I don't think we were that bad on Wednesday.

[NogoodBoyo]

Nice one, Vic.  In my gloomy view expressed on Thursday, my criticism was of Jol playing Ruiz out wide with Berba in the hole.  I don't think I've ever seen that work.  I've also never seen Berba and Petric work well together.
And I finally capitulated on Senderos.  He does something to my cranium with that downcast look that's thoroughly unpleasant.  Look up man, you might see an effin opponent.
However, I will agree that for large parts of the game we looked decent.  Particular joy was gained from watching Enohgood Boyo and Emanuelson find their sea-legs.  Enoh has amazing rubber legs that shoot out of nowhere to make his tackles.  He was very solid in the middle of the park and they feared him too.  Emanuelson made some great runs and passes.  He really has skill.
But, at the end of the day, I would much rather read the sort of positive post you and others wrote, Vic as opposed to some of the lily-livered, prostate dribble I and others streamed so weakly after the game.  It takes all sorts.
Nogood "not much joy in reading porn-like moaning after a lame session twixt the posts, isit" Boyo

[HatterDon]

Nice one, Vic.  In my gloomy view expressed on Thursday, my criticism was of Jol playing Ruiz out wide with Berba in the hole.  I don't think I've ever seen that work.  I've also never seen Berba and Petric work well together.
And I finally capitulated on Senderos.  He does something to my cranium with that downcast look that's thoroughly unpleasant.  Look up man, you might see an effin opponent.
However, I will agree that for large parts of the game we looked decent.  Particular joy was gained from watching Enohgood Boyo and Emanuelson find their sea-legs.  Enoh has amazing rubber legs that shoot out of nowhere to make his tackles.  He was very solid in the middle of the park and they feared him too.  Emanuelson made some great runs and passes.  He really has skill.
But, at the end of the day, I would much rather read the sort of positive post you and others wrote, Vic as opposed to some of the lily-livered, prostate dribble I and others streamed so weakly after the game.  It takes all sorts.
Nogood "not much joy in reading porn-like moaning after a lame session twixt the posts, isit" Boyo

Should I take this personally?

[VicHalomsLovechild]

No you shouldn't and I realize your comment is tongue in cheek. Lots of posters saw the game you did. After we'd gone two down my head was telling me that's it. So I made a point of not just following the ball and looking at shape etc. I guess if you're a manager and your team is either always wining or losing. Your job is straight forward. Continue what you're doing with the team and training (winning) or shake things up (losing). However if you team swings from a good performance to a poor one it must be a pretty frustrating job. Considering the changes forced on the team I was impressed with the continuity. My only change would be Dave for Petric. He does surge forwards pulling players with him.   

[Ruiz11]

The main difference between the two teams was that Chelsea are still chasing their target of a top four place, a minimum requirement demanded by Abramovich. They hadn't met their target yet, whereas we had reached 40 points and all but guaranteed safety. This is not a criticism of any of the players, but sometimes it's difficult to be as motivated to win as your opponents, when you have met your target for the season and they haven't. Obviously if we were to finish on 40 points then that would be disappointing, and I'm sure we will reach 48 or so, but Chelsea's hunger was evident in their ruthless efficiency at set pieces (for two of their goals), Terry just wanted it more than our defenders, who switched off.

[Ruiz11]

The game was actually fairly even, FFC undermined by firstly a wonder goal, then two bits of slack marking at set plays. If only Ruiz had scored after 2 mins....