Chelsea Away - 29/12/2013

[G Richards]

I'm going for 2-1 to us. They will get a set piece goal at some point, but we will play our football, press, pass, move, and score a couple. We have a decent chance to take Mourinho's home record here. That would be ace. Even better would be what a win will do for us going into the second half of the season.

 

If we win we will start the second half of the season only 2-3 points off top spot. With no European football we have a chance to be more focused and rested between games. Also, we have most of the big teams coming to Anfield. We would have a great opportunity to challenge for that title. 

 

Come on you reds!

[billypilgrimnz]

A liability in attacking positions? How?

 

By basically being poor at shooting and having a poor touch under pressure and making poor passing decisions in attacking positions....take your pick.

[billypilgrimnz]

Some proper headbangers on this thread. Allen has been excellent for us recently, the problem for him is that he is not making massive lung busting runs down the flank or running past defenders. He has really assisted with the tempo of our passing and pressing the oppo when we dont have the ball. Its underrated stuff, but vital to rodgeball. Those who cant see that are FM quims.

 

Cool, the internet has called me another name. I'll add it to the list, go tell my mum or something.

[billypilgrimnz]

Sometimes wanting a player to do well clouds their judgement  on how well they are doing. Allen has done alright, even very good in patches but i think it is right to expect another level from him.

 

 

I'll admit it can work the other way as well, and that I've never really been a fan of what Allen brings to the table, but I honestly don't get all this praise. I hope he eventually starts playing like the player people are describing, because that would be nice.

[Captain]

By basically being poor at shooting and having a poor touch under pressure and making poor passing decisions in attacking positions....take your pick.

 

I disagree completely. It's like we haven't been watching the same matches. Allen's shooting is shit though, I'll give you that.

[Adebisi]

Gen thought we were playing today. Been drinking Scrumpy Jack in the bath and everything. 

[billypilgrimnz]

I disagree completely. It's like we haven't been watching the same matches. Allen's shooting is shit though, I'll give you that.

 

Coutinho's too, to be fair, and I like him.

[Gnasher]

Sometimes wanting a player to do well clouds their judgement  on how well they are doing. Allen has done alright, even very good in patches but i think it is right to expect another level from him.

Our midfield has had problems all season. Our midfield performance at hull was shocking.

 

Since Allen returned to the side we have had comfortable victories against west ham, spurs and cardiff and were not taken to the cleaners (as most sides have been) away at man city. Give the kid a break.

[Brigant Moloch]

Allen has been excellent since his return to the starting XI.

[Mathewbet1]

Suarez 29 goals in 27 appearances in 2013 needs one more goal to become only the 7th player to reach 30-goal mark in a calendar year in PL

[Joey8FrogsLegs]

Allen's return to the team, and to form in my opinion, has definately coincided with the team giving the best performances for years.

 

This may be a coincidense of course. I don't think it is, at least not entirely.

[Baltar]

Going to be a tough one this. Mourinho's turned them into a right bunch of grinders. I'll take a draw but we'll be in trouble if they score first. They will just go into defensive mode and will be very hard to score against. We must score first if we want to win this one. And we'll need to cut out the silly mistakes when defending set pieces otherwise we're bound to concede one to Chelsea.

Going for a 1-1.

[JagSquared]

Ramires is a big miss for them. He's the best box to box mid in the league and the engine for their team.

 

If we play like we have been, we've got an excellent chance to win.

yaya toure and ferdandinho are better imo. Ramires is a key player for them though.

[El Rojo]

Going to be a tough one this. Mourinho's turned them into a right bunch of grinders. I'll take a draw but we'll be in trouble if they score first. They will just go into defensive mode and will be very hard to score against. We must score first if we want to win this one. And we'll need to cut out the silly mistakes when defending set pieces otherwise we're bound to concede one to Chelsea.

Going for a 1-1.

 

A draw would be a decent outcome and would set us up nicely for what on paper is an easier second half of the season. 

 

A bit of a reality check is needed here - their home record under Mourinho is pretty phenomenal and they've a much bigger squad than us. I fear that we'll struggle to maintain the same intensity for another 90 minutes, given that with exceptions of Agger and Toure, we've nobody to rotate our first XI with at the moment.

[SCOUSE TAPAS]

I am feeling confident over this and think we will break the overcoats record of him never losing a league home game with him in charge. Also feel we have to win this or not lose at least if we want a top 4 place at the end of the season.

United have started to get there 1-0 wins up and running and City and the Arse looking good. Would expect Chelsea to invest in a forward in this window and surely Spurs cant be as bad in the second half of the season . 

[Captain]

Fuck me that was a lucky win for Man U. They were complete dogshit and scored from a fluke.

[Mathewbet1]

Lets just beat chelsea

[Red Banjo]

Fuck me that was a lucky win for Man U. They were complete dogshit and scored from a fluke.

 

Utter cunts, being utter cunts shocker? Well i'll be damned.

[MLB]

Who will Chelsea play in midfield now? Mikel, Lampard and...? Am I forgetting someone?

[Evil_Ways]

By basically being poor at shooting and having a poor touch under pressure and making poor passing decisions in attacking positions....take your pick.

Well thats just nonsense through out.

 He had a bad pass at City's second goal, yes, but if anything Allen is good under pressure, he goes looking for the ball and is calm when pressured.

[Mathewbet1]

Hope they play that chubby-chubster Lard arse Lampard. Henderson will run him ragged the Fat fuck wont know what day it is.

[KopOut]

My Bro said to me yesterday that we've never lost two matches in a row under Rodgers. Does he mean this season or both?? I can't be bothered checking, but it doesn't fill me with confidence.

We need at least a point here, but it will be tough. So much depends on the teams around us. Arsenal are at Newcastle. If they lose, we have frigging Newcastle on the same points as us, and another good side in the top four mix.

Everton at home to Southampton I think - not an easy game for them, but once again, failing to get at least a point with the Blue-shite sneaking 3, has those cocks above us.

Pressure mounting now. COME ON YOU RED MEN 

[Gnasher]

I'll admit it can work the other way as well, and that I've never really been a fan of what Allen brings to the table, but I honestly don't get all this praise. I hope he eventually starts playing like the player people are describing, because that would be nice.

You can go back to the midfield which got played off the park at Hull, but that wouldn't really be nice.

[Phoenix]

Our midfield has had problems all season. Our midfield performance at hull was shocking.

 

Since Allen returned to the side we have had comfortable victories against west ham, spurs and cardiff and were not taken to the cleaners (as most sides have been) away at man city. Give the kid a break.

Next you will be telling Allen was playing on his own in those games.

 

And i thought my post wasn't critical just believing there is room for improvement and not going over the top.

[Paco]

Some proper headbangers on this thread. Allen has been excellent for us recently, the problem for him is that he is not making massive lung busting runs down the flank or running past defenders. He has really assisted with the tempo of our passing and pressing the oppo when we dont have the ball. Its underrated stuff, but vital to rodgeball. Those who cant see that are FM quims.

 

or scoring goals or making goals.