***chelsea v city fa cup match thread***

[PrezIke]

Even if we lose this been a very good display and experience for some of our young players.

[aaron bond]

Great first half from the lads.

Under a lot of pressure but working really hard and defending well. The young lads look very composed on the ball and are not afraid to attack.

The only concern for me is Zab who is well off the pace.

But we're in with a shot of winning this. Let's keep up the good work!

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Very compotent display by our young lads. I do think we need to be a bit more creative in the counter if we're to really be a chance in the 2nd half, but very pleased so far.

[Dameerto]

i actually agree with something Shearer is saying - it must be a blue moon (about a striker dropping back onto Fabregas to try and pressure him)

[Dameerto]

And who the feck is this Fabro-gas that Rodgers keeps going on about?

[Sideshow Bob]

kolarov and zabba have been shocking, the kids are making them look bang average.

edit: nearly forgot to slate mdm too! awful defending.

[Vantage]

I'm really enjoying this the kids are alright

Faupala looks great and Ginger Garcia getting his foot in, and Adarabioyo looks class, forget the Mangler.

We're not closing down enough up top but I can understand why to preserve shape across the middle.

Last thing we need to do is win...

[john@staustell]

i actually agree with something Shearer is saying - it must be a blue moon (about a striker dropping back onto Fabregas to try and pressure him)

Maybe but then you put less pressure on their defence and drop deeper and deeper

[ruralblue]

I've really enjoyed that and getting that goal back so quick was brilliant. We aren't holding much possession and in all honesty they are all over us but fantastic to see these kids hold their own.

A sneaky goal and some good luck could just go our way!

[Blue In Bolton]

Great first half and unfortunately the usual suspects let us down again. You can see clearly that the right- hand side is being targeted as Zabs has little protection in front of him. However, the midfield pair of Manu & Aleix Garcia are looking decent with Faupala being the stand out for me.

BBC clutching at straws stating that the young lads will get knackered opening up lots of space for Chelsea. Fuck 'em!

[Sparklehorse]

That was a bit too easy for them.

Kolarov just stood and watched Costa head home...he is a terrible player..otherwise a good performance by the team, that is !!

[bigblue]

its the fabrogas wankfest at the half. So much chelsea bias on BBC it's incredible

come on City, crush these racists coin throwing cunts!

[Dubciteh]

Kids are doing great, love the energy. Really liking Alex garcia.

formation all wrong though. These kids never play 442, we never play 442, very few play 442 away to Chelsea, its suicide to do it!

we need extra man in middle n wingers to help out the full backs that's where danger coming from.

[Im_Spartacus]

We'd have been 3.0 down by now with the lazy one paced fucks in the 'first' team.

As I said in another thread, chelsea struggle with pace and nippy players with quick feet, our first team would have played right into their hands. Still think we will get picked off later on, but I'm chuffed to bits by today.

Shame it's taken fixture congestion and a sacked manager to throw caution to the wind like this

[nottsblue]

Got to be happy with that. The lads haven't disgraced themselves in any way. Bring Kompany on for MDM and tighten up at the back and we could sneak it. Sterling to come on and get the winner?

[Dameerto]

i actually agree with something Shearer is saying - it must be a blue moon (about a striker dropping back onto Fabregas to try and pressure him)

Maybe but then you put less pressure on their defence and drop deeper and deeper

It's more to do with when possession turns over - Fabregas is pretty deep during the transition and in open space.

[Cocacolajojo1]

We'd have been 3.0 down by now with the lazy one paced fucks in the 'first' team.

As I said in another thread, chelsea struggle with pace and nippy players with quick feet, our first team would have played right into their hands. Still think we will get picked off later on, but I'm chuffed to bits by today.

Shame it's taken fixture congestion and a sacked manager to throw caution to the wind like this

TBF, they really started picking us apart towards the end of the half. Don't get me wrong, I agree with everything you say, but unless we change something (I'd be fucked if I know what it is) they will pick us apart during the second half.

[sheblue]

We will need much better ball retention if we're getting anything from this

[Beefymcfc]

Love this game so far. We look a threat with our pace against the likes of Ivanovich and Cahill, and look good on the wings. Chelsea are a top team and it shows when they push Fabregas further forward but our compact shape limited their chances.

Whatever happens, at least the young'ens are getting valuable experience.

[dick dastardley]

If our front two get a run on the defence I'd back them to score