.

Thanks for all the compliments guys. You really are a beautiful bunch. Regarding the disparity between the coverage of Suarez and Terry, the truth is, the accusation against Suarez is far worse, because he stands accused of saying the offending words 10 times, not just once as in Terry's case. Also, Terry shouted out in anger, in exasperation, in frustration. He shouted out of earshot of anyone (nobody heard him). Suarez whispered into Evra's ear (allegedly). In other words, he deliberately racially provoked Evra (allegedly). It was designed to offend (allegedly). If the story is true, he targeted Evra, and he was sneaky about it. This could provoke a discussion in the media, we could hear ex-pros discussing what it's like to be targeted in this way, we could hear their views on the distinction between the two cases, but no, there's a wall of silence. Strange, because everyone has piped up on Terry. Robbie Savage, after the QPR game, wrote in his Mirror column that anyone found guilty of racially abusing another player should be banned for life. Strangely, he wrote nothing after Liverpool played Utd. That's right folks .. banned for life. Banned for life. He's recommending that such a player be deprived of earning their livelihood, of feeding their family, despite the sacrifices and hard work they've put into their career; despite all the good deeds they may have done along the way; despite the fact far worse crimes are committed on a football pitch every day; despite the fact grievous bodily harm is caused; despite the fact sexual offenders and players imprisoned for killing someone while drink-driving then scarpering are allowed to play. No, you shout the words "black c**t" into the evening air and that's it, a lifetime ban from going about your work. Not even murderers and rapists get that. This is the sort of sh*t Terry has to put up with. Question .. since Suarez has been charged, has anyone heard anybody in the media suggest Liverpool might have to sack him should he be found guilty? Has anyone heard anyone suggest Liverpool should drop him while the charge stands? Has anyone heard anyone suggest he should be dropped for Uruguay? He has a charge against him, Terry doesn't. If and when Terry is charged, all hell will break loose, watch and see, and if Chelsea don't act, we will be vilified and branded a racist club, despite the fact Liverpool (quite rightly) are standing by their player. We will be told we have to drop him, ban him, sack him, hang him, despite the fact he is a Chelsea legend whereas Suarez has only been at Liverpool two minutes, and the sad thing is, knowing the spineless, lily-livered people that run our club, they will probably kowtow to public pressure and obey, in the hope that it may help our public image, little realising that the people they should be trying to please are our fans, because the media will keep on sticking the boot in regardless, because they hate Chelsea. Simple as that.

