aajblue

I actually think the cup final in 1994 was more painful for me. We had won nothing of note (bar the odd Ken Bates Cup and 2nd div titles) throughout my entire life following the blues and this was the first major final I'd ever seen us in. When Peacock hit the bar in the first half I felt that was our big chance and so it transpired. What really p***ed me off was that I was watching in a Bar in Bournemouth and some freeloader tapped me on the shoulder and said "Can you move please, Jamie can't see". I turned around and sitting there was an ex Bournemouth youth-team team-mate of mine Jamie Redknapp. I had a few choice words with "Jamie". The defeat hurt me so bad as back then we never knew when we'd get another chance of a major honour. Barca 09 made me more angry (to say the least), but Moscow was far more painful, as we were so close to creating the history that we eventually achieved this year. One kick JT, just one sweet connection......doh!

I agree, we do seem to have goals coming from across the park which can only be a good thing. Believe me, I don't think Owen is the answer, just figured if we're playing one up front then we will always need a target man, which is why I was so surprised to see Lukaku go, although it seems as though a bit of Prem experience at the Baggies could prove to be a shrewd mov for all parties. Time will tell I guess and I genuinely hope you're all right and that we don't need another striker.

Neither Moses nor Piazon are out and out strikers, which leaves us with Nando and Studge......not convinced there's enough depth here. I just can't see Drogba will be back and official statements seem to confirm this.

I fully appreciate that Michael Owen is not the player he once was, but that said, his ability (albeit somewhat sporadic now) is still apparent. We are looking a little thin up front and signing a big money striker could cause unrest with one particular spaniard. I wonder if Owen would do us a job if we offered him a one year contract. He's the type of hugely experienced striker that would come to a club like us and understand that he is not the first choice striker but would st be willing to play a bit part giving his all. I know he's no spring chicken and there are clearly better strikers around the globe, but he's available, out of contract, experienced, professional and still hungry. There's no need to put him on silly money and if he does completely bomb, we can always look to bring in fresh blood in January, but I believe he could be a stop gap solution for a back up forward that we just don't have right now. I'm not saying he's the solution or that he'll lead us to glory, but surely having him in the squad would at least give us options on the bench and be better than being left short in that area?

Neymar

We've run out of ideas. Sadly this happened shortly after the game started.

He's the only striker we should have been chasing this summer. (oh and Neymar of course)

Wake up blues

Obviously the easier group the better, but I'm not too concerned who we get as the only serious threat outside pot 1 is city and perhaps psg. Great starting the campaign as holders

Would be nice to one day look back and remember this game as the trophy that set us on our way to 6 titles in a season. We'd have one over all comers.

Couldn't agree more. I also think they're favourites for the CL this season. Jose's unlikely to leave until they do though

Roman was always going to be favourable to Cesar. Add Moses and we've got some great leaders in the squad

He's essentially a converted midfielder which puts into question his defensive ability. But the lads 22 and hungry. If we play the two DM roles, which seems to be the case, then we'll need roaming full backs. A good signing at a sensible price. The future is looking bluer by the day.

Get in!

If only Danny was as good as he thinks he is

One more then regroup

I've said it before, since when was lamps a holding midfielder? Frustrating seeing him there when he should be making those runs he's so famous for.

Jose's affection for the blues has never been a secret. When asked about the CL final he said that of course he'd support Chelsea and that he was blue. I have no doubt he'll be back at the Bridge one day, just hope he'll be sitting on the home bench

I agree. Another player that I liked and wanted to do well but just wasn't good enough. Hopefully this was just more sloppy journalism.

Sorry if there is a thread on this, but I couldn't find anything. "Despite a large amount of Manchester City interest, reports suggest that Chelsea will enter the race to sign Scott Sinclair in these latter stages of the summer transfer window." http://footyglobe.co...-city-star/1130 Surely this is just pure speculation or lazy reporting from a desperate website.......or is there any truth in this? I was diappointed when we let him go, but seriously do we need another attacking midfielder? Mind you we could do with a bit of width, just seems as though we'd either be going backwards or admitting a very bad mistake.

I fully agree. A couple of weeks after Josh signed for Swansea, they signed Sigurdsson and I remember thinking then that this was bad news for Josh, having seen Sigurdsson at Reading impress greatly the previous season. Can't see the same happening at Boro thankfully

I just hope our faith in him isn't blinded by his Chelsea youth roots. I would love to see him succeed and become a mainstay in our midfield, but have this nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me that he couldn't get in to the Swansea team last year. Sure, their midfield was fairly settled, but Sygurdsson also joined Swansea in January and slotted straight in becoming a regular if not their best players for much of that period - and he's only 2 and a half years older. I do hope that it has more to do with Sigurdsson having a lot more playing time in the early part of his career than Josh and that Josh will get that experience this season. Good luck Josh, hope it goes well for you

I would have to vote for Kalou. So pleased to not see his name in the squad, deserves recognition for that

Even though it's a competition I've never had an interest in, I really want to win the World Club Cup this season. I think for this season, success would be adding at least one piece of silverware to the collection, it's just unlikely to be the PL sadly.

I guess, due to unfamiliarity, I'm just getting used to the structure of the site......I think it's perhaps a little unfair to suggest every last thought becomes a new thread, as I do check the more recent post before creating a new one, but will endeavour to be more dilligent in this respect. As for attention seeking, I have a wife and 4 daughters.......it's nice to come on here and for someone to actually listen