I should state that first of all I am not entirely sure as to what formation Blackburn are likely to opt for, but I expect the personnel to be similar to the team below. Pedersen perhaps tucked in with Olsson operating from a slightly wider berth. I expect the tactic to be similar to the one they employed against Liverpool with a lot of success: pace, pace and some more…
A Statistical Preview: Blackburn Rovers
CHELSEA vs BLACKBURN ROVERS 15/01/11 Chelsea meet Blackburn Rovers at the Bridge as they get back to the Premier League after an emphatic 7-0 demolition of Ipswich Town. Daniel Sturridge is the man of the moment having scored 7 goals in 2 games, 5 coming in the reserves in a 7-3 win over rivals Spurs. Daniel recorded a 31.0% accuracy rate (shots on target of total shots) and averaged 0.714…
FA Youth Cup: Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea
The current FA Youth Cup holders got their defence of the trophy off to a strong start on Wednesday lunchtime with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Sunderland. Second half goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and George Saville ensured that Chelsea came away from the tie with a place in the fourth round, and a meeting with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The match, which was originally scheduled for mid-December but repeatedly fell…
Where Are They Now? Jackie Crawford
Jackie Crawford joined Chelsea from Hull City in 1923 for a fee of £3,000. He was signed as a right winger but was soon asked to switch to the left to make room for Alex Jackson. He went onto produce some outstanding displays and appeared in an all-star front line which included Hughie Gallacher, Alex Cheyne and Andy Wilson. An eternal optimist, Crawford was highly influential in the Chelsea dressing…
The Loan Report: January 1-9
The winter period is a tough time for the fixtures list. Matches come at unusual intervals and on unusual days, whilst some countries decide to simply take a rest at this time. For the aspiring young footballer on loan, it can prove to be an eye-opening time. The first loan round-up of 2011 will take in the events of the last week and a half, with a very anglo-centric look,…
Road To Wembley Starts In Emphatic Style
Well, I think we can all agree that that was needed. As Chelsea embarked on another FA Cup campaign, seeking to become the first side in 125 years to win three on the trot, the feeling around the club could have been better. Another defeat in midweek against Wolves followed by ‘Bannergate’ brought more doom-mongering to the club’s doorstep, something which received only a brief respite when Ipswich sacked manager…
Focus Switches For FA Cup
Chelsea face Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup today, hoping a change of competition may enact a change of form and luck. The FA Cup has been good for us in the last two decades, the pain of 1994 aside, and this season we set to the task of retaining the FA Cup for a second year, to make it three wins in three. The team new…
Bannergate: Fed Up Fan Or Media Stitch Up?
So by now you’ve seen the image of the banners hung outside Cobham this morning, allegedly placed by a disgruntled Chelsea supporter. Yet I’m sat here thinking there’s more to this than meets the eye. Why was the banner a day late? If the supporter in question was fed up with the Wolves result, why didn’t they place it the morning after the match? Ok they could have been late…
Old Heads, Young Hearts
Whatever happens on the pitch, experienced eyes have seen it all before. The wins, the trophies arriving with such monotony, you could even tire of it. Possibly. But sometimes it’s what happens off the pitch that can make those eyes widen in wonder and pride. Consider: supposing this run continues. Just supposing the concerns and frustrations of the past few weeks turns from a bad dream into a sour nightmare….
January Sales And Risking The Kids…
January is the worst time to buy players. Clubs and managers are reluctant to break up squads, especially let their prize assets go when they are playing so well. But we are getting desperate now; Spurs and Arsenal are sitting above us and were in the Europa league spot with Sunderland and Bolton breathing down our necks. Wow, who would have thought that 6 games into the season? A new…