Frank injured again?

[ethicalstrategy]

The mail is reporting that he got injured in training on Friday - which would explain his absence for the Birmingham match - and that he will be out at least until after the England v. Switzerland match.

I hope that's not true. Anyone heard anything else?

[sweet waffle]

The mail is reporting that he got injured in training on Friday - which would explain his absence for the Birmingham match - and that he will be out at least until after the England v. Switzerland match.

I hope that's not true. Anyone heard anything else?

All I've heard is that his recovery is taking longer than expected and that there is still a small tear in the muscle.

[Jimboola69]

Ballack is playing well. As long as he is not injured too then I think we are alright.

[BlueBeard]

Even if Lampard was fit I don't think he deserves to go straight back into the team, the vast majority of his performances this season (and last season) have been well below par - and that's being kind.

Ballack has been doing well and doesn't deserve to lose his place simply because Grant (just like Mourinho before him) thinks the sun shines out of Lampard's arse. Maybe Lampard would start to show signs of the form we know he's capable of if he was made to warm the bench for a few matches - make him realise that he has to do more than just turn up in order to get a game.

[ethicalstrategy]

Even if Lampard was fit I don't think he deserves to go straight back into the team, the vast majority of his performances this season (and last season) have been well below par - and that's being kind.

Ballack has been doing well and doesn't deserve to lose his place simply because Grant (just like Mourinho before him) thinks the sun shines out of Lampard's arse. Maybe Lampard would start to show signs of the form we know he's capable of if he was made to warm the bench for a few matches - make him realise that he has to do more than just turn up in order to get a game.

Have you been drinking?

Firstly, no one is suggesting Ballack is dropped. We have a desperate shortage of midfielders at the moment.

Secondly, "the vast majority of his performances over the last two seasons have been well below par"

Loz, is there a prize for most ridiculous post of the year so far?

[Guest]

Maybe Lampard would start to show signs of the form we know he's capable of if he was made to warm the bench for a few matches - make him realise that he has to do more than just turn up in order to get a game.

Are you suggesting that Lampard puts in less than 100% effort every game?.........

Why does everyone delude themselves into thinking that just because a player loses form sometimes that its through lack or effort or application?

The reality is the opposite is true, when players are in form and playing well they generally put in less effort because everything seems to come naturally at the time.

The Lampard we got from West Ham and the Lampard we have now are two very different beasts and they are different because of the effort and application Lumpy puts into his game.

[Tim W]

Got to join BB here - Lamps has switched on cruise mode in an awful lot of games over the last season or so

[BlueBeard]

Even if Lampard was fit I don't think he deserves to go straight back into the team, the vast majority of his performances this season (and last season) have been well below par - and that's being kind.

Ballack has been doing well and doesn't deserve to lose his place simply because Grant (just like Mourinho before him) thinks the sun shines out of Lampard's arse. Maybe Lampard would start to show signs of the form we know he's capable of if he was made to warm the bench for a few matches - make him realise that he has to do more than just turn up in order to get a game.

Have you been drinking?

Firstly, no one is suggesting Ballack is dropped. We have a desperate shortage of midfielders at the moment.

Secondly, "the vast majority of his performances over the last two seasons have been well below par"

Loz, is there a prize for most ridiculous post of the year so far?

Are you so f*cking arrogant that you can't handle the fact that some people may have different opinions to yourself? If you honestly believe that Lampard has been playing at his best for the last two years then you either know f*ck all about football, or you're on some kind of mind-altering drugs

[BlueBeard]

Are you suggesting that Lampard puts in less than 100% effort every game?.........

Yes - just because a player runs around a lot doesn't necessarily mean he's putting in a lot of effort

Why does everyone delude themselves into thinking that just because a player loses form sometimes that its through lack or effort or application?

The reality is the opposite is true, when players are in form and playing well they generally put in less effort because everything seems to come naturally at the time.

Lampard's been out of form for the last couple of years, compared to how he played beforehand. His passing has deteriorated, and his corners and free-kicks are an embarrassment to watch.

The Lampard we got from West Ham and the Lampard we have now are two very different beasts and they are different because of the effort and application Lumpy puts into his game.

That's kind of my point - he's not the player he was 3 or 4 years ago.

[loz]

you either know f*ck all about football, or you're on some kind of mind-altering drugs

Or both, like Pauly who, whilst watching the Liverpool Villa game last night, swore blind that Peter Crouch was Dr Octopus.

