Good omen for first draw and slower start

It is a wake-up call for AVB.
Before the game, he said he was confident about the squad getting all 3 points from Stoke, but it wasn't to be!
I know that he has already made his intentions of bringing in two more players...a winger and a creative mid, but I bet, after this game, he will really intensify his search and wrapping up of the signings.

We had lots of possession, and were unlucky not to have scored and awarded a penalty, but if we had the right players in midfield, and on the flanks, who can unlock defences with trickery and creativity, it would have probably been a different story.

Like I said, this is a blessing in disguise, so that AVB can do all he can to get the right players.
Imagine if we had succeeded in getting Pastore, what he could have done with such possession we had...it's never too late though, @ least the Manager acknowledges we need a winger and a creative mid; GAME ON!!!

Rubbish, don't buy into that "no creativity" nonsense. Despite playing against a team that packed the penalty box we still managed 11 shots on target and 9 shots off target, Manchester United only managed 5 on and 6 off.
If you followed the pre-season games, including this game you can see a gradual improvement in the way the team plays.
While I agree that we need a midfielder and a left winger(preferably right footed and explosive), there were many positives to take from the game.

bish bash , i watched both of the chelsea and utd games and chelsea def looked beter, agree that we need a rght footed winger who can go down the left and rght, be exciting if we do get one because the new winger and sturridge can swap wings and cause a lot of trouble.

I consider myself a true Chelsea fan and I do not feel in the slightest frustrated. I saw a lot of positives in yesterdays performance and with Stoke already having completed two competitive European games and it was always going to be a tough game.

JFDI

Feel the same way. Lots of positives, especially considering last season's performances and the fact we have a new manager. Torres is already looking sharper, and the boys seem to be playing with some conviction again. Well, most of them...

Cautiously optimistic. Maybe not the title, but a good run. As long as performances are better and our new players bed in to a new style of play and manager, I'll be content.

Honestly, I didn't experience the disappointment that I usually do after a result where we failed to pick up all 3. Our squad come September will almost certainly he stronger than it is now. Plus I'm already impressed by AVB. Yes we were slow off the blocks again but at half time I think he gave the players a talking to. We came out much better and put in a good performance. Under the circumstances I'd say I'm actually pleased with our start,

The only question from y'day

Why was Kalou given a starting berth...