[Archived] Chelsea Vs ROVERS

[m1st]

"Chelsea not at the races again." [Radio 5 bloke at Stamford Bridge when they just went over to him from the City v. Wolves game.]

[Dan]

That got to hurt Junior

[bennyboyt11]

Hoilett just done a backflip off Ramires' head!

[m1st]

Wish it was Linganzi instead of Lowe.

Dunny just proves again why Adam would be ideal.

Could do with City pulling level against Wolves

They just have!

[bennyboyt11]

Chelsea pretty much on top of us for a good 15 minutes now...

[martmitch]

the woodwork gods looking down on us today

[Messi422]

Givet playing really well, made many important tackles.

[Heinz]

THANK GOD! HT! Chelsea is (unfortunately) the better team, some dangerous counter attacks from Rovers though.

[jim mk2]

Said many times before but Kalinic spends most of his time falling over.

The lad cannot play with his back to goal either.

[martmitch]

kally not getting the better of ivanovic at all this half, think he will be replaced at half time for rsc

@ half time chelsea no doubt that more dangerous, lacking their normal end product of scoring goals for fun. Our defensive line is proving effective even if the field is getting a little crowded with most of the players in our half, weve had some good counter attacking play and perhaps unlucky not to have got something, couldnt ask for any more if we open the field up they will rip us apart as nearly shown on a few occasions

if we were to win this, could be the second manager of an opposition weve finished off recently, however realistically anything resembling a point I would be over the moon with

[bigbrandjohn]

Half time. Sweeeeet. Job done for the first half. Bring on Roberts in the second half They don't like it up em especially Terry

[Rover Down Under]

After all the Chelsea pressure and a series of corners (about 8) with no goals to show the second half is ours to boss. We have defended very well, had the odd chance or two on the break, everyone is playing well and Chelsea will only come out more deflated for not having scored while we will be confident having not conceded. This could be our best chance to break the 5 year duck.

[Tom]

Said many times before but Kalinic spends most of his time falling over.

The lad cannot play with his back to goal either.

I agree with the first bit for sure he goes down far too easy often losing possession at the same time.

Halfway there but I can't see us holding out.

Dreading the 47th minute!

[Amo]

Solid performance and we could even be in front after Hoilett's chance. The last thing we wanted was to concede in the first half and allow Chelsea to relax and build confidence. Let's hope we can take a chance in the second half.

[Mr. E]

Givet pulled off the tackle of the season in my books with the way he stopped Drogba.

But yeah, as well as we've done to survive so far, Chelsea will score a number on the 2nd with so much possession.

[joey_big_nose]

Fantastic defensive performance. I thought we would be very brittle when the teams were laid out but in fact we have looked as solid and organised as anythign produced under Allardyce. The whole back four have been outstanding.

The only thing I would change is bring RSC on for Kalinic. Kali is getting no change out of the Chelsea centre backs. Just does not have the strength, trickery or pace to worry them.

Second half will be fascinating!

[philipl]

Nelsen having a stormer but all the back 4 are immense.

[jim mk2]

Take Kalinic off.

Give Roberts a run at Terry - who hates playing against Roberts - and bring Santa Cruz on later for Diouf.

[moerpho]

Riding our luck! But think we look good when we counterattack. Too bad Kalinic is having a bad day as well as Dunn limping off injured. Get Roberts or ROque on at 60 min and I can see us stealing a point from this one. A win would be thouroghly undeserved based on first 45 min but stranger things have happened. A draw would be just fine....and please...no more injuries or suspensions!

[Exiled in Toronto]

Said many times before but Kalinic spends most of his time falling over.

The lad cannot play with his back to goal either.

He's been a complete liability so far, in contrast to the rest of the team.

Defence magnificent, although they scraped the bar a couple of times, Robbo hasn't been troubled.

Two moments of genuine quality up front from Junior, getting in a good shot and then completely skinning Cole.

MoM so far: all 4 defenders and MB Diouf

Get RSC on and we could get something from this

[ChesterRover]

Amazing defensive performance first half, agreed we should change Kali for Santa or Roberts 2nd half. Here's hoping, come on Rovers!

[deftangel]

Take Kalinic off.

Give Roberts a run at Terry - who hates playing against Roberts - and bring Santa Cruz on later for Diouf.

Not a bad shout that. So long as there is someone for Roberts to pass it on to who can finish! Terry certainly hasn't been at his best, worth putting him under more pressure.

[Bobby G]

Back four brilliant today.

We could nick this. Niko not really in it. But his movement is keeping their defence busy. Junior got better as the half got on.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Kalinic has done ok. Playing up more or less by himself isnt easy and he's coped. He has hardly set the world alight either mind. RSC and Roberts for second half.

Chelsea will win im fairly certain but its been a decent performance so far. MB Diouf has stolen the show. Salgado was overrun for the first 10 but him and Diouf have now nailed down the right hand side for the time being.

[beerwins]

Santa coming on.