Villas Boas and His Team Selection

11 games into the new season and its already a roller coaster ride. New boss Andre Villas Boas has install a new style into our game, a very attractive and attacking one. Is it effective? This season CFC already conceded 15 goals, the same number of goal conceded for the whole of 2004/05 season under Jose Mourinho. We're currently 4th in the table and based on current form and performance, its very difficult to see us challenging for the league title if i'm being honest. Does AVB know his best starting eleven yet? Or will he keep rotating the squad for the whole length of the season. I'll certainly give the young manager time and i hope Roman will do too. KTBFFH

1) v Stoke (0-0) : first game of the season
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Alex, Bosingwa, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Malouda, Torres, Kalou)

First game of the season and AVB sticking with the tried and trusted 433 with most of the key players from Ancelloti days starting. Sturridge was on fire during preseason but was suspended for the game. It was a frustrating night for Chelsea as they were held to a goalless draw. 66% of possession and 7 shots on target compared to Stoke 1.

2) v Man Utd (1-3) : first big test
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Torres, Sturridge)

Personally for me, this is the strongest lineup (attacking wise). Both fullback bombing forward with no out and out holding midfielder. It provide us with a very entertaining game, end to end stuff and both team could have won the game. We have more shots on target compared to United but look vulnerable every time United have the ball. Unfortunately United take their chances in front of goal and won the game (controversially too).

3) v Bolton (5-1) : biggest win for the season
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Luiz, Bosingwa, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Drogba, Sturridge)

The biggest win so far under AVB. To be honest its more of the Bolton goalkeeper being poor than us being brilliant, but you still have to make a shot at goal before hoping it goes in. We were much clinical in front of goal, slick passing and great movement going forward. The only negative from this game is we concede another soft goal from set piece. No clean sheet since the first game.

4) v Arsenal (3-5) : most goal conceded at the Bridge since 1989
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Torres, Sturridge)

Its a funny game to be honest, we could be 2 or 3 goals up in the first 15 mins but wasted a few chances in front of goal plus a dreadful performance at the back make way for our biggest defeat at Stamford Bridge in 22 years.

5) v Blackburn (1-0) : finally a clean sheet
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Sturridge, Malouda)

A hard fough victory and finally a clean sheet. Bosingwa was dropped to the bench in favour of Ivanovic at right back. We control much of the possession without creating enough goal scoring chances but a clinical header from Lampard and brilliant goalkeeping by Cech secure us the all important 3 points after 2 straight losses.



v. QPR - Fighting blues undone by Chris Foy diabolical refereeing

A narrow derby defeat for Chelsea after going down to a solitary goal at Loftus Road. In an earlier match, Man City mauled their rival United 6-1 at Old Trafford giving us the chance to leap frog United into second place with a win against QPR.

It wasn't a good start from Chelsea, slow off the mark with QPR showing more hunger without threatening Petr Cech in goal. The game suddenly burst into life after controversially the referee in charge Chris Foy handed QPR a penalty after Helguson falls easily after a soft nudge by David Luiz. The first of many controversial decision made by the man in charge. QPR went ahead and any sign of a Chelsea comeback was quash with a double sending off in quick session, first Bosingwa before Drogba then receiving the marching order. Half time, Chelsea a goal down and playing with 9 men. Game over?

Chelsea start the second half with real intent, and any numerical advantage QPR have was not seen. The 9 men of Chelsea work hard to find the equalizer, running up and down the pitch working their socks off. A few more yellow cards was shown to Chelsea players by the card friendly Foy and a couple of penalty shout by us was waved away by the 'experience' referee. We fought and fought till the 95th minutes but couldn't find the back of the net. Our second lost of the season after 9 game.

A disappointing result but proud of the boys. Again referee being in the spot light and this time Chelsea was on the receiving end. How much longer do teams have to take this, result are getting very important in football these days and referees was getting off lightly after making wrong decision. Chris Foy one of the most experience referee in the league making so much error in one match make me wonder the standard of refereeing nowadays. Video technology, 4th 5th 7th official, referee consistency.... whatever it is, something need to be done. Make me sicks referee getting into the spotlight and cast shadow from the players or the football that's being played.

Again credit to the 9 men of Chelsea. Proud of the way they performed in the second half and we deserve at least a point from the game. Drogba didn't have the best of game, he lose the ball easily just before both of the sending off and again David Luiz repeating the same mistake he has done since his arrival at the Bridge, but he worked hard to make up his early error. Chins up Blues, we gave them hell of a game with only 9 men. KTBFFH

Is it the end of Stamford Bridge?

On Tuesday 4th October 2011, Chelsea FC has offered Chelsea Pitch Owner (CPO) a buy-back for part of land sitting on Stamford Bridge that was bought by fans between 1993 - 1997, a move expect to be the first step before any plans of building or moving to a new and bigger stadium. CPO is a company founded in 1993 made up from shareholders (mostly fans) that bought shares to prevent the ground falling into the hands of property developers.