There is no comparison between the coverage of the two cases. Part of that is understandable, another part indicates a clear agenda. SSN, reporting the fact that Suarez has been charged, hardly gave it any airtime, in fact they didn't even devote a separate item to it, rather they just joined it to the Sepp Blatter story, which they let take precedence and was their headline story. That's right. Liverpool's top player has been charged with racism. No in-depth analysis, no replays of the moment Suarez kicked Evra by the byline, no talking to ex-pros about what should be done, no asking any football writers to give their two pennies. Not even a separate item. Not even first billing. Now Suarez has a list of previous as long as your arm. He is a nasty piece of work, and a cheat. No mention has been given to this whereas Terry's past has been brought up a million times, including the fact he parked his car in a disabled bay once upon a time and pissed in the street after a night out, crimes it appears which are far worse than missing a drugs test and being a serial adulterer; shagging whores behind your pregnant wife's back (and continually letting England down with a lack of discipline and petulance); or assaulting an innocent person (as captured on CCTV). I say this because the names continually touted as suitable replacements as England captain are Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. You couldn't make it up. Did you know Titus Barmble is currently charged with sexual assault and possession of drugs? Or that Peter Crouch has been caught cheating on his wife twice, once when she was pregnant? That's right, good old Peter Crocuh, that loveable rogue. He couldn't have a better image if he tried. A Hearts player has been banned because he did something sexual with a minor. I could go on. Terry is treated like he's the worst kind of pond life. He's the most vilified footballer in my lifetime. What has he done? Roy Keane deliberately ended a fellow pro's career, he walked out on his country at a WC, and he repeatedly dug out his own teammates on a football pitch. He was on ITV on Tuesday, sitting in the pundit's chair. That fine, upstanding member of society. There are two players plying their trade in the Championship, both of whom went to prison, one for sexual assault and one for killing someone while drink-driving, then driving away from the scene of the crime. They get on with their lives. No-one bats an eye. I wouldn't care about the agenda but it is hurting our club. Torres got booed at Wembley. What has Torres done that Andy Carroll hasn't? Yet Torres has been cast as the villain, for daring to leave Liverpool and join Chelsea. And it's worked. Everyone hates him. This season I have seen a player punched off the ball, a player spat at, I have seen players digging out their own teammates, none of which Terry would ever do, because he's an honest player. A fool at times, but honest. I have seen no calls for the perpetrators to be given anything more than a 3 game ban. I have seen no witch-hunt, just like there won't be one against Suarez .. unless he joins Chelsea. Terry on the other hand .. there have been repeated calls for him to be stripped of the captaincy, to be dropped, to be sacked, to be banned for life, and to be imprisoned .. for saying a few words. If Suarez gets found guilty Liverpool will support him and they will be applauded, because they're a great club with a great tradition. Everyone will excuse Suarez and move on. His life won't be made a misery. Upon his retirement he will immediately be made a pundit on ITV, and he will extol everything Liverpool, and no mention will ever be made of his diving, just like it isn't now. Meanwhile, who the press want to be England manager? Harry Redknapp. That's right, the same guy who's going to be in Southwark Crown Court in January. What, didn't you hear ..?

http://www.guardian....-chelsea-turkey Edit: Sorry mods, just realised this has been started in rumours.

Anyone else worried about the reception Terry will receive when he skippers England on Tuesday at Wembley? It's not going to be nice.

Phil Jones gives Terry his endorsement .. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/10/phil-jones-england-john-terry

He's asking you one of the great unanswered questions of our time. Bit of a philosopher, Old Shedboy.

Seeing as we're all getting intellectual, I will add this to the debate .. If I call you a "ginger twat", I am inferring being ginger isn't all that. Ditto "fat" ditto "black". It is unlikely you'll ever hear "you beautiful twat", unless in jest or irony. "You strawberry blonde twat". Ain't going to happen. "Black c**t" is an insult. However, we all say things in anger occasionally that we later regret or that we don't feel particularly proud of. I used to hurl all sorts of abuse at Gareth Hall .. It's not the worst crime in the world, it really isn't, and in Terry's defence, if he said it, he said it to himself, albeit rather loudly and in a sporting arena watched by millions. It was a mistake, if indeed that's what it was, and it should be punished, but no more than spitting at someone or punching someone off the ball should be punished. In other words, three games. And that should be that. But it won't be. We all know that.

Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are. A hypocrite.

This one's gathering pace .. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2059179/Chelsea-line-8m-bid-Gary-Cahill.html

Sorry Mike, I didn't see no artist.

There hasn't been an awful lot of glory to hunt in recent years. I would suggest you have many more glory-hunters dating back to the 70s and 80s. I certainly know a few ..

Let's get this straight. Anton is unhappy about Terry supposedly calling him a black c**t, yet he happily appears in a promo employing the word "ni**er" a lot. It's racial equality he wants yeah?

Thanks for that Mike. Shall we complain to police?

