I was impressed with Spurs yesterday, they will be a real test for us next Saturday.
Good 3 points against Norwich, the result was all that matters but from what I heard (listened to the game on 5Live) we played well ? It sounded as if Hazard was back to near his best, and Fabregas, Matic, and even Ivanovic were much better.
Still too early to say we've turned the corner, the Spurs game will give us more idea where we actually stand at present. I've stopped talking about individual players, so many have been inconsistent its difficult to get any idea of real form.
I gather Costa wasn't great on Saturday, but he did get the important goal and we haven't got much in the way of an alternative right now. Still early to talk about the January window, but does anyone think we are likely to spend big ? I doubt it myself.

Spending too big would be a false economy. More so when there even fewer players available good enough now then there was in the previous window but this time for more money. I think we will spend some money but not a massive amount unless someone really special comes available. It is pointless spending millions upon millions just to get us a couple of places up the table. If it was similar to when we went for Rooney in the January which would have given us a excellent chance of winning the title I could see the point.

The biggest upside from the weekend was the "team" played better, You could pick from a few players who was our MOTM. That's where we will turn the corner. We don't need individual players to play well just them to play as a team.

Spurs will be a very tough game but I am less worried about it then I was a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully we will pick up a win on Tuesday which will really give the players some confidence which we was still lacking at the weekend but less so then our previous games this season

Fabregas/Willian/Pedro/Hazard looked a good promising combination for much of the game, and Matic looked much more solid than he has in a while. I think most people were hoping to see Costa subbed by the time he scored.

Still won't think we've turned a corner until we score 2 in a league match without an OG.

I would give Remy a go tomorrow.

The new accounts show how important getting the new ground is and why we cannot afford to go down the route some suggest of buying players like Sterling at the moment.

Would not be surprised if the wonderful media make them sound worse then they actually are.

The new deals wont be included in this set of accounts which will help going forward but more important then anything that is happening on the pitch is getting started on the new ground sooner rather then later. If we had a decent sized ground the accounts would be quite impressive.

We have made great improvements over the last few years when it comes to being stable from a financial POV and its so important that we continue to do so

I wonder if there might be some truth in the rumour that we're thinking about going for Lacazette in January. He had a good season in 2013/14 and was outstanding last season with around 30 goals in 40 games. He's had a quiet start to this season, but he's beginning to find his form now. Lyon are virtually out of the Champions League and seem to be struggling domestically, so he might be favourable to a mid-season move to a big club (even in our current position)
He's versatile, only 24 years old and able to play as a striker or as an attacking midfielder. More importantly, if it didn't work out, I don't think we'd have too much trouble moving him on.
If we could cut short Falcao's loan (which has also been rumoured) Lacazette would give us a much better striking option. But as you say, it's a difficult time to buy.

Did he not sign a new contract recently? If so again that will increase the price of the transfer plus of course and more importantly the wages.

A player worth looking at for sure but again we have to be very careful when it comes to bringing players in. We have wages under control for the first time since god knows when (even before Roman our wages was more then likely out of control). Don't mind doing it for someone who is as much of a sure fire thing as you can get but for someone who "might" work? I am not so sure

Its a tricky balance to find

Begovic; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Rahman; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa

Blackman, Ivanovic, Zouma, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Remy

Thought we might have seen Rahman.

His shortfalls in defending might not be as costly as when playing against better teams. His attacking attributes are more suited to this sort of game.

Glad to see Dave back in the side.

Hopefully this game can kickstart Oscar's season

Should have put this to bed ages ago, now we swap Haz for Pedro. Wtf.

To bed now!

Don't blame him for getting Hazzard off. The pitch is shocking and should not be used for a Sunday League game never mind a game of this level. Could quite easy cause major injuries

Was thinking before the match that we shouldn't have started Terry tonight. Oh well.

Not a great game, but we got the required result. Worryingly poor for about 30 mins in the second half, it looked like we were going to let them back into the game..and let's face it, they are a very weak side ! I don't know what's up with Costa, he doesn't seem the type to suffer from lack of confidence, but he's right off his game at the moment.
I hope a lot of it was down to the bad pitch, we are going to have to up our game considerably against Spurs or it could be embarrassing. Still, a win against Porto at home will see us top the group, and (if my maths are correct) a draw will be enough to take us through in second place.

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Last edited by roddydogs : 25-11-2015 at 06:13

Berahino rumours are heating up. Would be an incredibly underwhelming signing, but one I can see us making.

Hi guys. bit off topic here. but I was just watching a best of prem goals and came across a Raul Meireles goal. What did you make of him at Chelsea. I alaways through he was sold far too soon. good player. your views please..

Decent enough player but nothing special.

Think he signed because he worked with AVB before.

Don;t think he had a long term future at Chelsea as anything other then a bench player

Yes, it does look as if we are interested. West Brom would apparently want around £25m, is he worth that kind of money ? He will expect to play regularly, and appears to have a bit of an attitude. The last thing we want is an expensive trouble maker, I'd let someone else take the gamble and go for a more experienced , proven striker.

A player fans often forget is Tiago. He was a big signing and such an important player in our first title winning season with Jose. He left when Essien arrived, but he's still going strong for Atletico..we nearly brought him back on a "free" last year !

Yep i'd agree with that, although I seem to remember we could have done with hanging onto him for a little bit longer as we were a bit light in midfield that season he left.

Yep, it would be underwhelming. Not sure he'd be any kind of upgrade on Remy really.

Think he knew he would have known he would have been a bit part player doubt he would stayed around on those conditions

Hi folks. Was watching a rerun of CL final early on. and was just thinking of Roberto Di Matteo great bloke. Do you think it was right choice to sack him? I know club were after Jose again but he didnt come till the summer. Rafa a good/was manger but i would have keep Roberto Di Matteo was unfair in MY mind to sack him. What was your view on him? And why do you think he got the sack?

To win the CL like that he should have stay on longer not got the sack a few months into the season when Chelsea were doing ok not brilliant but ok should have stay ..
what is he up to know? Anyone ever met him before?