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Football - Blues v Chelsea



Our first home game of the season saw the multi million pound line up of Chelsea pitted against our more modest team.

With Forssell barred from playing against his own team and Morrison nursing a knock, Blues went with just one upfront. I'm not sure if this was to enable Bruce to accomodate his current lover, Damien Johnson, or if Bruce wanted to pack out the midfield to stiffle the visitors.

Maik Taylor

Melchiot Tiny Upson Lazaridis

Gronkjaer DJ Savage Izzet Gray

Heskey

Blues did well from the off and looked the better team for most of the match. Gray and Gronks played as true wingers and were supported by Lazaridis and Melchiot to cause all sorts of trouble down the flanks. The midfield trio snuffed out most of Chelseas threats and were successful enough in the first half to ensure that both Maik and Lampard looked like spectators. Maik however did not doze and responded well when called.

In a game that was going to be decided by a single goal Blues must have rued their inablility to take the limited chances. With just one up front the visitors didn't have too much of a problem to limit our shots on target. Heskey came close with a couple of half decent efforts but it is Julian Gray who should have bagged the opener, having initially put his shot on the upright then to blast the rebound over the crossbar.

Joe Cole claimed all 3 points with a cruelly deflected shot off Tiny which gave the other Taylor no hope.

In all a very promising game which reminded me of our efforts at the start of our life in the top flight when we outplayed Blackburn, only to lose.

I still can't fathom why Bruce insists on starting with DJ. He's a good squad player but we've got better players than him who should be in the starting XI. With all the best will in the World, Heskey isn't the sort of player you want up front as a lone striker. Not many Bluenoses like Stern John and I know he was tired after his recent interntional, but I feel that we should have played a 4-4-2 for the last 30 minutes of the game with DJ taking an early bath.

When Bruce did decide to make a switch he took off Jesper and broke up a very good partnership on the right thus reducing the number of crosses in the box for our front pair to get hold of.

Special mention has to go to Savage. I'm no fan of his due to his inability to hold the ball or look before passing but yesterday saw him at his best. He read the game well and harrassed anyone who dared think the ball was theirs.

Player Ratings

Maik Taylor - had little to do but reacted well - 8

Melchiot - looks very good and pairs well with Jesper - 8
Tiny - still settling in with Upson but looks promising - 7
Upson - our defensive man of steel (and worth more than £8m!) - 8
Lazaridis - making that left back berth his own - 7

Jesper - needs a little more self belief - 7
DJ - why Bruce? why? - 6
Savage - if he could look before he passed he would be awesome - 8
Izzet - pairs well with Savage - 7
Gray - excellent home debut but sometimes tries too hard - 8

Heskey - won most balls and uses his strenght well but lacked a goal - 7

Hard to call man of the match. Upson and Maik seem to be getting taller each week. Gray looked very lively and caused all sorts of problems. Him and Stan will improve as a unit as time passes. But, I have to admit, Savage caught my attention for the right reasons. Sure, he still lets the ball go to early and often pases without looking first but he did well to push Chelsea back and allow Maik to enjoy the sunshine.

Who knows what would have happened if we had been able to call on the services of Forssell and Dunn (and just how would Bruce have found room for DJ?) but when this Blues team finally gels we'll be able to give everyone in the league a dose of Blue Mondays.

posted by kwacky at 8:46 am

 
Man on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown

I can't recall the last time I had a good nights sleep. Sleep with both ears closed. Sleep where the slightest noise or whimper didn't stir me. Sleep that was deep and refreshing. Sleep that meant silence didn't feel wrong. Sure, I've slept through but usualy when I've been pissed or stoned or both, but that's not proper sleep.

Once again Georgina hasn't slept. I've been up since about 4.30 trying to get her to nod off but without success. I'm very tired and feeling very low. I feel drained. My head is zizzing.

I also feel like a failure. I know it's not my fault she's got eczema but that doesn't stop you from thinking you should be able to do something. To help, to make it better. She should be sleeping with the knowledge that you're doing everything you can but she's not.

I take her downstairs and cradle her in my arms and try to soothe her. Her eyes close, her breathing slows, her body relaxes.

Then she screams. I can feel my body tense and my blood pressure rise. I'm getting angry. I'm sure that's helping no one. Lyrics ring in my head "there are times I could have strangled her, but I would hate anything to happen to her".

Sam's parents are away at the moment and Sam has suggested that one of us move in to get some rest. Truth is I can't do that. On the selfish side I can't sleep when Sam's not about. But it's not that. I can't leave Sam on her own to deal with Georgie. It's just not fair.

Anyway, even if I did get a house to myself, I'm programmed to get up at about 6.30, expecting the little monster to wake. A lie-in seems alien to me.

I'm sure we'll all get through. Darkest before the dawn and all that.

On a brighter note, Georgie had her operation last week to remove the dermoid cyst just above the bridge of her nose. The most difficult part was taking her to surgery. I had to hold her while she took the gas to send her to sleep. I could feel her fight it. Her body went tense, she clenched her fists then just went. Her whole body sagged. I don't want to go through that again.

The operation took about 40 minutes. She was very upset when she came round but she was soon on her feet and offering people toast.

Her baptism is coming up. We took her to Church last week. She was well behaved for about 30 minutes then got bored. She walked about stealing orders of service and delivering them to one person with an enthusiastic "ta ta".

Kids eh. Who would have 'em?
posted by kwacky at 6:33 am