Chelsea vs Blackburn (Prem) 21/03/10 16:00 KO GMT

[bjd]

So onwards and hopefully upwards it's back to the proper day job.

It's pretty hard to put the importance of this game into words. In fact, make that the next two games. For the sake of our title charge, six points is imperitive. We have all analysed the fixtures remaining and we know what games we need to win, bearing in mind the three obvious big matches away from home we have.

However Blackburn should not be underestimated at all. Whilst they are hardly setting the league alight they are very solid at home and are going to give us a tough, physical match. 

Bearing in mind our general away form and how we know that this squad struggles with two games a week , I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking this will be an uncomfortable afternoon for us.

The team seems to be picking itself right now but we may see a few changes bearing in mind we have a game three days later. Personally I'd do anything to see the horrific midfield trio disbanded as I'm not sure if I can stand to watch many more games of the midfield looking like they are playing a match stuck in treacle. Furthermore it's pretty obvious after all that we have a fair few players who simply are incapable of playing three games in eight days. A bit of freshening up would be good, though options are of course limited.

Be great to see Cech back but Turnbull can hold his head high after last night , as someone has said elsewhere he was the only player to show a bit genuine quality with the save from Eto'o. Other than that I wouldnt be surprised to see starts for Paulo, Belleti and Kalou and who knows , maybe Deco too? It's hardly like injecting a bit of flair and pace which as anyone bar the powers that be at Chelsea know is what we need so urgently.

Whatever happens, and whoever plays, we simply have to win this match and follow that with a win on Wednesday too otherwise I fear for our campaign and things could start to unravel pretty quickly.

[Chelsea FC Champions]

Cech/Turnbull

Ivan

Alex

JT

Paulo

Ballack

Mikel

Lampard

Zhirkov

Drogba

Malouda

Subs:

Cech/Turnbull

Carvalho

Deco

Joe

Kalou

Anelka

Sturridge

[german-blue]

Ballack is out for this one because of his red card right ?

In my opinion Lampard and Anelka should get nowhere near the starting line-up ...

-------------------turnbull---------------------

--ivan-------cavahlo----terry-------zhirkov--

---------------Mikel----Matic------------------

--------Joe------------------------Malouda---

--------------Sturridge-Drogba---------------

Subs: taylor, PF,alex, lampard, kakuta, kalou, anelka

[Elliott]

We obviously need to freshen things up, although Carlo will be telling them not to panic, as even though we have been dog awful recently, we can be still good enough to win this league...

I think we should go;

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

Ivan......JT.....Alex.....Zhirkov...

....Lampard....Mikel....Malouda...

Kalou.........Drogba........Anelka

Are Ballack and Belletti are still suspended?....

[PloKoon13]

Ah yes, I forgot our main midfield solidifier [ballack] was given the first of two bookable offences for correctly and fairly politely telling the ref that he got a very obvious decision wrong.

And I also forgot that Belletti got sent off because Gareth Barry dived really obviously in the box.

Boy do I hate Mike Dean right now.

[ethicalstrategy]

Ancelotti needs to recognise that playing Anelka in the Xmas tree just isn't working. We need to get him back up front to give Drogba some help or else put him on the bench.

I would also push Mikel forward to replace Ballack. It's time to find out whether he can do more than just be tidy in the defensive holding role.

I'd go with

Turnbull

Zirkhov

Alex

Terry

Ivanovic

Belletti

Lampard

Mikel

Kalou

Drogba

Malouda

I'd also have Kakuta on the bench.

I think that formation gives the best opportunity to see the some better form from Lampard as it clears a lot more space to allow him to get in the box and provides some width to spread the game.

[bjd]

Ballack isn't suspended for this match he only got a one game ban which he served against Stoke. Sadly...

Belleti I think is missing his third and final game.

[The Moos]

I was going to suggest that we wouldn't play anyone who was crap last night, but that would leave us with a team full of youths and reserves plus maybe Turnbull and Malouda.

I expect us to play the same team as last night. If Riccy is fit then maybe he'll replace Alex (hopefully not).

Biggest question is perhaps who will be keeper. If Hilario is fit then I can see him play instead of Turnbull. But if he's out then Turnbull will of course play again.

Let's move on and win this title now. Finish the season with a league trophy and the FA cup trophy wouldn't be too bad.

I have my doubts, but hopefully I'll be proven wrong.

[Elliott]

Ballack returning makes no odds. He wouldnt get in my team for Blackburn anyway.

[Sheva]

Bring back the diamond!

We have a top forward in Anelka, not just Drogba. He should be playing up top with Drogba in my opinion and not wasted out on the right side of the 4 - 3 - 3.

