Barclays Asia Trophy (27th-30th July 2011)

[Chris Smith]

Absolute nonsense about Dunne, he's looking much sharper than this time last year.

Did you turn on midway through the first half or are you choosing to ignore the pub-player defending for their goal?  There was nothing sharp about that.

He was caught out for the goal but other than that has played well, as he did on Wednesday.

[CJ]

Heskey on for Albrighton

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Go on Emile, kick bloody Terry up in the air.

[citizenDJ]

Only a pre season friendly but there are obvious weaknesses, midfield is piss weak and badly needs stengthening and all those who thought Albrighton could replace Young or Downing think again. I think it is good that AM is seeing how we fare against a top side.

Spot on robbo, that is the most important thing, to see who can cut it against one of the best teams in Europe. Midfield is still a big concern, we just don't seem to move as a unit up and down the field, particularly going forward. I think that is what is getting Ireland's goat and is the main difference between a team like Chelsea and ourselves...and not helped either by not having creative attacking full backs

I agree with that. I'm hoping that Makoun could be the man to link defense and attack, but I'm not too convinced just yet.

[Ad@m]

Absolute nonsense about Dunne, he's looking much sharper than this time last year.

Did you turn on midway through the first half or are you choosing to ignore the pub-player defending for their goal?  There was nothing sharp about that.

He was caught out for the goal but other than that has played well, as he did on Wednesday.

So you're also ignoring the Anelka chance towards the end of the half where he was put through on goal and Dunne didn't even attempt a challenge?

Based on this evidence I'd rather see Clark at centre half.  In reality I think Randy needs to get the cheque book out.

[Matt Collins]

Agree about albrighton. We really need another option on the wing. I fear he's really hit the wall and needs to improve in many ways or herisks going the way of Luke Chadwick and so many other young wingers

[Ad@m]

Heskey on for Albrighton

Shuffled the midfield around too:

Fonz wide right, Ireland wide left, and Heskey behind Gabby.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Listen to them bigging up Torres on Sky, how many goals has he scored for Chelski since they shelled out god know how much for him? A hell of a lot less than Benty !

[CJ]

Nice try Stan

[Chris Smith]

Absolute nonsense about Dunne, he's looking much sharper than this time last year.

Did you turn on midway through the first half or are you choosing to ignore the pub-player defending for their goal?  There was nothing sharp about that.

He was caught out for the goal but other than that has played well, as he did on Wednesday.

So you're also ignoring the Anelka chance towards the end of the half where he was put through on goal and Dunne didn't even attempt a challenge?

Based on this evidence I'd rather see Clark at centre half.  In reality I think Randy needs to get the cheque book out.

I'm not ignoring anything, I'm judging it for what it is. A pre season friendly against a stronger team where a failure to keep the ball has put us under too much pressure.

[Pete3206]

Great header. I hope Capello was watching that,

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Ooooooo Peta Enkleman nearly !

[Colhint]

better corner from delph

[citizenDJ]

Looks like Chelsea are giving up - they're sending Drogba and Torres on.

[Pete3206]

I hope Torres comes on soon. At least then we won't have to watch him warm up to the sound of Martin Tyler's vinegar strokes.