For years we all had to put up with the sniping about the size of Chelsea’s on-loan troupe and how the club was getting it so wrong. We are not really hearing much of that now are we? It was probably difficult for the club to stay focused, stick with and believe in that method when the flak was flying but to their credit they did so.



When United fans or any others start shouting to ‘play the kids’ I just hope for their sakes they have been spending the last decade developing them in the right way and more importantly, been able to pick the best coming through. You can work as hard as you like on development, but if the young player hasn’t got the innate talent, the right work ethic and correct attitude then you can hope all you like, but it ain’t happening with him. It is also grossly unfair to throw youngsters in too early, it can destroy some that need a little time, if things do not go well.



From a drab game on a drab day in the North-East, Sunday on the sunny South Coast itself was another astounding display away from home for the Blues. St Mary’s is a tough place to go, in the last 22 months in the Premier League only one team has scored four goals in one game at that ground, it was of course Man City who can do that to anyone when they have one of those days.



Twelve goals in the past three away league games is fine reward for the travelling fans who had to take that early season 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the chin. It was the oddest of games and certainly the final scoreline was a travesty back in August. That is clear now to anyone who watches both those teams regularly, or even just on the highlights programmes. I can’t imagine any United fans at this point thinking their club is in a better place than ours.



In the midst of all the talk of the classy kids, Tammy being joint top scorer in the league and Mason Mount ready to waltz effortlessly into the England team, Chelsea fans have also noted that a couple of players who were derided in the past by some, have suddenly in their eyes improved.

