blue monty Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 dont usually slag chelsea off, but where has the flowing football gone? and im dreading spuds away, last season they was all over us , and they are better then last year, was outplayed and only lost 2-1, we always start slow,, WHY??? ever game, i am honestly dreading spuds away! hate to say it they could hit us big time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWestwayWonder Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Or this could be Carlo's finest hour. He has a run of three domestic games where the team we are facing are in form and probably licking their chops at playing us right now. That might work to our advantage. We are officially the underdogs. Go in hungry, outwork them and get this ship righted the hard way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zola Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 We are in for a hammering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 I'm a bit sick of them as well...I got the missus to do me a bit of Pasta for a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Winter break anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 ( apologies in advance to Spiller but on business - using my I phone - too much trouble putting in paragraphs !) Spurs will be our biggest test of the season so far, not because of our form of late, simply because players with pace on the left hand side of the pitch will always cause us problems - Bale probably is the best in the Premiership and I am certain he will be their matchwinner, unless Carlo completely changes our system to combat his game. In our squad as I have said before, we have no natural right sided player, again today Baines caused us problems in an advanced position. Until we get the balance right in our squad we are going to face this problem. Zhircov or Malouda in front of Ashley Cole, or the old days with Duff, Robben tracking back or worrying defenders with pace in a 4-3-3 could deal with him but in our current 4-3-3 we have no chance because Anelka plays right of the front 3. In my opinion the only way to get a result at Spurs is to play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 but if Carlo plays a suicidal 4-3-3 again, he has to drop Anelka and play either Sturridge or Kalou on the right and Malouda to the left of Drogba. Me I would spread 4 in front of Cole, Terry, Ivanovic and Bosingwa (there for his pace rather than my concerns about him defensively. In front of Bosingwa I believe only one player in our squad is capable of handling Bale and that is Michael Essien. We presume Lampard will be fit, if not it's Josh alongside Mikel for his quick feet and quality on the ball, Ramires alongside Mikel just would not work, on the left obviously would be Malouda. In a 4-4-1-1 the way I would play if given the reins Drogba with Anelka behind, for gods sake Anelka drops back all game, why not make it his position? Other than that I'd go Sturridge in a flat 4-4-2 alongside Drogba. That said I doubt if that will happen, Bale will run riot and on form I'd go for a 3-1 victory for Spuds. That's with my head, my heart says a vintage result at three point lane a 6-1 Flo inspired win will do for me, can we play in yellow socks too Carlo - please !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
german-blue Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Dont even want to think about Bale running at ANY of our RB´s at the moment. Why not try something like that? ---------------------------------Cech---------------------------------- --------Bos-------------Ivan---------JT----------------Ash--------- -------------------------Mik-----------Ess----------------------------- -----Ramires-----------------Josh---------------------Malouda--- --------------------------------Drogba-------------------------------- Ramires and Bos could try to handle Bale... after all Ramires was used as a right midfielder at Benfica. If Lamps comes back he could be used instead of Josh of course. Coming back to a more defensive mind set is the only chance I see against Spurs somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 I'd be interested to see if something like this would work -------------------Cech--------------------- Ferreira----Ivan----------JT----Cole Bosingwa.......Mikel.........Essien Anelka---------Drogba----Malouda- I just don't rate Bos at all defensively and think hes pretty good going forward, short on players and players playing out of position it might be worth a try. again though the Manager has likley thought about all possible personnel for that right hand side and thinks this is a stupid idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 I'd be interested to see if something like this would work -------------------Cech--------------------- Ferreira----Ivan----------JT----Cole Bosingwa.......Mikel.........Essien Anelka---------Drogba----Malouda- I just don't rate Bos at all defensively and think hes pretty good going forward, short on players and players playing out of position it might be worth a try. again though the Manager has likley thought about all possible personnel for that right hand side and thinks this is a stupid idea. I see where you're coming from Chippy, but I don't think Bosingwa is strong enough or a good enough passer/tackler to play in the centre of midfield. Barcelona tried playing Dani Alves on the right of midfield in one of the El Clasicos last season in order to deal with Arbeloa and Marcelo going forward, and it didn't work out as he had a lot less space to work in and far less time on the ball. I'm not sure how we're going to deal with Bale. Bosingwa was able to deal with Messi when playing on the wrong side, so maybe he would be our best bet. Another idea might be to switch our fullbacks around. Unfortunately as Lennon and Bale are both traditionally-footed wingers, it might not work. I just hope we don't go for the 'deep backline and hope for the best' arrangement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 I see where you're coming from Chippy, but I don't think Bosingwa is strong enough or a good enough passer/tackler to play in the centre of midfield. Barcelona tried playing Dani Alves on the right of midfield in one of the El Clasicos last season in order to deal with Arbeloa and Marcelo going forward, and it didn't work out as he had a lot less space to work in and far less time on the ball. I'm not sure how we're going to deal with Bale. Bosingwa was able to deal with Messi when playing on the wrong side, so