The Community Shield is on the shelf and now we face an altogether different challenge - how to overcome the Premiership team managed by the V5T-GENOC.

The starting 11 in the Community Shield looks the likely 11 with the exception of Bosingwa starting ahead of Ivanovic and possibly Ballack replacing Mikel.

Expect Hull to look well groomed.

2.0 should be the least to expect. Like to see Bossy start and sturridge on the bench in place of belletti.

Yep, home game like this one we need to have the bench loaded with attacking options, as we all know what Hull will try and do (and fair play to them, it's a sound enough tactic), so that's no to Beletti and only one of the spare defenders.

Yep, home game like this one we need to have the bench loaded with attacking options, as we all know what Hull will try and do (and fair play to them, it's a sound enough tactic), so that's no to Beletti and only one of the spare defenders.

It is an away game for us.

I do not believe hull have any sort of chance surviving this time round and i believe this will be a very dominant performance by the boys. Anyone know if yuri will be back?

Er, no it's not!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...res/default.stm

My bad

Looks like we'll be welcoming back an "old friend" on Saturday. I hope we give him the reception he deserves.

Hull agree Hunt fee (SSN)

Hunt deal confirmed.

Tigers seal Hunt capture (SSN)

cech

bos -- ricky --- jt --- cash

essien

lamps ---------- malouda

mikel

drog --- nico

5-0

changed lamps back to midfield and mikel just behind the strikers

with his ability to hold the ball and ride tackles i think mikel would be perfect for that role. he has a great eye for a pass as well. it's where he started out and where he shone nigeria under 21's.

lamps will give you the same no matter where he plays

Edited August 13, 200916 yr by sexelk

cech

bos -- ricky --- jt --- cash

essien

lamps ---------- malouda

mikel

drog --- nico

5-0

changed lamps back to midfield and mikel just behind the strikers

with his ability to hold the ball and ride tackles i think mikel would be perfect for that role. he has a great eye for a pass as well. it's where he started out and where he shone nigeria under 21's.

lamps will give you the same no matter where he plays

I'm not sure if Carlo has that kind of confidence on Mikel but would be nice to see how it works. I'm glad we got paired up with lower opponent as these opening games are usually sticky. Last year we won 4-0 but more than usual it has come down to a late goal. I predict 3-1 or 3-0 to us.

i think you're right but that is how i'd line them up rather than how i think they will do

as long as he doesn't shoot, he's got everything to play a more attacking game

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

---Ivanovic----Carvalho----Terry----A.Cole

-------------------------Mikel

---------------Essien-----------Malouda

-----------------------Lampard

------------Anelka---------------Drogba

No surprises cause it seems Carlo prefers Ivan over Bosingwa

Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Alex, Deco, Ballack, Kalou,Sturridge

Expect Deco, Kalou and Sturridge to come on for Mikel, Anelka and Drogs.

2-0.

cech

bos -- ricky --- jt --- cash

essien

lamps ---------- malouda

mikel

drog --- nico

5-0

changed lamps back to midfield and mikel just behind the strikers

with his ability to hold the ball and ride tackles i think mikel would be perfect for that role. he has a great eye for a pass as well. it's where he started out and where he shone nigeria under 21's.

lamps will give you the same no matter where he plays

Thats a really good idea but one which wont be looked at I'm afraid. Mikel is very good on the ball. What he can do with the ball in that position is an unknown but there's no harm in trying. This formation gives three players their preferred roles (or at least the roles which i think are best for them) - Lamps, Mikel and Essien.

Just want to point out that scolaris last game in charge was hull city at stamford bridge whilst it is going to be Carlos first game in charge. Thats some sweet poetry

Deco insted of Mikel perhaps to see how well he does, looked promising in pre-season. Also would like to see Sturridge in action, same goes for Zhirkov unless he is still injured.

CHE 3 HULL 0

------------------Chec

--Bosingwa--Carvalho--Terry--A.Cole

------------------Mikel

--------Essien------------Malouda

----------------Lampard

----------Drogba--------Anelka

Great opening start @ home to Pompey last season, so im hoping for a repeat. If we score early it'l be interesting to see if our game changes too much. Cant figure out why Ivanovic is even considered as a full back.

Am I the only one who hates the 4-4-2 diamond formation? I personally would go with the 4-2-3-1 even though I know Ancelotti won't use it.

cech

bosingwa alex terry cole

mikel essien

lampard anelka malouda

drogba

What are the news on our injured players? Cole surely has to be back in a few weeks? I seem to recall that I read that he would be out for a month and that must have been atleast 2 weeks ago. So is he close to returning or will be miss more games?

And what about Zhirkov? We hardly got to see him in pre season, so I would really like to see him in action soon. Preferably against Hull if that's not too much to ask. I hope Zhirkov will stay fit more than Robben did :D

For those in the US, this game is supposed to be on ESPN 2 live if they can iron out all the details in time.

Cant figure out why Ivanovic is even considered as a full back.

Completely agreed. From the very first time he was stuck at right-back it was obvious he was very uncomfortable and out-of-place there. People seem to think because of one superhuman performance against Liverpool he's a fluent right-back when he is, like Mancienne, much better in the centre.

Completely agreed. From the very first time he was stuck at right-back it was obvious he was very uncomfortable and out-of-place there. People seem to think because of one superhuman performance against Liverpool he's a fluent right-back when he is, like Mancienne, much better in the centre.

He can play as fullback as long as the opposing winger isn't world class or the opposing team doesn't play with wingers. But against Nani or Babel I wouldn't play him as fullback besides we have Bosingwa who is better in everything in that spot.

Im thinking a scrappy 2-1 win.

ill go for a 3-1 win. though ive just seen who the ref is so anything can happen. step forward our beloved Mr wiley....the c**t.

Carlo Ancelotti pre-match press conference live online today at 1:30:

LINK

Damn I missed it.