Disturbing this is...

I was hoping for a massive show against West Ham... Ummm... Yea... A 3-1 loss was not the kind of result or response I was hoping for. I have yet to watch the game and see exactly what was going on but at least we did score. Mata scored for the Blues, which means that Torres is still not firing and apparently. Also I hear he had a bad miss. This is not good. Not only does he have his old manager back but I fear that somehow the feelings that the fans have for Benitez are somehow still clouding Torres' mind. When they boo and hiss at Benitez it is still heard by all the players on and off the field. How is that supposed to make them feel when they practice and play. Nobody wants to play for a manager that is in disrepute by everyone. The disturbing news that I read yesterday is about the supposed overhaul of Chelsea. This does not sit well with me. First, Ramires would be the first on the block. For me, Ramires is the hardest working player on the field. Strangely familiar to what happened to Inter Milan. Benitez tried to remake and Champions League winning side in Inter Milan and instead caused them to go from Champions League winners to only Supercup winners and then out of contention to win the Italian league. Doesn't seem like Benitez is the right choice given his track record. Just saying.

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.

3 wins 1 draw 0 losses 10pts. and still top of the BPL

0-0 was the result of our latest match versus QPR. Chances by both teams and Chelsea still should have come out the victor. It did seem a bit lackluster to me and also I didn't like Lampard's play. He is usually great in possession and a tidy passer of the ball. This game looked a little sloppy from him. Giving the ball away on simple passes and getting caught in possession. I was wasn't impressed as I usually am with Lamps. Hazard was another that I was surprised with. Just a few days before he was talking about how he doesn't like to show off but that if needed he can take over and win a game... Where was he?! He had one breakaway chance in the first half and a wide open sitter in the second with minutes left to play and the first was saved expertly by Julio Cesar and the second needed no parry because it was fired clear over the bar. Victor Moses was impressive in his first debut with Chelsea. Smart and controlled in his attacking movement. I also like Ramires and where he played in second half with Mikel as a defensive mid. Bertrand was, in my mind, a little hesitant and almost nervous about playing in this game. His touch and possession seemed a little off to me. David Luiz is becoming a great player in defense and he is always eager to show that is also yet another attacking force to be reckoned with. On a different subject Anton Ferdinand is a twat. The ruling was handed down. Get on with it. I don't care whether JT said anything or not. Play the game. If he doesn't want to do that then try to become a commentator. My guess is nobody wants him because he is a worse player than his older twat brother Rio. Get on with the game. Be a professional. I've been called names on the field but guess what...I get them back on the field and get on with the game. Afterwards, they'll know they were wrong, if they aren't in the hospital already. Next match is home to Juventus for the Champions League. We need to start off the defense campaign with a win against a great side who had a great Serie A campaign last season. KTBFFH

