Rant Box: Chelsea v. West Bromwich Albion

I think AvB's Porto of last season would have totally owned Chelsea had they clashed against each other last season. If AvB wants a Porto-esque team at the Bridge in order to best implement his strategies, then the current Chelsea squad is far from it. Although the acquisition of Mata and Hazard would help. And fuck Neymar.

I still believe that instead of pursuing Modric we should give more chances to Mceachran to play. Yes. he's a wonderful talent...blah blah blah...heard it before 100 times already but what's d use if u r going to bench game after game after game.

More than the Matas', Hazards', and Modrics' of this world, I yearn to see Chelsea's own youth product to become a star at the bridge.

Ditto for Sturridge...that lad has it in him to make it big.

In the end, workman-like victory, shouldn't have required such labor, but that late drive and belief seems to be something we lacked last season. AVB's influence seems to be taking hold. Love his celebrations and generally animated gesticulations. Brave to take off Kalou so quickly (I was praying it would happen at the half), a masterful move that Malouda rewarded him with a very strong shift.

As for all the "Where is Drogba???" Did you see Torres during the Stroke match? The man is beasting, even if he was frustrated today. And did you see those touches, work rate, and movement when Drogba did come on?

well at least we sort of showed a plan B today w/ a change in shape..

despite what some are saying Drogba is still a beast, perhaps he didnt get as much of a chance to show it today, he deserves a couple of starts...

I'd personally like to see a game with mceachran in place of lampard just to see how that changes things...

I thought that first half was one of the worst I,ve seen in a long long time.  Lucky to win to be honest.  Nothing has changed, same old team, different manager but still sticking with the same old dross.  Chelsea have got to sort that midfield out and start passing the ball a lot quicker.  They are so ponderously slow, its painful to watch.  This so called "win" just papers over the cracks in this team and I don't blame Torres, he did nothing wrong, never got any service. Replaced by Drogba, what did he do, absolutely nothing, his best days are over I think and as for Lampard, another awful game but once again he remains untouchable, unbelieveable, might as well have Ancellotti as the manager.  So looking forward to this game, such a disappointment....

GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

Better since Malouda's come on for Kalou. Torres has been working hard. Cole's saved us quite a few times in defense. Lampard hasn't been the same for a long time now.

Why not Drogba??

Huh? Drogba didn't start...
But he is warming up now!

Anelka and Torres, wow. The rest, apart from maybe Malouda - meh. Kalou woeful as usual. Sell him now!

again with the fucking crosses to nowhere... and now flo in for kalou, how does that make a difference?

I just don't get why AVB doesn't start Drogba?? He is a playmaker, Kalou should come off the bench!

Bonjourno Juve...

Lineup: Hilario; Bosingwa-Alex-EBJT-Cole; Ramires-Mikel-Lampard; Anelka-Torres-Malouda

Sorry Kalou is starting instead of Malouda. Soon it will be Mate since he's at the bridge today

Did you really see Mata at the Bridge?

i prefer kalou to flo right now, flo has just been awful

Looks like Benayoun leaving the club as a part of Modric deal. He himslef mentioned on twitter as:
Soon as I will have news about me I will let you all know here..thanks for support. (sic)

12:30pm eastern is 9:30am pacific, right? Last time I thought I had it worked out and ended up missing the match.

correct sir

Guys, I'll be unavoidably detained during the match so you will have to hold it down without me. I have no doubt you'll rant it up.