youlots

yep, did it well.

ie. I totally agree with Chippy's last paragraph - brillantly encapsulates what it's all about.

yes, hoping is a good thing perhaps the best of things.

Duly marked.

He's really worked on his stern look though don't you think?

Thought Almunia did really well on a number of occasions. Agree about Fabregas - he seemed largely disinterested and was a factor in Barca's first goal & didn't seem at all surprised to be subbed. The red card was harsh and effectively made the result somewhat inevitable but having said that there must be occasions at stadia including the Nou Camp where players don't hear the whistle albeit it's difficult to have sympathy for someone like Van Persie at the best of times. Obviously in retrospect, Bendtner should have shot first time but it was great defending by Mascherano nevertheless. Wonder whether we'll draw Barca now in the quarters.

Josh on - wonders will never cease...

ES - Zhirkov is hardly giving us width.

Agreed but I'd make the swap now.

Thanks Butch. Chelsea score listed first: 1. 07 MAR Blackpool (A) 2-0 2. 20 MAR Man City (H) 1-1 3. 02 APR Stoke City (A) 3-1 4. 09 APR Wigan (H) 4-0 5. 16 APR W.B.A. (A) 3-1 6. 20 APR Birmingham (H) 1-0 7. 23 APR West Ham (H) 4-1 8. 30 APR Tottenham (H) 2-2 9. 07 MAY Man Utd (A) 1-1 10. 14 MAY Newcastle (H) 3-0 11. 22 MAY Everton (A) 2-1

Quite.

Nice

In the moment Chippy, ....you monarchist. Glad for Carlo as well. He needed that as did the team. Onwards...

It seems to me that unless the FA does review this and impose a ban there will rightly be an uproar and it will merely confirm what many believe concerning leniency & manure. It is nothing less than an appalling, cynical, premeditated assault.

Must be a conspiracy then... or perhaps just a coincidence of language.

Should we start a nostalgia/handbags thread for Claudio as well?

Yes. Puyol would have been rewarded by UEFA with a free perm.

Why don't you name them for us then?

Fixed it for you.

Has it not occurred to you that perhaps our owner may be considering a more youthful management rather than just parachuting in another one of the golden oldies? Especially in circumstances where, as you quite rightlypoint out, there are very few if any other considerations? It may be fanciful given his previous form, but if its longevity we crave, I wouldn't entirely rule out the prospect. Indeed, I (being a minority of one apparently) think it's exactly what we need.

Oh, omnipotence - they say it's everywhere... Now where did Avram Grant fit in to your thesis I wonder...

Perhaps it's the smokes or lack of them as his abstaining seems to gel with our abject run over the last few months. Maybe we could all pitch in and buy him a carton.

Well yes but equally one could trawl out any number of maxims deriding indecision. In any event Villa Boas and a few others readily spring to mind. if we're to have a clear-out at the end of the season and regardless of what happens in the next month or so, why is it that we should only consider aging hasbeens?

Well in that case he'd certainly have to renew his cheque book.

You're right - we may as well have Santa Claus in there instead given that he'd have as much chance as starting.