My philosophy on the beautiful game

I have four simple rules: Number one...Keep possession of the ball. Number two...Keep possession of the ball. Number three...Have fun and keep possession of the ball. Number four...Be more physical than the other team and keep possession of the ball. I am an American. I think that I was raised in the wrong country. I call it football and not soccer. The teams that I have played on that I have fun playing with are teams that understand that you only need to score once and it is much easier when you have the ball in your teams' possession for much of the match. Here is some history about my career so far; -Started playing at 3 and 1/2 years of age -Played on my older brothers team(he is ten years older than I) for two years -My dad forced me to play in every position imaginable(keeper, defense, midfield, and forward) -In junior high there are virtually no football teams in Texas(only American football) -Once in high school I tried out for the "soccer" team my junior year and made Varsity -Scored the only goal in our semi final match in the playoffs in which we lost 2-1 -I didn't go back to play my senior year because of the lack of heart I saw in that game as well as the off field antics that some of the players were involved in. -Went to college and played American football for 2 years -Started playing REAL football again after I quit -Wondered why I ever stopped playing the beautiful game in the first place and still do -Got into AMSA(Austin Mens Soccer Association) -Learned a lot from an over 30's team (Waterloo) around this time I am 24 years of age -Moved back to Houston and joined the Galveston Pirates SC an NPSL team I can contribute a vast majority of my playing style and growth to when I played with the Waterloo club. That was the only club I have played for where I never started a match for. I was forced to sit and watch and observe how they wanted me to play. Their style is very much a style of ease and pleasure. Communication is standard on that team. You can tell that those guys know each other very well. The passing is what sets them apart from every other team out there. The passing and the physicality of the defense. I learned that I may be the fastest guy on the field but that doesn't mean I need to run with the ball every time I get it. They make the ball do the work and they aren't nearly as worn out as their opponents because they choose not to chase the ball around. Waterloo want the ball for the entire match and will slowly build up to gain momentum in the attack and refuse to go blindly into an attack with no edge. The next team that I saw great strides with was O4 Lounge. Younger guys who know the game well. My favorite game was when we were light years beyond our opponents. I believe the score was 3 or 4 nil for us so far and about 20min left in the game. We were holding onto the ball for long periods of time and the other team had all 11 back on their side of the pitch to help defend. I was playing in the center of defense and saw that they had most of their team my left trying to win the ball back. Now before I tell you what happened I would like to tell you that we hung out together and had parties and ran together and practiced together as much as we could, so we all had a great understanding of each other on and off the field. Now, from what I saw there was no way through the defense on the left side. Our guys were moving and trying to create space but it was just too clogged. I called for the ball to be switched. One pass back down the line to the left back. One touch and a pass to me. One touch and a pass straight in front which was simply flicked onto the path of the right wing who calmly slotted into the net. Four passes and a goal from a simple understanding that you trust the guy who is talking to you to do the right thing. A simple unspoken way of saying, "It's not working that way, let's try something different". The ball was not forced into a position that was not beneficial for the team in keeping possession and eventually scoring. That brings a smile to my face and I will never condemn that style of play. That is how I want every team I play on to play. Possession over out and out attack. A calculated plan of execution of your opposition. Make them frustrated and crush their souls on the pitch then shake their hands and offer to play them again with a smile.

Good showings and not so good showings

Deep breath... First off, I'm glad that we got our asses handed to us in a non league match for two reasons. Number one, it wasn't a league match. Number two, it showed us what we need to work on. From what I saw, we let Athletico dribble down to our 18 and take their time in where they were going to pass or shoot. Our relying on Hazard was shown that it cannot keep on that way. We need to be able to quickly move and keep possession of the ball. I am wondering why Bertrand didn't start this game. If we knew that our opposition like to possess the ball I think that having an defender in the field would help our cause. Maybe... But I do have concerns with our general lack of defensive prowess during that game and the almost non existent lack of fight. I have concerns but I do have more faith in Di Matteo than not. Falcao was a great performance that night and he certainly showed his skills on the big stage against a big team. I do hope that we can sign him in January. Moving forward we need to be the force that can shutdown Barcelona, and the certainly deadly duo of Cisse and Ba as well as the new kid Lambert from Southampton. Watching that game (Southampton v. Man Utd.) Lambert showed why he is a big name player. He dominated Vidic and Ferdinand. When he left the game they were pleased they could bully the smaller forward put in his place. I'm sure that if Southampton are leading or tying a big name club or any club for that matter, Lambert will not be coming out of the game. He was able to hold up the ball so his teammates could join in the attack. Great games to watch will be... Swansea v. Arsenal or Swansea v. Man City or Southampton v. Arsenal On to the international break and the forthcoming BPL games! KTBFFH!

First 3 games

Three games, three wins and top of the table. I could leave it at that, but I will go on in detail. First off, Chelsea's midfield is clearly a higher class above every team they have gone up against so far. Hazard has had a part in almost every goal that has been scored and has shown that he is an integral part of this team. Torres is off to a great start by causing problems for teams back four all by himself, thus freeing up the wingers i.e. Ramires, Bertrand, Marin and now Moses as well as the outside backs in Ivanovic, Cole, Azpilicueta, and even the center backs Cahill, Luiz and Terry. This is integral in allowing the team to play as one cohesive unit. That is how Chelsea started to play at he end of last season and with the acquisitions they have so far it is a great start and everybody on the team knows that they can have a great season and perhaps even take the BPL league by storm and also go on and win the Champions League...again...back to back. So far in these first three games the defense looks tougher and tougher and we are controlling the midfield and closing down on opportunities for the other team. The big test will be against City and their midfield and Arsenal only if they can start scoring. I look forward to the Super Cup this Friday and the rest of the season. One word I will say is look at the BPL and how they run their ads now that Chelsea are strong, United are missing Rooney, City are barely winning and tying games, Arsenal can't score and the once exciting Tottenham are barely hanging on and AVB is trying to squeeze in some very last minute deals for quite a few big names... Sound familiar?? It is exactly what happened last year with Chelsea. It won't work well if you're trying to implement a new system and throw on top of that new players in a new system in the toughest league in the world. Doesn't always have a great way of playing out.