Well then, the season’s almost a quarter through and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag for both of us, how do you reckon it’s shaping up for your lot and are you happy with your current form? Not happy with the current form, obviously, but we have to keep it in perspective. Two consecutive losses in the Prem and a draw away to Genk, mixed in with a win away at Goodison and away at Blackburn. It could be worse. A lot worse. I think the defensive woes we suffered against Arsenal had been coming, and I think it served as a neccessary reality check. We are not going to win the league in all probability and I think most of us have reconciled that. We will settle for top four but that is by no means a certainty either. Having said that, there are very positive signs, we are undergoing a transformation, and the fact that there will be a few hiccups is fine for most of us. Perhaps less so for those only accustomed to success. Being realistic, what do you expect to get from this season? The Carling Cup’s not looking too good for you, so that aside, would victory in Europe sufficiently compensate and become your next main priority ;)? The Champions League would be a dream but again, I can't see it happening. We are not at the same level as Real Madrid, Barcelona, City and Utd, to name but four. Our squad lacks depth as we have too many players past their sell-by date as far as their Chelsea careers are concerned: Mikel, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, and most critically of all, Drogba. Add to that the fact Lampard is 33, Ashley and Terry are getting on, Essien is permanently injured, and you can see we are not as strong as we once were. Not by a long chalk. Drogba, Essien, Ashley, Terry and Lampard have all been great players for us. Incredible players, and while some of them still have much to offer, we cannot entirely rely upon them to be available every week and at their optimum, as was the case a few years ago. I see you’re looking at the possibilities of locating to a new ground. I must admit that price aside, I quite like your current location, there’s a bit of tradition there, plus there are loads of ale houses around Earls Court and Fulham Broadway where you can have a bit of a laugh. Any idea whereabouts the suits are looking at and would you be happy to move away from the SW? Location-wise, you can't beat where we're at, and we all realise that. It will be a wrench to leave the Bridge but leave we must in my opinion. Trouble is, it's very difficult for us to re-locate anywhere nearby, but we must try. Earl's Court, Imperial Wharf, Battersea would all be fine, but I can't see it happening, it is way too problematic. White City and Old Oak Common are far more viable but would meet with much more opposition from fans, and rightly so. Our identity is wrapped up in our location probably more so than any other club. Though we're in the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, we really are in Chelsea, and that holds a lot of symbolism for a lot of people. Even Battersea, which is staunch Chelsea territory, in terms of fans, is south of the river, and that would be controversial in itself, though not for me. Postcodes and the river divide are of great importance to many London folk. It's not as straightforward as just moving to another part of West London. Stamford Bridge is way too dear, it's prohibitive for many, and prices are only going to get steeper if we stay. We need to add 20,000 to the gate, which would be easy with a different pricing strategy, the club could cash in on hospitality, and everyone would be happy, except a certain section who are dead against a move at any cost. I understand their position but I disagree. On the transfer front, where are the roubles going next? Surely now you’ve got Anelka, Benny, that Spanish lad and Meireles you don’t want anyone else off us, or do you? Liverpool have some good players, and anything other than top four would be a let-down in my opinion, though clearly you are competing against us, Arsenal and Spurs for 3rd and 4th. I think Dalglish has bought well. I rate Enrique and Adam. My opinion has always differed with most over Downing. I have seen him at the Bridge a few times and he has always impressed me. Henderson will come good I think. Carroll is a good player though some of you will disagree. Not sure it will work out for him at your club but I have always liked him. Suarez has surprised me, I didn't think he's as good as he is, though I don't think his body language is always great. I think he has the potential to piss off a few of his teammates in future, but perhaps I'm clutching at straws. Who should we buy? A winger, more than anything. Pace, trickery, flair. Width. That's what we need. Out-and-out width. Apart from that a central midfielder who can control the tempo of the game, ala Modric, but I'm convinced we have that department covered in future, in the guise of Josh McEachran, whom in my view is the real deal. I would gladly pay money to watch that kid play. Inexplicably he hardly gets any game-time. Getting on to the subject of the precious Spanish lad, has he been accepted yet or is the jury still out on him? He's accepted, he's just not very good. That's my view. I understand that he was good, but I'll judge him on what he does in a blue shirt, and up to now, not much to write home about, sadly. There have been signs this season but that is all. Two goals against Genk is not evidence that he's back, despite what some may believe. I couldn't care less how many shirts he sells in Thailand, though I guess the club feel otherwise. Who is your best player so far this season? Ramires. Definitely. Which Chelsea player would you like to see being pointed towards the back door or at least provided with a full length mirror so he can go and have a chat with himself? There are quite a few. Top of my list would be Anelka. We’ve both experienced a bit of a revolving door on the managerial front over the past few seasons. Are you now as happy with AVB as we are with the King? Very happy with him and I hope he's given time. He needs to learn on the job and Chelsea is a difficult place to do that, because of the expectations and the pressure. He has impressed me. I see from your forums that there is concern regarding AVB’s attacking attitude and his philosophy that the team who scores the most goals wins. Although perceived by some as a risky kind of philosophy, surely it makes for an exciting ride for the fans. What are your concerns regarding AVB? My only concern is his inexperience, not his ability. Sure, we play a different game and there are a few teething issues and he doesn't neccessarily have the squad he wants, but that's fine. Give him time. The job at Chelsea is a complicated one, on so many levels, and you either have to be a genius (Jose) or experienced and highly able (Hiddink). A lot of knowhow is needed and a lot of nous, and at 34, he just hasn't picked up as many tools as he will need. We need to support him. As the age gap between him and the players becomes bigger it will become easier I suspect. What formation do you see AVB setting out against us? The usual. Are there any Liverpool players you feel will require close monitoring/attention next Sunday? Suarez is obviously the danger man, but I think you have many players we should be concerned about. Adam is a lovely passer. What are your predictions for the end of the season for both of our clubs? We'll finish fourth I reckon. I think you'll be fifth. Care to predict the score? No. I’ve never quite understood your ‘One man went to mow’ song, so apart from that, what special songs can we expect next week? One about Torres I suspect. As a bit of an arl arse, I was fortunate to experience the seventies and often travelled about a bit, whatever happened to the infamous one armed Babs from the Shed? Goalkeeping coach. By the way, can I have my Jose the Special One banner back, it got confiscated at your place in the first leg in 2005? Sure. Pop along to the Matthew Harding at about quarter to four on matchday. Be sure to be dressed in red.

