After the performance against Sunderland I would be very surprised if any of the following don't happen

1. Deco keeps his place in the starting eleven

2. As does Ballack

3. But Kalou doesn't

4. Nor does Ivanovic

So I expect to see the same midfield four, Carvalho return and probably Anelka return.

Expect to see Damien Duff make his Fulham debut - I hope we give him a warm reception.

Think that's about right Loz. I actually wonder if we will see Sturridge start, altough I doubt it? I also wonder if we will play deco as we are playing Percy, one game on one game on the bench.

Alex is still out, rigt? However, didn't someone say that Zirkov would be back in about a week, or was that just back training in a week?

Scott

After the performance against Sunderland I would be very surprised if any of the following don't happen

1. Deco keeps his place in the starting eleven

2. As does Ballack

3. But Kalou doesn't

4. Nor does Ivanovic

So I expect to see the same midfield four, Carvalho return and probably Anelka return.

Expect to see Damien Duff make his Fulham debut - I hope we give him a warm reception.

I hope you're right about 1.

Surely 2. is as obvious as saying JT will be captain and Carlo manager.

He's our best player! He must play.

Malouda hasn't done anything wrong to lose his place in the starting 11. I think he'll start.

Cech/Bosi/Ricci/Terry/Ashley/Ess/Ballack/Lampsy/Malouda/Drogs/Anelka

Sturridge/Deco come in as subs.

Malouda hasn't done anything wrong to lose his place in the starting 11. I think he'll start.

He played reasonably well in the seocnd half of the COmmunity Shield but was terrible against Hull so given the way the four played against Sunderland I think that, barring rotation policies, he should drop out.

A traditionally place to get a result, but if we show the game we showed against both Hull and Sunderland (and barring a 3rd consecutive freak goal), we shouldn't have too many problems.

I agree fully with loz's points and would also like to see Studg either starting or getting more than 5 minutes towards the end of the game.

I hope to see Studge too. I think he deserves a chance. Carlo should be giving him as much playing time as possible to keep him ready for the ACN period when Drogs and Kalou are in Africa.

I agree with Loz's points as well. I think Anelka will start in place of Kalou and Riccy in place of Ivanovic. Malouda hasn't done anything wrong to lose his starting job, I just don't see where he would fit in the diamond if Deco plays the tip and Lamps is on the left side.

I'd like to see Studge come in to sub for Anelka in the middle of the second half. Getting him some minutes will go a long way when we lose Drogs and Kalou to the ACN.

I'd also like to see us not go down 1-0 and have to come from behind to win! How about just taking the lead early and just cruise to a nice victory? :)

Fulham, ARGK! Still memories from last year's last gasp goal from them.

Of course we need a win as usual, but this will be our toughest test of the first 4 matches IMO. As Loz said, Deco and Ballack did extremely well (Ballack has looked better this season then he did for the whole of last) and deserve their starting place. I'm afraid Malouda does deserve to be dropped... or, at least left out. If we're going to have a paceless middle (as Malouda is as fast as Sheva) then we might as well have 2 players who are useful with the ball and don't need pace to create chances i.e. Lamps, Ballack and Deco.

What I like about those 3 is that they run with their heads up and have a good first touch - Malouda doesn't.

:) /harsh.

Fulham, ARGK! Still memories from last year's last gasp goal from them.

Of course we need a win as usual, but this will be our toughest test of the first 4 matches IMO. As Loz said, Deco and Ballack did extremely well (Ballack has looked better this season then he did for the whole of last) and deserve their starting place. I'm afraid Malouda does deserve to be dropped... or, at least left out. If we're going to have a paceless middle (as Malouda is as fast as Sheva) then we might as well have 2 players who are useful with the ball and don't need pace to create chances i.e. Lamps, Ballack and Deco.

What I like about those 3 is that they run with their heads up and have a good first touch - Malouda doesn't.

:) /harsh.

I too think Malouda should really be a bit part player. He should come on when we need something different if things are not going our way. As long as Deco and Zhirkov are fit, he shouldnt come anywhere near the first team.

Edited August 19, 200916 yr by rahuldotchelsea

just read this from carlo

"Meanwhile, Chelsea are not banking on the return of any of their injured squad members before Sunday's west London derby with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Brazilian defender Alex (groin), new signing Yuri Zhirkov (knee) and full-back Juliano Belletti (Achilles) have all missed the start of the new season, along with Paulo Ferreira and Joe Cole (both knee).

