1) So, Chelsea on a roll with six wins out of seven, are there any weaknesses in your team that I could point out to Gerard Houllier?!?!
Tomorrow, probably! We`re struggling to find two fully fit centre backs! Alex, who scored that wonderful free kick against Arsenal is out, Terry picked up a back injury training with England whilst young Jeffrey Bruma returned form international duty, with Holland, with a tight hamstring. Our Serbian defender, Ivanovic, will move across from right back, but if Heskey is at his bullish best we may struggle!
2) Are you confident of retaining the championship and does the money being spent at Man City concern you … ie they might buy the league like you guys did all those years back! ;o)
Damn cheek of it – buying the league! You`re not original you know!
City will go close but I still reckon their inconsistent away form will cost them. I`m looking no further than the big three of Chelsea, Manchester united and Arsenal for a winner this time around. Now whether it`ll be us is a bit early to say. We`ve had a great start but there`s a long way to go and some tricky fixtures to negotiate, starting with Villa this weekend.
3) Which of our players would you like and why?
I`d take Brad Freidel – we`re lacking a seriously competent back-up keeper, something that might cost us very dearly if Cech were to pick up a long term injury!
I`d also take Ashley Young for his flair, inventiveness and pace!
I might like to borrow either Dunne or Collins if we`re stranded for a centre back tomorrow!
4) What is your opinion on our appointment of Gerard Houllier?
It did surprise me. After his heart problems I`d have taken retirement but perhaps he`s the sort of person who needs pressure to survive. He did okay at Liverpool and I reckon he`ll do okay at Villa park although it may depend on how much cash Randy gives him this January and next summer.
5) What would you prefer, a Champions League title or to retain the Premiership title?
Perhaps I should answer it in the following manner!
What gives you a greater sense of achievement? Being top-dog after 38 grueling Premier League fixtures or emerging victorious in a competition that involves the luck of the draw, surviving incompetent officials and getting past UEFA`s hate of all things English, etc. etc.
The Premier League for me every time!
6) Your team appears to be ageing, does this concern you for the longer term?
Most definitely not!
To the outsider it may appear that way but we have some great prospects coming through. Essien and Mikel are still young, Cech has a few years in his locker, Alex and Terry are hardly pensioners and there are some fantastic prospects coming through our ranks, keep your eyes out for the likes of Jeffrey Bruma, Gael Kakauta, Patrick Van Aanholt, Ryan Bertand and Josh McEachran.
Our future is safe!
7) What is your prediction for tomorrow?
We`ve won once at Villa Park in ten seasons according to the record books and that was when Anelka skipped through to score the only goal in Guus Hiddink`s first game in charge. Tomorrow will be tough, no doubt you`d like revenge for the 7-1 drubbing of last season and the FA Cup semi-final defeat, I reckon it`ll be honours even, a 1-1 draw!
With thanks to Merlin at: www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk
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