They hardly ran the game! Possession was 60 / 40 1st half to chelsea and about 50 / 50 second. But Granero especially, and Ale did well. But I really wish MH would use our players most likely to open up defenses and score. To leave Cisse, Adel, and Hoillet all on the bench is criminal to me especially at home. Park, SWP and Mackie work hard but park and SWP don't look like scoring the whole season, as they displayed today many times.
Am I becoming insensitive or was the fact that I wasn't for one moment worried we'd concede, an indication that we've at last found the quality to match the opposition - in this case not just the league leaders, who before today hadn't dropped a point, but the reigning European champions too! Should also be celebrating the emergence of a compact and well capable midfield unit that not only gave Chelsea all sorts of problems but kept the pressure off our back four all game long. But there's more to it now than simply SWP, Granero, Faurlin and Park who performed so well today. We still had the likes of Taarabt, Hoilett, Mackie and Dyer on the bench - AND Diakite and M'bia in the background... well stacked out to say the least!! Bodes very well for the games to come. Very nice too not to have bitten me nails to the bone watching a vulnerable Rangers keeper facing down threats like Ivanovic, Torres, Hazard, Sturridge and Moses. Whilst he didn't have too much to do, Julio Cesar's presence alone fills me with refreshed levels of confidence. Clean sheet's a great start for him. Ryan Nelsen was a rock once again. Had a feeling he'd be a feature this term - and said as much on here when he arrived. Just hope he can avoid injury. Only disappointment for me was our ongoing failure to score and having to settle for a point. Really thought we could nick it well before the end. Given all we've had to put up with since the beginning of last season, it's more than a bit ironic to read meself talking about disappointment coming away from a fascinating and closely contested derby with our truest rivals!! Them Rs R back at long last. URRRsss!!!
Yes they did they didn't give any chelsea player time on the ball in the middle. And it was either Granero or Faurlin switching play or starting the attacks. and in fact it was 51% possession in the first half to us
That's a very good point. We never faltered after the substitutions and even right at the end with Anton immobile and in 10 we still looked up for it. Psychologically we were very strong which is something we haven't been since last season. The security of Cesar in goal and the possession and passing of Faurlin and Granero make all the difference. Haven't seen the stats but we may have had more possession than Chelsea which is very telling and hasn't happened for a long while.
Absolutely fantastic performance today. Tactics spot on, even went for it in the end with bringing Cisse on. This was for me the first time in the premier league we have looked a proper side. Well done to everyone concerned. Long may it continue.
I also think Bosingwa deserves a mention. I was pricking myself about the lack of left backs when Fabio went off but he did a decent job defending and looked like he was linking up well in attack.
Come on ? I think one of them two plus Cisse should have started. Could have given us 3 points, not 1.
... that horrible thing called money. We will need to generate much more income in the next few years. They've just got to get the design right and we'll provide the atmosphere!
Here we go........... Buthead, if you don't understand why we need a bigger stadium then I think you should just pack it all in mate.
Nonsence Oslo. You just want to stick all our "best" players on without thought for shape or defensive capability! SWP was great today, it felt like he was everywhere at times.
Yeah, the midfield control and possession was spectacular, also the work-rate to hassle and get the ball back was brilliant. That's the sort of go-get-'em style of play we need to knock the opponents off their game. We crowded them out well in the middle. Just need to get some striking boots on, is all. Shame we lost Johnson, he looked sharp.
Just got back from the game and Mrs S has decided to order in a Chinese so thought I would quickly say how proud I am of ALL the team today. We controlled it for large sections of the game and at times we looked sublime. Havnt read all the comments on here yet but I'm sure a few will find something negative out of the match. Man of the match for me was Granero ( already my favourite player). Him and Faurlin in the centre looked like a partnership made in heaven. Also I though Nelsen was strong and looked the rock we needed at the back. Anyway, back to my deep fried tofu in sweet and sour sauce.