FIFA 13 predictions

Don't really care if FIFA has a proven track record of predicting games. Did they predict that City would almost implode against QPR and Southampton? Do they realize that anything can and will happen in every game. There is still time in the transfer window and all those players that they think teams will have, they may not have. What happens then when City don't equal the great Chelsea with 29 wins in a season? I personally don't think that City have it in them to continue their streak. Like last season they have all the players but they will falter and they can be beat. Southampton showed them that they are vulnerable on the counter and who is better at that than Arsenal and Chelsea. Yes, Arsenal didn't score jack in their opener but Chelsea had a counter attack that lasted all of 10 seconds tops with a neat goal from a defender at the end of it all. I think it was four passes from when Chelsea won the ball back in their own third to when it finished. Another problem I have is with Swansea and Everton being so low in these standings. Everton beat United. Handily. And by handily I mean that it was all Everton. Even with RvP they didn't really test Howard until the final few minutes. And FIFA was saying the RvP was going to have an immediate impact... A the real game, he had no real impact. Swansea stayed up at the end of last season, when many predicted them to go back down. They opened up their campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory. I think that we all know that it is about starting off your season on a good note. A winning note. Also, West Ham to finish below QPR?? Highly doubtful. QPR in my mind will be the first team relegated due to them getting some very good players, but not what you really need. They apparently are picking up Carvalho from Real Madrid. Good player but maybe a little past his prime. How many times did he play last season? They did pick up Bosingwa, whom Chelsea let go because he wasn't a true defender. Yes he did they job when needed but can he do it all season long, and now playing against all the same teams but with an offense that probably doesn't possess the ball so well. So that means, more defensive responsibilities. That was my rant.

Community Shield game

I was reading another blog about the midfield dilemma... I don't know if I totally agree. We have an abundance in the midfield, that's why I'm thinking that we won't have an issue. Simply put, it will be perform and play or sit and sub in. Here's what we have in the middle of the park right now: Oscar, Marin, Eden Hazard, Lampard, Essien, Mikel, Romeu, Mata, Ramires, Bertrand, Sturridge(possibly), Malouda, Meireles, and Benayoun. If we want to be a powerhouse and use all of our strengths we need to have the strongest of our midi's out there to wreak havoc on defenses. In my mind that is Hazard, Marin, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Meireles, and also Bertrand. Here's why... From what I saw in the Community Shield match, Ramires is hungry to win and has great pace and defensive capabilities. Meireles is a strong defensive force but can also score from distance. Marin is lighting fast and wants to get in behind defenses to create opportunities. Mata can play right underneath Torres and is comfortable there and on the left as well. Hazard can play on the left or right under Torres as well. Lampard needs no introduction. He knows the game and has great vision. That leaves us with only four positions to fill if we use all six of these in midfield. That won't happen. It hurts to say this but I think Lampard will start the season but probably won't play the entire 90minutes so that one of the other midfielders can learn the ropes and eventually take on his position. Which one that is I don't know just yet. Competition is great and I wish we had another forward so that Torres and Piazon can both be available if need be. Lukaku will be great but to me the game is moving to fast for him right now and a loan move is best. But I digress, I can easily see Hazard and Marin on the field at the same time, and Mata hasn't been playing all 90' either. Based on that alone, I see Marin coming in and going out to the left and Hazard moving to play under Torres. If Lampard comes out, either Essien or Oscar can fill in that role as well. Mikel gave the ball away far too many times in Shield match for me to give him a starting spot off the get-go. Essien is healthy again and we can use his offensive and defensive capabilities. Now I just need to wait til the season starts and I'll be able to tell everyone if I was correct or not. Keep the Blue Flag Flying High!

It's sooo close!

