Earl Hafler

2 and 3 are good points. ( not saying the other two are rubbish ! )

But Mourinho says things like that after challenges like Essien's. Robben went down like he'd been shot so Rafa has every right.

That will be changed to just a yellow, surely ?!

Has he criticised the ref ?

The 4-4-1-1 tactic we've used with Crouch upfront and Gerrard wide right has worked well against poorer teams than Chelsea's. Gerrard is more able to cut inside, even switch to the left but against Chelsea's midfield and defence it's a different ball game. With Gerrard stuck to the right it leaves just Sissoko and Xabi to break forward and i haven't seen Xabi do that much since last season. On the left, Kewell had some joy and put in a few crosses but Crouch seemed stuck to the penlty spot and unwilling to commit himself. All our key players apart from Kewell are in their worst form of the season. It will get better but needs to soon. The resumption of the CL might be a blessing

£14m on Cisse £18m on 3 duds. We've had money but some recent buys have been poor. That team has played well for long periods today but lacked a cutting edge upfront. Warnock was slow getting out ( not the first time our left back has cost us this season by not being in sync with the other 3 defenders ) and Crespo punished us. We hit the wall a few weeks ago, just at a time when Chelsea were dropping points and we could have made ground on the Mancs. Now we've lost against both and surrendered the 2 game ' advantage ' we had on Utd. Rafa's a brilliant manager but Cisse wide right is insane.

What's he said now ? I've switched over.

That too. Crespo's finishes ( even on the disallowed goal ) were brilliant. 24 goals in 37 starts ( i think ) Gerrard's brilliant cross form the left and not one player anticipating it. Crouch is a good player and an asset to the squad but he is not a striker in the sense that he has an instinct for goalscoring. Then we have Cisse come on and play wide right. Pissed off That's not why i bumped it but feel free to have a go...

What i'd like now is for a member of the coaching staff or a player to have a go about the decisions and lack of against Chelsea. Carvalho, Makelele, Gallas all made fouls in the box and nothing given Just once i'd like someone to vent their frustration.

Diving ****. I hate that team.

I am in danger of putting my fist through the t.v screen !!!!!!!! Gudjohnsen's handballs it to keep control, Reina gets the ball and then gets sent off !!!!! f***ing w*** f***ing chelsea !!!!

Thought so - Riise for Garcia.

Maybe the lads will prove me wrong in the second half ?

Having seen some of the fouls and handballs not given in Chelsea's penalty area this year, i think it would take Terry with a chainsaw and about 3 deaths for the ref to even think about it.

Apart from the second half against Luton - like many of our players - he's been in poor form since the new year. I'd go 4-3-3. Take Warnock or Riise of and put Garcia on, have Kewell and he playing off Crouch. At some point we might need Cisse'e pace to open them up, create space.

No coincidence they've done so well against us because of set pieces. Half time. Changes needed.

Warnock or Riise off, Garcia on in the second half. Need more movement between their midfield and defence.

And again.

Many of the fouls given against him are because of his height and size, not because he has fouled someone. Pisses me off.

Typical. We have corners and chances - nothing. Chelsea ? 1 nil.

Carra going forward again. Why ?

Carvalho is one of the most loathsome players i've ever watched.

Warnock needs to get a grip. Passing like that in a game of this calibre is just footballing suicide. Typical game so far. Both teams not giving an inch. Why can't other pitches be like Anfield ? This is like Bolton's.

Apart from the subs, that was called by myself and a couple of others yesterday. That's 2 in a row...Rafa is slacking I've got Gerrard 3-1 for a stupid bet but i'm not optimistic.

David Villa is sooooooooo autumn 2004