I've been one of Ivanovic's most staunch defenders in the past. When we looked a little open down the right last season, my take was that he was simply unable to get back in time due to his responsibility to provide width in the opposition half, but this season it doesn't really seem to be the case. Azpilicueta has clearly been given more attacking freedom (although I don't think he's been particularly good defensively either so far), and with Pedro taking Willian's spot on the right, Ivanovic has less responsibility to overlap, yet looked as poor as ever against West Brom.

 

It's not just his positioning, his decision-making and willingness to stop a cross seem to have evaporated overnight. I suppose it doesn't help that we were down to ten men for two of those games (and the third was against a rampant City side), and I still have faith in him to get back to his best, but this is certainly becoming a genuine problem. I think people have been far too quick to want José to pull the trigger on one of our finest club servants (especially considering the alternative is an unproven Rahman), but if he continues to perform like this I'm not sure what alternatives we have.

 

Perhaps worth giving him a start at centre back against Palace in the absence of JT?

Just watched motm from last weekend, I think ivanovic will be a very very lucky boy to start against everton.

I know you can't blame just 1 player for a result, but the amount of mistakes he made was frightening.

Will Mourinho be prepared to play baba rahman away at everton? I don't think we can afford to wait and see if ivanovic's form picks up.

We need to get out of this rut, and I think sorting the defence has to be the first priority.

This might be a 'ten men behind the ball' job with our full-backs given no attacking responsibility.

Ivanovic to get the winner from a corner, leaping above John Stones to win the header.

That would be epic ploks!

If Carlsburg did fullbacks they would not be any where near Ivanovic

They would already have beaten him and stuck a cross in

Ivanovic never had pace or skill, but now his decision making is gone, too. It seems like he wants to do things he just is not capable of, like storming forward to score or shoot from the distance which often simply ends in an awfully displaced shot or a loss of possession - and a gap at the back.

 

What annoys me the most is that Mourinho is still playing him even though he himself knows it is a mistake, as he admitted it. What is the point? He is doing no one a favour, neither himself nor Ivanovic or the team.

Mourinho can continue playing him of course, but in the end people will blame him rather than a player who just can't perform better, no matter how hard he tries.

If only there was a young, well-rounded and proven RB in the squad who could fill in for him...

If only there was a young, well-rounded and proven RB in the squad who could fill in for him...

If only be nice wouldn't even better if he was spainish

Edited September 4, 201510 yr by bluegraham

and if his name rhymed with baz willy hater

Edited September 4, 201510 yr by drjonesy1994

Ancelotti's never played three at the back in his life

Obvious troll is obvious, cant even spell.

Edited September 4, 201510 yr by Zola

shut up zola. HAHAHAHAHA ZOLA FAILED MANAGER. Chelsea legend though, will always have respect for him

Everything you say is stupid and/or annoying, not surprised if you get banned shorly

I've never seen a worse attempt at trolling in my life

 

 

 

(I hate that 'trolling' has become a valid verb)

Everything you say is stupid and/or annoying, not surprised if you get banned shorly

We can only hope

(I hate that 'trolling' has become a valid verb)

 

About at the same time when the Internet become a valid noun.

shut up zola. HAHAHAHAHA ZOLA FAILED MANAGER. Chelsea legend though, will always have respect for him

Mum give you too much Sunny Delight and flyer saucers on the way home from school?

I know he hasn't been playing well but he's been a loyal warrior for Chelsea all these years and really doesn't deserve all the vitriol he's getting. obviously I understand the team comes first but we need to stop treating someone who's given a lot to the club with respect. Also it seems to me like he's become the scapegoat for our problems, because from where I'm standing, lots of other players have been dire as well not just branislav and deserve the same vitriol.

Unfortunately thats how it is in football now, gone are the days where a respected and influential player hits a bad patch is supported through it, given the backing of the fans etc. Now in many places they just receive unnecessary abuse and everything they have done and given for the club is forgotten over a poor few games. Thankfully this site is respectful in the main, but places like talkchelsea, twitter and other forums are just disgusting in the abuse and vitriol aimed towards him. He`s a footballer playing poorly, and yes he definitely needs dropped. But he doesnt deserve to die, or his wife to be raped, he isnt a c**t, and he hasnt always been sh*te (all things I saw written on twitter, f**king idiots.),

Couldnt agree more dkw.

Certainly doesn't deserve abuse he always gives he's all and has scored some massive goals for the club. Hes playing at right back which is not he's natural position and just gets on with it. Sadly he's been under performing for some time now and hopefully he can youfind some form again but he needs to be dropped. Might give him a kick in the ass. I really like thr guy but all good things come have to end sometime.

Certainly doesn't deserve abuse he always gives he's all and has scored some massive goals for the club. Hes playing at right back which is not he's natural position and just gets on with it. Sadly he's been under performing for some time now and hopefully he can youfind some form again but he needs to be dropped. Might give him a kick in the ass. I really like thr guy but all good things come have to end sometime.

i agree he doesnt deserve personal abuse, but i thought last game that he looked like he'd given up, and certainly wasnt giving his all. As for rb not being his 'natural' position, he's had a good 7 years to work out how to play it!! hardly an excuse for poor form at this late stage

i agree he doesnt deserve personal abuse, but i thought last game that he looked like he'd given up, and certainly wasnt giving his all. As for rb not being his 'natural' position, he's had a good 7 years to work out how to play it!! hardly an excuse for poor form at this late stage

Like I said coxy all good things end sometime sadly.

Don't be so fickle people. Yes he's playing poorly. But as fans and supporters of the team this man has consistently put in good performances for a number of years. So we should be hoping he finds form not that we get rid. Gives his all on the pitch.