Chelsea have struggled against any big teams they have played in the league. They've raised their game, like us, for the cups though so its going to be tricky. I do fancy us though, especially if Bellamy is up against Bosingwa and Suarez against Terry & Ivanovic.
How is it a stupid argument when you yourself have already made grand claims about something you never saw? If you can be so sure about something you later admit you haven't seen, it's perfectly logical that I don't trust your judgement on another incident. 'It was not an off the ball incident' - why does it matter? An elbow is an elbow; vicious, off the ball, or otherwise. And by claiming that I 'virtually said' something, you've 'virtually' admitted that you're twisting my argument. Ivanovic 'stuck an elbow out' with the intention of striking Ba. It's the intention, not the pain felt by the person struck. It's like me saying 'I only stuck a foot out' after breaking someone's leg (that's a hyperbolic example, but you get the point...I hope.) No need to start swearing at me; I've been perfectly courteous to you. I couldn't care less if Ivanovic misses the final or not, same as Mikel (who is by far your worst player.) They should be banned for their actions, not just because I somehow fear them. So no, I don't 'obviously' want Ivanovic banned purely to stop him turning out against us.
Anyway, no one was booked or sent off so it doesn't matter. I hope Luiz plays, if Suarez is on form (which he is) then the Brazillian lunger will make mistakes. Having said that, both team will be up for the match far more than the league games this week, don't see why Chelsea rested players though, gambling on the final again Bayern there. First defeat in ages (long coming) be interesting to see how they cope. Come on Liverpool!!
You really aren't getting this are you? I didn't see the Torres incident, that's it. I saw the other two, so just because I didn't see one (admittedly by the way ) it doesn't mean my opinion isn't valid on the other two. What do you mean what does it matter? They are the rules son, Terry was sent off BECAUSE it was off the ball and Terry was the incident you compared it to. I said bollocks, maybe you should grow a pair before crying becuase I swore! I don't want to argue, this was just a debate but you think Ivanovic should be banned for something completely ridiculous.
You don't want to argue, yet you're being aggressive and getting personal because I don't agree with you? So you're saying that a knee to the backside and an elbow are red cards only if they're off the ball? (and judging by your use of caps and former protestations that the Ivan/Ba incident was 'on the ball so it's fine' you are saying precisely this.) Can I see these rules please? Since they are, after all, what your argument hinges on. I'm not the only one who views Ivanovic's elbow as intentional, or that he should be banned. You still haven't explained why he felt the need to do it?
I think he should be banned for something completely ridiculous as well And stop swearing at people Drogs u twat
They are the rules, ask anybody. It's a contact sport, you can't expect there to be no bloody contact
Haha, my word. I'll leave it there. Although I should ask, is it ok if I refer people to this post if I get sent off for elbowing somebody 'on the ball'? Oh, I feel so stupid now you've provided extensive evidence of your claims, Drogs.
Surely you're not that stupid? There's a difference between assault/vicious and leaning into someone with your elbow when they jump . Fellaini would be constantly banned if that were the case.
This is getting laborious now. Ivanovic didn't 'lean' into Ba with his elbow at all, did he? You seriously need to go back and look at it. Indeed, Fellaini should have been banned a few times. As an example, he got away with elbowing Michael Turner (off the ball...) 2-3 times when waiting for a corner. He doesn't escape punishment because it isn't an offence. He escapes punishment because the FA and the ref either haven't seen it or haven't bothered with it. Surely you're not suggesting I don't know the difference between general bodily contact such as leaning in/protecting the ball and an elbow directed towards a player with no intent to win the ball? It's strange how you're confusing your own misinterpretation of what I'm saying (which really isn't as complex as you're trying to twist it to be) with my apparent stupidity. For your benefit, I thought I'd take the liberty of proving that my claims about Fellaini escaping punishment are shared: http://www.cpfc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=180135
There's where we disagree, you are saying Ivanovic should be banned for something that was pathetic. It wasn't vicious and it wasn't off the ball, therefore your point is mute. Good day
For one last time: It does not have any bearing on this particular offence (Ivanovic, not Terry) whether or not it was on or off the ball. You might get away with a knee to the backside on the ball, if it isn't that obvious, but not an elbow. And anyway, Ba hadn't actually received the ball when Ivanovic elbowed him. So, even applying your argument, he should be banned. I win this one, then. Thanks for finally admitting defeat and leaving.
Chelsea pair set to miss final Chelsea's defensive duo David Luiz and Gary Cahill failed to train with the squad ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup final and it is therefore expected that neither will start the match against Liverpool. The two centre-backs have struggled with hamstring injuries. However, captain John Terry, who is suspended for Chelsea's Champions League final at the Allianz Arena, is fit and available for selection. He will most likely be partnered by Branislav Ivanovic in the heart of the defence for the showpiece Wembley event. Source:http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/chelsea-pair-set-to-miss-final
