Rant Box: Bayer Leverkusen v. Chelsea

on the plus side, we might get some silverware after all, Europa League....

Lost again. Drogba did score a vintage Didier goal but was off in the game and didn't hold up the ball well. Torres should have started or atleast came on but instead 33 yr old Didier had to play the full 90 and ended up picking a knock. Mata wasn't great, play him AM. Sturridge, Meireles and Luiz were brilliant I thought yet Luiz was taken off. For Alex of all people who doesn't care and is just waiting for his January move. We actually played well and deserved a draw atleast and should have had a pen when it was 1-1. Poor defending from Iva for their first goal and down right poor keeping for the winner. I know Cech made some really good saves before but he was about to palm the header and then just pulled his hand away assuming it was about to go over or something. Really disappointed in Chelsea and slightly losing faith AVB and his tactics but I hope we keep him, however if we don't make it out the group than we know what Roman will do and, in my opinion, should do. 

I think AVB should show some faith in Torres. Benching him when he's playing better than most our strikers isn't making a statement or anything, it is bad tactics. I think we should get a creative winger like Hazard in January and a striker like Cavani to freshen up the squad. To be fair there may not be a need for Hazard because Hiddink (if he is boss then, hopefully our form doesn't lead to that) will probably end up signing Sneijder.In AVB we trust! Take us out this rut. KTBFFH!

Even though he scored, Drogba's touch is off. I'd rather give Torres the start as he is a momentum player. Bring Drogba on to change the pace much like he did against ManU in last season's Champions League, scoring a goal after being subbed on. 

I know a lot of people here like Alex, but I don't. It was minutes after his introduction that Bayer scored. David Luiz and Terry are the key to our defense right now so long as David Luiz gets put on a leash; he did well today--no foolish tackles.

Sturridge was definitely man of the match today. He was creative and heavily involved in our attacking on a consistent basis, and he was strong defensively and supportive in back.

There's a reason AVB has rarely used Alex. Why he pulled Luiz, who was having an excellent time of it, at that point I'll never know.

What I do know is that how AVB handles this post-match presser will be must-see TV.

laughing my butt off

I have an idea for Roman, demote AVB to manager-at-large, don't fire him, let him watch. Bring in Hiddink.

why don't we just play our youngsters. no bloody way they can be worse...

Agreed. Rather take our knocks with the young talent.

Sigh...I'm already getting impatient. There's little doubt in my mind that Roman is running even shorter of patience. Unfortunately I see us looking for another manager in the near future...

What is there to say, really?

speechless

i already know this story

bayern 2 chelsea 1 damn yo we must beat valencia now

wonder what's going through roman's head now. 

What is *wrong* with us?

For god's sake...High line not to blame on that one? Noone was even close to being around to cover, all were pushed up.

To be fair, that ball should've never even made it Sam. Both Alex and Terry were covering Derdiyok and had a chance to clear.

Goddamn it.

and there's the timely goal to knock us back down a peg....always comes after failouda comes on

what happened to Mata? didnt see most of the game till now

combination of saving him for the weekend and him not doing too much this game.

cech just won that mask battle. damn do i miss ballack...

The Mighty One was vintage Mighty One on that opener. Wonderful.

DROGBAAAAAA

unexpected loool. but i'll take it. 

Improved towards the end of the half, but depressingly poor overall. Defense was ok, and it was a fairly back and forth game, but the offense is severely lacking. Final third play amount to nothing, with a few chances sprinkled in that we can't finish.

I will say, though, that I do like that some chances have come through some neat flick and chip passes, adding some flair. I would much rather a straightforward goal, though. Sturridge playing well, helping create and trying to finish. Mata ok. Drogs is lacking, again. Our midfield's just sort of...floating around.

We didn't concede. I'll take it and run.

there is no confidence at all!!

any past vintage of drogs and that would've been 1-0 to us

This is just poor. 

Dare I say lethargic?

We are totally clueless on the pitch

MASK vs. MASK. Cech vs. Ballack. Hilarious.

Who's the real Batman?

How does Drogba earn himself a start after the last game over Torres? Unless that means Torres will start on the weekend. And I say that while I'm sitting here wearing a Drogba shirt.

Bosingwa at left back? Strange...is Bertrand not registered for the UCL? I'd rather give him a crack there, but that may just be me.

bingo on Bertrand, he had to be dropped b/c of quotas...stupid rules. but it looks like lukaku is gonna take anelka's spot in january...

Remember, Bosingwa was immense at left-back v. Barcelona at Nou Camp in the 2009 CL semifinals. The dude can perform there.

o dear god, captain unibrow at left back...i just don't know what to expect from our team anymore...

far-fetched goal prediction: bane super outside of the boot cross for drogs bicycle kick 

I see Andre has completely dismissed my XI from the preview. I'm sad.

hmmm, i really dont know what to think about the drogs, on the other hand if fernandos was starting i would be in the same situation.