MotM Poll: Stoke City 0-0 Chelsea

By: Jack | August 14th, 2011

Chelsea begin the Andre Villas-Boas era with a goalless draw on a not cold non-night at the Britannia Stadium. Well-earned, but there could have been much more. Still, I, for one, am not going to complain.

stoke
You be the judge

So we start the season with a point. A point you say? Unacceptable. Cue the doom and gloom.

Right nonsense if you ask me. This was a performance that, in a sense, was acceptable. Sure, a win is the requirement at Chelsea, but there are positives to be taken from this – namely the display of a certain Spaniard who, by my estimation, was the best player on the pitch by a fair margin. Alex and Ramires were excellent as well. Jose Bosingwa enjoyed a good shift. Yes, that Bosingwa. The defense was solid in a tough atmosphere against a team that’s as physically imposing as any in England. Then there’s the overall demeanor of the side, which was impressive. There was a certain calm and reservedness about us which I liked.

Of course, we must evoke caution. There are negatives here, too. A general lack of an edge in the final third may be the most glaring, and worrying, aspect of our first competitive match under Villas-Boas. Same old, as they say. It’s clear upgrades in both the wing and creative midfield positions are still required. Frank Lampard disappointed – once again. Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda dueled heartily for the right to be referred to in this post as fucking awful.

But, and I must stress this, we walked away from a rather difficult fixture with a point. This achieved with our players and coach still working toward a true understanding of one another. It may not be the greatest result, but it’s a result, I think, with which we can live.

Have your say in the season’s inaugural man of the match poll below. Then, you know, hang around and give us your thoughts on the match as a whole in the comments section. We’re looking forward to hearing from you. KTBFFH

Some Related Chelsea Posts:

Category: Fixtures, Man of the Match, Premier League

« Rant Box: Stoke City v. Chelsea | Home | Match Report: Stoke 0 – 0 Chelsea »

Adam

Vote Alex or Torres .
CareFreeChronic

You know your team had an unimpressive outing when your defensive mid is 3rd on the Man of the Match poll.
Yoshi

Sturridge has hd a great pre-season so he should have been introduced at some point IMO. Definitely when Kalou wasnt helping.
special1

Sturride is suspended for the first 3 games...so....yeah.
Diego

Maybe that knock in the head worked out for Torres. He was superb today. Best Chelsea player on the field and Johnathan Woodgate was a beast today. Harry must be scratching his head.
Yoshi

Let's bet how long Woodgate plays before he breaks down for d entire season? Harry's scratching his head? Hell No!
Wayne

You did not see the game....
Chels

What about the recent rumors connecting us to Lille's Hazard? Would love to see him in blue. Hazard-Torres-Sturridge. Not bad
Gary

Today’s display against Stoke was another clear indication
of the need for Chelsea to recruit creativity. The problem that got Chelsea
last year still exists. Chelsea needs players that have the ability to break
through resolute defences. Here they need players whose technique is
unpredictable. These are those players with an extraordinary ability to deceive
defenders with a drop of the shoulder or an allusive back pass that sends all concerned
the wrong way. Only a few players do this really well and they are costly. We are
talking of guys in the calibre of Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar. Modric is a
needed playmaker and I hope he makes the move, but he is not a player with the
deceptive ability we are talking about. I think Chelsea would do well to make
Neymar and Santos and offer that they cannot refuse.
Itsrickybrown

i saw d old torres... !
Yoshi

I liked the composure Torres exhibited. Last season, it was evident that he was trying too hard. Today, he fashioned chances not only for himself but also for himself. At times, he even displayed his strength to hold off the ball. He brought the other players into the game...brilliant. Fully deserved the MoM award. Let's hope he keeps it up. The midfield has got to provide him with better service though.
Yoshi

but also for others*. sorry for the typo.
As

2 weeks left to sell Kalou. Make it happen, Roman.
Yoshi

I agree. Too many strikers...need a true winger.
Daddyblue

How does Kalouless get to start ahead of Anelka.
kaka

i'm really getting excited after watching every one's way of playing. Surely the present chelsea team is a lot more stronger and hungry than the team from last year

CHELSEA FOR LIFE
Jamie

Petr was fantastic as well.
Mateo

Voted Ramires, he fought all game, stole the ball, attacked....great display on my opinion, also among my favs of the game Alex, bosinwa (wtf??) and torres had also an eager display, nothing like last season.
Yoshi

Our midfield is very bland. We reply on some scope of creativity from Malouda, Anelka n Luiz. Hilarious!