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.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
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
Monday, September 5, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, August 22, 2011
# 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.
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.
v. WBA - Villas Boas first home game as manager.
Far from convincing. Thats all that i can say. Playing at home, the fans we expecting a comfortable win with few suggesting that Fernando Torres after playing well for us in the first game will open his goal scoring account for the season. But that wasnt the case and WBA has other ideas.
From a mistake, WBA took the lead after only 4 minutes through Shane Long. Chelsea control the ball after that and try to find the equalizing goal. Possession was control by Chelsea but the team failed to carve up an opening. The team was slow moving and controling the ball, passing sideways with no penetration at all and clearly lacking creativity or idea. Chelsea went into half time trailing 0-1.
In the second half Chelsea did improve and get the equalizer from Nic Anelka with a slight deflected shot. It was a deserve equalizer after Chelsea knocking on the door a couple of time. Didier Drogba came on for Nando to try and get the winner and 10,9 minutes from time Chelsea finally get the second goal when Malouda connecting with Bosingwa low cross after the right back good work down the right.
The final wisel came to a sign of relief from the home supporters. A game that was not confortable at all and could have gone wrong. AVB recorded his first ever win and he knew much need to be improved. 3 points all that matter but things cannot continue like this.
The transfer windoew is less than 2 weeks before its shut. Today Valencia already accepted a bid said to be around 26mil for Juan Mata from Chelsea. The lack of pace, craft and quality was seen the last two game and lets hope this signing will improve the team performance. Chelsea also linked with Luca Modric but Spurs are playing hard to get on this one. Lets hope we get our man before the windows close and maybe we can give a run to Man Utd and Man City who really look impressive after 2 weeks into the new season. KTBFFH
From a mistake, WBA took the lead after only 4 minutes through Shane Long. Chelsea control the ball after that and try to find the equalizing goal. Possession was control by Chelsea but the team failed to carve up an opening. The team was slow moving and controling the ball, passing sideways with no penetration at all and clearly lacking creativity or idea. Chelsea went into half time trailing 0-1.
In the second half Chelsea did improve and get the equalizer from Nic Anelka with a slight deflected shot. It was a deserve equalizer after Chelsea knocking on the door a couple of time. Didier Drogba came on for Nando to try and get the winner and 10,9 minutes from time Chelsea finally get the second goal when Malouda connecting with Bosingwa low cross after the right back good work down the right.
The final wisel came to a sign of relief from the home supporters. A game that was not confortable at all and could have gone wrong. AVB recorded his first ever win and he knew much need to be improved. 3 points all that matter but things cannot continue like this.
The transfer windoew is less than 2 weeks before its shut. Today Valencia already accepted a bid said to be around 26mil for Juan Mata from Chelsea. The lack of pace, craft and quality was seen the last two game and lets hope this signing will improve the team performance. Chelsea also linked with Luca Modric but Spurs are playing hard to get on this one. Lets hope we get our man before the windows close and maybe we can give a run to Man Utd and Man City who really look impressive after 2 weeks into the new season. KTBFFH
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Kick Off 2011/12 EPL Season
A bit late on the post... so the new EPL season has already started with the blue of Chelsea disappointingly failed to get all 3 points away at Stoke in their first game. Interm of management, lots have change at the Bridge since last season. Carlo Ancelloti was sacked after a trophyless 2010/11 campaign with new manager Andre Villas Boas (AVB) appointed with a few more changes for the backroom staff. Most noticeably the return of former player Roberto Di Matteo as AVB assistant. Not much change for the squad with a couple of youngsters coming in with less than 2 weeks before the transfer window close.
A new season with new hope and expectation. Ready for a ride full of joy and despair? So here goes:
League finish:
Not being pessimistic here, but based on our current squad of players and the reinforcement made by our main rivals it doesn't look good for us. I'll be happy if we finish in the top 4 with Man Utd as usual and Man City with their rich owner to claim the title. Hope I'm wrong and much can change with the transfer windows still open. A few quality signings might change everything.
Expectation:
We all know RA expectation and his high hope of winning the Champs League. To be honest the European biggest honor seems going further and further away from us. AVB has great potential and i hope he will be given a fair amount of time to build his team and maybe after that we can have a brighter chance. Top 4 with a trophy FA/Carling Cup will do for me.
Signings:
We've made 3 signing already but none of them look to improve the current squad. Looking forward for the 3 young players to improve and become a vital part of the club's future. After the draw against Stoke, its seems like we're going to sign a few more players with De Bruyne, Modric, Nasri and Juan Mata all in the mix linking with a move to CFC. I do think we need a creative midfielder and a winger. Hope more will come in, cause City and Utd do look strong this early stage.
Talisman:
Hope Fernando Torres will get back to his best after a disappointing half a season with us. Lampsy despite his age still an important player for us and we need him playing well with an injury free season. Expect to see more of young Josh McEachren, he is the future and hopefully he got more game time / experience under his belt.
Enjoy the new season and keep the blue flag flying high.
A new season with new hope and expectation. Ready for a ride full of joy and despair? So here goes:
League finish:
Not being pessimistic here, but based on our current squad of players and the reinforcement made by our main rivals it doesn't look good for us. I'll be happy if we finish in the top 4 with Man Utd as usual and Man City with their rich owner to claim the title. Hope I'm wrong and much can change with the transfer windows still open. A few quality signings might change everything.
Expectation:
We all know RA expectation and his high hope of winning the Champs League. To be honest the European biggest honor seems going further and further away from us. AVB has great potential and i hope he will be given a fair amount of time to build his team and maybe after that we can have a brighter chance. Top 4 with a trophy FA/Carling Cup will do for me.
Signings:
We've made 3 signing already but none of them look to improve the current squad. Looking forward for the 3 young players to improve and become a vital part of the club's future. After the draw against Stoke, its seems like we're going to sign a few more players with De Bruyne, Modric, Nasri and Juan Mata all in the mix linking with a move to CFC. I do think we need a creative midfielder and a winger. Hope more will come in, cause City and Utd do look strong this early stage.
Talisman:
Hope Fernando Torres will get back to his best after a disappointing half a season with us. Lampsy despite his age still an important player for us and we need him playing well with an injury free season. Expect to see more of young Josh McEachren, he is the future and hopefully he got more game time / experience under his belt.
Enjoy the new season and keep the blue flag flying high.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Balotelli Failed Show Boating Attempt Against LA Galaxy
A bit busy the past few weeks and didn't have the time to post new entry. But thanks to Mr Mario Balotelli, I just have to put all my other works aside and make time to wrote this entry.
Its preseason ahead of the coming 2011/12 EPL season and Man City is away to the US for their summer tour. In their friendly against LA Galaxy, Balotelli was put through one on one with the goalkeeper. Instead of just sliding the ball into the back of the net, the Italian perform a slick turn before back heeling the ball which went wide of the goal. A show boating move that many said disrespectful to the game. Mancini the City managers also describe the antic was unprofessional.
Who do he think he is? After what had happen, he has the guts to argue with his manager when he was taken off straight away. Save yourself from the embarrassment son.
Its preseason ahead of the coming 2011/12 EPL season and Man City is away to the US for their summer tour. In their friendly against LA Galaxy, Balotelli was put through one on one with the goalkeeper. Instead of just sliding the ball into the back of the net, the Italian perform a slick turn before back heeling the ball which went wide of the goal. A show boating move that many said disrespectful to the game. Mancini the City managers also describe the antic was unprofessional.
Who do he think he is? After what had happen, he has the guts to argue with his manager when he was taken off straight away. Save yourself from the embarrassment son.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)