as depressed as I am about our prospects?

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Answers

Not yet. I refuse to give in to sheer terror this early. There's too much build up to enjoy.

Ask me again at 259pm on Sunday. I expect to have a major panic attack lasting appx 30sec until the roar of the Toon Army shakes me out of it. ;-))

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Gawd Almighty - 3-0 by half time. When was the last someone did that to Barcelona in the CL? Oh, it was us in 1997. Silly me. No, seriously, I can't see how we have a prayer.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Is taht really the score?? I was having trouble with the webcast so am listeing to WEds v Villa right now. Taping the chelsea game to watch when I get home. If they keep on that way, they'll use up their weekly goal ration and we'll stuff them on Sunday! :-D

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Bobby Robson's just been shown in the crowd at Chelsea, start of Second half. Looking relaxed, obviously spotted some weaknesses.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

3-1 now - the bubbles burst :o)
Let Barca get a couple more back to destroy their confidence....Bobby didn't wave at us :o(

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

How's it 3-1? I thought I was watching it live on French TV! Still 3- 0 in my world.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Steve Clarke is there as well. Our lads will be well prepared for Sunday. :-)

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Maybe he's looking for his old job back. Is there going to be a clearout of the coaching staff in the summer too? Barca just scored 3- 1 after 63 minutes.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Typical French. They had some chat show at half time, and then delayed the second half transmission when I wasn't watching. I just switched to Dutch TV and they're 15 minutes ahead! Babayaro and Morris both took knocks earlier

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

The other game sounds good Valencia beating the burrini 5-2.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

The thing is, of course, this game is irrelevant for our purposes. When have CL commitments ruined a team's Cup chances - didn't do the Filthies any harm last year. All we can hope is that Bobby pulls a tactical blinder, that the lads don't get starstruck/awestruck by Chelsea and that the fans aren't too depressed to sing their hearts oot for the lads. Oh, and a moment of magic from Dyer/Domi/Helder (our best technical players). Shearer and Dunc won't get a look in.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Two words Bobby has to say to calm down those who are awestruck.
Chris Sutton
Although that might not have the desired effect, Helder and Goma clutching their sides in the changing room.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Damn, the butterflies are back! (:o(

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Relax everyone. It's wor Cup, we know it, they know it, and you lot also know it. Perhaps it the "on paper they look like they will hammer us" thing, but guess what, Its grass they will play on come Sunday, not paper. We WILL win. No doubt in my mind at all!!!

Pete

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Nee idea yet what the Chewsee reult was. But quite frankly, I don't care. The CL is a worls apart from the FAC. YBR came on board last year with two objectives - survival and success. He has achieved the first against the odds that many would have given. He now has his experienced eye on the next target. He will overcome the present hurdle set in frnt of him on Sunday. Villa will be a different game and he will set appropriate tactics for that game.

But gear not - tonight's result - whatever it was - will have no bearing on YBR's tactics.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

The result may not change his tactics, but Barca tonight seemed to be suffering some of the same weaknesses we have. Namely inability to finish. They could easily have had 3-4 goals. Also a few crucial defensive lapses, which Chelsea were able to capitalize on. I have a feeling though, that Bobby not only knew his team last week, but also his tactics. And that tonight probably just confirmed whatever is in his mind. I'm a little more nervous after watching tonight's game, but still believe we've got every chance of beating them on Sunday. I think we have to be fairly attack-minded from the beginning. Get a few goals up, then dig in if necessary. After watching this game, my guess at our starting line up is:
Given/Harper(either should be fine, though I have very slightly more confidence in Harper)
Barton -needs to play a blinder(I think he'll raise his game for this one)
Helder and Goma in center - Experience, ability to remain calm and hold tough. Dabs is a good back up on the bench. He'll put his all into it if called, but he panics a little too easily and would make me nervous as a starter.
Hughes - Seems to always do well in the big games, and with Poyet looking likely to start, should do a good marking job.
Solano, Speed, Lee, Gallacher - Lots of experience, mostly cool heads, and Gallacher will run Chelsea ragged for an hour or so before Domi comes in for the kill. Dyer to replace Lee late in the game if we need more attack and Lee tires. Also between Solano, Gallacher and later Domi and possibly Dyer should provide plenty of service to the front two of....
Robinson and Kets.

