I know I am a bit late with this, but I thought it worth recording here that Steve Clarke followed Gianfranco Zola’s lead this afternoon and signed a new four year contract. Great news, eh?

I cannot think there will be a single reader of this blog who is not delighted by this turn of events. And if there is, they’re mad.

Full details HERE.

The Sun reports this morning that both Frank Lampard and John Terry have agreed to appear in the Tony Carr testimonial. I hope the cretins who abused them in such a disgraceful manner on Saturday will at least have the manners to acknowledge that the likes of Lampard and Terry should be allowed to pay tribute to the man who helped make them the players they are today. For those who don’t know, John Terry was on our books as a schoolboy.

I have refrained from commenting on what happened on Saturday until now, but it went way beyond the bounds of what is acceptable. I am well aware Lampard isn’t blameless and seems to enjoy winding us up, but the people who screamed their hate filled words on Saturday should note that it only served to spur him and Terry on. Baiting Lampard and Terry about their families is just a terrible thing for people to indulge in. I wonder how many of those who were screaming can look themselves in the mirror and think that they enjoy perfect domestic lives, Very few, I should imagine.

And if Paul Ince decides to appear too, I for one will give him credit for being a big enough man to come back and acknowledge what Tony Carr did for him as a young player.

The game should be a celebration of Tony Carr’s career and not be marred by stupid feuds which should have been over long ago.

[battens down the hatches]

James Tomkins 7.65
Robert Green 7.23
Lucas Neill 7.11
Luis Boa Morte 7.02
Matthew Upson 6.87
Herita Ilunga 6.58
Junor Stanislas 5.79
Kieron Dyer 5.76
Savio Nsereko 5.76
Mark Noble 5.66
Freddie Sears 5.05
Radoslav Kovac 4.70
Diego Tristan 4.68
David Di Michele 3.94

You have to say that was disappointing. Despite being outplayed and having only about 35% of the possession in the first half, we went in unlucky not to be two up. We had every reason to be optimistic about the second half, even though we were effectively only playing with ten players, with Di Michele hardly in the game and constantly losing possession.

Our defence was the reason why Chelsea had hardly a shot on goal in the first half. Malouda caused havoc down the left, but Lucas Neill was his equal. And James Tomkins was in imperious form. The boy’s timing is immaculate and I lost count of the number of times he glided in to intercept the ball or clear with his head. For me he was far and away the Man of the Match. Upson and Ilunga also had strong games. My heart was in my mouth when Ilunga stayed down after blocking a shot in the second half. But up he got and carried on.

If we lost the game anywhere it was in midfield. Boy did we miss Scott Parker. Noble did well in the first half but badly faded in the second. I thought his penalty was an excellent one – it’s just a shame the save was even more excellent. Perhaps he telegraphed it in his runup. That was made it three cast iron chances we muffed. Stanislas was pretty ineffective. He seemed scared to run at them. Boa Morte was the best of the midfielders (there, I’ve said it), putting in some tenacious tackles and creating a bit of havoc around their penalty area. Dyer was quiet. He had the best chance of the game, early in the first half, having been put through clear on goal by a delightful trick from Tristan. But he shot straight at Cech. He was replaced after 60 minutes by Kovac, who had an absolute nightmare.

Up front we had nothing. Nada. Nichts. Di Michele had his worst game for us, constantly losing possession. Tristan looked a bit brighter than usual, but it’s difficult to point to anything he achieved, apart from the pass through to Dyer, mentioned above.

Our basic trouble was that we won very little in the air and lost possession too often in midfield. Against Chelsea, you’re always going to get punished if you let them keep the ball as much as we did.

We could have got something out of this game, even if we didn’t deserve to.

Just one final word. Those who took part in the disgraceful chanting against Frank Lampard, highlighting his marriage split, should be ashamed of themselves. And they know it.

Green 8
Upson 7
Ilunga 7
Tomkins 8.5
Neill 7.5
Noble 6
Boa Morte 7
Stanislas 5
Dyer 5
Di Michele 3
Tristan 4
Kovac 3
Savio 4
Sears 4

It’s time to give your ratings for the players who played against Chelsea. Only vote if you saw the game.

Click HERE to vote. The results will be posted later on on Sunday.

I always look forward to games against Chelsea. They’re usually full of entertainment and goals – just what we like to see at Upton Park. Unfortunately, the majority of them seem to go in our own net. Perhaps that will change today. The way we are playing at the moment, even if it is a semi-reserve team, anything is possible.

I don’t expect too many changes to be rung today. Kovac is fit again and may well come into midfield replacing Boa Morte. Spector is also fit but I’d imagine Neill will continue in midfield with Tomkins retaining the right back position, assuming James Collins has recovered from his knock. If Zola really wants to go for it, he could bring in Savio, but I doubt whether he will.

The only other change I have a sneaking feeling Zola might make is to bring Sears into attack, replacing either Tristan or Di Michele. Tristan’s goal last week masked some abysmal performances by him, and he certainly doesn’t deserve a place in the side. But against Chelsea, you need a big man up front, and I just can’t see a strike force made up out of two titches getting much traction. I’d rather see James Collins up front than Tristan, to be honest.

Prediction? I’d be happy with a point – preferably in a 4-4 draw! And here’s my predicted team…

Green
Upson
Collins
Ilunga
Tomkins
Neill
Noble
Stanislas
Kovac
Di Michele
Tristan

As many of you know, Mark Noble is one of my favourite players. It’s his name that I have got on the back of my shirt. Reading his interview in today’s Guardian makes me proud that he plays for our club. Judge for yourselves HERE.

Click HERE to read Gianfranco Zola’s interview with the Daily Telegraph. He gives good interview.

Matthew Upson is already excited about next season according to the Daily Mail.

I think the club is going in the right direction and I am very excited about next season.

‘We can make it to the Europa League. Even though we still have Liverpool and Chelsea to play, they are both home games. Europe is a big goal for the club and it will be interesting next season if we achieve it to see how things go.

‘It would mean exciting times at the club next season without a doubt. If we can get some players back fit and bring a couple of new players in, then this club and team can really go places.

‘The longer the boss stays the better. He has done brilliantly since he came in and has a very good relationship with the players.

‘He has great tactical awareness and gets a lot of respect because of the quality of player he was. If you are not a good manager that soon wears off but he has proved that he has good managerial skills.’

Highlights of our 2006 victory against Arsenal are being shown on ESPN Classic (Sky 442) tonight at 7.00pm and repeated at 10.50pm.

Just thought you’d like to know.