Football Thread (formally Soccer Thread)

[JuDgE MenTaL]

Something about Stamford bridge is burning down?

Nah if it burnt down that would make it black and John Terry would never allow that (allegedly)

Ok, got my password reset finally so I can comment (and you thought I was sulking)

True to say we're having a bumpy ride at the moment.  The Arsenal game was a joke, a combination of some incredibly bad missed chances, stunningly bad defending, a fundamental flaw in AVB's tactics and some uncharacteristic errors by Cech.

Firstly, missed opportunities. Sturridge, no right foot which caused him to miss one golden chance and I reckon it was sheer greed that stopped him squaring to Torres when he should have, for an even better goal scoring chance. Both unforgiveable but particularly the second. Surprised at how little that was mentioned on the box or in the reports I have read since because it was f*ckin inexcuseable in my book, Torres was in a top position to score and Sturridge had nobody in his way to prevent the pass being made.

The 5 goals
The first - Ivan you complete f*ckin c*nt, what were you thinking? Totally let Gervinho drift in behind him for an obvious pass. Cech no chance. I would have dropped Ivan for the Genk CL game based solely on that
The second - Torres lost the ball too easily on the byline and wasn't prepared to try to win it back. On top of that, Bosingwa drifted insanely out of position and Santos probably couldn't believe his luck at the open space he had. Cech would normally have saved the shot though, went through his legs I think. I don't care how good Bosingwa's crossing is, a new right-back is a must
The third - shambolic, what happened to 'play to the whistle'? Walcott on the deck, Cashley stops with his hands up to make sure a free kick is not given against him and JT and Ivan watch the ball without going to nick it probably because they expect a free kick to be given too. I can't remember who had been carded at that stage but is there a fear of being booked again by going in to win the ball when a guy is on the ground? Cech should have done better with a shot at his near post. In addition, that came from a soft free-kick. Walcott was never gonna head the ball on the byline so either Cashley should not have touched him or the ref should have just given us a throw - very soft either way
The fourth - Malouda, get off the f*ckin pitch. You were brought on for Sturridge, so why are you so deep and what a dreadful pass back too! I'm sure he did a similar thing at The Emirates last season from a similar position. Nothing more to say, a slip that any player could experience on any day. JT didn't want the ball back and certainly wasn't expecting it. Only Malouda knows why he felt the need to go backwards. Cech, no chance
The fifth - unfortunate that our attack broke down. I don't blame us for going for it and leaving no cover. Good break by the ar$e but again Cech would normally have stopped the shot. It was powerful but very close to him and at a good height for a keeper
 
So, even with missed chances and poor defending, on a good day, Cech would have stopped 3 of those and we would have won 3-2.

In terms of tactics, Chelsea are quite a different team under AVB. Since Jose, we have been a team that is happy to sit back and allow the opposition to have the ball and then work hard to win it back and hit them hard on the break. Now, we play a real high pressing game all the time to try to constantly keep the ball in the opponents half. Again, lots of hard working players in midfield to do that but also defenders and strikers pressing the ball a lot. While that makes for lots of opportunities for our forwards, it also means you have a huge gaping hole between defenders and keeper. So, if you are playing a high game against 2 of the fastest strikers in the Premiership, namely Walcott and RVP, who would you opt for at centre-back, slow or fast players? Surely, Luiz had to play with either JT or Ivan. We get away with that strategy against most teams but not against the best so I think AVB got that wrong.

[Spork]

Yea, AVB definitely got it wrong, and I also think that Sturrige is to blame for the second goal, he was just looking at Santos as he ran away with the ball, however I do see a lot of 'what ifs' in your post.

I also like that Cashley helped us to get the win, in the build up to Theo's goal.

[Wandarah]

It felt really good to cunt Chelsea. I laughed so hard my asshole prolapsed when England's Lion threw himself on the floor to avoid having to trundle after Van Persie like a shit-talking, chav cunt from a chav family, adulterous bulldozer.

[Spork]

Hahahaha, great post Wandy.

[Wandarah]

a) Denilson, Clichy, Alumnia, Arshavin and possibly Bendtner and/or Diaby. The whole team though, need to fucking wake up.

4 out of 5.

Yes, yes I do know what's up. That's right.

[Spork]

Would be good if the little Russian would get off his Arse and actually start performing.. Consistently.

