Birmingham vs Chelsea | 26-Dec-09 @ 12:45 UK

Blame it on my being busy with other things in life. I know I’ve not been spending too much time on the BlueChampions space.

There was once a time when I use to not only blog the pre-match, post-match and non-match opinions but also actively participate in the comments section. I’d like to do all that. I will.

For now, let’s live in the comfort that I’m fully aware that I’m not spending enough time here and that I’m pissing off some of you because of that. Because I’m aware, I’ll do something about it, very soon.

Away at Birmingham tomorrow. There are a few things that are threatening Chelsea’s party tomorrow.

Firstly, Birmingham are on an unbeaten run and they get to play at home tomorrow. They can be a tough opposition. If they are above Liverpool in the league table on Christmas day, you need to take them seriously.

Secondly, we might play in our dark away kit. See, I’ve got nothing against this away kit. In fact, I really like it. It’s just that not having won even a single match wearing that kit could have us psyched out as soon as our players walk out on the pitch. If we play in our dark away kit, let tomorrow be the day we notch our first win in that lovely kit.

Chelsea have not yet recovered from their slight dip in form. For about half a dozen matches, we’ve been shaky, unsure and either very lucky or very unlucky. What we need at this stage is a very resounding win like a 3-0 or 4-0 where Petr Cech is hardly seen.

For this expectation, it would be ideal for us to play against a team in disarray at Stamford Bridge. But we get to a play a team that’s high on confidence and also play at their own home stadium. Anyway, let’s be honest. With due respect, it’s Birmingham and not Barcelona.

We will be missing Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien and Deco. I hope we continue with the 4-4-2 diamond instead of Carlo Ancelotti ’s favourite away formation 4-3-2-1.

Playing 4-4-2 would accommodate Daniel Sturridge. I’m never a harsh critic of Salomon Kalou. But even I think that Sturridge must get ahead of Kalou in team selection. Sturridge’s performance in the 45 mins that he got in the last match was very good. I thought he had the strength and pace that Kalou’s badly missing.

With whatever I have seen of Sturridge, he also seems to be more of a team player than Kalou and also certainly has a better final ball than the Ivorian. If you didn’t know already, Ancelotti has said that Sturridge would get a start tomorrow.

I’m all too excited for Sturridge. The one observation I have about him is that he looks way too pensive. Like how Anelka was until last season. I know he is very focused and determined and all that but c’mon, you can loosen up a bit. Sport a smile, get the fans on your side, score the goal and have them sing your name.

The midfield should have Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel certainly. Joe Cole has not been very impressive, but I’d give him another chance because he’s back from a long injury and it’s never that easy to join back your team and play in the most difficult league in Europe. I think he’s been okay. A goal or a fantastic assist would lift his spirits and form.

Why don’t we play Nemanja Matic and/or Gael Kakuta too depending on the match situation? Both are very decent young players. There were superbly in control, they knew what they were doing and appeared very matured in their approach to the game. Same was the case with Fabio Borini.

Let’s see if we get to see Sturridge, Kakuta, Matic and Borini at different points of time. Anyway, it appears all these players will have to play a big role until the end of first week of February.

We can still make this a decent month if we win this game and the game against Fulham, where Sturridge and Borini could start. If we beat Birmingham and Fulham, we’d have got 11 points out of possible 18 in this month, which is quite good in these circumstances and general level of consistency of top teams in this season.

We must win tomorrow. At this moment, I don’t want to remind you that 13 of the 15 goals that we conceded were from set pieces. Ouch, I just did that, didn’t I?

Chelsea are back to winning ways tomorrow. 2-0 for us.

I’d like to leave you with this lovely quote from Ashley Cole in his interview in the club website:

"

If we play well, we can beat anyone but we have not shown the fight and the determination that you should start the game with. That is what wins you games. It doesn’t matter how good you are otherwise, and we have to get back to that.

"

Sure we will. And yes, Merry Christmas folks! Have fun and enjoy!