Liverpool, Baba, Eider, Gravesen - Happy New Year

I know that literally hundreds of Chelsea fans are travelling today and are planning to spend NYE's in Liverpool this evening. For those travelling tomorrow, Good Luck Lads!

Our record at Anfield is poor. About as poor as our record at Highbury, but we went to Highbury a couple of weeks ago and earned a 2-2 draw in a thrilling game, a similar result tomorrow, would not be viewed as a major disappointment. If as expected Arsenal win at Charlton and Man Utd win at The Boro a draw would still see Chelsea leading the way, but with our lead cut to three points. It would be nice to think that Charlton and Middlesbrough could get the right results, not only to help their own ambitions, but to help us a bit. First though we must 'do' our bit. Avoid defeat. Any result other than a defeat can be deemed as a good result.

I did predict that Chelsea would take 10 points from 12 points available over this busy period and the dropping of 'deux' points would come at Liverpool.

A repeat of last season's fantastic 2-1 win would be more than welcomed and is a result that is not impossible.

Chelsea who have lost Scott Parker to injury recently have now lost 'Rat Boy' Alexei Smertin to illness. Poor Alexei is suffering from another bout of tonsilitis, therefore Chelsea will travel to Liverpool with a bare bones squad of seventeen.

After the Portsmouth game the players were given the following day off, but in showing true commitment to the cause the majority of them turned up at Cobham, our new training headquarters, to keep on working and to keep the momentum going. I am sure if given an opportunity to play again so quickly you would not have found one player wanting.

I expect JM to make some changes from the Pompey game, even with a limited squad. Ferreira back to his rightful position, Bridge in at left back, Tiago back in midfield and Eider replacing the hapless Drogba in attack.

Team: Cech, Bridge, Terry, Gallas, Ferreira, Makelele, Duff, Tiago, Lampard, Robben, Gudjohnsen.

On to other news.

Farewell to Baba. Celestine Babayaro looks set to complete his move to Newcastle, when the transfer window opens tomorrow. Our longest serving player, signed in 1997 from Anderlecht, hasn't featured much this season and has been pushed down the pecking order by Gallas and Bridge competing for the left back spot. Good luck Baba and thanks for your efforts.

Eider Gudjohnsen was this week voted Iceland's Sports Personality of the Year as voted by the Icelandic Sports Writer's Association. Eider amassed a total of 329 points from a possible 400. Also Eider became the first footballer in seventeen years to win this accolade. Nice one Eider.

Rumours are abound that Chelsea may go for Everton's Thomas Gravesen to help bolster our midfield due to Scottie Parker's unfortunate injury. Gravesen whose contract is up in the Summer, still hasn't finalised a new deal and reports suggest that Everton are allowing him to source other options. With Everton flying high at the moment I really can't see Everton letting him go at the moment. But you know what the rumour mill is like.

For those who cannot get to the game tomorrow, like me - there will be news, scores update on the message board from 12.45pm tomorrow.

Hope everybody has a wonderful New Years Eve. Be safe, be careful and have a GREAT 2005.

To Arsenal and Man Utd fans, I hope 2005 is not that great - SMILE.