Lads, a few people have asked me about article quality and it goes like this:

To progress, there are three levels: First level is 'lad', second is 'competent', and the third level is 'tipster'. There are levels beyond that, but we'll stick to the basics for now.

To progress, you have to consistently get a 'B' grade average for your posts, and all posts are assessed on the third Tuesday of the month at the 'Dog and Duck', London.

Posts that contain bias, baiting, goading or disrespect will automatically get a 'D' grade.

Hope that's clear, and as always lads, good luck!

Not so long ago our top four were extremely strong teams that were all well capable of beating the very best in Europe and winning a CL. Liverpool, UTD and Chelsea all proved that and Arsenal were minutes away from winning a CL as well.
The Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal teams of that era would murder the current crop of teams!

btw. Guss, thinks we're still in a relegation battle and could go down.

But, as they say, you can only beat what's in front of you...

Well I am a long time fan, still a bit of a pessimist, so I worry about relegation. No good saying you are too good to go down without backing it up with points....

I was only 6 numbers from winning the lottery does that mean I nearly won it?

What has the Champions League got to do with anything?

Show me evidence of who would murder who and Pat Nevin says so is not really evidence.

You cannot really use a cup competition as a measurement of how good our league is.

Each year teams play in different groups with teams of a different level. They draw different teams in the knockout stages etc

Yes, I think every fan is going to compare the current side with teams from the past.
The 2004/6 team was fantastic, and we had formidable opposition from the likes of Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool. When we won the title with record points in 2004/5, it was following the Arsenal "Invincibles" of 2003/4.
Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas, Makelele, Essien/Tiago, Lampard, Robben, Duff, Drogba/Gudjohnsen...plus many others. For me, the difference in that aquad and the current one was as much about balance as quality. We look so lightweight in midfield today, and there's so little firepower up front.

I don't think we can judge the "level" on the top teams. Yes there was some great teams but you look at the bigger picture there was a load of rubbish where as the league is more balanced now. There are more decent teams in the league then before. The money coming into the game has ensured teams can access players they never had a chance of getting before and with more teams with money has meant teams have had to improve their scouting so are bringing in players they would not have looked at before and also teams are more likely to keep their top players now. We would never have been able to sign someone like Lamps now from West Ham because the league has changed to much.

To judge the quality of the league you need to look at the entire league and not just the top 4. Even as good as the undefeated Arsenal was it would be hard to argue they would do the same to the lower teams in the league today. Stylish yes but they would find it a much different job today then during that season

Yes, Theres certainly been an improvement among the middle-order teams, and even with teams that used to be regarded as cannon fodder. But I still think our recruiting has been suspect in recent years.
I partly blame the idea of turning Chelsea into a "Barcelona in blue" that seemed to be the aim a few years ago. I enjoyed watching Hazard, Oscar and Mata as much as anyone, but were we creating a team suited to the Premiership ? Mourinho could see the danger which is why he brought in Willian for Mata, but adding Fabregas to the mix only made us more fragile in my opinion. It's not that we haven't got some quality players, it's just that we lack the "steel" in the side..and the leadership and sheer grit we used to possess.
Arsenal had already tried going along a similar route, and failed. They earned plenty of plaudits for playing great football, but ultimately their weaknesses were exposed. Now they appear to be stiffening up the team, and it should pay dividends.

For sure the obsession with "style" has cost us the last couple of years. It was like the obsession with Europe before it.

I pretty sure Arsenal will go back to that sooner rather then later.

It's all well and good wanting us to play like another team but not when our league is not suited for it.

Strength will always win in English football, Muscle will come out over "flair". Yes they will have their days every so often BUT long term? Not a chance more so with the money coming into only one league. Clubs will spend money on players they know can ensure they stay in the league

No easy games right now, but Everton are always a pain. No Hazard either

If he had done anything this season it might have been a concern but at the moment I don't think we would really notice he was not there (even if he was playing I don't think he would there anyway with his current attitude)

Yep, it doesn't seem to make a scrap of difference when he's played anyway.

Would like to see Kenedy started though, with Pedro dropping to the bench.

Yes, Hazard is a strange character. He often looks bored to me. He reminds me in some ways of Ronnie O'Sullivan, fantastic natural talent but lacking the real drive to win everything in sight. Perhaps he's the sort of player that does need to move on every couple of years to keep him interested ?
I'd still play him if he was fit. Even a disinterested Hazard has the ability to change a game in a few minutes, and he's still looked our best player on a few occasions this season.

I think some of the posters on here could look our best players on here at many times this season.

At the moment I don't think he could change his bed without help.

While he has been injured at times some of the players who have under performed this season have at least at times looked like they are trying to change that I not seen the same from Hazzard. Until he at least starts to try then no matter how talented he is it won't happen. I not sure he can even be bothered to do that

Yes, of course you can only beat who you're up against. There wont be a note against our name in the record books saying it was a below par season that year.
Man Utd won titles with teams that were not vintage, as have many other teams in the past and will do in the future.

As for relegation?
I'm not worried atm, but if we're still down there with ten games to go i will start to fret.
The likes of Sunderland and Newcastle are use to relegation battles and we are not.
We are mentally fragile these days and if we're down there and start adding panic to the mix we could then be in really serious danger.

And we had a water tight defence.
We were incredibly consistent in every competition and very, very rarely played a really poor game.
Once we went a goal up the other team was in trouble and they knew it!
2-0 up and it was effectively game over.
Imo, not one of the current team would get a place in the team of that era.

Very true. I remember going to a few games where you may as well of gone home at half time. 2-0 and you knew there would be nothing more coming in the 2nd half.
That team was incredibly strong all over the pitch. Probably our best ever.

We agree on something

Hazard still looked our most dangerous player in most matches this season. I'll always be more confident with him in the team ahead of Pedro (loses the ball too much) and/or Oscar (waste of space.)


Anyway, Mikel and Matic are starting together in CM. I now want to scream.

If I could, I would be.

This is dreadful.

Chelsea v Everton

Half time, 0 - 0

Zouma's the stand out player, and got an earful from Ivanovic at one point, who was far too slow to get back. The cheek of it!

Willian, constantly giving the ball away, and making sloppy passes. Corners poor, and where are his brilliant free kicks now? Pedro, totally out of his depth. We need Mata back.

Oscar, Kennedy, RLC should be playing a part second half, and some more senior players are just not delivering. Not good enough.

Earr we go again JT og! Gone to pieces now 0-2 edit now 2-2! Crazy.

All those new Chelsea fans who couldn't pinpoint Stamford bridge on a map must be scratching their heads wondering who to support next season.

Once again, f**k this season.

Jt,.....

What a season!