Not a big fan of AVB, but he's certainly not getting anything from the players at the moment. Whether that's his fault or the players is the question.

In terms of his starting 11 and the changes he made, I don't think he could have done any more today.

BLF I can see why but I think his game is more suited to the wing. Or will be

He played as part of a front two at bolton.

Anyone defending AVB and blaming your players should ask themselves - whose job is it to motivate them?

Regardless of your ageing squad you all know that team should have comfortably beaten Birmingham today.

I suspect Roman will be aware of that fact too

Reckon some players are actively pushing against AVB, sounds like Roman is backing AVB at the mo, wants him to get rid of the big egos.

AVB does motivate them but he can't prevent Mata missing a penalty can he?

Fair enough TBK, personlly i'd love to have him at Spurs as a striker.. reminds me of Kuyt at Liverpool at the moment

Bale's,take a look at Chelsea's woeful scoring rate over the last few games and you'll see that you are wrong. The FA Cup always springs surprises and Chelsea although missing a penalty were not expected to win comfortably. The 3 against Utd had 2 deflections in there and previous matches were the same. I expected a very tough time for Chelsea.

AVB does motivate them but he can't prevent Mata missing a penalty can he?

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Seriously? If that's a motivated performance you're in deeper than I thought! Relying on a penalty to beat Birmingham at home...? Much deeper.

Fact is when Drogba is on the pitch more space opens up for the likes of Sturridge.

Why that is I am not certain, but it is a fact, and just look at the % of Sturridge goals when playing with Drogba whe playing without.

Sturridge has not scored iñ his last 7 games, Drogba comes on and lo and behold..........

Wongs -

The only reason they weren't clear favourites today is because of their woeful form as you mention.. which was my point. On paper that team of players is streets ahead of Birmingham's

Ok Bale's but it's about team spirit as well. A team riding high in the Championship will have better morale than a team struggling in the Premiership.

Bãle's left boot

Let Harry manage our average players and he too will get the sack. Look at our strikers, both Drogba and Torres can't find the net at the moment.

Anyone who thinks our players are good must have played too much FIFA.

Are our players on a par with Birmingham's players then Orion?

A Red comes in peace. Watched the game today, couldn't comprehend the lack of actual teamwork, if any, on display. In contrast, the Brummies played for each other, none of them being a household name, I suspect even inside Birmingham far less outside. For the 18 months - 2years before you bought him, Torres stopped being the international superstar that he had been with us. Nobody, but nobody looked good in a Chelsea shirt today. Statingthe blindingly obvious? Yeah. Where to now for your club? Calmness, no panic sackings, team to make an effort to start, yes, start pulling together and playing as a team. I'm not holding my breath. JimmyTheRed

Jimmy my favorite LFC fan

Maybe not Mr Chelsea but their team spirit is better.

Exactly dawn.

We cant even play as a team and no matter what anyone says. We have more than enough quality to put Bham away if we play as a team.

Surely it's AVB's job to get them playing as a team. I remember debating with Dr Caniero on here when Alex & Anelka were cut out of the squad and training (and car park!) it wouldn't do your team any favours. You can blame the players all you like but they seem to have plenty of reason to doubt his leadership qualities.

Mr Chelsea how's it going fella? You are absolutely right, with the talent available, Chelsea should walk the replay. But there was no teamwork on display. Sturridge looks good, I'm not too sure about him being in the most advantageous position though. JimmyTheRed

Mr Chelsea

Underdogs are always motivated to beat better teams in cup ties. Leed beat Man U not so long ago although their players are far worse. You should judge AVB by our position in the league and I would say 5th is pretty reasonable with this set of players.

"with the talent available"

What talent? Our midfield is crap. We need Essien and Romeu fit to have a decent midfield.

Bale's Yes it is. No matter how exxagerated the claims on here about how our squad is broken and on their way down. There's more than enough talent there to work with.

Jimmy All good mate. Just having the usual post mortem after a Chelsea match. We're not a team at the moment. Unless AVB does something to get them pulling in all the same direction then what can we expect because AVB coming out and saying I dont need the players backing, I just need Roman's backing, well.. Roman's not gna go out and play for AVB is he

Next year is our year