The Premier League is most certainly a marathon and not a sprint. And within this marathon it will always throw up games like Wolves on Saturday gone.
It was a performance Ancelotti was unhappy with, and a performance that wasn’t great all round. But it was three points, and realistically three deserved points.
Three points, also, that leaves Chelsea as the only team in the Premier League not to be joint on points!
The Odd Ones Out On Top!
©Reuters Pictures
Defensively you can’t really fault a clean sheet. There were a few precarious moments, namely Essien clearing off the line, but this is to be expected. How can you find problems with a defence that hasn’t conceded a home league goal since March of this year?
The return of Bosingwa is great to see. But in my opinion it would be a shame to see Ivanovic or Alex miss out because of his return.
With Bosingwa in the team we are a different prospect, stronger in attack but slightly weaker in defence – which defeats the object of a right back in my opinion.
Jose is of course an excellent player and I am in no way criticising his inclusion, but realistically he is weaker at the back than Ivanovic – whereas Branislav isn’t as good in an attacking sense.
Ancelotti’s Italian heritage would hint to me that he will play it safe and stick with Ivanovic at the right and Alex, when he returns from injury, standing steady in the centre.
The press are lauding our defence at the moment, but the team as a whole should be congratulated on how it has handled itself in the face of the injuries we have had.
Without Drogba we lacked an extra dimension against Aston Villa, but that was always a tricky match and even with Drogba I have a feeling we would’ve had a tough time against such a resolute and old-fashioned English style team.
Plus we lost there last season, so at least we are another point up from the equivalent matches last year.
Drogba was not his usual buoyant self against Wolves and was quite clumsy in front of goal, but the man can be forgiven a bad game or two after all he has done for Chelsea over the years.
It is also worthwhile remembering that we have been missing Frank Lampard, in what is his longest stint out of the game in his time at Chelsea. Again, like Drogba, he brings an added dimension to the team.
Once he is back in the side I’m sure it will be even more noticeable what an influence he is in the middle of the pitch, and also how many chances he creates – plus it will be nice to see him regain his corner-taking duties from Drogba!
These next two games are massive. Blackburn and Liverpool away are extremely difficult.
Blackburn are tough because of their physicality. They are a similar style team to Villa and Man City but lacking in the cutting edge the aforementioned sides possess.
Liverpool meanwhile are a wounded animal at the moment and are in search of a pick-me-up in their campaign. What better way to do it than to beat their old foe at Anfield. This is definitely something we will need to be wary of in just under two weeks’ time.
Whilst the Scousers are in need of a pick-me-up I’m sure Chelsea would equally like to be an extra nail in the coffin of what has been a far from inspiring start to the season.
Once again as a testament to what a great league we get to follow week-in week-out, every game has some sort of magnitude related to it and every game means something. There are almost 38 cup finals in one season.
Apart from Saturday. That was very much like a Community Shield match.
Keep The Blue Flag Flying High
 
Comments
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Posted by AJ on 10/25/2010
Pretty sure Bosingwa kept the best player in the world quiet at the Nou Camp a couple of years ago.
Being good at going forward doesn't automatically mean you can't defend (Ashley Cole). Ivanovic joins in the attack when he's playing at right back, but doesn't do it as well as Bosingwa and is probably a lot slower than Jose at getting back should an attack break down.
Ivanovic has done an impeccable job in the position, but the uni-browed one provides a better balance on the opposite flank to Cole.
With energetic players like Essien, Mikel and Ramires/Zhirkov - we have plenty to help cover positions. Bosingwa should start as the better right back and Brana is a centre back first and a full back second. End of.
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Posted by Kimmy on 10/25/2010
I couldn't disagree more on the RB part. Bosingwa was our best player against Wolves, and we looked a complete different team when he came on and we were going for the winner against Villa. Besides, which other RB in the world would just neutralize Messi completely out of the game at LB? Iva wouldn't even at RB, no chance. Bosingwa is a better RB than Iva in almost every way, and it's fantastic to see him back playing. It's a pity either Alex or Iva has to be dropped in the important games, but highly necessary in my opinion.
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Posted by Hyt on 10/25/2010
Jose is fantastic if totally fit
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Posted by regent on 10/25/2010
david you haven't stopped playing if not how could you ever connote that when a player goes to attack he cannot track back and defend or how could you relate what mc_carthy said about bosingwa and your rather irrational thinking
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Posted by Phil on 10/25/2010
Well, it's nice to have the options isn't it? All-Bran when we want to keep it tight defensively i.e Man U and Arsenal away. Jose can step in when we are playing an opposition who are happier to keep it tight defensively ie Man City at the Bridge... I've read a few blogs/ comments recently which have criticised our strength in depth and squad flexibility, they've got to be joking right?
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Posted by LeeG on 10/25/2010
Too many first class defenders on the roster is not the worst problen a team could have.
Jose is world class. Iva has done a great job, but I see him as the odd man out when everyone is fit and the game is big. But being he can play wide or middle I expect he will sub in for more games than he misses.
Next 'problem' - who gives way when Lampard is fit?
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Posted by Samuel on 10/25/2010
Whether you like it or not, bosingwa is a better right back at the moment and better than iva. If you have many players like 3 central minded defenders playing 2gether in a match there is bound 2 b problems in your defence.
