.verse - Comments

TBH the quality of the league beyond the usual teams is fairly ordinary, certainly helps the cause.

I have a Z3 and would highly recommend it.

There are a couple of issues; "tap to wake" doesn't always work, sometimes the device (at least w/ me) will randomly restart, camera isn't as crisp in low light, "auto" camera mode is very limiting- you'll use manual mode 95% of the time, audio output isn't the loudest or as crisp as I remember on my Galaxy S3, particularly for audio playback w/ headphones. There's a couple other smaller things but none are deal breakers overall. Keep in mind that if you intend to root, it isn't the most ideal. I'm still entirely stock, which is a first since switching to a smartphone.

On the plus side; it's super quick and responsive, battery life is insanely good and unmatched- eg: w/o stamina mode enabled and mobile data running, regular music playback, etc - most days I come home w/ a battery of 50%-60%. Could get even more with stamina enabled.

Pretty sure as long as he doesn't get booked against QPR he'll pass the cut off date and would be fine.

Matic is in a similar boat too.

Maybe if he wasn't an utter c-word I'd make the effort in spelling his name correctly, until then, Adams!!!!!

His error at Hull was made up for with the fact he kept us in the game with some excellent saves; particularly that triple save.

Adams goal wasn't really Courtois fault. No one expected Adams to shoot from 70 yards out and with Tibo playing a more sweeper keeper role, he'll always be further form his line. It's a role has has to play because we're slow in defence and it helps limit through balls. it was just a outrageous strike.

Any of the top EPL sides would have to consider him. There is a premium on good home grown players so when someone like Sterling, who's still only 20 and already has 70 odd EPL starts for club that competes in the upper half of the league, interest will be had.

I'd take him at Chelsea and think he'd fit in nicely rotating between the wing and middle.

I'm sure he'd take less pay and maybe a little less football in exchange for a little less game time, actually playing his proper position, and a greater chance of winning something.

I'd take him at Chelsea for the right price. He'd offer us goals which we currently lack from the wider areas, Hazard aside.

Éder's strike was better.

I don't see Chelsea blocking any move Cech wants because of the service he has given- as long as whoever is buying is paying the transfer fee asked of course.

Cech and maybe £10m for Walcott and it's a deal.

Evidently, I'm missing your point re: bolded parts...

I'd like to believe there isn't. (Top)

And while it's probably unlikely, it also wouldn't shock me if there was. (Bottom).

Hardly anything contradicting, which is what I am assuming you're trying to pick at.

Naturally, you'd like to think not. However, having watched some of the decisions that haven't been called do make you wonder, purely on the basis of just how blatant they are- in relation to the penalty situation. While it's not a hidden secret that the FA and Chelsea haven't always been on the same page. 50/50 calls in general are the nature of the beast, we've certainly gotten our rub of the green a few times this season with the likes of Costa and Cahill not being sent off when they should have at times. While also getting some not go our way like Tim Howard handling outside the box early in the season, Costa, Fabregas, Willian booked for diving when clearly fouled. Those you take on the chin because you know they'll come back around eventually.

The non penalties though, somethings gotta give. For this sort of thing to happen as often as it has this season, it seems a little rich. One or two calls, I can understand. Officials make mistakes, miss things, etc. But not when it's been this often and clear;
- Costa vs Burnley (No penalty called, resulted in Costa being booked for diving)
- Terry & Ivanovic vs Man Utd (Both being held at the same time by Smalling and Rojo at a corner, both penalties, neither called)
- Fabregas vs Southampton (Cesc clearly fouled while controlling the ball, no penalty, booked for diving)
- Costa vs Liverpool (Costa does Skrtel who makes a challenge and gets all man and no ball, no penalty given)
- Ivanovic & Costa vs Burnley (Ivanovic's strike hand balled by defender who was a considerable distance away and had his hands up in a non-natural position after jumping to block the shot, penalty waved away. Costa cuts back inside and the defender shoves him in the back once he's beaten, no penalty given)

About a month ago the average time it took Chelsea to win a penalty (EPL) was 13 games, compared to Man City who were getting one every 3.7 games. Martin Samuel had a interesting piece here which highlights it a bit more. I could understand a low count if we weren't an attacking side but we've currently kicked 58 goals in the league, 1 behind Man City and 3 ahead of Arsenal. History and stats show that with that sort of output the number of penalties this season have been considerably low.

I suppose to sum up what you originally asked. While unlikely, I wouldn't be surprised.

Edit: spelling

There's a difference between 50/50 calls and clear as day penalties turned down, on what has been a regular basis, that's the issue.

Bertrand has been stiff to not get a chance. Also not sure how Cahill has been picked, he's been horrid for a lot of the season, but I suppose the lack of any other real quality central defenders with experience has saved him.

Austin has also been unlucky, deserves a crack considering his form in a completely horrid QPR side.