But Ancelotti hopes they will return to action in time to be considered for the club's next home game against Barclays Premier League new boys Burnley on August 29.

"We hope to recover them for the next match at home," added Ancelotti."

so it looks like the squad will be the same as last night. when we play burnley if they are all fit hes gonna have some big decisions to make.

I don't expect Carlo to use the same starting 11 that he used against Sunderland. It appears he picks his team based on the opposition and not necessarily who played good last outing.

After saying that though, I expect the result to be the same...........! a win for Chelsea!

Seen as a Drogba/Anelka and Drogba/Kalou partnership has been given a run out, surely a Drogba/Sturridge partnership is in order? I hope so.

I see that as the only change from the brilliant performance last night. I hope we scrape a clean sheet this time, 2-0.

Drogba/Sturrige partnership? maybe in the Carling Cup first.

I think he'll recall Anelka to partner Drogba. Sturridge getting a start is a long shot as of now.

Edited August 19, 200916 yr by rahuldotchelsea

Hate Fulham away .

Hope to see Drogba/Anelka paring , cant see any changes in Midfield .

Something that just crossed my mind...

The midfield we used against Sunderland was very strong and compact, but didn't really have much mobility in it, which is why I think Kalou was used, to float around and supply that missing mobility. I think for that reason we might well not see the same midfield used with the Anelka-Drogba partnership, or any mixture of them and Studge for that matter.

He may of course decide to go for the Christmas tree with Malouda floating with Deco though, but again that wouldn't see Anelka and Drogba up front.

Just a thought anyway... If it's way off, don't blame me, it's 20 past 4.

You are right. Carlo admitted that the formation used against Sunderland wasn't exactly the diamond. It was more of a Christmas tree with Deco and Kalou just behind Drogba.

I can see him using the same formation with Anelka in place of Kalou against Fulham.

i think he will go back to the diamond for this match, he is just mixing things up right now so the other managers arent sure whats coming. Anelka will start up front with drogs i expect. Hope Deco gets another start. Carlo says he is going to rotate the squad around throughout the season to keep everyone fresh. Not sure how he will go with the midfield except for frank obviously

I'm disappointed at how easily Malouda is being discarded by some. Contrary to what Loz said, he was not awful against Hull. If we go with a Xmas tree again then I would play him instead of Kalou. I do agree that Deco did enough to keep his place especially as it allows Frank to drop a little deeper and influence the play more.

I hope you're right about 1.

Surely 2. is as obvious as saying JT will be captain and Carlo manager.

He's our best player! He must play.

As you are saying Ballack is as sure as JT and Carlo are in their positions I wan't everyone, especially sexelk, to remember this when he doesn't perform as well as he has been. I don't want to hear those "why did we ever sign him!!" angry comments and totally forget how well he can play and have played. He has been very good starting from ManU game and surely even you sexelk can't deny it :)

My memory is as short as yours so I'm blaming myself as much as everyone. I just might remember it better now that I've written about it...

Fulham have been a tough nut to crack under Hodgson. Schwarzer, Hangeland & Pantsil form a solid backbone to the defence.

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

Bossy-----Ricky----JT-----A.Cole

---------------Ballack

---------Essien----Lampard

----------Deco--------Malouda

----------------Drogba

Same starting XI for Sunderland bar Kalou for Malouda.

Fulham have been a tough nut to crack under Hodgson. Schwarzer, Hangeland & Pantsil form a solid backbone to the defence.

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

Bossy-----Ricky----JT-----A.Cole

---------------Ballack

---------Essien----Lampard

----------Deco--------Malouda

----------------Drogba

Same starting XI for Sunderland bar Kalou for Malouda.

fulham are playing tonight arent they? that could help us too. oh and coco, yous sod with the avatar. i thought you had been banned :D

andy johnson out of the game through injury. which is nice...

andy johnson out of the game through injury. which is nice...

Yeah he's going to be out for a while by all accounts, obviously it's good news for us on Sunday but I'm a bit disappointed as he was in my Fantasy Team and consequently I've had to draft in Bendtner as a replacement. :)