257 replies to this topic

[slackhands]

BlueSkies, on 03 January 2012 - 03:07 PM, said:

I think it's probably still too soon to throw Sam into a full 90 minutes for the first team. It was only a few months ago he was still taking it slowly with the reserves, we don't want to rush things and mess up the recovery.

Should be able to manage 45 though. He's played the full 90 in most of the reserve games against the likes of Villa, who are probably on par with Pompey.

[icecoolguy22]

Unless we are getting a few players in the next few days, the 11 players played against Wolves will pick themselves automatically for this one. Likely changes will be Josh , Betrand and the reserve goal keeper come in for a start, We aren't playing well, the FA cup maybe only chance to win something this seasn, can't see us risking too much.

[CFCCAN]

As much as many think that the youngsters should get a run out I disagree, IMO we should play the strongest team possible and hammer them to get the goalscorers scoring, if were up 4 we should want 5, then 6 and so on. If we were on a good run and playing well I certainly would consider the young angle as I have been a strong supporter of bringing the youngster through, but we are fragile and need to build confidence and get the winning mentality back...although I'm sure if we are 5 up AVB will give the youngster a run out.

[romansoldier1981]

I agree we should put out a strong team but it doesnt mean we cant put a few youngsters in.

Cech
Ivanovic Luiz Terry Bertrand
Mikel (to give Romeu a rest)
Ramires Lamps Malouda (rest Mata who looks knackered)
Studge (if fit or Lukaku) Torres

subs:
Chalobah
Piazon
Lalkovic
Kalou
Turnbull
Bertrand

if the starting 11 cant get goals then we really do need to spend a lot this month

[General]

Been a mixed bag in the FA Cup playing teams from lower leagues in recent seasons, the biggest blunder being Uncle Avram getting knocked out by Barnsley by 1- 0. Under Carlo Chelsea hammered Watford 5 - 0 (cup winning season) and Ipswich 7- 0 last year. Also remember a narrow 1 - 0 over QPR as well in the 3rd round by TSO.

What usually happens if it goes tits up is the likes of Lampard, Sturridge etc. left on the bench come on to sort it out in the 2nd half. I don't really care who gets rested or who gets a chance in the outfield, I do however want to see Cech in goal for a bit of insurance.

Pompey are languishing in 17th place in the championship, they have had a mixed bag of results lately, so if Chelsea can't thump them at Stamford Bridge even without the likes of Torres, Lampard Ivan, Cole, JT etc. starting - lord help us.

[evissy]

FA cup and CL are the competitions we need to have to keep our players dreaming and pushing forward. If we crash out early from both I'm not sure if the motivation is very good among the players. They are used to trophies and that is what keeps them going. 4th place in the league isn't a big motivator I'm sure.

I just hope we win, nothing else. I'd love to see Josh play though.

[nonotnowjim]

Would like to see Bertrand instead of Ash and for Lukaku to get significant game time.

Oh, and if we have already signed Cahill, then he can get his debut.

[jungbrunnenwald]

Defense and center midfield should stay (so the usual ones) offense and wingers : let the youngsters have a go!

[shedpensioner]

This has the potential to be a banana skin, so I'd go witha blend of youth and experience!

If at all poss though I would rest JT and Ashley.

If we have signed Cahill, this could be a good debut and obviously I want to see Josh play a full 90 minutes if poss!

[PloKoon13]

Judging by the quality of the article and the general reputation of the media this is almost certainly made up, but allegedly JT is injured and might miss this one:

http://www.clubcall....ck-1363034.html

[erskblue]

3-0 Chelsea for me

[Tallchris]

A couple of Pompey supporting mates of mine are going to this on, can anyone recommend any pubs that are both home and way friendly?

Also, they wanna watch catch the Man U Vs City game, I know there are TVs in the West stand (where I sit) that show games, but do they have them in the shed as well?

[mclovin83]

I would pretty much go full strength for this, Bertrand & McEachran would start, maybe give Romeu a break if Mikel is fit to cover but other than that I would not change anything.
We simply must progress in this competition and losing at home to Pompey under the current circumstances would be morale crushing.
A big high scoring win please....

[Kalou Time]

My team would be:

-------------Cech------------
Paulo -- Ivan --- Luiz -- Bertrand

Ramires - Romeu - Josh - Malouda

--- Lukaku ---- Torres ----


At home, to a championship side, lets go for it. We dont need a strict holding midfielder. Good old 442, let Lukaku take a defender away from Torres and hope they can both get some chances to score

[evissy]

mclovin83, on 04 January 2012 - 09:49 PM, said:

I would pretty much go full strength for this, Bertrand & McEachran would start, maybe give Romeu a break if Mikel is fit to cover but other than that I would not change anything.
We simply must progress in this competition and losing at home to Pompey under the current circumstances would be morale crushing.
A big high scoring win please....

Can't see us winning big against anyone. Especially against a team like Pompey who are playing at a lower level and they will defend like rabid dogs. We'd be better facing an attacking team but that is not in the cards now is it..

We also seem to have this mental barrier playing at home. We are tense and always waiting for something to happen rather than making something happen.

I'd definitely start Josh with Lampard and maybe Meireles. D-line: Paulo-Ivanovic-JT-Bertrand. For attack Torres-Sturridge and Malouda.

[Chelsea3]

Hope we stick with 442 add youth to the team eg bertrand Josh and lukaku(sub)

[clubhappy]

Just hope Portsmouth come for a game and dont sit with 11 players in their own half .

[Gem]

Sam to get some minutes!

[MrBump]

CFCCAN, on 04 January 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

As much as many think that the youngsters should get a run out I disagree, IMO we should play the strongest team possible and hammer them to get the goalscorers scoring...

I agree that the result is of paramount importance. I think we can afford to rest certain players (e.g. Mata, Ash) while still sending out a strong team that should be capable of dismantling Portsmouth. With the inconsistency we've been showing this season it's still about steadying the ship. The most important thing I think AvB has to do is play Torres. His performance against Wolves was encouraging, he's making intelligent runs and passes, all he needs now is to grab a couple of goals and (fingers crossed) his Chelsea career can really get underway.

[Eggy McMuffin]

I think we need to rest certain players. I think Mata and Cole need a rest, definitely and I'd like to give Ramires a rest. He's fit as anyone but we're going to need him at his best for the rest of the season so a game off (or at least on the bench) would help him. I'd also not risk Sturridge or Ivan with their slight knocks. It doesn't leave us with our strongest side, but it's not exactly going to leave us with a side that should be struggling against Pompey.

Turnbull

Ferreira Luiz Terry Bertrand

Mikel

Lampard McEachran

Kakuta-----------------------Malouda

Torres

Bench: Cech, Hutch, Cole, Romeu, Meireles, Mata, Studge

That rests pretty much everyone and shouldn't have much issue against Portsmouth. Lukaku is probably more likely to start on the wing than Lukaku, but I hate that. If Lukaku starts, it has to be in place in of Torres, but I think that might weaken the side a bit too much. If Kalou wasn't at the African Cup of Nations he'd be in on the right, but I think that's still a strong side that rests a fair few key players and has enough experience for any situation. With the strength on the bench we can right any tough situations, or if things go well bring Hutch on for a good half hour or so.