Can I just point out to everyone who still goes on about the Rob Styles incident of robbing us a win that day, to give it a rest. The fact was that we still had 30 minutes after they scored to win the game. We didn't. We had 62 minutes before the incident to get a second goal and put the game to bed. We didn't.
Yes, Rob Styles gifted them a goal, but the pattern of the game at that juncture, was Chelsea were getting more and more dangerous, and i think it was only a matter of time before they scored. The chance they had with Terry before half time could have easily been touched in with a bit of luck. Pizarro should have scored with that header, with a bit of luck. But that luck they were missing was provided back to them by the incompetence of an official. That doesn't mean that we only drew that game because of one man, as some on here would like it to be known.
Xabi was in my opinion, and still, is the worst of the 4 'best midfielders' currently. This is based on current form alone, and also not based on any goals being scored. Masch is ahead of him. What Xabi gives us in terms of attacking initiative and passing, Masch more than compensates in terms of defensive cover, and allowing Gerrard to play offensively without needing to worry about anything behind him. We should have played our best midfield pairing against Chelsea. That means Gerrard and Masch. In my opinion, we would have won that game if we had. Rob Styles or no Rob Styles..
Comedy mate - an array of wild claims with no reference to facts:
"the pattern of the game at that juncture, was Chelsea were getting more and more dangerous",
"Xabi was in my opinion, and still, is the worst of the 4 'best midfielders' currently.",
"Masch is ahead of him. What Xabi gives us in terms of attacking initiative and passing, Masch more than compensates in terms of defensive cover".
Can you offer some facts to substantiate that? There seems to be a lot against what you claim and little for.
No one on this thread said Styles was the only reason Chelsea got a point, but the fact remains they only managed one serious shot on target and that was very much whistleblower-assisted. Even with the Terry chance you allude to, that came off the back of a highly controversial free kick against Pennant in Ashley Cole's favour. It's pretty hard to credibly argue they didn't get more than their fair share of luck on that occasion, too.
My question for you is: do you think Rafa generally makes decisions on the basis of 'feel' or 'facts'? I know which one I'd back.