I don't really see how you can say Chelsea should be doing better. Two finals, one win, and we've come extremely close a number of other times. We've been one of the most consistent clubs in the competition since we've competed in it. Sure, winning it more would have been nice but it's not quite that easy. Once you get to the pointy end you're facing other excellent sides, where it only takes a small mistake or two to cost you- not to mention some luck. We've done considerably well when compared to the other regulars who complete.

Anyway, as for the current competition. Really hope Juventus continue to fly under the radar a little. Would be excellent for the club to reach another final and hopefully winning it.

Part of it will be down to the EPL always being touted as the best league in the world. Another factor will be the money that is in the EPL and usually spent by those sides who are in the CL on a regular basis. Though, that's a little contradicting to use as a reason when you consider the money Real Madrid and Barca have spent (not to mention how they've monopolised La Liga) and PSG of late.

Hardly any sort of crisis though in a general sense. Just teams like Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, etc are expected to progress further given their reputations.

Haven't read the article, probably won't bother either. What I am aware of is that we've drawn the short straw on a number of clear penalties this season which haven't been given. Like, some have been utterly bewildering as to how they couldn't have been given. Kinda hard to fathom how we've only received 2 spot kicks all season when you see what hasn't been given.

Will make winning the league a little sweeter though.

Benitez is being linked. He'll be leaving Napoli at the end of the season too. Lel.

Wouldn't put it past us going from recent performances we've put in.

Southampton, Hull, Stoke and QPR are all games we should win. Any dropped points means the Arsenal and Man Utd games become so much bigger than they already are. Not to mention Liverpool to close the season out. Definitely need to make the most of the next 4 fixtures.

No, but you more or less implied it. Players swarm officials all the time, it isn't anything new. Yes, it doesn't look great on Chelsea's behalf, however we're not the only club that does it, or has done it. I just find it funny that we're being singled out for something that is quite common in football these days. I suppose being selective about such a thing helps when the club doing it already divide opinions. In this particular contest PSG's players were doing the exact same. It could have been all avoided had Kuipers actually controlled the game to begin with. This was a by-product of that. Don't think I condone such actions, I don't. It's just not something you can pick and choose as an angle, unless you're going to pin every club for doing so.

Either way, PSG deserved their win. No qualms about that whatsoever. I'm more disappointed in the performance than the result.

Have you been watching him? He had a good start to the season (as he did last season) and that's been it. He's been absolutely woeful since. Everything from sloppy passing, terrible touch, long periods of being anonymous, etc. He hasn't really progressed at the expected rate or that his potential suggests, he's just stagnated. When he shows up he's still a good player, but it just doesn't happen often enough. He needs to step up.

Edit: Spelling.

Watch the replay, the ref was already on his way to making his decision before players converged on him. Not to mention every bloody team does it in similar situations, not just Chelsea. Was never a red card either.

Otherwise; we were fucking awful and didn't deserve anything from this game. We'll limp through the rest of the season now because Mourinho has refused to utilise his squad and rotate players before they're run into the ground. Why even bother having a squad if you're just going to use the same 13-14 players all season. Also, can we sell Oscar please. He's absolutely dire.

Quite possibly post of the year.

I haven't seen the footage and can't be bothered following it up, but did Evans spit at Cisse first, with Cisse then returning the gesture? If so, surely Evans warrants the same ban, if not longer for instigating the situation?

No surprise that a bit of managerial confidence and a fair opportunity to build a little rhythm and form results in good performances. He got neither at Chelsea and that's fault of Mourinho and his unwillingness to rotate and trust players beyond the first eleven. Hope he continues to do well, no doubt Chelsea will cash in on him eventually.

Good win vs West Ham. How it stayed 1-0 is beyond me, some fantastic saves at both ends.

He is no way a natural midfielder and didn't look overly comfortable, more so in the first half. If you actually watch his positioning during the game you'd see how he has a huge tendency to drop back deeper into his more familiar position. He was fairly non-existent beyond the half way line too. Hopefully he isn't asked to play the role too often. In saying that, he played well and did the job required of him, which is all that could have been asked. Let's just hope we don't have to go down this route again any time soon.

All that aside, good will from the boys without playing well. Now to push on with the league and possibly Champions League too.

I don't really mind the FMC skin, it serves its purpose of being quickly distinguishable.

I wouldn't mind getting back into FM a little, but as soon as I load up a game I get stuck with what I wish to do. Classic mode appeals because of the less bloat and it's streamlined approach. While I haven't played full mode FM since maybe 2012 and feel it may be a tad OTT for anyone that isn't dedicated fully. I'm at the crossroads.

Which do people prefer, and why?

As one gets older and has less patience does the full mode still rule the roost or has FMC come to the forefront?

Not sure what's worse, Arsenal as a collective or Ozil.

I've got a bunch of shows on the go at present; The Flash, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Blackish, Archer and I've just started watching Constantine as well. I also just finished watching Deathnote and have started on Monster and Hellsing Ultimate, in terms of anime.