MotM Poll: Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 Chelsea

Drogba and Sturridge were strong. Drogba scoring with 2 men hanging on his back, is proof that he still has it. He made some great runs in the box, and Sturridge made some terrific passes. Drogba is all power and can take on 2-3 defenders at once. He isn't as fast as he used to be, but he is fundamentally sound and has a lot of strength on the ball. Leave him at the top with Mata in the middle and Sturridge on the wing ( speed from the wingers.Power from the striker..something torres cannot do) ...Drogba and Sturridge played well together....

There is only one man to blame for this loss, and only one: fucking ALEX!!....As soon as he subbed in for Luiz, the backline allowed a long pass in the box on his side, which set up the first goal.Cech didn't have a chance ...And it was alex trying to defend the header which lead to the go ahead score I believe. ...The backline didn't play well all game, but it really went to crap when Alex came in.....and that is why he never sees the pitch. He sucks as a CB. 
 

AVB will be in a jute bag come next transfer window....It's not that his system isn't credible. The system is fine. It's his implementation of the system that has Chelsea in ruins. The process should have been a gradual one, by blending the new with the old, and allowing players to adapt. ..

This is why I hate young managers. They are not seasoned enough to properly instill tactics and strategies. I mean AVB is still learning as a coach, and couple that with interrupting the ways of the EPL , and how to manage elite players on an elite level, he might not be experienced enough to succeed in a highly volatile atmosphere

WE thought he was the next coming of mourinho....same stature, came from the same league, etc ...Had this been anyone else, we would have laughed at the signing of a 34 year old, and Roman would have been chased back to Russia by some beer goons........WE ARE ALL TO BLAME , because we saw one thing when we looked at him, and one thing only: JOSE MOURINHO....We literally thought that he was Jose Mourinho. 

He is more like Jose Please-Leave-o 

A poll really? I saw only two players today who'da played past half time(sturridge,Luiz) had there been no limit on number of subs and if it were still Mourinho on the touchline

This isnt a joke anymore, Manager doesnt seem to be able to deal with it. Lets hope the one good thing to come out of this is that we clear out the dead wood, keeping players past their prime just because of names and Mikel and Luiz are woeful.

In AVB we no longer trust

Sturridge was a major contributor to offense and defense. Best all around player of the day.

maybe I watched the wrong game, I only saw a couple of good crosses from Sturridge but I saw him waste good possession with poor innacurate passes and losing the ball to the opposition too many times

Mike, of all the highlights of the game for Chelsea's offense, Sturridge's name comes up the most. Here are several of his contributions during the match (copied from my blog):

1. Sturridge wins a free kick about 30 yards out (29:00).

2. Drogba gets around the keeper on a nice through ball from Sturridge, but Drogba’s touch fails him and he chips it over the goal. Terrible (38:00).

3. Sturridge earns another free kick around 25 yards out; Bayer hand ball results in yellow card (39:30).

4. Sturridge to Mata who takes a one-time volley straight to keeper (41:00).

5. Sturridge has a shot on goal, but keeper catches easily (42:00).

6. OMG! Sturridge to Drogba. Drogba stumbles and fumbles a bit but he puts it into the left side netting with his left peg! I stand corrected! 1-nil, Chelsea (48:00).

7. Sturridge had a fantastic run–outrunning defenders even with the ball at foot–but was stopped by the keeper (63:00).

8. Sturridge gave a through ball for Ivanovich into the box unmarked, but no goal ensued as the keeper did well (80:00).

9. Sturridge from long range, but the keeper catches it calmly (91:30).

Sturridge was heavily involved. I'm not demanding perfection on the field as mistakes are inevitable from every player in every game, but the lad had a strong influence in the game--the best influence I would say.