[...] ctrl+v! or whatever it is for you mac fags Mine: BlueChampions – Wigan 0-1 Chelsea | Three points, table leaders, forget the rest! __________________ HEY WAIT – Read this before you introduce [...]

—————————————–cech——————————————
bosingwa—————carvalho——————-terry————————–cole
————————————–essien——————————————-
—————————-deco—————lampard——————————–
kalou———————————————————————–malouda—–
————————————–drogba———————————————

team against tottenham:
—————————————–cech——————————————
bosingwa—————carvalho——————-terry————————–cole
————————————–essien——————————————-
—————————-deco—————lampard——————————–
cole———————————————————————–malouda—–
————————————–kalou———————————————

my perfect midfield:

———————-mikel——————–
———Deigo——Essien———Schweinsteiger————

The only highlight of that conference, from a media perspective, was he saying that 6-7 teams will challenge for the title. But he also said one thing that struck me a lot,

‘Wigan will be a tough team.`

Felipe knew from the outset that we would struggle against a team that combines two styles of football that this Chelsea team bereft of Makelele will struggle against, directness and width. FELIPE KNOWS!!

We did struggle; we were out-muscled and outplayed by Wigan. Both Palacios and Cattermole dominated our celebrated midfield and the whole fantasy about full backs pushing forward was blown apart by a combination of wingers and full backs that cost less than Malouda.

The only reason I am optimistic about this season is because of Scholari and Essien (our best player without any doubts). Sir Alex called our squad aging and there was a reason for that other than mind games.

Frank Lampard is 30, he has at best 2-3 seasons left in him and he is on a £135 – £140k contract for the next 5 seasons. Our most accomplished midfielder is Ballack; he is 31 and after an inspirational 2nd half of the season last year, he is in his final year of contract and is being played out of his natural position to accommodate our awkward looking midfield. Deco has two seasons left in him at best, at £8 million he maybe an astute buy, but stinks of short term thinking.

We are about to spend £28 million on Robinho, a player who has been highly inconsistent at Madrid and there is no guarantee that he will change at Chelsea. BUT FELIPE KNOWS!!

Here is the stark truth; Lampard should have been sold. We should have not let Makelele leave (or maybe looked at finding his replacement, Gareth Barry maybe) and instead of Deco and Robinho, we should have looked at getting a combination of Diego and David Villa, two players who would have added everything to our team that we lack, incisiveness and finesse. Plus both of them are relatively young and far more consistent.

Bosingwa is a good signing, but what are Ferreira and Belletti doing still in our squad; Ivanovic is as good a defender as we will get. Wright Phillips I believe has left us for Everton and Malouda will probably stay, as we need a wide midfielder.

Sheva has left us; best of luck to him. But with Anelka still frugal in front of goal and no guarantees over Drogba, you wonder if we lack a quality selfish striker like Villa. BUT FELIPE KNOWS!!

Arsenal are often accused of over emphasizing long term plans, but you could argue we are the direct opposites. A perfect balance is more important and there in lies Sir Alex`s quiet confidence.

But we still have a world-class midfielder in Essien who should play in an offensive role and not a defensive one like against Wigan; and a defence that will not let us down.

But we also have Scholari, there is something about him. His transfer policy has not convinced me a lot, but his match day know how and tactical awareness has already bowled me over. With him in charge, I think we can do well.”