So I've heard that RvP is going to MUFC...Still unknown at this point.. Just speculation and gossip. City have said that they have given up. They need to sell a few strikers before they can buy one. Juve want Llorente, which is not a bad buy. Arsenal have some options but they still want to be a feeder club to raise young starlets then let them shine at another club i.e. Ryo Miyachi. Will Arsenal use Ji Dong Wong? He did a fantastic job at the Olympiics, and impressed at his loan spell last year, I forget the team but he is another striker who can and will get open and go for every ball. In case Podolski gets injured they need another striker. Chelsea are quiet now..which I kind of like. Everyone is getting excited for the renewed battle for the league title between MUFC and MCFC..maybe they forgot that Chelsea won two trophies last season to City's one... Yes Chelsea finished sixth, some may blame AVB but I don't. He wanted to rebuild yes, he did chose the wrong time to try to rebuild. Do it during the offseason, not in the beginning of it. RDM has got the tools to do it this season. I'm looking for an exciting season for the Blues because we are underdogs, we are the dark horse and I like that. It gives up something to prove. Let's bring the League title back to Stamford. Let's bring the FA Cup back to Stamford. Let's bring the Champions League title BACK to Stamford, a feat that would certainly shock the world.

Transfer news...or gossip? And other footy news

RvP wants to leave...apparently THIS is the year when he wants to leave after not winning any team trophies...again last season. He did however win the golden boot award personally for trying his damnedest to keep his team in the title race and also the UEFA Champions League race. He needs more help. How can Arsenal become a great team again if they keep cultivating great talent and then turning around in a few years time just to sell them before they can become a team together?? Look at Clichy and Kolo Toure now at City...True Toure didn't play all that much but he did leave Arsenal..and now they have a trophy. Look at my favorite team, Chelsea, they may have a wealth of knowledge and older players, but guess what?! They stuck together and won two trophies(FA Cup and UEFA Champions League). You can have a great team that is young salt and peppered with some age and experience, but you can also have a older team with vast experience and age sprinkled with youth and still come out on top. In the end it's about the knowledge of the game and who can impose themselves on the game more and run the game how they would like it to be run. Chelsea did it against Barcelona. It was not an overly defensive game. It was a knowledgeable game against a team that was always going to control the ball. The best way to thwart a team that thrives on possession is to make themselves implode. Barcelona effectively passed the ball. No one can discredit that. But they did pass themselves to death. They had chances to score and couldn't capitalise because they(in my mind) weren't ready to be shooting on goal because they weren't warmed up enough for it. Look at how many shots on goal they had and where they were taking those shots... Later in the game they had to be quicker in their passing to try to get in behind the defense of Chelsea. Anyone that has a clear knowledge of the game will know that if a team is going to possess the ball against you for the majority of the game the only way to score will come from a quick counter attack. And any set pieces you may get need to be taken very carefully and precisely with everyone on the same page, and if you don't score everyone needs to get back to help defend. But back to my original point. RvP wants either to win something or leave and start over. I believe that if he somehow stays, and even if they do win something this coming season, he will still leave. Wenger is not helping anything by playing these silly mind games. If Rvp wants to leave let him leave. Get a huge bang for your buck or you risk losing money to buy two very good players to replace him. Wenger SAYS that he doesn't want the same drama unfolding like it did last year causing a rocky start to the season. However, his actions say the contrary. Which do I believe?? I believe that RvP will leave for City...or maybe he'll stay...but he will leave at some point. Chelsea will again win the EPL and be great. Tottenham will have an interesting season under the former Blues boss AVB Man Utd will be at the top...a semi finalist in the Champs League City will not be as effective...they can be beaten and will falter, but will still be a nuisance..FA Cup?? Newcastle is a dark horse for me...great end to the season, but can they have the same belief as they did last year.

New recruits

Chelsea have signed Marko Marin, Eden Hazard and Oscar, German, Belgian, and Brazilian respectably. Great signings for the coming season. Hopefully, Torres can be back to his scoring ways when the season resumes. I think we still need some more midfield options. But let us not forget the youth that we have in Josh MacEachran and Chalobah, also with Lukaku who recently might be going out on loan with Fulham. I hope that he doesn't. I don't think that we'll be getting Hulk, we can use our youth that we have already paid for instead of paying more money for someone that just expects to do well. I would rather have a player show what he has to offer instead of paying for a player to show up and act like a pre-madonna. I want Chelsea to keep Lukaku and use him in the upcoming campaign. He shows promise and he is more like the great Drogba than Hulk. Hulk plays more like a forward, can't really win headers, and has a great left foot. I'd rather have a true striker in my squad than a center forward who swings out to the left. There may be a few more signings left in the year before the season gets started but I feel a strong push for the title and possibly a another defense of the Champions League title as well.