635 replies to this topic

[BenR55]

Excuse me if I missed out as I have scanned through what people have written but I have a question.

Why on earth are people putting Bertrand ahead of Cole? For me this makes no sense we fighting for top 4 and big game coming up this weekend as its 100% teams around us will drop points so why drop an experienced LB in Ashley?

Cech
Bosingwa Cahill Terry Cole
Essien - pending on how well hes trained this week
Ramires Lampard
Mata Torres Sturridge

[mad_mac]

Because Cole has played nearly every minut eof every game since coming to Chelsea, even playing through injury.

We have a very competent young player in Ryan Bertrand who is able to do a good job when called apon, and seems to be more eager with an attacking cross early (something that Cole seems loathe to do lately).

I think it wouldn't be a huge gamble and it would restore some faith in a promising younger that he has a chance.  I also think it would restore some of our faith that we finally have a manager able and willing to play some youth.

[ozboy]

Once and for all AVB does play youth. He is playing Romeu fairly regularly. If Josh and Bertrand aren't playing its because they aren't perceived to offer enough over the alternatives.

Personally I think cole could be rested, but I don't see him v Bertrand on the training ground regularly.

What I do see is that goals have been conceded by us as a result of opposition wingers cutting inside our full backs on both the left and right on fairly regular basis. Less so when Ivan plays.

[jezza]

BenR55, on 18 January 2012 - 12:38 AM, said:

Excuse me if I missed out as I have scanned through what people have written but I have a question.

Why on earth are people putting Bertrand ahead of Cole? For me this makes no sense we fighting for top 4 and big game coming up this weekend as its 100% teams around us will drop points so why drop an experienced LB in Ashley?

If Ash got injured it would be handy to have someone slot straight in and not need a few games to adjust to the speed of the PL, also Ash has looked a bit out of sorts for a while.

[CFCCAN]

If Sturridge plays we have a shot at 3 points, Sturridge adds that extra edge and unpredictability up front and can get a goal out of nothing, on the other hand he can blow chances or fail to find that killer pass...depends which Danny shows up.   Early starts are not good for us as we tend to blow these types of opportunities to put pressure on the chasing pack. Norwich are playing well and are no push overs.  If we start ponderously slow this will be an uphill battle for 90 minutes ala Wigan and Fulham.....I would hope for 3 points but we may have to settle for one.   I think Torres just might break his goal scoring drought this game and open the floodgates....well a trickle at least.

[sneakyolz]

Cech
Luiz - Cahill - Terry - Cole
Romeu/Essien
Lampard - Ramires
Sturridge - Torres - Mata

Prediction: Will be a big scoring game imo. Torres to bag a couple of goals and sturridge to return with another goal.

[TheWestwayWonder]

ethicalstrategy, on 16 January 2012 - 01:27 PM, said:

I'd have thought Cahill was a good bet to start.

Agreed, unless his training this week went very badly.

This is a guy who has full match fitness and has played with JT many times before. I think he is a cert to start.

[wxwax]

Some quicks thoughts from my Norwich City friend:

Quote

I’m waiting for reality to set in. It’s been a great ride so far but (as a typical City fan that is always looking at the glass half empty rather than the glass half full) I know bad times are just around the corner. When underdogs are expected to do well they do not so I think Chelsea will win on Saturday 2-1 (if you saw the Spurs Norwich game where class overcame endeavor you will understand my reasoning).
Lambert might play Morrison and Holt against Terry and Cahill….but I hope he plays two wingers and just Morrison upfront…but we will see. The manager has done a great job so far so I will not question any of his decisions.

[rahul]

Holt looks to me the kind of player who would score against us.

[bjd]

TheWestwayWonder, on 18 January 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

Agreed, unless his training this week went very badly.

This is a guy who has full match fitness and has played with JT many times before. I think he is a cert to start.

Yep Cahill goes straight in for me.

None of this getting used to new surroundings and team mates malarkey. Straight in.

The boy is English, has played alongside at least 3 of his new teammates before, he knows the Premier League inside out and knows the score. He isnt a new South American or African getting used to a new country, climate, style of play etc - he goes straight in.

Whilst this isnt going to be popular with some, it has to be for Luiz. We have looked so weak at the back recently we need tightening up and solidity. We need the rest of the team to feel comfortable that the defence are not going to pull a ricket at any second. Luiz has a massive part to play for us in the future -  I have no doubt about that, but right now we need to get it tight back there and quickly.

