287 replies to this topic

[Brayerz]

Leave sturridge on the right, thats his best position IMO. Allows him to drift in behind the full back and round the back of the defence without being noticed. Fernando needs a start, but Drogba is more in form so i dont know on that front. Romeu back into midfield, keep Mikel away. Ivan looks unlikely so i would say this;

Cech
Bos-Luiz-JT-Cole
Romeu
Lampard-Meirleles
Studge-Torres-Mata

Edit; Just seen Rambo is suspended so out he comes

Edited by Brayerz, 23 December 2011 - 02:30 PM.

[Ben]

Mike 93, on 23 December 2011 - 01:11 PM, said:

Meirles was outstanding last night. How can you call him average?

outstanding? remind me of what he did that was outstanding?

[Eggy McMuffin]

Castiel, on 23 December 2011 - 02:29 PM, said:

At least Luiz is back.  Maybe a 4231 to maximise Mata's creativity to compensate for the loss of Rambo's runs?

----------- Cech -----------

Ivan - Luiz - Terry - Cole

---- Romeu - Meireles ----

- Danny - Mata - Kalou -

---------- Torres ----------

I think Drogba needs a break and its useless giving Torres 5 minutes here or there.  Either Sturridge or him up front.  Kalou is the concession but he does nick goals and with Mata in the hole he'll have three possible outlets in the final third rather than just the one when he drifts inside in the 433.  If Ivan's unfit then obviously bos (maybe CB again) or Paulo in.

I very much like this idea. I think it would be very effective, but there are question marks in a few places. Can Romeu step forward from the lone holding role (which is normally deeper than in the 4-2-3-1) or would he find it difficult to settle into a position he may not have played before and would Meireles have the awareness to drop in to cover Romeu at the right times. Kalou I think would be frustrating, but would definitely make us a more dynamic attacking threat than if we were playing the 4-3-3 without Ramires' runs.

It would be very interesting to see how that would pan out.

[Castiel]

Yeah worth a try was my thinking.  It'd be nicer to have a recognised left winger but the problem we've got at the moment is Mata can't be in 2 places at once.  He's either inside to create (which means he has no left wing outlet and Sturridge is usually the only pass on) or he's putting in crosses or making runs on his flank which leaves poor distribution in the middle.  Ramires and Mireless attack the back line rather than dissect it.

I'd trust Romeu in a double pivot.  He's incredibly adaptable and his positioning is one of the best aspects of his game.  We know how well he can pass as well and I'd be confident in his ability to come forward at the right time or circulate the ball to Mata effectively whilst sharing the defensive responsibility with Raul.  In fact, I'd be more worried about Meireles leaving him isolated back there with his tendencies as an AMC.  

Not sure if AVB will go for it though but our midfield without Ramires just feel very static.

[gee]

Castiel, on 23 December 2011 - 03:06 PM, said:

Yeah worth a try was my thinking.  It'd be nicer to have a recognised left winger but the problem we've got at the moment is Mata can't be in 2 places at once.  He's either inside to create (which means he has no left wing outlet and Sturridge is usually the only pass on) or he's putting in crosses or making runs on his flank which leaves poor distribution in the middle.  Ramires and Mireless attack the back line rather than dissect it.

I'd trust Romeu in a double pivot.  He's incredibly adaptable and his positioning is one of the best aspects of his game.  We know how well he can pass as well and I'd be confident in his ability to come forward at the right time or circulate the ball to Mata effectively whilst sharing the defensive responsibility with Raul.  In fact, I'd be more worried about Meireles leaving him isolated back there with his tendencies as an AMC.  

Not sure if AVB will go for it though but our midfield without Ramires just feel very static.

I totally agree with that last part, he's a player you wouldn't want to defend against with his direct running. If Ramires was fit against Wigan we would've won. He's been our best player in this calendar year by some way.

[Mike 93]

Ben, on 23 December 2011 - 02:43 PM, said:

outstanding? remind me of what he did that was outstanding?

The amount of people who agree with Meirles being outstanding is there for you to see in the MOTM thread. He ran his socks off, made some great tackles, and by the end dominated midfield for large parts of the game especially the second half.

Davey Baby, on 22 December 2011 - 10:29 PM, said:

It has to be Terry.

Special mention to Bosingwa, Cole, Mereiles (worked awfully hard) and Sturridge, but ..

It has to be Terry.

Nibs, on 23 December 2011 - 07:14 AM, said:

That was how I saw it too Just - Merieles just ahead of JT. Both were immense.

jezza, on 22 December 2011 - 10:55 PM, said:

JT with Mereiles a very close second.

