A CL loss, a sacking, a new coach, and a draw...Still fourth

First things first... We lost to Juventus. Not the most energetic of performances. We looked lazy and we were second to everything. There were flashes of brilliance and late on in the match we did look brighter but we were still lacking a killer instinct. We didn't take our chances when we could have and our sharpness seemed to only last a minute then the second we lost the edge we were down for long periods of time. Second things second... Roberto Di Matteo is no longer the manager of my beloved Chelsea. I'm not sure what the deal was but he is still loved by all for winning the Champions League, away from home, against all odds and after defeating Barcelona. I think that we played better when we had our backs against the wall, but now that we don't we allowed ourselves to let it get to our heads and we lost it all. Missed games here and there and when we didn't respond the right way with a win, we thought that we can accept that because we were top of the table. Those ties and losses quickly added up and put us in fourth position. Nowadays, the league is getting tougher and tougher every year and getting off to a great start is still the best remedy. However, putting distance is great but also the ability to keep that distance is even better. We faltered in November which allowed both the Manchester clubs to bridge the gap and now West Brom is looking down on us. Good news is we play them on Wednesday and we can leapfrog them and close the gap between first and second spots. Which brings me to my next point... Rafa Benitez is our new manager. We responded in a great way against a tough opponent in Man City. We held them at bay and didn't allow Barry, Silva or Toure time on the ball to pick out passes. Their forwards were starved for attention and though there were bright spots for them but they were few and far between. Our defense looked solid, which we haven't for a while now. I believe that even though many people do not agree with who the new coach is, he knows the game, he knows the EPL and I think he will be able to get us back up and hopefully get Torres to start scoring again. We sit fourth in the table. We still have a shot to qualify for the next round of Champions League and we still are in the FA Cup as well. I have faith that my Blues will push upwards and do well. I will always be Blue. KTBFFH

November has been difficult so far

After a conceding a late goal versus Liverpool we need to bounce back much tougher and much harder versus West Bromwich Albion. We lacked the cunning in front of goal from Oscar and Mata. We missed our chances and the diving poacher for Liverpool got them back in the game. Not only that but we lost John Terry for a few weeks because of a knee injury. It seems as if after his carting off we fell off the wagon with how strong we are as a group. Either Cahill, Luiz, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta, Cole or Bertrand need to step up and galvanize the back so that the rest of the team can play freely without too much concern on coming back to help the defense. Yes they do need to track back but they shouldn't be afraid to go too far forward to help us score goals and win games. I wasn't too happy with the way that Bertrand was playing. But it was better than what he did in the Shakhtar match. But he still needs to be better at his defending. He shows great promise with his forward movement, but he does need to not forget that he has a purpose at left back and that is to defend. West Brom will be a good test of how we can close out a game. I think it will be a good thing that Lukaku will not be able to play against us, he has been doing very well on his loan spell so far. I do hope that out of the nine, yes nine, senior players that will be out on international duty in the midweek we will not have any injuries and we will come back with a renewed sense of dignity and fight to win back the first place spot by storm and put an end to our November woes. We play City in two weeks and we need to get a good run of form and be ready for the tough tests that lie ahead.

What a response. UCL still alive

Well Terry did not start or even play. The team did show and amazing amount of fight and perseverance. The defense looked at a loss at times but it was a very good Shakhtar team that we played against. The first half we were good in possession but after we scored a goal we almost immediately conceded one. But we weren't just giving away goals either. Very attacking was the game for both sides and both were equal to task. Riveting first half. Second half was just as enthralling. Still attacking from both sides. Neither coach was flinching. Everyone kept running, fighting, and tackling as if their lives depended on it. The ref didn't play a part in the game which was great to see. Tackles were flying in, pushing and shoving for the ball, a sense of pride was on the line it seemed. With the game tied and Chelsea needing a win you could feel the pressure mounting. But our Boys in Blue were intent on coming out of the Bridge with the win. You could see it in their eyes. The defense looked stronger and the passes were linking better in the final third. Individual brilliance from nearly every player was causing trouble. It looked as if the Shakhtar defense was tiring from having to keep up with all the movement from every midfield player and their skill every time that they had the ball. As the game wore on I knew that we would get the goal that we needed. I wasn't sure from whom, but I knew it was coming. Victor Moses proved to be that man. If you have a strong aerial presence in the area during a corner kick, it is best to abuse that power. For us it is Cahill, Luiz, Torres, Terry, Lampard and Moses. However if you get it clear then you still have the likes of Hazard, Mata and Oscar lurking to place a ball back in for more confusion. Chelsea used that prowess to get the all important goal. Shakhtar's defense was tired and thought that the game was done but Chelsea kept pressing and pressing. They are a well drilled team and deserve credit. Roberto Di Matteo is to thank as well for not flinching in his football philosophy. He knew what he wanted to accomplish, he knew his players were capable of producing a win. He believed in them from start to finish. This to me is a sign of a great manager. During the game I was sitting with some other fans at our local spot in Austin and heard one guy saying that RDM needed to sub in players only after 15min had been played! Wow, really?! Other managers like to do that i.e. Mancini and look how his last game ended. If you don't remember it was a 3-1 loss to Ajax. Mancini got flustered and nervous and brought chaos to his team and confusion ensued and also ensured his team are at the bottom of the table. Mancini panicked and got the deserved loss for not having a belief in his squad. They are great individual players but aside from that he doesn't seem to have them on the same page. I don't think that particular fan really understands the game. I wanted to turn around and yell at him to have some faith in the players and the team and the manager. Putting on JT or Sturridge doesn't mean that a goal will occur. It means that the squad on the field will have to adjust to that player and his style and that player will also have to feel the game, because it is different playing in it than watching from the sideline. The substitute that was brought on was a game changer in Moses and that was exactly what was needed. Bringing on Sturridge was because Torres was showing fatigue. I do believe that if we had another CF then I think that Torres may have come off a little sooner. In the end I believe that Chelsea are an amazing team with an amazing manager and a drive to win the treble. KTBFFH!

Chelsea's latest run and other footy thoughts

Ahhh...tomorrow is Chelsea at Shaktar. After conceding a late equaliser against Swansea on Saturday I'm looking to tomorrow for a renewed sense of the gritty defense that we used to have. I do still like how aggressive we are in the midfield to win the ball back as soon as possible and how we are constantly moving and causing confusion in the opponents back line. We are doing some things great and I think what Bertrand said after the game is probably true. If we can eliminate the outside issues dealing with race and words and just play the game I don't think anyone can hold a candle to us. We have the chance to gain control of our situation in the Champions League and also regain our composure. Playing away to Shaktar will not be easy but we are accustomed to not having it easy and fighting our way to the end. I think we should our grit in the hard felt and illegitimate loss to ManU. I know we will be fresh and come out firing tomorrow and I look forward to seeing it. On some other games... Southampton I hope do not get relegated. Tottenham will go up and down week to week. City can only keep a clean sheet if they never score themselves. ManU will rely on the referees to help them win. Everton will slowly drop points but may end up the fourth position. Norwich are getting better each week it seems. Liverpool still are a crap team and I'll be surprised if Rogers can keep his job. Chelsea will get back on track and win the League.