03 02 2007 Charlton Athletic 0 Chelsea 1
For work reasons I missed a numerous amount of games recently - sorry for not having any updates.
Upon my return on the morning of the Charlton game it appeared my ticket had not arrived. A quick drive to the Chelsea
box office before the game and all was resolved - I picked up a duplicate ticket at Charlton. Despite all the criticisms the
Box Office receives, I have never had a problem with them.
In my absence, Chelsea deservedly lost to Liverpool and won all their other games. The performance against Blackburn
was very pleasing and Diarra looks very confident in the right back slot.
Jetlagged, I arrived by train into the steaming pile of turd of an area that is called Charlton. Dwarfed in the distance by
the towers of Canary Wharf, the area around the ground leaves little to be desired. The away end itself is a deathtrap,
with fans at half time having little or no chance to buy refreshments or go to the toilet. On the other hand, it would be a
shame for this club to go down - it's fairly convenient to get to and we generally do well there.
Chelsea played the first half solidly - perhaps buoyed by JT's return to the squad. Diarra looked in fantastic form.
Wayne Bridge for me is a far more effective player than Ashley Cole. What he lacks when comparing pace he makes up
for with more telling play. His crosses are more accurate as is his link-up play. What shocked me the most from my
return is how much better Mikel is playing. It's about time too!
It is obvious what tactics Jose has to use with the absence of our attacking wingers. The left and right backs are being
pushed forward more to supply crosses to our forwards. Ballack was fairly good in the first half but in the second passes
went astray and he frustrated yet again. Hopefully, with Terry back he will be dropped in favour of Essien. Most probably
Mikel will make room for Ballack.
In the second half Charlton put Chelsea reject (only kidding!) Hasselbaink on and from then on they looked more
dangerous. Faye should have scored towards the end but Cech made a fantastic save. How we have missed him!
As I write this United have annihilated Spurs 4-0. If they do win the league then they will have deserved it. Here's hoping
they slip up, but with 12 games to go I cannot see this happening. Second place is no mean feat considering our bad
luck with injuries and refereeing decisions - let's keep behind the boys. We still have three other trophies to play for!
Upon my return on the morning of the Charlton game it appeared my ticket had not arrived. A quick drive to the Chelsea
box office before the game and all was resolved - I picked up a duplicate ticket at Charlton. Despite all the criticisms the
Box Office receives, I have never had a problem with them.
In my absence, Chelsea deservedly lost to Liverpool and won all their other games. The performance against Blackburn
was very pleasing and Diarra looks very confident in the right back slot.
Jetlagged, I arrived by train into the steaming pile of turd of an area that is called Charlton. Dwarfed in the distance by
the towers of Canary Wharf, the area around the ground leaves little to be desired. The away end itself is a deathtrap,
with fans at half time having little or no chance to buy refreshments or go to the toilet. On the other hand, it would be a
shame for this club to go down - it's fairly convenient to get to and we generally do well there.
Chelsea played the first half solidly - perhaps buoyed by JT's return to the squad. Diarra looked in fantastic form.
Wayne Bridge for me is a far more effective player than Ashley Cole. What he lacks when comparing pace he makes up
for with more telling play. His crosses are more accurate as is his link-up play. What shocked me the most from my
return is how much better Mikel is playing. It's about time too!
It is obvious what tactics Jose has to use with the absence of our attacking wingers. The left and right backs are being
pushed forward more to supply crosses to our forwards. Ballack was fairly good in the first half but in the second passes
went astray and he frustrated yet again. Hopefully, with Terry back he will be dropped in favour of Essien. Most probably
Mikel will make room for Ballack.
In the second half Charlton put Chelsea reject (only kidding!) Hasselbaink on and from then on they looked more
dangerous. Faye should have scored towards the end but Cech made a fantastic save. How we have missed him!
As I write this United have annihilated Spurs 4-0. If they do win the league then they will have deserved it. Here's hoping
they slip up, but with 12 games to go I cannot see this happening. Second place is no mean feat considering our bad
luck with injuries and refereeing decisions - let's keep behind the boys. We still have three other trophies to play for!