Mix reaction from fans on the move to a new stadium. Some are open for a move away and most of the local fans preferred to stay for particular reasons. Get a chance to chat with a few local fans on the matter. Ask them why not a move? Clearly beneficial, to keep up with the bigger teams considering the extra revenue we will get if this materialize. Is there other issues apart from emotional & historical reason? The freehold land was bought in 1993 to save The Bridge, CPO get little or none information on the club plans (if there's any) to move or built a new stadium, and that's why they are reluctant to sell back the shares. Not about making profit or holding the club to ransom. Its to save our stadium back then and its still the same reason now.

Personally, I'm open for a move, just to make sure we sustain as a club (post-Roman) but still think a proper and detail plans need to be known to those who are involved directly. Whatever best for the club. KTBFFH

v Man Utd - Postives all around defeat

Almost a month into the 2011/12 season, Chelsea first big test came in the form of defending Champion Man Utd. Chelsea sitting 3rd before kick off visited the undefeated Man Utd who is firing on all cylinders and scoring for fun. A test for young AVB.

The first half started on a frantic pace, it has been expected with Hernandez, Young, Nani all in the starting eleven for United. Its end to end stuff with both team having a fair chance of scoring. Unfortunately for Chelsea, United have the better luck in front of goal and went into half time leading 3-0. It was a flattering scoreline with Chelsea controlling much of the first half, having the better stats of shots on goal and corners. Add to that, the first two of United goals are wrongly awarded due to offside. Harsh scoreline... Unlucky.. Damage limitation for the second half?

A surprise and bold change by the manager for the second half. A correct move i would say, Frank Lampard was nonexistence and clearly struggle with the pace of the game. On came Nic Anelka, pays off immediately. One minute into the second half, a neat ball from Anelka in behind the defenders finished it off neatly by Fernando Torres. The finish of the old FT. Game on! Torres back to his best? We pushed harder after the goal and like the first half, continue controlling the game with few chances should have been put away. In the attempt to get back in the game, we leave ourself expose at the back with United having their fair chance in front of goal and luckily they were much wasteful as we are. Rooney missed a penalty, Torres miss an open goal. The game finished 3-1. Could have been 8-8.

The first lost of the season. Need to bounce back quickly. Not much negativity in the defeat (to most of Chelsea fans). Clearly the result doesn't reflect the game itself. We had most of the possession as well as the corners and shots count. Man United deserved their win for taking their chances. For the second game in a row, Fernando Torres show he's almost there, back at his best. Scoring a good goal with a great finished but shamed all the goods he has done in the game was overshadowed by his miss.

Frank Lampard: England days set to be over?

Its been coming, Frank Lampard international / England career hanging in the balance after last weekend England Euro 2012 qualifying match against Bulgaria. For the first time since Euro 2008 FL was not included in the starting eleven when he is fit and available. The media and Lampard's critics was having a field day stating the move was right and praising England manager for his decision.

Last night England played another qualifying match which Lamps start, England won the game with a one goal margain. An unconvincing victory for England will always invite much criticism and again FL, if not all get some of the blame. To be honest, as a Chelsea fan i agree that FL performance in the national colours is not as good as his showing for CFC, and this is not new - never get going at International level. Maybe one of the mystery in football that will never be solve.

Now at 33, his Chelsea form is slowly dipping. He miss most of last season due to injury and i have to say during his absent we dropped lots of point and struggle in games that lead us to a second place finish behind Man Utd after a great start to the season. Its almost a month into the new season, Chelsea not looking convincing in their first few matches, lacking the creativity and certainly missing the old Frank Lampard. Very hard to accept that a players that contribute so much to the club in the past decade may well be in his slump.

Lampard is one of my favourite all time player, he loves football very much and a true professional like him want to play in every matches even if his body tell him otherwise. Im neither English nor an England supporter, would prefer him retiring from international scene especially after the sticks he received deservedly or not when donning his national shirt. A step that not only will benefit Chelsea but most of all himself. A great player, an amazing character with a truely splendid career for Chelsea FC and I wish it will never end.  There is only one Frank Lampard. KTBFFH

Chelsea squad too old?

A few days ago Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen had branded Chelsea's squad 'too old' to provide any real competition for the title this season.

And today Alex Ferguson rubbished the claimed and consider CFC a threat. He knows everything about that, making the same statement in 2008 before we went  on to win the double the year after. Somebody should tell coach Muelensteen (who r ya?) never to write off your rival in September.





# Case 3 : Gervinho sissy slap on Barton

The first case for the new season. And we don't have to wait long for it. First game of the season, Arsenal visit to Newcastle was marred by a sending off for debutant Gervinho. All i can say is welcome to the EPL and sorry i forgot to introduce Joey Barton to you.

The incident happen when Gervinho carrying the ball into the Newcastle box before going down after a slight challenge from Newcastle defender Tiote. Referee Howard Webb wave away the penalty claim before Barton suddenly grab Gervinho shirt then pulling the Ivorian up. Barton action cause a small melee between the two set of players and in that commotion Gervinho raise his arm and slap Joey Barton face.

Gervinho get the marching order while Joey Barton only sees yellow. To be fair, Arsenal should have been a man down before the incident and its also involved Barton. This time, a stamp off the ball by Alex Song was missed by the referee.

Two wrong doesn't make a right. Should Barton sees red too. Or all is fair because the Song challenged was missed by the referee. You be the judge.