330 replies to this topic

[just]

Andreas, on 01 January 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

Torres to start, thought the Drogs was back but that was just for the Valencia game and since then he just looks like he dont give a f**k!

Man Citeh? Tottenham?

Why, according to you, is Drogba always the only one who apparently doesn't give a f*ck?

Lampard? Torres? Malouda? Terry? Mata? Merieles? Ivanovich? They've all had poor games at some point or other this season. Perhaps they don't give a f*ck either. Hey, here's a thought, perhaps the whole team don't give a f*ck? In which case we're f*cked!

[evissy]

Eggy McMuffin, on 02 January 2012 - 08:23 AM, said:

When I watched the game I kept seeing Villa defending deep. Which meant there wasn't the space to counter attack, which meant we had lots of possession in areas where it's difficult to threaten from. I don't think it's as easy as saying 'lets counter attack more', it takes the other team to attack us first and Villa weren't exactly committing men forwards and I doubt Wolves will either. You can have as many fast players on the pitch as you like but if the opposition are playing deep there isn't the space in behind for them to use that pace. That's when you need players to get to the byline and cross it in (no wingers in your formation), a player with the vision and ability to pick out a pass in a congested area (your formation puts Mata in the perfect place to do just that), or the brute force we used to be able to rely on Drogba for.

It's an eenie meenie mynie mo kind of situation and at times it takes a bit of luck (against Villa we got the penalty) or a moment of magic. I don't think there's a massive amount that can be done with the players we have right now. My preferred choice is a 4-2-3-1 (I will at some point shut up about it), as it gets Mata in the middle and it still gives us a threat in behind on the wings, so we have 2 out of the 3 ways to break down a team parking the bus. Admittedly it does mean that we have to rely on a performance from Kalou or Malouda which are rare occurrences these days, but that'd be my choice.

That is the question. How will Wolves approach the game? If we 'give' them the ball and defend by clogging the middle we could have that c-a scenario. If they do take the ball and start moving it around(like we did sat.) we can go on and counter attack but we need to do it very fast. Ramires and Mata are the key players in that. I think that type of play worked very nicely against City and at Newcastle too. They are the home team so it usually means they will try to attack instead of parking it.

[scottish born chelsea blue]

anyone else hopeing that we play a blend of youth and whats left lets fire sam on get bertrand in there even play piazon for a bit of his creativity i just want to see something being tried thats all rather than same players same tactic same outcome

[shedpensioner]

Eggy McMuffin, on 02 January 2012 - 03:08 AM, said:

I can see Lampard starting this one instead of Meireles either way. I'd like to see a 4-2-3-1, but with that many attacking injuries and doubts I don't think this is the game to try it.

I'd say with injuries its exactly the time to try something different

[blizeH]

I am (somewhat deludedly) expecting us to hit back hard today. Torres will start, and he shall score. Just more of what we saw from him against Aston Villa and we'll be just fine

[Zeta Orionis]

Torres won't score. He'll probably hit the woodwork or the keeper will pull off an amazing save though. His run of bad luck is just getting ridiculous now and I can't see it ending for him until he leaves and starts afresh at a new club (or an old one).

[clubhappy]

Looks like Josh might start , wouldnt have Drogs near the starting line up after Sat , he has to give the Torres , Mata and Sturridge  combination a longer  run of games , Torres looked really up for it when he came on . Im just concerned that the spirit and morale in the squad is low and AVB hasnt done hinself any favours with his attitude .

[loz]

clubhappy, on 02 January 2012 - 12:44 PM, said:

Looks like Josh might start , wouldnt have Drogs near the starting line up after Sat , he has to give the Torres , Mata and Sturridge  combination a longer  run of games , Torres looked really up for it when he came on . Im just concerned that the spirit and morale in the squad is low and AVB hasnt done hinself any favours with his attitude .

What makes you say that about Josh?  I would be very surprised if he did and although I would like to see it I actually think it would highlight that AVB is struggling badly with team selection as Josh will have moved from 'nowhere near the first team and going out on loan' to 'starting in a Premiership game.'

I would also agree about Torres.  I wasn't saying that a few weeks ago however Drogba is again looking painfully short of form and although I still find the idea that Torres is showing some form a bit perplexing (not saying you are clubber) that means Torres merits a run to see if he can do better.

[Gem]

Will there be an upset & we win?!?!

Play Nando AVB.

[CFCCAN]

Who's going to score if Sturridge is not fit to play?   To think where we might have been sitting had we had won against Wigan, Fulham and Villa...41 points, 4 behind the leaders so 3 points today is an absolute must to even stay in contention for a top 4 spot by the end of the season...still 19 to go and anything can happen.

[Blueblur]

Our reserves have more chance of winning this game for us. Stick Turnbull in goal, Bertrand, Hutch and Chalobah in defense, Josh and Romeu in midfield, with Studge Mata and Torres leading the line. Then we might win.

[shedpensioner]

Can't believe I'm worried about a game against Wolves, I mean I know we have no devine right but its Wolves!

If we lose this game that would be 2 points out of 12 which really isn't good enough!

[footballoholic]

Apparently its Cech, cole, luiz romeu lamps Torres mata meireles Ramires bosingwa JT.

Now let me try and figure that out.

[Blueblur]

Confirmed team v Wolves: Cech Bosingwa Luiz Terry Cole Romeu Lampard Meireles Ramires Mata Torres

Very odd!

[Bluehatter]

footballoholic, on 02 January 2012 - 02:06 PM, said:

Apparently its Cech, cole, luiz romeu lamps Torres mata meireles Ramires bosingwa JT.

Now let me try and figure that out.

I reckon we will line up as follows
   Cech
Boss     luiz   Jt     cole
   Romeu
    Ramires   Mereiles
Lamps
  Mata
    Nando


That just dosn't look right but at least he is trying something different

[Zeta Orionis]

Diamond presumably, with Mata behind Torres

[gojo_ed]

Hmm strange one...Ramires as a right winger? Or a very narrow 4-4-1-1 with Mata behind Torres I expect.

[Brayerz]

Thats a weird selection maybe like this

Cech
Bos-Luiz-Terry-Cole
Romeu-Meireles
Rami-Lampard-Mata
Torres

[Zeta Orionis]

Ramires isn't a wide player, and Mata always drifts in field anyway, so I can't see beyond it being a 4-4-1-1 with Mata sitting behind Torres and the "width" coming from the fullbacks.

[footballoholic]

Chelsea subs vs. Wolves: Turnbull, Ferreira, Hutchinson, Bertrand, Chalobah, McEachran, Lukaku.

Wow at that bench!