[ethicalstrategy]

Are you so f*cking arrogant that you can't handle the fact that some people may have different opinions to yourself? If you honestly believe that Lampard has been playing at his best for the last two years then you either know f*ck all about football, or you're on some kind of mind-altering drugs

I never said anything about Lampard playing at his best. It's obvious that he hasn't been as good last season and this as he was in the previous two seasons. That's not what your post was saying/implying. You said he was well below par in the vast majority of his performances over last season and this and that a spell on the bench might motivate him to put in more effort. The implication being that he was a) not worth his place in the team and not trying. I apologise if the way in which I made my point annoyed you but I still think you are completely wrong.

I think most Chelsea fans would be very glad to have Frank back in the team particularly as we have Essien and Mikel away and SWP injured. What with the alternative being Sidwell. I am presuming that you would play him ahead of Sidwell?

[Guest Brian M]

I agree with the people saying Lamps' form hasn't been up to his normal high standard for the last season and a half. Part of me actually thinks that his 'not so great form' often gets overlooked by fans because he pops up and scores a lot of goals for a midfielder (and how!). But that's why he's been found out at international level, and has a lot of fans on his back. Because his performances are often so-so...and at international level he doesn't have a truck load of goals to hide behind.

I'll happily keep him at Chelsea though. But, if he does get sold at the end of the season, I'll shout, 'Thanks for everything lamps!' and happily drive him to airport. Same goes for Drogba. Rather he stayed, but if he's going to go...let him.

[BlueBeard]

I never said anything about Lampard playing at his best. It's obvious that he hasn't been as good last season and this as he was in the previous two seasons. That's not what your post was saying/implying. You said he was well below par in the vast majority of his performances over last season and this and that a spell on the bench might motivate him to put in more effort. The implication being that he was a) not worth his place in the team and not trying.

a) on recent form, he's not worth his place in the team - in my opinion

I've noticed (as have many others) that Lampard hasn't looked as if he's trying as hard as he should. Last season Ballack got crucified on this site for exactly the same thing, and rightly so.

I apologise if the way in which I made my point annoyed you but I still think you are completely wrong.

Apology accepted, and I in turn apologise for my reaction - you'd think that at my age I'd have learnt to curb my temper, but I seem to be getting worse

If you think I'm completely wrong, that's fair enough - I think you're completely wrong too

I think most Chelsea fans would be very glad to have Frank back in the team particularly as we have Essien and Mikel away and SWP injured. What with the alternative being Sidwell. I am presuming that you would play him ahead of Sidwell?

Even with Essien & Mikel away, I think Ballack and Makelele are quite capable of running our midfield. Sidwell hasn't had much of a chance yet at Chelsea, and probably never will - and rightly so, considering the options we've got, but he's not as bad as a lot of people make him out to be. I'd pick Lampard ahead of Sidwell, though on current form Lampard would have to improve drastically to keep his place - again, this is just my opinion.

[ethicalstrategy]

Part of me actually thinks that his 'not so great form' often gets overlooked by fans because he pops up and scores a lot of goals for a midfielder (and how!).

I know. I wish he wouldn't keep doing that. It's really very irritating. I mean how is one supposed to construct a rational argument to demonstrate that he isn't very good when he does that every season?

P.S. Don't forget the assists Brian!!! Those pesky stats raise their ugly head again

[Guest Brian M]

P.S. Don't forget the assists Brian!!! Those pesky stats raise their ugly head again

Stats? Don't give me stats. They don't prove anything!!

[ethicalstrategy]

P.S. Don't forget the assists Brian!!! Those pesky stats raise their ugly head again

Stats? Don't give me stats. They don't prove anything!!

You won't be influenced by these then!

02/03 - 38 games, 6 goals, 2 assists (total goals 8 from 48 appearances)

03/04 - 38 games, 10 goals, 6 assists (15 from 58 )

04/05 - 38 games, 13 goals, 16 assists (19 from 58)

05/06 - 35 games 16 goals, 8 assists (20 from 50)

06/07 - 37 games 11 goals, 10 assists (21 from 62)

07/08 - 15 games, 5 goals, 6 assists (9 from 22)

Whatever perceptions anyone may have, and I am inclined to agree that his all round play has not been as good over this season and last season, the facts remain that if you took those goals and assists out of the team it would have a serious impact on how well we did. Of course whoever played in his place might have scored some goals and made some assists but it would be hard to argue that we would have made all of the contribution up.

