please log in to view this image Just when we thought it was our turn to have a go and humiliate Jose, he departs. If ever a gaffer had lost a dressing room, it was Mourinho, despite Michael Emenalo's denial. The timing of this is a concern, Chelsea have been handing out points all season like a deluded Santa who thinks everyone is nice. But one can't help but feel apprehensive that the Blues may just decide to take off. Our best chance of points over the festive period may just have become our worst. Few would have expected any points for this fixture at the start of the season. We continue to create chances and while we're doing that there's always a chance to collect points. But we need to be clinical, failure to convert opportunities like last week cost us dearly and would surely do so again. Chelsea may be looking to prove a point so organisation and making the most of the opportunities would ideally be order of the day. We have very little to lose. Match Appointments Referee: Roger East Assistants: E Smart & D Eaton Fourth Official: M Jones Team News Chelsea Eden Hazard and Radamel Falcao are Chelsea's only concerns both being major doubts. Sunderland Sunderland is without Seb Larsson and Lee Cattermole while Seb Coates is also likely to miss through illness. Younis Kaboul returns. Form Chelsea please log in to view this image Mon 14 Dec Leicester 2-1 Chelsea Sat 5 Dec Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth Sun 29 Nov Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea Sat 21 Nov Chelsea 1-0 Norwich Sat 7 Nov Stoke 1-0 Chelsea Sat 31 Oct Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool Sunderland please log in to view this image Sat 12 Dec Sunderland 0-1 Watford Sat 5 Dec Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland Sat 28 Nov Sunderland 2-0 Stoke Mon 23 Nov Crystal Palace 0-1 Sunderland Sat 7 Nov Sunderland 0-1 Southampton Sun 1 Nov Everton 6-2 Sunderland Flashback Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland Gyan, Welbeck and that sublime goal from Onouha. Don't forget the Zenden dance. We look back to 2010 Extended highlights here Last Corresponding please log in to view this image Last 10 League Meetings 24 May 2015 Chelsea 3-1 Sunderland 29 Nov 2014 Sunderland 0-0 Chelsea 19 Apr 2014 Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland 04 Dec 2013 Sunderland 3-4 Chelsea 07 Apr 2013 Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland 08 Dec 2012 Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea 14 Jan 2012 Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland 10 Sep 2011 Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea 01 Feb 2011 Sunderland 2-4 Chelsea 14 Nov 2010 Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland Facts 'n' Stats Chelsea have won 18 and lost two of their last 21 Barclays Premier League matches against Sunderland. In four of the last five league meetings between Sunderland and Chelsea, the team who scored first ended up losing the match while the other ended 0-0. Loic Remy has scored three goals in four league appearances against the Black Cats. Sunderland have allowed their opponents a league-high 99 shots on target this season. http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2015/12/18/10473418/match-preview-chelsea-vs-sunderland
Nice one Bri. It's a bollock they sacked Jose , as they were looking fairly toothless. ****ers, nee Christmas spirit - then again, most Russians don't celebrate Christmas.
Just 5 years ago! Seems like a lot longer than that! What the hell happened in the last 5 years? Great thread Bri!
Well aye! It's a game we'd write of as no points at the start of the season. We look dangerous on the break and the Chelsea defence don't like it. Not as easy as it was before he was sacked but we've still got nowt to lose.
I am still having nightmares after the first half of last weeks game. I think they might have a point to prove and its us in the wrong place at the wrong time
Sam picked the wrong formation, if we cant play the first choice three at the back play a 4 4 2 formation from the start as we have no reliable cover for SC JoS YK, just hope all three are fit for a change.
Bit of a shame that, as the back three plus wing backs has looked our best formation so far, but its going to be a big ask whoever plays now that Jose has gone, just sums up our luck really, wrong place wrong time from day one, but I still have faith that we will turn it around, after all its not half time yet.
Ellis' fault, we we're two defenders short at the end of the window. More funds should have been made available to Congers back when Dick was pleading every interview. Short needs to back us in Jan. If he does there's no doubt in my mind Sam will keep us up. If Ellis doesn't back us it's going down to the wire and we could well go this year.
Spot on, the stakes are high, and I think Ellis will back Sam as we are close to having a very decent team imo. but we have very little cover in the defensive positions already discussed and it should not cost the earth to remedy the situation for what is going to be a very competetive second half of the season. Onwards and Upwards.
2-0 to Sunderland and a great day out. They can't just switch it back on tomorrow and they have little to play for. Haway Lads!!!!!
Don't forget we were turned down by the Belgian CB along with failed medical signing. Lack of recruiting in summer was not all down to funding.
What was it down to then? Kaboul and Borini both came after those moves broke down and there was loads of window to run. The budget won't have changed half way thought the window, the funds will have just been invested elsewhere in those players and M'Vila's lone fee, and we still had a Prem loan slot free and a spare space in the squad. But we still ended the window short of what was required. Reeks of Ellis and his wage strucute imo.
Too many ifs, buts and maybes involved to make a clear conclusion but would hazard a guess that players we went for were not interested above lack of money. Remember Micky Gray saga that was answered by ES?
now leaving for the capital, nice day here on the Norfolk coast atm,also nice to have a cheaper pint in Kensington than here,I wonder if the fans will show their disapproval of the boards decision in a big way.
The Chelsea fans could do us a favour if they turn on the players and sing pro mourinho songs. I fear though if they score early the shackles will be off and they'll maul us
If Coates is out and we revert to 4 at the back. I'm normally hugely against 442 nowadays but we have to get at them and Borini and Watmore would both graft on the wings -----------Pantilimon-------------- Jones-----Oshea--Kaboul-----PVA Watmore--Mvila--Rodwell--Borini ---------Fletcher--Defoe-----------
Good luck today lads! - Keep the comedy show going at the Bridge!! (The way this season is going, I have a horrible feeling we'll be doing our bit to help with the comedy factor against Villa).
