Fulham are one of the best first half teams this season. They continued their first half form but Chelsea’s superior quality in the second half ended any hopes for a point for Hodgson. Chelsea earns a thoroughly deserved win but had me wondering where the goals would come from.

Grant started with the 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 formation which very much of a norm nowadays. Looks like he would not change his formation even with a loaded gun in his mouth. Anyway, why should he change something that works? He does not strike me as someone who would experiement much. Not that I expect that from him, but just an observation. He made an effective susbtitution this match, right man at the almost right time. Mikel should have started this match ahead of Sidwell. Allowing Sidwell to start and then subbing him for Mikel at half time is more like dropping a coin and picking it up. I’m happy that the coin was picked up though.


The first half once again belonged to the opposition. Even this has not changed over the last season. We allow the opposition to out play us in the first half and concede a goal and then come back roaring in the second half. Familiar script but a happy ending. Due credit to Fulham. They really played well in the first half. It was rather a combination of Fulham doing well and Chelsea playing with no real interest. I was sure that if Chelsea pulls up the sleeves, it would be too much for Fulham.

I expected this to be a physical battle but it was rather a quiet affair for about 30-35 minutes. After that period, the tackles started flying in, tempers flaring and it lived up to my expectation of a new year day match against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Playing Essien as the holding midfielder and Sidwell in the midfield was never going to work. If I were to start Sidwell, I’d rather do it in a comfortable home game, such as the QPR game. Sidwell not only lacks quality but also the confidence. I don’t think he feels a part of this team. If we are not going to sign a quality midfielder, the decision to start Sidwell so late could prove decisive.

I’m happy for Kalou. If you know me, I’m an ardent supporter of Kalou. I still feel he is a great talent and he could be the one for the future, just like Mikel. He did decently well in his first season, which is the last season. This year, he has started scoring at some rate. I don’t know what idea Grant has about Kalou and Mikel. If I were him, I’d keep these two guys, groom them and make them real champions. Especially Mikel has been brilliant. In the football pitch, the most difficult role could be that of the holding midfielder. Normally, it is a role that’s done by a senior, experienced player who has vision and understanding of the game. For Mikel to do this so well at such young age is very special.

If there is one evident positive out of the match, that is Avram has started to show his emotions. I like when he shouts and screams. That shows that he is passionate about winning and also that he is in control of the team and believe me, it can have an positive impact on the players, depending on the respect they have on thier manager. Not everywhere you can apply this logic but in football, there are certain things that cannot wait until the half time talk. Good show Av!

Michael Ballack is on some kind of form. He knows that he has let his down by being absent for such a long time, though it’s not his fault. When he was still nursing his injury, he kept saying he wants to be back on the pitch wearing the blue. It’s certainly worth the wait. He’s been brilliant for a couple fo games but I’m very keen to see how he performs in the next 6 weeks. He is not only the flagship midfielder, but also the new captain, of course, until Terry resumes normal business.

The transfer window has been open for more than a day now. Essien has played his last match before his travel to Ghana and Mikel has just one more match. Are we going to have a gap between players leaving for Africa and new players coming in? I hope not. C’mon Grant! Splash that cash!

If you don’t know already, I’ve just become the manager of Chelsea FC.