If Ivanovic can make it to right back ahead of Bosingwa too that would be brilliant. I just cant see how AVB can justify picking Bos anymore, especially when Paulo is fit. At least Paulo keeps it tight.

Edited by bjd, 19 January 2012 - 08:25 AM.

[dkw]

We need to play full backs who stop crosses as they will pound them in onto Holtes head, and Bosingwa doesnt do that. I`m with bjd, I would rather play Paulo than Bos in this game.

[mclovin83]

dkw, on 19 January 2012 - 10:41 AM, said:

We need to play full backs who stop crosses as they will pound them in onto Holtes head, and Bosingwa doesnt do that. I`m with bjd, I would rather play Paulo than Bos in this game.

I take it Brana won't make this game then?

[blizeH]

If Cahill comes straight into the first team to play alongside Terry, I hope we switch Luiz to right back ahead of Bosingwa. At least until Ivanovic is fit again.

To be honest, contrary to popular opinion I hope we perserve with Luiz anyway. I know he needs to sort his head out, his concentration at times is pretty shocking, but his natural ability could yet turn him into one of the best centre backs in the world.

[footballoholic]

mclovin83, on 19 January 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

I take it Brana won't make this game then?

Nope. Everyone's fit. For the first time this season!

http://www.youtube.c...&v=t9asVX8kE0g#!

[dkw]

Brana`s fit? Good, thats that decision sorted then.

[dantheman23]

Cech

ivanovic luiz terry cole

romeu
lampard ramires

sturride torres mata

Thats the team he will play I reckon although cahill should defintly be in ahead of luiz. Holt and morrison if they both start it will be a bombardment in on top of luiz as every manager in the league knows he is vulnerable. It might be harsh to say but his type of football isnt suited for the premiership and should be shipped out to spain if any substantial offer came in over the summer. Unbelievable character and I love him for that but lets face it every game he starts we watch cringing and waiting for him to make his next clanger. We need solidity and he is a million miles from that.

[Lane]

dantheman23, on 19 January 2012 - 03:37 PM, said:

Cech

ivanovic luiz terry cole

romeu
lampard ramires

sturride torres mata

Thats the team he will play I reckon although cahill should defintly be in ahead of luiz. Holt and morrison if they both start it will be a bombardment in on top of luiz as every manager in the league knows he is vulnerable. It might be harsh to say but his type of football isnt suited for the premiership and should be shipped out to spain if any substantial offer came in over the summer. Unbelievable character and I love him for that but lets face it every game he starts we watch cringing and waiting for him to make his next clanger. We need solidity and he is a million miles from that.

i have to disagree here, ive been one of his biggest critics but hes definitely showing signs of improvement in the last 5 or 4 matches.

the only major screw up from him was when he let bendtner through on goal, but i can forgive him that one. also, some people said it was a clear offside, i wouldnt know as i didnt see the replay from a proper angle

[dkw]

We have 2 new first team players available for this game I think, doesnt Piazon become available now also? Not that I think he will be included in the squad for this game.

[Mike 93]

dkw, on 19 January 2012 - 05:15 PM, said:

We have 2 new first team players available for this game I think, doesnt Piazon become available now also? Not that I think he will be included in the squad for this game.

Yep Piazon should be ready for Norwich, or definitely the game after, however like you said its unlikely he will feature.

[footballoholic]

Lane, on 19 January 2012 - 04:38 PM, said:

i have to disagree here, ive been one of his biggest critics but hes definitely showing signs of improvement in the last 5 or 4 matches.

the only major screw up from him was when he let bendtner through on goal, but i can forgive him that one. also, some people said it was a clear offside, i wouldnt know as i didnt see the replay from a proper angle

Not quite. Last 4 or 5 matches, he's been noticeably less rash, but still makes mistakes a bit too regularly for me to feel safe when he's on the pitch: v Fulham - Dempsey got in front of him for the goal iirc, v Villa - nowhere for the Petrov goal, v Pompey - dallying on the ball, only saved by Jt clearing off the line.

Cahill to go straight in for me too. An Ivan - Cahill - JT - Cole backline should see our defensive nightmares behind us hopefully.