2011

[5DOM]

Sturridge's form has dropped considerably last few weeks, but the main problem I have with him playing RF is that his decision making is very inconsistent from that position. This isn't a knock on him but there's only one thing in his mind when he has the ball - shoot. He's still very much a CF playing out of his position right now, and that's not helping the already-stagnant Chelsea attack. Ideally, he should be given more chances at his natural position, but we have Drogba and Torres there and no one who can play on the right wing except Kalou. Anelka should have stayed instead IMO.

[Trilogy]

It's funny because i really think Chelsea need to show patience with someone long term to rebuild the squad but AVB was really bad in his short tenure that him getting the sack is totally justifiable.

Sturridge's form has dropped considerably last few weeks, but the main problem I have with him playing RF is that his decision making is very inconsistent from that position. This isn't a knock on him but there's only one thing in his mind when he has the ball - shoot. He's still very much a CF playing out of his position right now, and that's not helping the already-stagnant Chelsea attack. Ideally, he should be given more chances at his natural position, but we have Drogba and Torres there and no one who can play on the right wing except Kalou. Anelka should have stayed instead IMO.

Yea, Sturridge has played well overall, but he's not really a wide player and his play of late is showing that. I think he's more of a support striker down the middle, playing off a big powerful striker like Drogba and hopefully Lukaku in the future.

Problem with that is that would be more of classic 4-4-2 type of setup, which leaves arguably our best player in Mata out of position. As you said though the issue is that we have absolutely no one to play down the right. so he'll probably stick there for now. It'll be interesting to see what Di Matteo does tactically for the rest of the season.

[jim todd]

Yea, Sturridge has played well overall, but he's not really a wide player and his play of late is showing that. I think he's more of a support striker down the middle, playing off a big powerful striker like Drogba and hopefully Lukaku in the future.

Problem with that is that would be more of classic 4-4-2 type of setup, which leaves arguably our best player in Mata out of position. As you said though the issue is that we have absolutely no one to play down the right. so he'll probably stick there for now. It'll be interesting to see what Di Matteo does tactically for the rest of the season.

Based on the way the individual players have played, that's what I would like to see too. Drogba or Lukaku with Sturridge up front in a 4-4-2 diamond, with Mata as the offensive midfielder. Maybe have Ramires and Essien/Lampard on the sides with Romeu as the defensive mid. Not that he can get any worse, but I think Torres might be more effective in this type of formation as well.
If nothing else, a new coach will inject some interest in this lost season. Hopefully the players display some hunger, and the Bosingwa and Meireles sightings remain sparse. Best of luck Di Matteo!

[treiz]

Really disappointed that Brendan Rogers said no to us, but I like Di Matteo as a manager he did a good job at West Brom and obviously is a Chelsea legend. Let's hope he can get off to a good start today against Birmingham.

[SilverQT]

Getting rid of the manager is not the answer to our problems. AVB has not been stellar by any stretch of the imagination but Rome was not built in a day. The managers are the scapegoats, when the real issue is our ageing squad and their superstar egos. A lot of these players need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are helping this club or holding us back. Not running to the press to mouth off because you're not getting playing time (here's looking as you 'sir' Frank Lampard). In the end, our lack of patience and the quest for instant gratification cost us yet another manger and even more fundamentally, any sort of stability. This club will not thrive without stability. But we have not learned that lesson yet. My only regret is that Anelka and Alex were shipped off the way they were. But as it is, they're probably better off away from the mess that is currentlY Chelsea FC.

[Slava]

Apparently Pogba has agreed to a 15k a week contract with Juventus and he has subsequently been dropped from reserve and first team training.

So much for singing youngsters from other clubs at a early age and paying UEFA fines. Neither of Obi Mikel and now Pogba has stayed along, hope atleast one of Petrucci, Macheda and Josh King make it at United.

[5DOM]

Getting rid of the manager is not the answer to our problems. AVB has not been stellar by any stretch of the imagination but Rome was not built in a day. The managers are the scapegoats, when the real issue is our ageing squad and their superstar egos. A lot of these players need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are helping this club or holding us back. Not running to the press to mouth off because you're not getting playing time (here's looking as you 'sir' Frank Lampard). In the end, our lack of patience and the quest for instant gratification cost us yet another manger and even more fundamentally, any sort of stability. This club will not thrive without stability. But we have not learned that lesson yet. My only regret is that Anelka and Alex were shipped off the way they were. But as it is, they're probably better off away from the mess that is currentlY Chelsea FC.

It's not like he was great tactically either, but I think AVB's biggest mistakes were off the pitch. Like you said, he didn't make any friends with the way he treated Anelka and Alex, and he was ALWAYS on the attack mode in front of the media. I applaud his passion, but he was understandably a bit naive. This should be a good lesson for him. It just sucks that we are paying for it.

[LittleOzzy]

Liverpool, not good... not good at all.

We might as well completely forget about Premier League now and focus on the F.A. Cup.

[5DOM]

Pogba's on the bench. It looks like United are still trying. Don't know why any young player would want to leave United though. Does money matter that much this early into a career?

[5DOM]

For those who've missed it yesterday:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCuXvd2buus[/youtube]

[5DOM]

Swansea's done it

[MitchellUK]

Swansea take the lead. My goodness, that's huge.

[MitchellUK]

All over, Swansea get the three points and Man Utd take top spot. Got to be favourites for the title now.

[magik9113]

Pogba's on the bench. It looks like United are still trying. Don't know why any young player would want to leave United though. Does money matter that much this early into a career?

money always matters, but why not go somewhere for money as well as first team playing time?

[MitchellUK]

Pogba's on the bench. It looks like United are still trying. Don't know why any young player would want to leave United though. Does money matter that much this early into a career?

money always matters, but why not go somewhere for money as well as first team playing time?

You may be right, but you can't really argue with Fergie's track record regarding young players - if you have the talent, and you're ready, you'll get matches and you'll be a success.

[_SRV_]

Ferguson is doing to Mancini what he did to Keegan in 96, if ManU wins this year, it'll be over-achieving, ManCity is a great team this year.

[MitchellUK]

Pogba apparently did have a change of heart - Sky Sports reporting he's signed a new deal at United.

[IronChef]

Glad to see it, tbh. He looks a real player, and will be good for them.

[MaliBrah]

53 seconds between goals lmaoooo

[jim todd]

RVP right back with the equalizer