Yes I've heard about that. Maybe we're just hiding him so Barca will forget he ever existed. In all seriousness, I remember in a press conference RDM said he was fit? Think I might go try and find the video actually....

Found it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQtlF...feature=relmfu Around 20 seconds in.

When he was playing we always had the hope that he'd choose first team football with us over sitting on the bench for Barca, but now he's not featuring there's no reason to expect him to stay with us if they come knocking. Of course, that depends on what kind of deal we have, but I'm not sure either club know the whole truth on that

He didn't play like an 19-year-old when he was in the team - he looked like he'd been there for years. I know he has been injured, but now I think the manager just doesn't trust playing him, which is daft when you consider the form of others. Same with Lukaku not getting a chance when there are 2 misfiring strikers.

I suppose Romeu could be carrying a slight injury, it would make sense not to risk such a young player in the circumstances. His position means he is always in the thick of any action, and the physical demands of the Premiership are still comparatively new to him.
RDM also had Michael Essien back to consider, and everyone probably had high hopes that he would once again be our powerhouse in midfield. Sadly, this looks less and less likely.

Ivanoch has been charged by FA. Just what we need.

Spurs Neutral - Sunday - 15th April (evening)

Barcelona at home - Wednesday - 18th April

Arsenal away - Saturday - 21st April

Barcelona away - Tuesday - 24th April


Flippin eck, if RDM survives those fixtures, give him the job!

This is when other clubs fighting it out for CL spot are pleased they are not in any other comps. It's great to still be in both of them but something's got to give.

Our season could be over in 13 days.....

I'm not sure about keeping di Matteo around. If he gets us through this he'll definitely deserve it, but he's a Chelsea legend, and nothing ends well with us these days. I don't want him to be sacked at the first sign of trouble next season

Do you think Ars & Spuds would change places with Chel? (before tonite 11th)

Spuds might, but Arsenal definitely wouldn't. Wenger only seems to be interested in a top 4 finish.

I wouldn't swap with either.

I don't think RDM is the right man for the job even if he does win us the CL trophy. The rebuilding process needs to be done correctly and we need a character who is willing to stamp his foot down. Robbie has done well with all things considering but this club needs a vision - a long term plan. AVB tried to do that but handled the situation very badly.

But to be honest I'm more concerned about how the board runs. We lost a good one in Carlo - don't think he should of ever been sacked; he won us the double for crying out loud! (I miss his eyebrow too!) and of course 'the special one' Jose Mourinho. The amount of money we spend hiring and sacking managers is just ridiculous! God knows who Roman is going to appoint lol, but whoever it's going to be, they are going to have one tough task ahead of them!

I'd also like to see Ray Wilkins appointed back as assistant coach but doubt that will happen any time soon. It's going to be an interesting summer to say the least (well it always is with Chelsea isn't it? )

David Moyes is still my choice.

Sven, Rafa, and Capello can all stay very far away. Beyond that....I'm tired of us being in this position. I don't think the board will let the rebuilding be done properly.

Whoever comes in - surely? - won't have £200m to spend and will (or, rather should) have to make use of our talented youngsters, which leaves me on the fence regarding Mourinho. He's the best manager we've had, but he spends lots and doesn't give youth a chance. I also want quite a few of the players to leave, and the majority of them were signed by him.

If the board are willing to give him control over signing players (with the exception of Pepe. he can never be allowed to go for him), and if he is willing to let go of his players and to do more to bring through the likes of McEachran, de Bruyne, Lukaku, Kalas etc...then we should absolutely go for him. If he comes in with a large shopping list that the board plan to ignore in favour of their own list, then I don't think it really matters who takes over. They won't be here long.

I don't think Mourinho "demands" to spend big money. When he first arrived at Chelsea, he stated that he was quite prepared to work with the players that were there already..but of course, we had a spent a fortune before he arrived. I think Ferreira was the only player he insisted on bringing in ? But then he was given stacks of money to spend, and no manager is going to turn that down.

We do need to see where we stand with all these "promising" young players. I sometimes lose track of who we have got. How many will make the grade ?
Presumably they are monitoring the progress of the players that are out on loan, but I have mixed feelings about the whole idea of loans anyway. It used to be that an exciting young player would force himself into the reckoning, through the youth team, then the reserves. Now they are out on loan, and young players seem to come and go, with most fans never seeing them. But I suppose it's the same at all big clubs.

Branislav Ivanovic has responded to the FA's charge of violent conduct and has appealed against it.

He is alleged to have been involved in an incident with Wigan's Shaun Maloney during our 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

An FA Regulatory Commission will hear the case tomorrow (Thursday) based on video evidence and written submissions.

wtf? He can't seriously think he can win this?

At the beginning of the footage it looks to me that Maloney swung his arm first then Brani retaliated. You can see it more clearly here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdqEJKnBGkU.

(Around 6 seconds in)

I think he does stand a chance of winning it - albeit a slim one! If someone swings their arm at you, the first thing you want to do is get one over them. It doesn't make it right however, but when you're in that situation, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who would not react.

But knowing the FA they probably won't look it that way, so they might as well give the 3 match ban now. Look on the bright side, at least we get to see more Bosingwa! He didn't play too badly last time against Spurs (by his standards anyway).

Edit - Also the new home kits will be revealed tomorrow! Been thinking about getting a Mata jersey, so if the kit looks nice I will definitely purchase one!

Wolves 0-3 Arsenal

Wigan beat United 1-0. Wigan denied a goal and Utd not given a pen. These refs just get worse! Utd only one shot on goal so far!

City beat West Brom 4-0..

QPR 3-0 against Swansea at the mo.

Branislav Ivanovic has been banned for three matches after the FA dismissed his appeal of a violent conduct charge.


The only positive is that we'll likely be seeing Bosingwa's final appearances for us.

Every cloud and all that....

Hey everyone, have you all seen the new home kit? It's pretty sexy if you ask me.

Here's a short vid of them modelling.

Cahill is looking very nice.. And David Luiz...that cheeky smile of his <3

I can't see what's different about it The badge looks different.

The Adidas and Samsung logos, along with the club badge are all in gold.

Supposed to represent 2012 sport in London.

I like it!

Oh.

Totally worth it.

It appears to be quite a good kit for the club.

And the players also seem to like it.

It looks good on the team.

I was hoping to see our lovely team doctor, Eva Carneiro, modelling the kit. We may not win the Champions League, but we have the world's most gorgeous physio..eat your heart out Barca !

http://www.inthestands.co.uk/wp-cont...Carneiro-1.jpg