Review of 2011: February – Poor results force a change of focus.

Let’s not beat around the bush here and let’s tell it like it is. We’ve seen two managers, drama, controversy, speculation, excitement, frustration and find ourselves at the turn of this year in the exact same position as we did a year ago. Isn’t it strange how things have turned out!

This is my review of 2011 and a year on my blog as written by me, a lifelong Chelsea fan giving you my take on everything that happened.

It’s important at times to look back and remember where we were, where we’ve come from, the good times and the bad and these series of posts will help you all do that.

So please, take the time to grab a drink, sit back and take a look back at the past year with me.. There’s plenty of highs and lows but as most of us will tell you, that’s what being a Chelsea fan is about.

February.

With the signing of Fernando Torres being made, I asked the immediate question (which went on throughout the season and still does to this day) if Torres and Drogba could play together ahead of Sunderland. Torres was left behind at Cobham so it never mattered. Bearing in mind we reached our lowest point losing 3-0 at home to Steve Bruce’s side, we had a score to settle. Chelsea beat Sunderland 4-2 as Carlo reverted to a 4-Diamond-2 formation with Anelka playing in the hole behind Drogba and Kalou.

After a barrage of abuse on the site from the Scousers about Torres I decided that they needed to face facts and told them so here!. This was of course in the week leading up to Liverpool at home in the league, Torres’ first game for Chelsea. JT praised the signing of Torres, I asked you all if Torres should start the game?, He gave his first press conference and Chris Cohen released a song about him!.

Meanwhile and somewhat understated, David Luiz was introduced to us all as a Chelsea player for the first time. Strange how things turn out isn’t it bearing in mind that arguably, Luiz has made the bigger impact so far!.

As the media do, and especially after Chelsea’s spending in the window, FIVE players were rumoured to be axed from the club. It will come as no surprise to confirm that four of them ARE still here!.

So onto Liverpool at home and JT spoke ahead of the game of the possible return to Stamford Bridge for Joe Cole and put things for me into perspective. Joe Cole wasn’t involved which was a shame.

To the game itself and Torres AND Drogba started together upfront but Liverpool came away with the points with a single goal scored by a Mr Raul Meireles!. I complained that only one side turned up for the game and wanted it more and it was Liverpool (how many times have we said that since?).

Ashley Cole was named the England Supporters Player of the year, Petr Cech the Czech Player of the year and I wondered why people were having a pop at Ancelotti when it was the players to blame for the defeat at home to Liverpool.

Guus Hiddink was then linked with a return to Chelsea, Lampard spoke of our new signings, McEachran was called the future of English football, Ivanovic signed a new deal and Bruma joined Leicester on loan.

On the 12th of February I posted a rant at Ancelotti after he gave a press conference stating that we needed to aim for 4TH PLACE! so I asked you all if you think we would miss out on the top four?

We then drew 0-0 at Fulham, Torres’ performance was heavily criticised, and afterwards, Frank Lampard revealed that after winning the league three times already, his focus has now turned to the Champions League!.

We then drew 1-1 at home in the FA CUP with Everton but lost the penalty shoot out, Carlo defended his future to the media once again and reiterated that he will never quit and John Terry gave a message to the players through the media to buck their ideas up.

Chelsea then travelled to Copenhagen in the Champions League and switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Anelka and Torres up front. It worked as Anelka scored twice as Chelsea won 2-0.

As we finished the month, we heard that Zhirkov wasn’t happy and wanted first team football, JT explain that the two new signings in Torres and Luiz had everyone “on their toes” and David Luiz explained that he felt that he had everything he needed at Chelsea to succeed.

What a month eh!?. After two big signings and picking up our form in January, losing to Liverpool and drawing at Fulham cost us. Knocked out of the FA Cup also hurt.

It’s amazing how over the course of a month the manager and the players are now talking of a top four finish. Very disappointing!.

KTBFFH

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