Blimey! We've got a match on Saturday guys. Didn't anyone notice?

Presumably we will see Ashley, Frank, Essien and Drogba restored to the line up after being "rested" for the cup game.

I can't believe JT is really fit. I wouldn't risk him if there's a chance he'll be able to play against Napoli next Wednesday.

We will rest JT. We need him against Napoli. We could play Cahill-Ivan duo at center.

Is this not the match where Gem will meet BobbyTambling?

Question is who is Terry going to replace when he is fit?

Presumably we will see Ashley, Frank, Essien and Drogba restored to the line up after being "rested" for the cup game.

I bloody hope not! I'd far rather Torres and Bertrand kept their places, and Lampard needs to be dropped for a few matches until he shows signs of either improvement over his recent form, and/or a willingness to actually put some effort in. Essien is clearly the exception, he's got to play.

Is this not the match where Gem will meet BobbyTambling?

Really? I'd missed that. Coolness!

Essien should be the only one coming in for me and maybe sturridge. Apart from that unchanged please!

Does anyone seriously believe that Frank Lampard won't be in the first XI?

Essien should be the only one coming in for me and maybe sturridge. Apart from that unchanged please!

Dissagree, thought you had a cracker against brum Bluehatter.

Drop Terry and Lampard I say. If they've got the club's interest at heart, they'll understand and be prepared to fight for their place. If not, they can do the other thing.

I must say RDM is impressive. Obviously an intelligent bloke, and doesn't leave you wondering "WTF is he going on about?". Our previous two managers have not exactly inspired confidence in that respect.

Really? I'd missed that. Coolness!

Pay attention, wxwax!

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

Ivan - Cahill - Luiz - Bertrand

--- Ramires - Essien

Sturridge - Mata - Kalou

------ Torres/Drogba

I wish Lukaku was getting more of an opportunity but I don't expect to see him.

Dissagree, thought you had a cracker against brum Bluehatter.

Really? I don't think rdm saw it that way but thanks!

Playing Drogba would be a mistake, he is meat and drink for teams like Stoke, dare i say it but more Kalou and Torres!

Playing Drogba would be a mistake, he is meat and drink for teams like Stoke, dare i say it but more Kalou and Torres!

We've seen Drogba bully the Premier League bullies for years. Whether he shows up or not is another matter.

We've seen Drogba bully the Premier League bullies for years. Whether he shows up or not is another matter.

I don't think drogba can bully defences anymore let alone stokes! Keep torres in there he played well against them earlier in the season!

I agree on Torres v Drogba for this one. Drogba USED to bully teams like this. I think we're going to need a little more quickness, fluidity, etc. to pass around Stoke, not try to power through them.

Maybe Kalou, Torres, and Sturridge across the front line with Mata in behind. The other 2 mids can be Ramires/Essien in one spot, and Frank in the other coming forward on late runs.

Cech

Ivanovic

Luiz

Cahill

Bertrand

Ramires

Essien

Sturridge

Mata

Kalou

Torres

Drogba, Lampard and Terry need to be dropped, then we'll know if they have the clubs best interest at heart and especially with Drogs and Lamps due to current form.

Drogba frightens defenders a lot more than does Torres.

Drogba frightens defenders a lot more than does Torres.

Birmingham kept atleast 2 defenders marking Torres EVERY second of the game. If Birmingham werent scared why would they waste their defence?

433 with either striker won't do the job for us. I feel we need to accomodate both Drogba/Torres in the 11 to maximize our chances of scoring a goal or 2.

cech

ivan cahill luiz bertrand

ramires essien lampard

sturridge torres mata

------------

ramires mata lampard

sturridge torres drogba

And its interesting to note the following stats:

Goals scored Lampard 10, Sturridge 9, Mata 5, Terry, Drogba and Ramires 4, Torres 2

I mean really, Drogba and Torres six goals between them, for a team that is 5th in the league. Both have started 13 games in the Premier.

Cech

Luiz - Ivan - Cahill - Betrand

Lampard - Essien

Ramires - Torres - Mata

Drogba

We haven't had enough spark or creativity in our team all season with just Mata playing. While Torres hasn't be able to find the net, he's been able to execute and put people into a position where they can score. By having Torres, Mata in the team and Ramires we've got a good mixture of creativity and speed in the midfield, while having Lampard and Essien's experience at the back.

I also feel, that having Torres who's playing an unselfishness style of Football will allow us to have both Drogba and him on at the same time. Additionally, it should also create havoc on their defence as you'll have two intimidating players which should help free up space for Drogba.

I'd take Lampard off around the 50/55th minute and bring on Raul or Romeu depending on the score and I'd then replace Drogba around the 65th minute with Sturridge. The third sub will depend on the score line, if we're up, replace Mata or Torres with Piazon.

I've given up caring how much Torres cost, I'm looking at what he's done and the benefit he can bring to a major area that we're lacking in.

The 'old guard' will all be back for this one. This game is far more important than the game against Napoli. Let's stop dreaming and understand that actually winning the CL with the squad we have is just not on this year. Even if we did beat Napoli we would have to rely on favorable draws all the way through to the final to avoid AC, Barca and Real not impossible but highly unlikely. The first order of business is trying to secure 4th then the FA Cup, which is a bonus and our secondary target. If Arsenal get away from us this season, given that the 'project' is lying in shreds on the Board room, floor this season will have been an absolute disaster given everything that has happened. Stoke will be a tough game because just like the rest of the mid and lower table teams they will sit with 10 players behind the ball and hope to score on a set piece. An early goal is needed to secure a win. I think we'll scrap by 2-1....I'd love for us to win 4 or 5 nothing but we just can't create from midfield and regardless who plays up top it's always a struggle.

Edited March 9, 201214 yr by CFCCAN