Brad Smith

Tottenham 2 Chelsea 4
(20^th October 2012)

After conceding just three goals in their first five home matches of the campaign, many expected Chelsea to arrive at White Hart Lane trying to nick a one goal lead, and settle for that. But much like we will need at Swansea, we did much more than that. Going behind 2-1 early in the second half stunned the visitors, but a double from Juan Mata, and a strike from the now departed Daniel Sturridge, sent the three points over to the Bridge, and if you ever needed proof that Chelsea could break down a solid defence, this was it.

If I hadn’t have seen it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it. Here we are, 60 minutes into the semi-final of the Capital One Cup, and cult-like chants of ‘Dem-ba Ba. Dem-ba Ba’ echo around the stadium, followed by ‘You’re f****** s***’ every time Fernando Torres received the ball.

This is a man with 14 goals in 33 games this season, hardly a paltry amount at all. Yet, at 1-0 down, against the run of play, we decided the best course of action would be to turn on the team, and make the stadium almost impossible to play in.

Opinion seems divided on the decision to axe Frank Lampard at the seasons end, but even more debate is flying around on who, if anyone, should replace him at the Bridge.

Chelsea have been accused of not nurturing their youth at all well, Romelu Lukaku was a prime example last season, signed for £17m, and left on the bench, only managing minimal game time during the Champions League winning campaign.

After Didier Drogba’s acrimonious departure last summer, it was perhaps understandable that this would be Frank Lampard’s last year at the club, despite the pleas of Chelsea fans for one more season at least.

There is no doubt our number 8 can still play at this level, a double helped sink Everton weeks ago, and although only playing 12 times in the league so far, he has grabbed 6 goals, outstanding for a midfielder, but par for Frank Lampard.

It seems Roman Abramovich is finally getting the hang of this transfer malarkey. Just 3 days into the transfer window, and after collecting £12m for the highly average Daniel Sturridge, the signing of Demba Ba from Newcastle for £7m looks all but done.

Back in October, it seemed Roman would be pulling out £50m to sign Falcao, but I for one am glad he hasn’t. Yesterday’s loss to QPR confirmed my suspicions that we was simply not ready for a title challenge this year.

As I discussed yesterday, my real qualm is with our defence at the moment, and with two clean sheets in a row, it is clear to see they are heading in the right direction.

Nonetheless, with Luiz now breaking into our midfield five, we could well do with the addition of a centre-back to the fray, with John Terry injured, that leaves just Ivanovic and Cahill as the fit centre-backs, whilst Cesar Azpilicueta is now our preferred right-back

David Luiz is better suited to midfield. Fans know that, pundits know that, and now, Rafa Benitez knows that.“When we have more bodies and options at centre-back, it will be easier to use him in midfield” stated Benitez last week.

Of course, with the indefinite injury to John Terry, who may well be out for the whole Christmas schedule, it is unrealistic to ask Luiz to play midfield week-in-week-out, as that would mean switching Ivanovic to the centre to partner Cahill, with no reserve.