With due respect its Birmingham and not Barcelona

Blame it on my being busy with other things in life. I know Ive not been spending too much time on the BlueChampions space.There was once a time when I use to not only blog the pre-match, post-match and non-match opinions but also actively participate in the comments section Id like to do all that. I will.For now, lets live in the comfort that Im fully aware that Im not spending enough time here and that Im pissing off some of you because of that. Because Im aware, Ill do something about it, very soon.Away at Birmingham tomorrow. There are a few things that are threatening Chelseas party tomorrow.Firstly, Birmingham are on an unbeaten run and they get to play at home tomorrow They can be a tough opposition. If they are above Liverpool in the league table on Christmas day, you need to take them seriously.Secondly, we might play in our dark away kit See, Ive got nothing against this away kit In fact, I really like it.

Its just that not having won even a single match wearing that kit could have us psyched out as soon as our players walk out on the pitch. If we play in our dark away kit, let tomorrow be the day we notch our first win in that lovely kit.Chelsea have not yet recovered from their slight dip in form. For about half a dozen matches, weve been shaky, unsure and either very lucky or very unlucky. What we need at this stage is a very resounding win like a 3-0 or 4-0 where Petr Cech is hardly seen.For this expectation, it would be ideal for us to play against a team in disarray at Stamford Bridge. But we get to a play a team thats high on confidence and also play at their own home stadium Anyway, lets be honest. With due respect, its Birmingham and not Barcelona.We will be missing Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien and Deco.

I hope we continue with the 4-4-2 diamond instead of Carlo Ancelotti s favourite away formation 4-3-2-1.Playing 4-4-2 would accommodate Daniel Sturridge Im never a harsh critic of Salomon Kalou. But even I think that Sturridge must get ahead of Kalou in team selection. Sturridges performance in the 45 mins that he got in the last match was very good. I thought he had the strength and pace that Kalous badly missing.With whatever I have seen of Sturridge, he also seems to be more of a team player than Kalou and also certainly has a better final ball than the Ivorian. If you didnt know already, Ancelotti has said that Sturridge would get a start tomorrow.Im all too excited for Sturridge. The one observation I have about him is that he looks way too pensive Like how Anelka was until last season. I know he is very focused and determined and all that but cmon, you can loosen up a bit.