maybe he would be our best bet. Another idea might be to switch our fullbacks around. Unfortunately as Lennon and Bale are both traditionally-footed wingers, it might not work. I just hope we don't go for the 'deep backline and hope for the best' arrangement. Yeah you're probobly right, just toying with ideas really, not saying I'd be brave enough to try it. It's likely going to be Essiens Job to try and keep Bale quiet I would imagine. I know Bos done ok when he played emergency LB but since his layoff I don't think hes as good defending as he was and certainly not as good as Ivan, Id play Ivan at RB if Alex was fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Yeah you're probobly right, just toying with ideas really, not saying I'd be brave enough to try it. It's likely going to be Essiens Job to try and keep Bale quiet I would imagine. I know Bos done ok when he played emergency LB but since his layoff I don't think hes as good defending as he was and certainly not as good as Ivan, Id play Ivan at RB if Alex was fit. I feel this is quite an important game for Bosingwa, certainly in terms of showing where he stands in the squad pecking order. If he keeps Bale quiet, it reasserts him as a top-grade full back who is perfectly comfortable and at his level essentially being a right-sided Ashley Cole. If he has a mare, then there is a danger of him being dumped with Ferreira in the right-back bin, with both essentially acting as poly filler while we wait for Ivanovic to be done playing centre back for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBeard Posted December 4, 2010 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Ivan is the only real option at RB against the likes of Bale. Bosingwa & Ferreira just aren't up to it. Maybe we could draft Ron Harris in on a free transfer for the one match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdsdsdsd Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 I see where you're coming from Chippy, but I don't think Bosingwa is strong enough or a good enough passer/tackler to play in the centre of midfield. Barcelona tried playing Dani Alves on the right of midfield in one of the El Clasicos last season in order to deal with Arbeloa and Marcelo going forward, and it didn't work out as he had a lot less space to work in and far less time on the ball. I'm not sure how we're going to deal with Bale. Bosingwa was able to deal with Messi when playing on the wrong side, so maybe he would be our best bet. Another idea might be to switch our fullbacks around. Unfortunately as Lennon and Bale are both traditionally-footed wingers, it might not work. I just hope we don't go for the 'deep backline and hope for the best' arrangement. It will take Bosingwa a good year to get back to the standard he was when we played Barca. At the moment he is around 60% of the player he was back then. Spuds will play a very fast team with Defoe, Lennon, Bale, Modric and maybe Jenas. If we play the way we have for the last month, we could be in for a royal hammering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliboy66 Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 What has happened to Chelsea are the players not playing for the manger?, I can't believe this is the same Chelsea since the lost to Liverpool and Ray going Chelsea have gone, all the spirit has gone from the team.What now who,s to blame? something not right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazardsLeftPeg Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Ferreira is the worst option to play against Bale. Bale for all the hype he gets is still just a speed merchant with one trick and that is to knock the ball past,and beat the full back for pace. Granted he's very good at it, but as shown in the matches against United and Everton , if he's tightly marked and not given that yard of space to get into his stride, then he can be nullified. Trust Bosingwa with some help from Ivan to do a good job on him, but he'll have to be much more disciplined than usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiller86 Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 (edited) ( apologies in advance to Spiller but on business - using my I phone - too much trouble putting in paragraphs !) Spurs will be our biggest test of the season so far, not because of our form of late, simply because players with pace on the left hand side of the pitch will always cause us problems - Bale probably is the best in the Premiership and I am certain he will be their matchwinner, unless Carlo completely changes our system to combat his game. In our squad as I have said before, we have no natural right sided player, again today Baines caused us problems in an advanced position. Until we get the balance right in our squad we are going to face this problem. Zhircov or Malouda in front of Ashley Cole, or the old days with Duff, Robben tracking back or worrying defenders with pace in a 4-3-3 could deal with him but in our current 4-3-3 we have no chance because Anelka plays right of the front 3. In my opinion the only way to get a result at Spurs is to play 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 but if Carlo plays a suicidal 4-3-3 again, he has to drop Anelka and play either Sturridge or Kalou on the right and Malouda to the left of Drogba. Me I would spread 4 in front of Cole, Terry, Ivanovic and Bosingwa (there for his pace rather than my concerns about him defensively. In front of Bosingwa I believe only one player in our squad is capable of handling Bale and that is Michael Essien. We presume Lampard will be fit, if not it's Josh alongside Mikel for his quick feet and quality on the ball, Ramires alongside Mikel just would not work, on the left obviously would be Malouda. In a 4-4-1-1 the way I would play if given the reins Drogba with Anelka behind, for gods sake Anelka drops back all game, why not make it his position? Other than that I'd go Sturridge in a flat 4-4-2 alongside Drogba. That said I doubt if that will happen, Bale will run riot and on form I'd go for a 3-1 victory for Spuds. That's with my head, my heart says a vintage result at three point lane a 6-1 Flo inspired win will do for me, can we play in yellow socks too Carlo - please !!!! No worries Star, I reckon you've cottoned on to a most crucial point. I'd like everyone to cast their minds back to CL second round 2008 against Juve. That evening particularly concerned about a certain Pavel Nedved we indeed played Essien at RM, in a 4-4-2 with Anelka and Drogba up front. Ended 2-2 with