AVB realised pretty quickly what had to happen to Kalou.

He then worked out Anelka.

Looks like he's now worked out Mikel.

Boswinga looks like he's been worked out too.

Same for Malouda, although our best front three at the moment may involve Sturrudge playing up top, as AVB seems to have worked out Torres and Drogba too but his hands are tied somewhat, due to a lack of options.

Lampard needs to be rotated and the coach is not afraid to do it.

AVB may be evaluating the squad in a way he couldn't in the summer, and it looks like he's coming to the right conclusions.

Oriol and Mata have been great signings, and if the manager wants to buy Pereira, I dare say that will be a great signing too.

The worst kind of managers are those that keep picking under-performing players. They're the managers that make you want to tear your hair out.

AVB isn't one of those.

He's learned about his players and I think their futures are decided, as we will see in forthcoming transfer windows.

I'm encouraged by the decisions he's making, even if they sometimes take him longer than required ..

Was that the shortest strike in the history of the union?

I decided it wasn't fair on you.

Why should you suffer because of the manager's decisions?

You are so kind, DB - I really appreciate it! When you decide to apply for AVB's job, I'll write you a good reference!

Edited November 27, 201113 yr by moi

I decided it wasn't fair on you.

Why should you suffer because of the manager's decisions?

No, it's not fair on us that you ended it. Go back on strike, please.

Good lord maybe Team McEachran should have had someone tougher like Nibs organising their industrial action.

Have to say, Love lampard to bits and his record speaks for its self, He is with out doubt one of the best if not the best goal scoring center mids the prem has ever seen. I also believe him to be massivly underated as a player, but like it or not his powers have wiegned. Yesterday was so fluid in the midfield. the way the midfield moved the ball and then moved of of it to create options is somthing we dont see that much with lamps in the team now days.

deffinatly still has lots to offer unlike some of the others but his role needs to change now

Yesterday was so fluid in the midfield. the way the midfield moved the ball and then moved of of it to create options is somthing we dont see that much with lamps in the team now days.

Admittedly Wolves were poor but I wholeheartedly agree and especially when our goals all came in the first half.

The acid test for this midfield combination will of course be against sterner opposition to come but I for one can't wait.

And McEachran aside, I feel that AVB may have turned the corner concerning his selections: in any event and as Davey points out, some encouraging signs are emerging at long last (and not before time).

Only 1 game, let's not give the man too much credit just yet, let's see who will he pick against Newcastle, Valencia and city. There is stll the issue of drogba.

Only 1 game, let's not give the man too much credit just yet, let's see who will he pick against Newcastle, Valencia and city. There is stll the issue of drogba.

Well.

I don't know that "encouraging signs" or greater "fluidity in midfield" equates with giving "too much credit". Hardly a full endorsement was it? So your comment on that point is rather sterile wouldn't you say?

As far as your comment on Drogba is concerned I feel that some have been overly critical of the manager for his continued use of same recently & I don't feel that Drogba was poor against Wolves. Obviously he is not the player that he was but Torres is hardly burning a trail either at present. Are we to assume from your comment here and on other threads that you are of the view that the manager shouldn't play Drogba at all? If so, please confirm that that is your view.

AVB realised pretty quickly what had to happen to Kalou.

He then worked out Anelka.

Looks like he's now worked out Mikel.

Boswinga looks like he's been worked out too.

Same for Malouda, although our best front three at the moment may involve Sturrudge playing up top, as AVB seems to have worked out Torres and Drogba too but his hands are tied somewhat, due to a lack of options.

Lampard needs to be rotated and the coach is not afraid to do it.

AVB may be evaluating the squad in a way he couldn't in the summer, and it looks like he's coming to the right conclusions.

Oriol and Mata have been great signings, and if the manager wants to buy Pereira, I dare say that will be a great signing too.

The worst kind of managers are those that keep picking under-performing players. They're the managers that make you want to tear your hair out.

AVB isn't one of those.

He's learned about his players and I think their futures are decided, as we will see in forthcoming transfer windows.

I'm encouraged by the decisions he's making, even if they sometimes take him longer than required ..

One game changes little my friend. He still isnt picking Josh and Oriol/Mikel decision doesnt look game set and match just yet so maybe we'd have to reserve our judgement there. His subs still leave a lot to be desired so all in all he looks like one slow learner although I'd say better be a slow learner than jump to conclusions and regret but he's taking a bit too long. Maybe he should've taken a lesson or three from last season as well.

I and Nibs are still on strike until Josh gets a full game against Liverpool. And then some appearances in the league as well.

Edited November 28, 201113 yr by rahul

He's picking Drogba to give him the same opportunity Torres had in the beginning to prove what he can do. With the ACN coming up soon we'll be relying on Torres for a while anyway.

I really wish I knew what Malouda does in training to warrant getting picked at all. He must be a REALLY nice guy.

I and Nibs are still on strike until Josh gets a full game against Liverpool.

I'm impressed with your staying power.

He is learning, but still lots to learn!!

Substitutions are still a worry for me and resting Lamps once doesn't mean we've left the old gaurd behind!

I really wish I knew what Malouda does in training to warrant getting picked at all. He must be a REALLY nice guy.

Castiel , that is my big desire as well . To know what Malouda does in training . How he talks to the likes of Carlo , AVB etc.,

Castiel , that is my big desire as well . To know what Malouda does in training . How he talks to the likes of Carlo , AVB etc.,

I'm sure he uses hypnotism or some sort of dark art. Is it a coincidence that his hair keep on changing every week? I've heard dark arts have an adverse affect on one's hair.

Edited November 28, 201113 yr by rahul

I have to keep reminding myself "It's only Wolves, it's only Wolves, it's only Wolves."

Because I'm tempted to say that was Chelsea's best line-up. And I hate to say that with Lampard on the bench.

But Frank's passing has been inaccurate of late. For my money, Chelsea's biggest flaw in the run of losses hasn't been the defense, it's been the midfield. Specifically, the inability to keep the ball, to make a series of crisp accurate passes. The number of loose passes and sloppy work against Leverkusen was just awful.

With Romeu at DM and Miereles in a more natural role further forward, things worked much better. The team had pace and a consistent character. And I think we all feel better with Ivanovic at LB.

There's still a hole at center forward. Neither Torres nor Drogba have contributed as expected. But if you move Sturridge to the center, then you have to put Malouda or Kalou on the pitch, which would ruin everything. Better, for the overall shape and style, to wait until either Drogs or Torres find their form, I think.