2011

[jerrod]

gervinho was already getting up when barton grabbed him

[Demetrio]

A bit of a rubbish game both teams looked like the players didn;t know each other, neither did anything to deserve wining it.

If Song doesn't get a suspension, it'll just show the great integrity of the FA.

[KG1585]

A bit of a rubbish game both teams looked like the players didn;t know each other, neither did anything to deserve wining it.

If Song doesn't get a suspension, it'll just show the great integrity of the FA.

The great integrity of the FA was shown today when Barton did not get a red. Useless refs in the BPL.

[Slava]

As strong as Suarez, Adam and Downing looked, Liverpool's right hand side is a big weakness to exploit. Henderson didn't offer much going forward and he did minimal tracking back and providing cover for Flannagan(?).

A speedy winger like Bale or Young might expose that pretty badly.

[Slava]

Still, loved watching the atmosphere at Anfield, they've never had that kind of expectation and team spirit in quite a long time and the premier league just looks and feels much better with a solid Liverpool side.

[treiz]

For me,

Top 4
1) Chelsea
2) United
3) City
4) Arsenal

(Bit of optimism here, hard to see any other team than United win this year, and people for some reason are down on Wenger's managerial skill, it'll be hard to imagine them not in the top 4)

Bottom 3
18) Wigan
19) Swansea (will follow the same route as Blackpool, entertainer but that will also be their downfall)
20) Norwich

Player of the Year
1) Rooney
2) Lampard

Young Player of the Year
1) Ramsey
2) De Gea

Signing of the Season
1) Given (Still can't believe Arsenal didn't try and go for him)
2) Adam (When Gerrard gets back, those 2 spraying those passes will be a joy to watch)

[treiz]

As strong as Suarez, Adam and Downing looked, Liverpool's right hand side is a big weakness to exploit. Henderson didn't offer much going forward and he did minimal tracking back and providing cover for Flannagan(?).

A speedy winger like Bale or Young might expose that pretty badly.

I think Dalglish was experimenting that match, expect them to get stronger down that right side once Kuyt gets that right side back and Glen Johnson returns.

[5DOM]

Hearing that Torres will start. Team sheet expected in 10 minutes!

Update:
Chelsea team for Stoke: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Torres, Malouda

Hope Kalou has a good day..

[Gremz]

LET'S GOOOOOOOO NOT-STOKE!

[MitchellUK]

Just saw the incidents from Newcastle yesterday. Song very lucky on the day, but he's likely to get punished tomorrow morning.

On the Barton/Gervinho thing, Gervinho's red was justified - you just cannot raise your hands. Soft as it was, and ridiculous as Barton hitting the deck was, when you raise you hand to someone's face, a red card is to be expected.

Barton, I don't know - I hate seeing players do what he did (the ref didn't blow a whistle, and play was ongoing, so why was he stopping to pull Gervinho to his feet?), and if it were up to me, things like that would be straight reds, along with waving imaginary cards, etc. - it's the only way you're going to stop the players doing it. However, general squaring up and grabbing, with no punches or slaps thrown, usually results in a yellow, which is what he got. I don't agree with the rule, but I think the ref's punishment for Barton was consistent with other incidents in the past. And I say this as someone who detests Joey Barton.

One interesting point that I heard someone make, is that Barton hauling Gervinho up could have been an Arsenal penalty, regardless of what followed. Play was ongoing, no whistle had been blown, and Barton clearly grabbed Gervinho to instigate the incident, rather than it being the two of them squaring up from the outset.

[treiz]

Oh God why is Kalou starting?....

[5DOM]

With Sturridge out for the next 3 games, it's him vs. Anelka. The latter, despite being one of the fastest players in the team, slows everyone down and I don't think AVB likes that.

Btw a great article on AVB's footballing philosophy:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... sophy.html

[treiz]

I still think a 4-4-2 is how we should deal with Stoke, we definitely need Drogba to deal with their direct approach.

[5DOM]

Torres looking lively and Kalou looking like Kalou

[Gremz]

Have to be impressed with Stoke's fire right now. Dare I say they are looking the better team?

[5DOM]

Neither team looks better than the other, but at least Stoke's able to play their game.

Can't wait for Sturridge and Ivanovic.
Kalou is ****. Think he lost more possessions than everyone else combined.

[Gremz]

Neither team looks better than the other, but at least Stoke's able to play their game.

Can't wait for Sturridge and Ivanovic.
Kalou is ****. Think he lost more possessions than everyone else combined.

[treiz]

Cech is way too busy for my liking

And did Mikel develop a pass? Holy crap there's been a couple of great looking diagonal balls from him already

[5DOM]

Yeah I was surprised with that myself. He's been doing that a lot since preseason. Mikel and Ramires look good in the first half. I would like to see Drogba though. None of our forwards can have the same impact as him

[treiz]

Anelka coming on for Malouda. Wrong move, we need Drogba now.

TAKE OFF KALOU!!!!!

Mikel having a great game so far, Torres should've scored and we definitely should've had that penalty where Lampard got fouled.