[motorhead]

their keeper paul robinson is out for a month so that may help us..dont know who is their replacement keeper?

[Jones1905]

I made a seperate thread a few weeks ago asking but got no answers.. Is anyone else going to this match?

[Anders]

their keeper paul robinson is out for a month so that may help us..dont know who is their replacement keeper?

Jason Brown, I think he's a decent goalkeeper.

Will Cech be back for this one?

[icecoolguy22]

This is the kind of match we should win by 3 or 4 goals. Anelka should be get anywhere near the first 11, either Lampard or Ballack should be rested (or dropped). Zhirkov should get another game, and this maybe the kind of match Joe Cole can shine. With all due respect to Blackburn, I don't see they have anything to trouble us, unless we give away a silly goal early and have to chase the game. Inter game is the past, but 2 sloppy games in a roll is just unacceptable right now.

[Barry Bridges]

bounce back game, let the boys show Roman they are hear to collect more than just a paycheque

a win is desperately needed, though it will not determine who wins the league, a loss very well could.

[clubhappy]

This game cant come quick enough for me . Id like to see more of Kakuta, v Wolves at home he was really up for it and can go past players , i fail to see why somebody as talented as him is not even being considered . We will also see if this team is capable of rallying together and if they have the balls to produce a performance after letting themselves down on Wed because it HAS to have had an effect , just patience will tell which kind of effect it had. C.A. also has the responsibility to lift them and motivate them because there were a lot of dejected looking faces after the game on Wed and this is where he needs a Jose moment , i just hope he's capable of it .

[Maverick]

I believe its time we started playing the Diamond again, this formation/ system does not seem to work with the current bunch considering the number of injuries and the form of ployers like Joey/ Anelka.

The Manu V Pool game is before ours, if they do drop points I hoipe we are charged up to extend the lead. In any scenario we need the 3 points.

[blizeH]

Amazing that people were constantly moaning about the diamond, but now want to see the return of it

Turnbull

Ivanovic - Alex - Terry - Zhirkov

Ballack - Mikel - Lampard - Malouda

Anelka - Drogba

... but controversially, I'd almost be tempted to try Kalou instead of Anelka.

[Mikstaw]

Diamond or Lampard on the bench!!!

[mad_mac]

Not at all looking forward to this. Blackburn away is a team we have historically struggled with

[PloKoon13]

We should stick with the 4-3-3. I have no idea who'll be available though. It might be worth 'resting' Anelka for a game and giving Joey Cole yet another chance, except this time on the wing. Hopefully he'll have more luck in a position he is more accustomed to (i.e. where he has no real defensive role) and against a lesser opponent, and hopefully Malouda can continue his fine form on the left. Giving Kakuta a run out might not be a bad idea either. If he shines then it can bring some spirit back to a team who must be feeling the emotional ravages of an injury crisis and a pretty nasty exit from the Champions League.

-

[rahul]

We should stick with the 4-3-3. I have no idea who'll be available though. It might be worth 'resting' Anelka for a game and giving Joey Cole yet another chance, except this time on the wing. Hopefully he'll have more luck in a position he is more accustomed to (i.e. where he has no real defensive role) and against a lesser opponent, and hopefully Malouda can continue his fine form on the left. Giving Kakuta a run out might not be a bad idea either. If he shines then it can bring some spirit back to a team who must be feeling the emotional ravages of an injury crisis and a pretty nasty exit from the Champions League.

-

Like alice in wonderland

The dream takes you by the hand

Inside emotions that you might not feel

If by some notion the dream was not real

By some random poet

[Mod]

--------------- Turnbull ------------------

---Ivanovic - Alex - Terry - Zhirkov-----

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

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

J.Cole----------------------------Malouda

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

Anelka or Kalou for Joe if after an hour and we look weak in attack and revert to two up top.

A safe team I know, but I think that's the way we need to play. Can't take too many chances at the moment.

As always, we need the 3 points, anything else is a waste of the title hope.

[PloKoon13]

Like alice in wonderland

The dream takes you by the hand

Inside emotions that you might not feel

If by some notion the dream was not real

By some random poet

I didn't say it was going to happen, I said it was a good idea.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

I'd much rather see Kalou play instead of Joe and Anelka, he gives much more effort, and in recent games, very few players put in more effort than he does. He's evidently not everyone's cup of tea, but he tries every time. I'd much rather off-load Joe and keep Kalou, though I'm probably alone in that one.

--------------------Turnbull

---Ivanovic----Alex--------Terry----Zhirkov

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

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

---Kalou------------------------------Malouda

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

Subs: Taylor, Ferreira, Carvalho, Matic, J. Cole, Sturridge, Anelka.