Oh ok...I'll stick with Al and Dunc. ;-)))
And I have every confidence in YBR. Howay the lads!!

-- Anonymous, April 05, 2000

Certainly not Dougal !! I'm actually looking forward to the game on Sunday between two evenly matched sides. Excuse me a minute. I just have to go vomit again ........

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Okay, you`ve done it again Ciara, knocked my perspective back into kilter! Barca did not look good last night, so maybe the scoreline is flattering to Chelsea. We will do it.....we will do it...... WE WILL DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! HOWAY THE LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew! I feel better for that. (:o)

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Bad news......

I'm feeling more confident about the weekend than I have done in weeks....shit!! this almost always means trouble!!

Hopefully I can work myself back into a state of pure terror before the weekend arrives :)

Sunday's a totally different game to last night....nothing to be read in that result at all other than Chelsea seemed to escape without any injuries and apart from the opening 15 mins they never had to really work that hard so they'll not be that knackered for the weeknd...

Galaxy, what are you doing online at this time of the morning?

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Ah come on Gav. You've been around the block long enough to know that confidence has no place in a Mag's heart before any big game. Or, as per my elder brother's definition of a Geordie, "Insane optimism - inevitably preceded and followed by heart-breaking setbacks." And that from a lifelong Chelsea fan. Give me strength.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Loony,

That's why I'm worried!! all the bbs'ers I know will tell you that it's almost unheard of for me to be confident about a game...

I'm certain balance will restore itself and I'll quickly become pessimistic again...

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Attaboy. That's the spirit !!

Christ, why's this week taking 3 weeks to roll around to Sunday ?? I'd convinced myself - until an hour or so ago - that it was Friday arvo and that I'd soon be out on the lash. Ah well, I guess I'll just have to hit the pubs on a Thursday night instead. Well, will you be able to concentrate on your late-night shopping ??

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Loony,

The hardest part of this week was getting this far....after today it'll disappear like no-ones business, I'm off to Amsterdam for a stag party early tomorrow morning and my only worry then is if I'll actually make it to the airport on time on Sunday morning to get down to Wembley for 11am...

I'm also hoping that I don't get botty searched on my way back over cos Bobby tells me it'd make sitting down in Wembley really painful....I bow to his greater experience of these matters...

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Why ? Do they wash out with Listermint after they've finished with you ? Ouch !!

You're taking a bit of a risk aren't you ? Planes can get fogbound at Schipol. Rudders can drop off hovercrafts. Bite into the wrong coloured cookie over there and you may not wake up until Tuesday....

I'd be staying in London if I were you and taking no chances. There's an elephant happening this Sunday y'knaa ?

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

I had a ridiculous amount of optimism for the final last year, so I've tempered myself with a ridiculous amount of pessimism this year. By that I've assured a 2-0 victory! Goal in each half.

Didn't The Mag on teletext reckon a 3-1 to us yesterday?

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Are you watching, Newcastle?....

...chanted the Chewsee dogs: shows that they're worried about us.

Fear not - Sunday's a different day, different competition, and different opposition. Barcelona were over-confident, slow off the blocks, incompetent in defence, and totally outgunned in midfield. By the time they woke up they were 3 down. I really believe we will be better organised tactically, and will put up a better show than Barcelona. However, to do that we MUST compete effectively with them in midfield and stop the service to Zola and Flo - this is what really crucified Barca last night. I believe we will do that. Someone else said this was a stroll for Chewsse and won't have taken much out of them - that's bollox. The reason they looked so good was that they worked their kn@ckers off and prevented Barca from settling into any rythm. Vialli in the newspapers this morning said that the reason Barca came into the game in the 2nd half was that his players tired because of the effort they had put into the 1st half. Although their confidence will naturally be sky high, we should be a little fresher, and this should be a real tactical battle. We must contain them for 60 mins, let them get a little weary, and then unleash Domi & Dyer to run them ragged and bring AS & DF into the game. I'll say this yet again, they are good side, with some technically very gifted players, but given the right game-plan on the day we can beat them - and I for one believe we will.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Here Here Clarky. Well said.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

If anyone can come up with the right game plan, it's Robson.

