No heart-stoppers this time please!

I expect us play in both the halves in this match. I expect us to treat Reading like Reading. I expect Khalid and Hilario to have an error-free match. These are expectations and not just hopes. If these expectations come good, Reading would get nothing out of this match in the Stamford Bridge. We should not relax hoping for another last minute stunner and we should play all the 90 minutes.

Terry is still out and it looks like he is out for another three weeks. These things are inevitable in football but these are the opportunities for the second line to really make an impression. Look at Joe Cole. Even if he is back from injury, I’m not sure if he can straightaway walk into the team. I’m not even suggesting this for Terry. Captain John is world class and would walk into any first team, for that matter. Players like Essien, Kalou and Robben have played well in Joe Cole’s absence and made selection, a very difficult job for Jose. I hope Khalid uses this opportunity very well makes something out of the next few weeks.

Over the last two seasons, our mean defence has been the highlight of our performances. Unfortunately, we have been shipping too many goals in the recent matches. When was the last time we gave away 4 goals in two successive premier league matches? Many of the goals conceded by us this season, have been from headers. We have made mistakes while defending set pieces and we have not learnt too much from them.

Like I had mentioned in the other post, I dont want us to play the diamond with a defensive midfielder with teams like Reading, that too at the Bridge. We should bring Geremi back as the right back. I dont know why he should not play when Khalid is starting despite his recent disastrous matches. We should play 4-4-2 with two CMs and a RM and an LM. If Essien is one of the CMs, he will not push up too much and keep the opponent midfielders at bay with his defensive qualities.

There is too much hype about reception of Hunt and Sonko at the Bridge after their moments of stupidity which has had a substantial impact on our season so far. Essien also says that they need not fear about a revenge in the Bridge. Those were not intentional fouls, those were just negligence, carelessness, poor judgement and recklessness. These things do happen on and off the football pitch. I dont bear any grudge over Hunt or Sonko. I’m not against booing them. They deserve some punishment for their recklessness and so far, they have been left scot-free. But I’m certainly not for brainless death threats.

Scoring is one thing. I want us the control the match and hold the opposition by the scruff of their neck. We should start grinding out results again by wearing out the opposition and virtually numbing their confidence. It’s an early kick-off for us and if we win, we would be No.1 in the table. Whether it would remain that way by the night would depend on Wigan. If Wigan produces the super stuff as they did against us, Man Utd can crumble under pressure. 1-0 for Wigan anyone?

As regards our match, nothing short of a 3-0 will calm me down.

[tags] Chelsea, Reading, Premiership, Stamford Bridge, Cech, Cudicini, Stephen Hunt, Sonko, Wigan, Man Utd, Essien [/tags]