These are some of the quotes from the MOTM thread

[General]

Luiz is not a 100 % certain, but Ivan is defo out, I remember Paulo playing CB one time and getting mugged, I think Bossy did ok against spurs so in an emergency maybe we would see the same backline that finished at WHL, unless AVB gets creative e.g. Drogba at CB ??? :)

Lampard back in for Rammy and the rest of the team picks itself, even though Fulham were 2 bob against Shrek & co they always seem to raise their game against us so I think it will be no cake walk. Listening to media and there is a strong indication of player discontent with Jol seems as though Zamora wants out, could all be BS just like CFC rubbish that gets printed,but I bet they show up Boxing Day. In fact I think the last time Chelsea easily turned them over at SB was in 2005 3-1, I was lucky enough to be there, ever since they have always given a good account of themselves with a few draws if I am not mistaken - like the recent CC match.

  Cech
    Bossy  Luiz ?  JT   Coley
Meirlels Rommeu Lamps
Studge  Drogba  Mata


I dont think AVB will rotate too much as he has very limited options so stick with the strongest lineup and realkly need 3 points

5am kick off for me, day after Christmas could be a DVR  moment

Come on Chelsea

[icecoolguy22]

For me, this is where the real test is, win the matches that we are supposed to win.We The next 5-6 are 'easy', we have to get maximum points out of them. were going through the motion against Wigan, can't afford the same mistake.  Rotation has to come into play, but let's not throw Mikel, Malouda, Kalou on at the same time. Drogba needs to be rested, his last few matches have been on and off, this will be his off game, so let him get some rest. In the worst case, we can call him on with 20 to go. We have to rest Mata and Sturridge some day, let's hope we don't rest them at the same time. With Mikel out, any chance Josh get a game?

[Mike 93]

Ben, on 23 December 2011 - 02:43 PM, said:

outstanding? remind me of what he did that was outstanding?

Here is a article written about our midfield where Meirles has been highlighted.
http://www.thisislon...ttle-for-avb.do

[CFCCAN]

All we can do now is to keep plugging away for the next 5 or 6 games and see where we sit at the end of January and who we have acquired and or sold.  Given the fixtures of our closest rivals only Liverpool have a hard fixture against City.  We need to stay in the top 4 and create a gap between us and 5/6.  It will be tough although I really do expect the Spuds to implode over the coming weeks.  If we remain focused and injury free we can secure 3rd place at least which should be our initial goal.  Easy 3 points against Fulham, the only two questions is 1. Will Torres start?   2. Who will play the two central roles at the back,?  the remainder of the team picks itself although I do have a concern re Mata's defensive abilities, he was not good against the spuds; he will need to work harder when chasing back and defending...

[Chelsea3]

I really hope mata doesn't play as a winger, I know we don't have another one but I just feel he would thrive more in the centre. When he scored his goal against arsenal thats where he had drifted...

[Andreas]

Mata has a free role, don't people know this? If he was just to play in the hole don't you think it would be easier to predict him? I like how he is used atm.

[Seven Times]

6-0 Chelsea.


Someone was due a hammering soon, and it's going to be Fulham.

[Myles_91]

Six Times, on 24 December 2011 - 12:17 PM, said:

6-0 Chelsea.


Someone was due a hammering soon, and it's going to be Fulham.

Fulham will raise their game as it is their cup final, I can't see a 6-0 thrashing.

[wxwax]

Myles_91, on 24 December 2011 - 06:37 PM, said:

Fulham will raise their game as it is their cup final, I can't see a 6-0 thrashing.

But under Jol they're slow and ponderous.

[Myles_91]

wxwax, on 24 December 2011 - 10:34 PM, said:

But under Jol they're slow and ponderous.

True, but rarely do you see teams get two back to back thrashings. There is the backlash and of course cup final factor that comes into play for this one. I think it'll be an under par 2-0 win or something like that. Fulham at the Bridge never has been easy.

Edited by Myles_91, 24 December 2011 - 11:04 PM.

[The Moos]

Torres gets to play the final 5 minutes, bagging three goals.

[wxwax]

I hadn't realized that Ramires was suspended.

[icecoolguy22]

I didn't notice Ramires will be out, this is going to be more difficult than normal. Possible make shift central defence, static midfield with lampard and Mereiless. A 1:0 will do, anything more than that is a bonus.

[Chelsea3]

A decent win and a Torres goal. Only then will Santa be real