Next league game. Match Thread 1st league trip of 5 to London. Can we end their long unbeaten home record?
This is the game isnt it. This is a big one although not 100% important. If we can beat them it shows our intentions greater than ever before. We struggled against Wigan and if we play thatbad they will dominate us but if we can do what we did with united we can beat them. If we win that will be unreal for us and the premiership to finally put a stop to there run . If we draw il be happy . If we lose its not the end of the world but I dont think our redmen will go into the game thinking that way. Now is the time to make our mark as contenders for the title . Now is the time to really show the heart that everyone is saying we have had this season .
We'll need a big one from Masch. I wonder if he will be used on Wed or kept under wraps for Sunday. Chelsea obviously score alot from Midfield so his imprtance can;t be understated.
This is the one alright. It would be nice to beat them at the bridge and put a dent in their run. Firstly though lets get the Athletico Madrid game outta the way. Hopefully none of the lads dont pick up any injuries and get a good result . If so we'll be buzzing at the bridge on Sunday and ouzzing confidence.... Come on the Pool
A win is necessary, as I see it. Cutting a long story short, when the likes of Hull City are on 17 points after 8 games, we just need to keep winning. There is more to a win than 3 points. Chelsea are like Mike Tyson. They have an aura. They have this mystique. Every week their babbling pidgeon-englished manager is on TV burbling some auld nonsense out of him......The media love him and are prepared to see past the fact that the guy spent £25m in addition to the countless millions his predecessors spent. What you do is you go to their shed they call the "Bridge" and you beat them. Its not impossible. We nearly did it last season. We scored twice there in the CL. They are not infallible. You go 3 pts clear. They fall back 3 points. Their aura is smashed. The next lot going there start to fancy themselves as well. All of a sudden, we are to be feared. Away wins over City and Chelsea...the money men of the game. 9 points in 3 games with no Torres??? All of a sudden, things become so easy. Next thing you know is Spurs are up here getting beaten 14-0. Lose, and what I said about Chelsea is said about US instead. We become just another fella round here, so to speak.
Keane,Alonso and Gerrard all taken off and wrapped up in cotton wool last night. First signs from Rafa that the league is CURRENTLY his priority.
Very tough one to call, we seem to play well against Chelsea so hoping for a win but a draw wouldnt be worse thing in the world either.
A very tough game and the second big test to out title aspirations. Id be delighted with a draw truth be told, as I really fancy us to turn em over at ANFIELD. I is crucial to do better in the big games. So far so good. Is a win too much to hope for?
my only worry is that with everyone saying a draw'd b a good result that the players approach the game in the same way. that would mean a defensive game and sitting back which is suicide against chelsea. i always think approaching a game like that is dangerous, u very rarely win if u do. chelski are good, but theyve only faced one top side this season and needed a late equaliser to preserve their home record. we at least need to play two up top, playing one agaisnt terry and carvalho is just stupid cos they'd just eat him up...unless the one was torres. i say have a go at the f***ers and see what they're made of. game will be won and lost in modfield and i hope to see masch do a bonecruncher on Deco in the first few minutes to quieten him. if we denedn like we have in the last 3 games we'll be crucified - he really needs to sort that out and quick. this is a huge chance to take 3 points in my opinion - no cole (either of them), essien, ballack or most importantly, our tormentor in chief, drogba. we may not get another better opportunity to do 'em. personally i'd rather go down fighting than defending for 90 minutes
Think a draw would be a good result but the win is there to go for. Chelsea are greatly improved since last year - It was fightening what they did to Midddleborough last weekend with 7 first teamers missing. Bosingwa & Deco have been excellent purchases and Big Phil has let the full-backs drive forward at will. It's a new sort of freedom for Chelsea but it will be interesting to see if they do this on Sunday. If the full-backs are bombing on there will be excellent opportunities there for our wingers - especially Reira. The lad has been a breath of fresh air and I hope he does the business the Sunday. Hopeful the injury situation clears up as well. Im goin putting a few bob on 0-0 for what It's worth
This is why their home record is so valuable to them as teams show up thinking the best they can get is a draw. If we beat them sunday it may only be 3 points but the pychological blow it would deal the Chavs would be absolutely massive.
thats my point exactly - i cant remember the last time a team went to the bridge and really had a go for ninety minutes - villa last christmas hit em for 4 when they had a go. other than that it was prob the 1st half against utd when the scum completley outplayed them. most teams just go there and u can see they're sitting ducks the very minute they walk out onto the pitch