Seeing as I'm in New Zealand I havent seen any of our games yet - videos not yet arrived. But I'm watching the Udinese v Chelsea game at the minute and Chelsea look very ordinary so far (41mins played). Do we have a realistic chance seeing as we are crap in London to start with?

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Answers

Probably not but I can dream

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Not a prayer.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Well, the portents are not so good are they? Personally I don't buy this London hoodoo cr@p - imo the problem over recent seasons has been that have simply not been good enough.

What's more worrying, looking ahead to the Chelsea fixture, is that in addition to already being without Shearer, Dyer, and Cort - Speed and Ameobi are stated this morning as being doubtful - Speed with a hamstring strain, and Ameobi with a groin strain.

So, for our 1st PL fixture of 2001/02 we face the prosect - yet again - of having NO fit, front-line striker over 5'6", and of playing with Bellamy and LuaLua up front.

Actually, I fancy us for a 1-1 draw!!

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

get with it guys! Robert, Nobby and er...

I'm prepared to believe we'll do 'em. It'll depend on how we pick the team...

I'd play Robert up front and fill the midfield with Bassy and Acuna, and funilly enough stick Aaron AND Griffin on as markers. Smother Lampard and Petit, squash them and rely on Robert to hit the net...

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

We're either going to lose at Chelsea or at home to Troyes. I think losing to Troyes would be a bigger psychological blow than losing to Chelsea(in London where we never win anyway, blah blah).

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

well said Ciara.. I say we go to hold on for a point, save the bodies for Tuesday.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

I think Bobby shoul dlook closely at the fixtures, which games must we win? Troyes & Sunderland. Lets give the reserves sime big game expirirence against Chelsea & Manscum

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Swifty> You want to put Robert up front on his tod? Like we did to Andersen, Maric, Tomasson... If you stick a new midfielder up front and supply Bartonese punts, you will destroy his confidence before he gets going.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

I have to admit I cannot see us beating Chelsea. We may scrape a point, but then again we always think with our hearts and not our heads. My head says we'll get a good tonking at Chelsea.

Also had a crazy dream the other night that we drew 1-1 with Troyes, losing the tie on the away goals rule. Said dream had Shearer coming off the bench to score the tying goal in the 85th minute. A blast from the edge of the box. Now if I was a betting man..........

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

...... I'd have a small wager that Shearer will be on the bench against Troyes.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

For some reason I can't help thinking of the 4-0 stuffing that Chelsea gave Sunderland a coupke of years ago and I can see Zenden having a field day.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Anyone got a spare ticket for chelsea match? cheers

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001