So where exactly do we go from here

Alrighty then. International break and two weeks of introspection ahead of us. About as good a time as ever to really think about what the hell we have to be happy with seven games down the road.

First, we're 4th, and 4 points behind Chelski and Pool. Sounds alright, but honestly, we were ahead just two games ago, and have yet to play any of the top four, while both Chelski and Pool have already played Man U. By all accounts, we've had a really easy first seven games, and should have done much better.

Second, we've got no major injury problems to complain about - but that just makes it worse in that we've got no excuses on that front. Against Hull and Sunderland, we had just about our best 11. (Come to think of it, we didn't have Eboue. Maybe we just lacked our cutting edge there. haha!)

It really feels sucky so far, but let's have a nice balanced think through about this. Just two games ago, after the young 'uns had whipped Sheffield United, it was all celebratory and shit. In all reality, two games don't make or break a season. It does reveal certain problems, and on the positive side, it's better these things get revealed now, and get worked on early.

After seven games then, I'd give us 6/10. There have been nice moments, but too many scary ones mixed in. Much to work on. On the other hand, I'd give Pool 9/10 and Chelski maybe 8/10. Considering that we're 4 points behind, that's not too bad. Pool will slip up, and we can only hope that Chelski don't keeping romping on.

What the boss needs to do is really look at how he can rotate the squad a little bit more, and look again at the heart of his defence and captaincy. If the guys lacked "sharpness" as he claimed, then c'mon, do something about it. I cannot help but wonder what Ramsey, Wilshere, Vela and Bendtner could have done against Sunderland. Could hardly have been worse than what the seniors did.

And the goals we've conceded. Holy Shit. Three from corners is unacceptable, especially since we usually lead in the corner count by something like 12-3. We're just not defending them well, and that's usually just a problem with being static. For that, I put down to Kolo not having a great start, and Mohawk Billy once more not being the force that the manager thinks he is. The Sunderland game was probably a great time to blood the young ones, and stick Silvestre into the fray. Now, it'll probably be a bit too late. Not sure Le Boss will experiment with change after the break.

Looking ahead, I think much will be clearer come 3pm GMT on 8 November 2008. We'd have just played Man U, and Chelsea-Pool would have taken place a few weeks before. We'd also have played Fenerbahce home and away, and our Champions League credentials should be clear either way by then.

Finally, Le Boss needs to shut it about teams being "defensive". Let's face it, whatever you call it, they've been successful. I mean, how can he complain about Sunderland defending when they actually scored? We've had this happen to us time and time again, so it can't be new to us. We need a Plan B, just like all other teams have both Plans A and B. But methinks Le Boss ain't going the way of Plan B. We can only hope that he at least makes minor changes - starting first with looking at the defence, and reconsidering Kolo-Gallas.