Chelsea vs Tottenham (a must win game!)

For a lot of Chelsea fans,tomorrow afternoon's match against Tottenham is the most important of the season. Not because we need the points but because of who we are playing. There is no love lost between the supporters and for many Blues,this lot are our most "hated" rivals. It's a rivalry that goes back before my time to the 1967 Cup Final when Spurs beat us 2 1 in what was dubbed "the Cockney Cup Final"

My own personal trauma with Spurs started in the 1974/5 season when a 2 0 Tottenham win at White Hart Lane with goals from Steve Perryman and Alfie Conn meant almost certain relegation for Chelsea in what was a must win game for both of these clubs. Spurs stayed up while Chelsea were relegated a week later. It is something I won't ever forget!

Then there was that big FA Cup game at Stamford Bridge in 1982. Then struggling second division side Chelsea had already knocked European Champions,Liverpool out of the competition in round 5 and a home tie with current Cup holders,Tottenham held no fear in the quarter finals. It all started so well and just before half time,Micky Filliery blasted a screamer in at the North Stand end and in we went in at HT 1 0. I've never experienced such HT joy as that day. The Shed was absolutely rocking. Alas the Spuds came back with 3 quick second half goals and despite Chelsea "goal machine" (NOT) Alan Mayes pulling one back,we went on to lose 2 3 and were out. Cup dreams shattered. Season over. God,I hated them for that too.

Then there was that terrible Avram Grant inspired Carling Cup Final collapse in 2008 when after going a goal up,Spurs came back to beat us in extra time. That awful walk back to the station and all those crowing enemies singing their heads off. They rubbed it in big time and after all the great results we've had against them over the last 20 years,you couldn't really blame them.

There have been other games of course (like the 5 1 hammering also in the League Cup) but the 3 above are the reason I hate Tottenham and the reason we must keep up our record of not losing to them at home in the League since 1990.

Poly Styrene R.I.P.

Absolutely shattered to hear the news that Poly Styrene has passed away. Everything else doesn't matter at the moment and my thoughts go out to her family.


R.I.P.

Scott Parker

Congratulations to Scotty Parker who surprisingly won the Football Writers Player Of The Year award. I say surprisingly because its very rare for a player in a relegation bound team to win these kinds of awards. In my opinion the Football Writers have got it just about right. Maybe Vidic or van der Sar at Champions elect Man Utd might of deserved it or even Gareth Bale at Spuds. I know one thing,not one single Chelsea player deserves it!

Its West Ham tomorrow for Chelsea and without the injured Scott Parker I am EXPECTING 3 points. Parker is THAT important to West Ham and without him I feel they are doomed. Lets hope I'm right :)

A great day out at the Baggies

Just what the doctor ordered. Sunshine,cheap beer a plenty,fantastic away support and 3 points for my beloved Chelsea. Pity Torres's goal was disallowed but it didn't take the gloss off a great day. Our fans were simply superb especially considering the shite week we had just had getting knocked out of the Champions League. They sang some absolute classics - my favourite being "We're gonna win fuck all,We're gonna win fuck all, and now your gonna believe us and now your gonna believe us and now your gonna believe us....We're gonna win fuck all" You've just got to love football humour! I'm glad the Baggies are staying up. Great club,friendly fans and yes that very cheap ale!

News filtered through on the train home via texts that United lost to City in the FA Cup semi much to the delight of what seemed like the whole train (commerations Mullers and all you other Man U fans) Congratulations to City fans. Its been a long wait and maybe now they can finally bag a major trophy. I'm looking forward to today's other semi final between Stoke and Bolton. I think Stoke will win but I would prefer to see Bolton do it because their fans are nicer!

Meanwhile at the bottom of the Premier League,Wigan have given themselves a precious lifeline with a crucial win at Blackpool who are sinking like a stone. West Ham threw away a lead and lost at home to Villa in the other big relegation game and look doomed with some tough fixtures coming up. Chelsea away for the Hammers next Saturday and hopefully we will stuff them!

Demoralised!

So now its official. No trophy's for Chelsea this season. I can cope with that - I have years of experience. I can cope with losing to a better side in the Champions League over two legs too even if it is Manchester United. Congratulations to them. Surely they must be thinking of the treble again now?

What I can't cope with at the moment (well for the best part of the whole season really) is some of the effort put in by my players last night. Some of them are a complete and utter fucking disgrace to the shirt. The manager must take some of the blame too. How blind is he to pick the likes of Torres and Malouda when clearly they have been playing like women's undercarriage's? Lampard gets picked because he is Lampard whether he has been playing shit or not. The same goes for Essien. Anelka too. Our best player last night got sent off which says it all really.

Torres even has a new dedicated website http://hastorresscoredforchelsea.com/

I'm feeling demoralised today. I'm up at West Brom on Saturday and a big part of me wished I wasn't!

Wigan 0 The Undertones 1

It doesn't happen very often but I actually missed a League game at Stamford Bridge against Wigan Athletic yesterday in order to see The Undertones instead. I watched our game on the computer anyway and,as it turned out,it was a very wise decision by yours truely. An awful game and a lucky goal and a 1 0 Chelsea victory. If we play anything like that at Old Trafford on Tuesday then its curtains for the Champions League and dreams of Wembley glory.

Fortunately,I was actually entertained at last nights fantastic gig. 16 quid well spent as The Undertones stormed through their entire debut album on their 35th anniversary tour. Then a whole load of hits to boot. In the end,I couldn't resist going down the front and by time the final number "Mars Bar" came on,I was dripping with sweat,covered in beer and totally out of breath. Didier Drogba and co could learn a lot from the boys from Derry. They entertained me and didn't cheat me!

The dream is over

Well the dream of retaining our League title has been over for while really but recent results gave us an outside hope......but not anymore. Yesterday's 1 1 at Stoke but an end to that for sure. As for Arsenal,they can still win it but lets face it,they won't! So now is the time to congratulate Man Utd on winning the title. They deserve it.

Wednesday's Champions League 1st leg is a game I'm looking forward to although to be honest,I can see a very tight game. Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet but after watching some of our defending yesterday coupled with United's awesome 2nd half demolition of the hapless West Ham,I have my doubts. Whoever wins this tie should,in theory,get to Wembley's Final. I just hope it's us!