I hope Codeblue is this funny all the time.

Henry and Redknapp weren't too complimentary about the defence on SNF. Only one game and most people would still back Chelsea for the title.

In what way are our signings "very average"? Clyne over Johnson has already improved our defence massively, and young Joe Gomez provides a nice option at the back. Milner is a good, solid player, Firmino seems talented, and Benteke has a good 1-in-2 record in the league so clearly knows where the goal is. Ings, I have my doubts over, but should be a useful squad player, and Origi, who I also have my doubts over, is kind of a new signing and he adds something different. The only real signing you could call average his Adam Bogdan but he's just a backup goalkeeper who'll hardly ever play so it doesn't matter.

Clyne and Gomez in and Glen Johnson out has improved our defence.

The betting is very tight between all the top four contenders though, I wouldn't be surprised to see the odds change after today's performance/result. Lose to Man City next week and we could be 5 points behind. Early days of course, but that would be a lot different to last season.

Ps..you can still get on Palace at 3000/1.

Let's be honest, Swansea played extremely well and caused us a lot of problems. Some harsh ref' decisions, including the sending off, and it seems that ref's won't give Costa ANYTHING again this season. Come on!

We need to create clearer chances though, and crosses need to pick people out. Too many hit and hope crosses / balls in to the box.

Great spirit though and let's face it, most supporters are relieved at the draw.

An invasion of United fans has appeared. Blimey I know you haven't been above Chelsea in the league for a good while but come on, it's one game lads

Players just don't seem fit enough to me. Coming back that one week later and then going overseas has done no favours. Happy with a point in the end. Swansea were the fitter and more dangerous team.

And for those saying Begovic will get no game time, will he's going to have at least 3.5 games

Very risky not refreshing the squad.

Well after today, if Jose puts Eva on the transfer list I think we should make a bid; with the likes of Sturridge, Allen and Sakho around there's plenty of work for her at Anfield...and she'd probably get a game ahead of Borini .

He's blaming the physio

Phew. Thank god for that

I think you have one poster that going to get a reaction every time Chelsea so much as sneeze! I don't think its aimed at Chelsea in general.

Big mistake not signing anyone IMO.

Imagine bringing in a big name right now and the lift it would give. I suspect Mourinho's hands are tied cos he knows it too.

What I find interesting is that no one is treating Falcao as a big signing which if he was anything other than a passenger he absolutely would be. The boy is finished though. Watched him for a year and the mind is willing but the body is shot. I really want to be wrong but I don't think I am.

Yes, that was the most shocking thing for me. Even before we went down to 10 men Swansea looked the more dangerous side. Why did Shelvey have so much space ? I've always rated the guy but we made him look like Pirlo, the way he dictated the game and picked out some superb through passes. Why weren't Fabregas or Oscar closing him down ?
Then there was Montero, he gave Ivanovic a terrible time, it was embarrassing at times. if Swansea had taken all their chances they would have been out of sight. Even our goals were lucky. A free kick that was intended as a cross and a deflection that could have gone anywhere.
Let's hope it was just a bad day at the office, at least we salvaged a point.

I was only joking of course as I hope you realised. All are welcome.

Falcao reminds me so much of Torres. Both trying hard, sometimes too hard but it's just not there. As you say, not just for Chelsea but for him personally that I hope he gets it back. I too doubt it.

Falcao does appear to have a more positive attitude than Torres though. Torres never looked happy from the day he arrived, and the longer he went without a goal the more his shoulders slumped. At least Falcao does seem raring to giving it a real go, but I fear that could all be in vain.

I think people may be underestimating Falcao a little. The United move came at the wrong time for him. It was a new league for both player and manager, the squad was never settled, he was never first choice, etc.

The situation is almost reversed for him at Chelsea and he has had a year at United to settle in. I can see him get around 15 goals this season.

Special agent Cech has just made this weekend a lot better

With respect......rubbish.

He was dreadful regardless. Its a sad thing but he spent a year being a second or two off the pace as Chelsea fans will now discover.

What's rubbish? We all know he was shit last season, but due to all the circumstances surrounding it, it's too early to completely write him off.

Even if Falcao is a flop, he won't have cost much(only wages probably and maybe a few million loan fee). He is backup to Costa right now, and will remain that unless he steps up.

Costa is our main striker, and we know he is a fantastic player. If we can get Falcao firing them in too then it is only going to benefit us, if not, it isnt a massive gamble.

Back in 2005 when the club where trying to retain the PL, it was Wigan away, and almost a draw, until Hernan Crespo popped up to curl in a sweet goal.

Fast forward ten years, and we don't have that world class back up striker. OK, Crespo left at the end of the year, and it is difficult to keep two world class strikers at the club, when it's usual to only play one each game, but it seems clear to most people that we need that additional world class striker, and imo it's going to be a problem.

Why is everyone banging on about another striker yet continually ignoring the real weakness which is our midfield
We are seriously lacking a leader in the middle of the pitch! The midfield is neither defensively strong or creative and full of goals and Willian, Oscar and Cesc, all have huge flaws in their games. We remain almost a two man attacking force.

hmm

Matic is not defensively strong?

Oscar, hazard and cesc are not creative?

I must have been watching a different team last season, did we win the league with those useless players dixon?

Matic is not really a midfielder. He's an in front of the back four player like Makalele was.
Yes, we won the title with those, but it was a very sub standard Premieship and that was highlighted by our teams poor efforts in the CL. Once the initial spurt of good football was over we really struggled as Cesc faded, Oscar doing very little and Willian doing whatever he does. There were many games where very little was created and that trend has continued pre-season and onto Saturday.
This midfield pales next to the ones with Lamps, Essien. Ballack, Cole. That team had power, strength and goals.

Still offering 0 solutions to these "obvious" problems

cole, as in joe cole?

Matic is still a defensive midfield player, so was Essien. I agree with you about the lack of power and strength in midfield, but Lampard, Ballack and Essien were a bit special. We have now adopted a different system, and I'm not sure I like it myself to be honest. I don't think Fabregas really works in the pivot alongside Matic, but others will probably say its a perfect combination.

It was good enough to win the league last year!