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Posted by Austine sidney on 10/25/2010
Jose is a better right back than iva
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Posted by Thony on 10/26/2010
well all u opinion is good but i can see why ivanovic will be on bench why bosingwa is playing, i hope jose will be sob. ivanovic bether than jose...
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Posted by eric on 10/26/2010
bosingwa is a great attacking right back n also quick enough o backtrack, but against some teams chelsea may need that tough defending that iva offers, he has grown immencely since bosingwa has been out, maybe some teams he can play were his strength is needed and maybe bosingwa can play other times wen his attacking options are needed.
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Posted by Awal on 10/26/2010
it's really difficult to draw a line between the two but given the attacking instincts os Jose,I think he should start ahead of Brana.What it does mean is that,we have four central defenders to rotate and two and a half RB ie Jose,Ferreira and Brana.
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Posted by sam on 10/27/2010
i never liked iva playing RB, i think he has the potential to be a top CB. in this mordern game, it is very necessary for your full backs to be very attack minded(ashley and jose). iva was a good replacement, but thats where it end for me. i want him in CB.
KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH!!!!!!!
Mr Kyle i enjoy reading your posts, i want to c more posts of us when we loose, then again how many times do we loose.....
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Posted by John Ulu on 10/27/2010
Jose Bosingwa is the perfect right back for us. In Nigeria, especially in my hood, we call him Bosi-Bobo. With him around, a team does not need a right winger. If it has, the winger will become an extra forward, because Jose covers up effectively. With Cole, Terry, Iva/Alex, and Bosingwa, we have a near perfect back 4. Chelsea-4-Life!
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Posted by Edward Hackman. on 10/28/2010
bosingwa, unlike iva offers more treat going forward but a bit frail when tracking back.
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Posted by paan on 10/28/2010
Please brought in Romelu Lukaku / Neymar as long-term replacement for Didier Drogba / Anelka... They can be a great attacking partner in the future...
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Posted by Daniel on 10/29/2010
I think if we stick to the old saying that "the best form of defence is attack" then I'd pick Bosi as my first choice RB and Iva as a CB. Alex is quite outstanding in CB but I get a lil nervous with some of his back passes, but his freekicks are worth banking on. nice blog though.
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Posted by solo on 10/29/2010
the season is still young. there will be enough games for every one!
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Posted by $$sobande segun$$ on 10/30/2010
$$... As much as I Lyk n appreciate iva,I av misd bosi...he provides dt extra flow n speed in d games,highly skillful n dareing.bosi is it pls,sury iva!!!...$$
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Posted by FRANKIE KIBUACHA on 10/30/2010
Yea...following the best team in the world right now(I said it!!!)Chelsea is making eveybody minnows and am so proud of that!!In fact,am starting a Kenyan Branch of Chelsea!!!
kenyafanatics.blogspot.com
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Posted by Hristo Ivanov on 10/31/2010
Hi guys,
I like the blog, but lately I'm asking myself is this year the worst in Frank Lampard's career. We'll see, there are lots of games coming. Frank no doubt is the best Chelsea midfielder, but have you thought that he is already 32 and with so many years behind him, with some 65 - 70 games for season, he may be a bit tired after all this. Yes he is a professional, but after 30 years it's getting harder for the player to recover from injuries and also harder to get back to his perfect form. Frank is missing already 2 months. So I'm asking myself will this be the begining of the downhill in his career.
Blues Forever
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Posted by Sonam on 11/01/2010
well, whatever it is, both of them are great players... And we have a great manager who knows how to use his squad so not to worry.... Keep up the blue flag flying high....
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Posted by Cape town blues on 11/05/2010
Brana better choice.why? Better form of late and gtin a nak for scoring.
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Posted by max on 12/23/2010
I am quite happy and convience that we can still win the league.I understand the injury also contributed to our bad spell this recent games,but i would like to comment on few players first Maluda last season he have given lots of goals to our strikers to scored but this year i think he want to compete in the leading goal scorers because he dont give the ball to the strikers to scored.He inly contributed one goal which i think is not good.Micheal Esien we still want to see the best of him and please avoid cards my brother to keep us going.I also think chelsea should join the market and get a difender because what happend when JT an Alex where out should not happend again.I know and belived the young stares will rise up and they will fulfil the position but it would not be today so we need a coverup central difender.
I hope my contributions help and we see the chelsea of last season back.
Max from Gambia
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Posted by ogare on 01/29/2011
i am truely proud to be a BLUES FAN! but please, i need anceloti to play more of the youn guy, to build their confidence, strength and attitude towards games. he shld not be shy to learn from other coaches like sir alex,wenger. please, save the blues, build the guys confi,strngth e.t.c i beg him. when buying, he should buy a result oriented player.thanks
Posted by anwer abdi on 02/01/2011
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About
Phil Lythell is a Chelsea season ticket holder and lifelong Blues supporter stretching back to the sepia-tinted days of Kerry Dixon and Pat Nevin. Author of Chelsea-centric blog ShoutyandSpitty.com, Phil has spent his entire life living within a 20 minute walk of Stamford Bridge which has cost him a fortune but has also kept him from those interminable queues outside Fulham Broadway Station giving him more time in the pub to discuss the latest glorious/calamitous/insipid match.
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