I just wish we could find another two or three players to come in and play so badly and try so little for us!

[ethicalstrategy]

I apologise if the way in which I made my point annoyed you but I still think you are completely wrong.

Apology accepted, and I in turn apologise for my reaction - you'd think that at my age I'd have learnt to curb my temper, but I seem to be getting worse

If you think I'm completely wrong, that's fair enough - I think you're completely wrong too

No problems. You're not the first and won't be the last to call me a f*ucking arrogant tw*t. I'm sure it's well deserved

I think it's a pretty good situation to be arguing about which of our 5 world class midfield players should be playing and which should be left out!

[dkw]

just saw on a few sites that lamps might be back for tomorrows game. be nice to see him on the bench at least. would worry the everton lot a bit.

[The Brit]

grant says won't play...did suffer injury again, hopes he will be back within couple of weeks

[just]

I'm also going to side with Bluebeard's and Tim's opinion, but not to such a degree.

I think Frank has been below par for practically all of this season and for part of the last. However, that is not to say he has been downright rank. He hasn't. He just hasn't found the form and hit the heights he did in our two title winning seasons, when he was absolutely superb. I also can't say I've noted any lack of physical effort on the pitch, but I do think his mind is perhaps not 100% right at the moment and I feel that maybe because he knows he is not going to sign the new contract and is intending moving on at the end of the season. I'm probably totally 100% wrong on that last thought, but it's a feeling I've had for awhile now.

At the moment, with players injured and missing, Frank walks straight back into the side, no questions. But if everyone were fit and available and we were playing a big game against big opposition? Well, that is a different call altogether based on his form this season.

Who would you leave out? Ballack? No way does he deserve to be dropped on current form. Not only has he played really well, he's looked a real leader for us in the absence of JT and his set-piece delivery around the box is superb. Makelele? Righty oh! Haven't you watched how he's played in the last two games since his return? And Maka always, but always, performs in the really big games. Essien? Arguable. Like Lamps he hasn't been at his best this season either, but personally I'd be loathe to leave him out of a massive game because he is capable of winning so many midfield battles on his own. In the tackle Essien holds the fear factor. Other players are frightened of him.

One thing's for sure it would give Grant a welcome selection dilemma. And though I believe he would try to shoe-horn Frank in somewhere, I don't think it would be at the expense of any of those I've listed above. Not on his form this season.

[ethicalstrategy]

I'm also going to side with Bluebeard's and Tim's opinion, but not to such a degree.

I think Frank has been below par for practically all of this season and for part of the last. However, that is not to say he has been downright rank. He hasn't. He just hasn't found the form and hit the heights he did in our two title winning seasons, when he was absolutely superb. I also can't say I've noted any lack of physical effort on the pitch, but I do think his mind is perhaps not 100% right at the moment and I feel that maybe because he knows he is not going to sign the new contract and is intending moving on at the end of the season. I'm probably totally 100% wrong on that last thought, but it's a feeling I've had for awhile now.

At the moment, with players injured and missing, Frank walks straight back into the side, no questions. But if everyone were fit and available and we were playing a big game against big opposition? Well, that is a different call altogether based on his form this season.

Who would you leave out? Ballack? No way does he deserve to be dropped on current form. Not only has he played really well, he's looked a real leader for us in the absence of JT and his set-piece delivery around the box is superb. Makelele? Righty oh! Haven't you watched how he's played in the last two games since his return? And Maka always, but always, performs in the really big games. Essien? Arguable. Like Lamps he hasn't been at his best this season either, but personally I'd be loathe to leave him out of a massive game because he is capable of winning so many midfield battles on his own. In the tackle Essien holds the fear factor. Other players are frightened of him.

One thing's for sure it would give Grant a welcome selection dilemma. And though I believe he would try to shoe-horn Frank in somewhere, I don't think it would be at the expense of any of those I've listed above. Not on his form this season.

Just, that's a very fair and accurate assessment of the situation.

[Guest Brian M]

Just, that's a very fair and accurate assessment of the situation.

I agree Just. Spot on.

Now, whoever you are, stop using Just's sign-in and put the real Just back on! If you want to trick us into thinking you're the real McCoy, stop using logic, and start talking about 'feelings' and 'players running around a lot'...