Also, isn't it 4/6 since you mentioned Diaby?

I see on a couple of Arsenal forums, people are actually looking forward to Diaby's return. I guess it can't be a bad thing, as Song is off to the African Cup of Nations this January for a month?

[Wandarah]

No way, I and/or'ed that shit. Besides, Diaby isn't exactly in the team anyway.

Cameroon didn't qualify for the ACN.

[Spork]

Oh yea, forgot about that! Awesome news.

EDIT: Just watched parts of the CC final (in an attempt to clean up my soccer folder).

I do remember wanting both Koscielny and Obafemi (sp?) Martins dead after that goal.

if you had to blame one player for throwing that game away, Kos would be the one.

he is very lucky that hes had a pretty solid season (apart from the horrible few games for the whole team) so far, otherwise I think he would be copping a whole load of flack right about now.

[Spork]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Arsenal-Jack-Wilshere-steps-up-recovery-from-ankle-op-as-Thierry-Henry-trains-with-former-club-article831690.html

Absolute legend. I would honestly take him over any other player (who wouldn't come at a ridiculous price).

[Spork]

This goal puts that Rooney overhead shit to shame. Subliminal goal, utterly brilliant, literally World Class!

Looks for ARSHAAAVINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! -Emirates has an earthquake of celebrations-

[Wandarah]

Chelsea keep the lols coming, bless 'em.

[maorifulla]

How ironic is it that Chelsea buy two players from LFC who scored against them

then an ex chelsea player gets the winner LOL

MAXI!!

[LeadCollector]

Awaiting Judges post match report.... with him being on holiday I am guessing this will be all over and done with before his return

Lol@Terry.... what a cock!!

[JuDgE MenTaL]

Yea very dodge at the back again and we didn't deserve the win and the few chances you did create you bagged, luckily Suarez doesn't like to pass or it might have been more convincing. I thought a draw would have been a fairer result *shrug* thats football.

No idea why Drogs was left on for so long, and Mikel should never have even started. Torres and Miereles no time to influence anything, AVB tactics all wrong..again. Marathon not a sprint maybe but we all know it's Citeh's to lose this season.

[Wandarah]

Sideshow Bob is spectacular.

[JuDgE MenTaL]

He could be

[maorifulla]

[Spork]

God damn it Spurs, piss off!

[R3DM@N]

Hahaha maori! Leave poor Cech alone, hes the greatest goalkeeper ever, just has shit defence.

I like Spurs more than those Man Carnts

[Wandarah]

Fairly clear that a number of Chelsea's key players are past their prime. Too old to play the high line game.

[Spork]

Hahaha maori! Leave poor Cech alone, hes the greatest goalkeeper ever, just has shit defence.

I like Spurs more than those Man Carnts

I'm not sure if it's even that, I think it's more to do with AVB changing the team from sitting deep to playing a high line, which was at least obvious against Arsenal, as we did what Chelsea normally do, and we hit on the counter attack.

I don't think it's a problem with any player, just that they aren't used to the high line.

[R3DM@N]

I agree the older guys are getting on..
Definatly need some new investments on D

Cole, Ivanovic, Terry, Bosingwa are all struggling.
Luiz isnt as good as last season.

Bring back Carvalho he was an old tower.

[Wandarah]

Ivanovic isn't going to improve much. Lulz is just not a very good defender - until he plays for the national team, then he looks good, what's up with that? Who the fuck is training this clown at Chelsea?

Terry still has quality, but mistake prone so far this season. Alex/Terry is the best CB pairing available - but I wouldn't take either over our man Kos at the moment.  

Too much tactical change without having the right ingredients to sustain such. Dunno if it's a case of old dogs new tricks, or just too much too soon. If it's the former, you're fucked. The latter - the team will gel over time.

[Spork]

I think they will gel over time, but tere will need to be a few changes as well, but it's Chelsea, so I doubt that matters..

[Wandarah]

Yeah - It's stupid to make predictions at this stage of the season, but Chelsea should they be in serious danger of having a 'negative' season i.e not qualifying for the Champions League (no chance), they have a large enough wallet for it to be correctable easily enough. They need a few seasons of 'transition', mind.

Real Madrid this morning were magnificent btw. As were Napoli. For entirely different reasons.