Thoughts from Studham … Stoke vs Chelsea

This was literally a game of two halves, with Stoke the better of the two sides in the first 45.  However, after the break it was a totally different story, with Chelsea always in command and looking the most likely to score.  It was not to be, and on reflection I suspect that Tony Pullis will be the happier of the two managers.
 
My man of the match (and Sky’s): Fernando Torres.  Always looking to go forward and take on players, unlucky not open his account for the season and should have had a penalty early in the second-half.  Certainly his best performance in a Chelsea shirt.
 
Not far behind was Asmir Begovic, who made two superb saves.  First, from a great volley from outside the box from John Obi Mikel and then tipping a looping shot from Nicolas Anelka onto the bar.
 
Third was John Obi Mikel.  I am not one of his greatest fans, but as well as the superb shot he hardly put a foot wrong all game. He manged to get into attcking positions on several occasions as well as his normal defensive midfield duties.

By Ross Balaam

4 thoughts on “Thoughts from Studham … Stoke vs Chelsea”

  1. I'm getting excited with the way chelsea were playing today.Yes they were unlucky to have ended up with just a point ,but there were many positive points namely torress who was almost back at his best ,same could be said about mikel and bosingwa. plus AVB has stated that he will be bringing another midfielder and a winger. i just cannot wait to see chelsea at their full strength………

    CHELSEA FOR LIFE…………

  2. This was a banana skin for Chelsea and the fact that we went to the Brittania and basically bossed the game (with 65% possession) was no mean feat. Many teams will come unstuck against this improving Stoke side. My concern though is that both the club and management have not learnt their lessons from last season. We STILL have no plan B. I do not believe that Danny Sturridge or any of our existing players not in the side today would have made any difference. Chelsea STILL desperately need a top class wide man and also a midfield maestro. If we don't get these players in before this window closes AVB can kiss goodbye to the Premiership this season. United are such a jammy bunch of wotsits but in reality they have excellent wide players along with goalscorers and I dare say they would have pinched a result today at Stoke. We don't need major surgery just a couple of 'key' players to make us the best in the Prem. KTBFFH

  3. Today’s display against Stoke was another clear indication of the need for Chelsea to recruit creativity. The problem that got Chelsea last year still exists. Chelsea needs players that have the ability to break through resolute defences. Here they need players whose technique is unpredictable. These are those players with an extraordinary ability to deceive defenders with a drop of the shoulder or an allusive back pass that sends all concerned the wrong way. Only a few players do this really well and they are costly. We are talking of guys in the calibre of Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar. Modric is a needed playmaker and I hope he makes the move, but he is not a player with the deceptive ability we are talking about. I think Chelsea would do well to make Neymar and Santos and offer that they cannot refuse.

  4. Agree with you Ross, Torres played well today and showed brilliant close control and sharp runs. Obi-Mikel played well too but I also think a few praises should go to Jose Bosingwa who wasn't afraid to get a foot in against the stature of Kenwyne Jones. Not a bad start away to Stoke and a clean sheet to take home. However, I expect a convincing win at home to West Brom next Saturday.

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