Chelsea are good, and no mistake. But so are we. We did hammer Manure 3-0, remember? And the only reason we lost away to Chelsea (BR's 1st game in charge!) was a dubiously given penno and a blatant ignoring of our own more than justified claims for one!

To beat the cockneys we have to play at our best, and the fans must also be at their best.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

YBR apparently said that he thought Chelsea hadn't a prayer in the Champions League against Barca.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

I wouldn't be confident of defending a 3-1 lead at the Nou Camp.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Aye. It's only half time in that match, and Chewseeeeee have to pick themselves up after a major humiliation at Wembley before then.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

I seem to remember beating Barca in that great game and then getting beat by wimbledon the next game. I know we got beat 'cause it ruined me honeymoon. Nobody gives us a chance and we don't care. Come sunday there is only going to be two team going to wembley and one of 'em is coming from the NorthEast of England. So you can take yer Deschumps, poyets, zola and yer chelsea pensioners and shove up the proverbial backside. Newcastle united forever.

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Now I am starting to get excited. The pre game nerves have come and gone already. Me and the lovely Mrs Pete have our flights, hotel and car booked in Seattle. Off to the George and Dragon on Sunday Morning. Can't get the game here. So, a perfect weekend. Arrive in Seattle early Saturday, do the sightseeing thing, have a "training" session at the George on Saturday night, find out where the Chewsea fans are and plonk mesell doon in the middle of them and do my part for club and country (Geordieland). Then early Sunday, park a few blocks away, walk doon Wembley Way (North 36 Street will do! I'll pretend anyway) see if I can get a skanky hot dog, then sit back and watch the lads, under Bobby's direction, dismantle the opposition. Have a few pints in celebration, then off to the airport. (I won't really need an aeroplane as I will be on cloud nine anyway.) Looks to be a great weekend. Absolutely confident of a comprehensive victory for all of us.

Howay me bonny lads!!!!

Pete

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Sounds like a great weekend, Pete! I know there's at least one Chelsea fan called Les at the G & D. My friends have mentioned him. They've not mentioned any Mags, so it's good to know you'll be representing us. Enjoy!!!

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Pete you lucky lucky get!
My backyard is covered in shitty greeny mossy wintery stuff that our long haired cat eats, and rolls about in. The cat then happily makes the flat manky then pukes moss in the middle of the night. Wor lass got up the other morning and stood in the cat puke. Oh! how I laughed - big mistake (I still can't work out how it's my fault that the cat find's moss so tasty). Anyway, it's my job at the weekend to kill moss, if I don't kill moss it's no semi in the boozer for me. Any tips anyone?
Seattle: you lucky get! Have a nice time. Howay the lads!

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Well, I've spawned a free ticket boys and girls, which means we're bound to get tonked. What worries me is the parallels with the last two years - playing shite as soon as we get through to Wembley, everyone saying it'll be alright on the day. Well it wasn't in 98 or 99, was it? And of course this year there's a weaker team waiting in the final, just to add to the heartbreak when we don't make it there...ah shite, it'll all end in tears. (sorry, but you need some healthy pessimism on here).

Here's the clincher - team complacency. Mick Wadsworth in the Ronnie alking about Chelsea:

"Yes, they are an outstanding team but don't forget we are as well. We have proved that in the last six or seven matches."

WHA? Proved what? Outstanding against Bradford? Against Watford? Against Chelsea or Liverpool for that matter?

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Well, we've ground out results...(eg. Everton, Watford and Bradford).

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000

Oh dear, Dan...if your presence guarantees a tonking, I think you should do what's best for the team and hand the ticket over to someone else. I think Jay or Yelli might be willing to help. ;-))

Then again, there's so many folks going who seem to be good luck charms(young Ben being chief among them) that it should cancel out the effect of your presence. See you Sunday! :-)

-- Anonymous, April 06, 2000