This afternoon is a must win game for Chelsea and it really is as simple as that. We cannot afford to drop points over the next few weeks as we need to try and close the gap to the sides above us now in the league.
AVB and his Chelsea players have a job on their hands this afternoon as a rejuvenated Sunderland side under new man-manager Martin O'Neill travel to the Bridge with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

• Kop That: Why the latest shocking, heart-breaking Hillsborough revelation is exactly the kind of info we need to fi... http://t.co/xCAJGpg1 23:20:00, 2011-11-22
• Kop That: Secret Hillsborough files reveal victims were "interfered with" http://t.co/MzzmUoBw 23:19:56, 2011-11-22
• Kop That: Paralysed ex-pro gets a job as Boro scout http://t.

Zenden in talks over return to England

Ex-Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder could now join Doncaster

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-11-22 22:29:08 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

In his previous spell at Anfield, Craig Bellamy lasted only a year before leaving the club for West Ham. It was an abrupt departure, and a little surprising considering his (overall) good form. Now, the Wales International has provided some insight into his midset at the time, and possibly revealed one of the reasons why he decided to leave.

Key Stats
League Position: 16th, 1 W, 3D, 3L, 9 GF, 8 GA, +1 GD, 6 pts
Away Form: 2 D, 1 L, 2 GF, 3 GA
Last Meeting Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland (March 5, 2011) (Premier League)

Well, we're back to our regular programming.

In Edwin Van der Sar's testimonial last night his Dream Team beat Ajax 2-1, with Louis Saha and Dennis Bergkamp scoring.

Dream Team: Edwin Van Der Sar, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Gary Neville, Andre Ooijer, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Phillip Cocu, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Boudewij Zenden, Dirk Kuyt, Dennis Bergkamp, Alessandro Del Piero, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha.

So how did your humble fantasy Premier League bloggers fare this season? My final week points were 76.5 with Adam, Zenden(!), and Berbatov the bright spots. Neal was hot on my tail at 3,387.50 points. All in all, I finished well in our private group, ahead of Neal but WAY behind Nik (Y!AM) and Mo (Egypt) who finished #7 overall.

There is still much football to be played this "week" as Liverpool travel to Fulham later today, and the big Spurs/ManCity clash on Tuesday. But the barn door (and time and tide) wait for no fantasy manager. Here's the state of my team after the weekend's action: A few enablers in Heitinga, Zenden, and even Hitzlsperger allow for some big spending up top with Odemwingie and van Persie.

Boudewijn "Bolo" Zenden's belly button: discuss amongst yourselves.

Claudio Ranieri talking to the Official Chelsea Website, remembers being called "The Tinkerman" and talks of how now more than ever, it has become more and more apparent in football.
He said:

'In Italy we are used to moving tactically and change system in every match, Do you remember?

And the hits just keep on coming.

Honestly, outside the first 20 minutes or so, I don't think we were too bad (although I was expecting a little more vibrancy), a bit nervy here and there, but far from being second best. Houllier named an unchanged side, they created chances, they had control of the game for the most part, but made life difficult for themselves with frustrating mistakes.

And the hits just keep on coming.

Honestly, outside the first 20 minutes or so, I don't think we were too bad (although I was expecting a little more vibrancy), a bit nervy here and there, but far from being second best. Houllier named an unchanged side, they created chances, they had control of the game for the most part, but made life difficult for themselves with frustrating mistakes.