Despite his two goals yesterday Kalou is bound to step down for the returning Drogba. I would like to think Ivanovic will keep his place in the centre.

Hopefully we will see the Blackburn team that capitulated to Arsenal.

Hope to see Bos back as well and maybe Joe for Deco (well at least for 45 minutes)

Edited October 22, 200916 yr by midlandblue

I think Ivanovic will relish the physical challenge. Blackburn bossed it over Burnley with their strength but at least they won't have Franco to hold the ball up and pose an aerial threat at set pieces.

Joey Cole has to feature at some point and I'd love to see Studge get more than 10 minutes.

Odds on they'll gp for a route one approach. Big Sam will make sure they do so at every opportunity. I'd love to see Alex at least make the bench for this one.

I can't imagine us losing this one, but Blackburn may well give us a few problems going forward.

They have a few players who are in form and are capable of some brilliant stuff, e.g. Dunn, Pedersen, Di Santo, so we shouldn't be careless, but we really should win this one.

Di Santo won't be playing, he's ours!

I don't think Bos is fully fit yet is he? I can't see any need to change the defense for this game, and I expect the same 11 to play except for Droga in for Kalou.

Drogs for Kalou, although I also think there's a case for giving Anelka a rest so could swap drogs for anelka and leave kalou.

Like to Zhirkov get some more time as he looked quite good in the few minutes he had available, and Deco has now played two games in a row and could also be rotated with Joe Cole/Malouda/Zhirkov even though that may mean putting frank at top of diamond.

Finally much as i like ballack I'd be happy to rest him against blackburn and play mikel.

cech

belletti, ivan, terry a cole

essien mikel

frankie joe cole

drogs kalou

Will mikel be back for this game? If Boss isnt back this is how i would like to see us line up

--------Cech

--Bellitti----JT----ivan---cole

--------ballack

---essien------lamps

---------joey

----nico------drogs

I'm pretty sure riccy will be at the back however with essien or ballack DM and malouda in the mid with lamps. Also deco will be starting

Edited October 23, 200916 yr by sals

Finally much as i like ballack I'd be happy to rest him against blackburn and play mikel.

Ballack's only just come back into the side and looks like he needs the playing time rather than a rest.

Heard on TV last night that Ancelotti has told Joe Cole he'll be playing. Not sure if that's from the start but I hope it is. He needs match time to be of any use to us again and I'd like to see him come in for the ineffective Deco.

Would love to see Alex start as well (and take a free-kcik or two).

Seems like Wilkins be in charge for the rovers game . He has a 100% record mind you :P

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ray-W...icle198105.html

Boss, Mikel and Zhirkov are out

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0...1834823,00.html

Zhirkov out!? Jesus christ, have we bought ourselves a new Robben? :P

it seems that way, what we need is a "reliant Robben".

did zhirkov pick up an injury against atletico ??

----------------cech---------------

----belleti---ivan--jt-----ashley--

---------------essien-------------

-----------ballack-lampard------

---------------joe----------------

----------nico----drogba

i hope joe gets a start ...

it seems that way, what we need is a "reliant Robben".

Brilliant!

:P

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

----Ivanović---Alex--Terry-----Ashley--

---------------Essien-------------

-----------Ballack-Lampard------

---------------Joe----------------

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

I hope that Lampard is returning to form. :)

Is Alex even fit?

Think we'll see Joe come off the bench, and not start as I'm not sure Joe's few minutes on the pitch will equal him playing from the begining.

Think we'll see Percy back, and belletti dropped to the bench

................................Cech

Ivan..................Terry.........Percy..........A Cole

................................Essien

.......................Ballack

....................................Lampard

..................................................Malouda

.....................Anelka

....................................Drogba

Hilario, Belletti, J Cole, Deco, Kalou, Sturridge, Hutchinson

Scott

want to see ivanovic in the centre, beletti at right back

cech

beletti...ivanovic....JT....cole

ballack

lamps...........essien

joey

drog...nico

Hilario, alex, malouda, deco, sturridge

Edited October 23, 200916 yr by sleepy_gonzalez

I think that's a good shout SG, it's the only area I'm unsure about. The inclusion of Joey will happen after half time, I feel.

Also, we get 7 on the bench now, mate!

Di Santo will play in the match?

No he won't. Loan players are not allowed o play against the clubs they have been loaned out from.

According to the Mirror Ancelotti is back in Italy after his father was taken ill, so Wilkins will be looking after things in his absence.

Edit: Appears I'm well behind with my news actually, seems I should've read the first page of the thread first!

Edited October 24, 200916 yr by Zola's Love Child