He will probably faint.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24007552-spurs-and-chelsea-in-fight-over-pound-50m-pair.do

Bossy refuses to play for the current Portugal coach ever again .. http://portugoal.net...aks-his-silence

I'm trying to pitch my post to Hollywood bigwigs. No shame in that. I agree with that. To be fair to Gerrard, he also won an FA Cup, and for my money it was one of the best individual displays I have ever seen in a cup final. He carried that team single-handedly. He was also pretty special in that second-half in Istanbul, though I hate to admit it. Edit: I think Gerrard was also part of the side that won the treble. Double edit: When I say "treble" I use the term loosely. Triple edit: "Treble" my arse.

I think he's already a Chelsea legend mate. Others will disagree but I think he's our best ever player. Not in terms of skill perhaps, not in terms of natural ability, not in terms of entertainment. In terms of effectiveness. He scores, he assists. It's that simple. He helps us win games. He helps us win pots. It's that simple. He has an incredible temperament. He keeps his cool under pressure. He doesn't let criticism faze him, in fact it spurs him on to greater things. In short, he's a winner. Lampard does the basic things well. Not exceptionally but well. He tackles, he passes, he moves etc. People say he lacks god given talent but they are wrong, oh so wrong. He is a natural goalscorer. In and around the box he is lethal, absolutely lethal and he doesn't get enough credit for it. He can finish. He has uncanny knack for arriving at the right time at the right place. You can't teach that sh*t. You cannot teach it. It is unteachable. He has a sixth sense. He will never be a ball player, he will never be a fancy dan, he will never run rings round you. He will always look prosaic. Appearances can be deceptive. People just do not understand him. He is a phenomenon. God love him.

What a c**t Ian Wright is .. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/3920370/Race-row-news-Ian-Wright-says-John-Terry-shouldnt-be-near-England-squad.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/07/takeover-panel-chelsea-pitch-owners