Essien getting the crucial away goal so it's certainly something we could try again with Essien out on that side, though I might be tempted to also use Ramires as a willing runner on him out on that side. Other than doubling up on him as Everton did with Neville and Coleman, we could also try to do what Inter did brilliantly to Messi and Robben and others last season, and that is to turn them inside into a packed defensive midfield. By having their wing backs turn the players back into the midfield of Cambiasso and Zanetti they were easily marshalled and much less dangerous given how much weaker Bale is on his right foot, it seems the smart tactic. I still believe a combination of the two is the best bet. Bossy was also brilliant holding Messi two seasons ago and he is quick which is also a big help. So Bale shouldn't be an issue if we prepare correctly, problem is they can hurt you elsewhere as well. Modric is their other big danger I'd almost consider having Essien do a Stevie G on him when they have the ball and just stick to him like a fly on sh*t. So: -------------Cech--------------- Bos----Ivan----JT-----Ash -------------Mikel-------------- Ramires---Essien--Malouda ----Anelka-----Drogba------ Malouda has more of a license to get forward, with Anelka drifting slightly out to the right, but also to be instructed to up sit high on the last line to stop them sitting in similar to how he did in the first half yesterday. We've got to be disciplined in defence and hit them hard on the counter when we can. A little Jose Chelsea will see us through and back to winning ways at Three Point Lane. If Lamps plays well we'd change it up a little but the premise remains the same. Edited December 5, 2010 by Spiller86 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueDay Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 You shouldnt underestimate Bosingwa defensively. Do you remember when he did a job on Messi at left back??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecoolguy22 Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 I would play Rameries in the midfield to cover for Boswinga, and push Malouda into the front 3. This will be the first time in many years Spurs starts the match as favourite, so would be interesting to see how they handle the pressure. I'm really tempted to take Anelka out and play a Sturridge or Kakuta. these days Anelka is no way near Drogba, he generally slows down the attack especially in the counter, and he''s all over the pitch but in front of the goal. Instead of encouragement, sometime the manager needs to send out a message to those who aren't performing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 We've got to do something to stop the threat of Bale. So 433 is going to leave the already out of form Bosingwa well exposed. I think the team previously printed above makes sense. Ramires has an engine on him & that can be his job. If we go behind, bring super Josh on in the middle & put Essien out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PloKoon13 Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 This is the team and formation Man Utd played when they beat Tottenham 2-0 (at home, mind you). They played a pacy right back (Rafael), which worked well in dealing with Bale. Bosingwa is far and away the paciest of our right backs, and despite recent form, this has to be the game where he hits old heights. If Carlo can't get the players fired up for this, then well... Carlo needs to get the message through: if we carry on playing like we have done, we will suffer the worst defeat imaginable - a bad loss to Tottenham. Now we have Essien and JT back, I'm hopeful that the players can give their best. I remember a JT-led intervention last season when our form was awry, and it worked. We picked up our performances and went on to win the title. Tottenham's only home defeat this season came against Wigan, where Wigan played a deep-sitting 4-5-1, packed the midfield and won 1-0. Judging by the stats, Tottenham dominated and Wigan played a counter-attack tactic. Apparently Tottenham have had trouble scoring at home when teams play a 4-5-1. Although the teams who go there with this perhaps negative tactic up their sleeves are Stoke, Hull and Wolves, it seems to work. Dawson recently came back from injury and started on the bench against Birmingham, so he may well play a part in the game against us. However I feel that Drogba, if he has his game face on (and if he doesn't have it on against Tottenham...) will have more joy against Gallas and Bassong/not fully fit Dawson than he would against King. Taking into account suggestions on Ramires' role and complaints about the positioning of Anelka, perhaps this 4-3-3/4-5-1 combo is our best bet: --------------------------Cech Bosingwa-----Ivanovic-----JT----A Cole -------------------------Mikel ----------------Essien -Ramires-------------------Anelka -------------------------------------------Malouda ----------------------Drogba Come on lads, title bid aside, it's f**king Tottenham. With a week to go (and with the majority of the first XI, you'd imagine, not being involved against Marseille) there should be nothing more important than crushing the scummy f**kers and revelling in their humiliation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelseabootboy Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 i'm gonna call it LAMPARD TO SCORE WINER ON RETURN......2-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennypaul Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 (edited) You shouldnt underestimate Bosingwa defensively. Do you remember when he did a job on Messi at left back??? i dont underestimate him,i just think hes a poor defender,in fact our right side has been weak for a while imo(ferreira,belletti)apart from ivanovic.yes he did a good job on messi,as good as boulahrouz did on ronaldinho in the cl,but both are/were consistently poor defenders imo. Edited December 6, 2010 by kennypaul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ethicalstrategy Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Formation will be important but it is tactics that will decide this. Spurs are custom built to expose the weaknesses in the way we play. Our fullbacks push high up the pitch and this leaves space in behind. With Lennon, Bale and Defoe they have the pace to exploit this as they shoed last season. We have to be smarter and make sure we don't give them that space. I like the idea of playing two holding midfielders in Mikel and Essien and letting, hopefully, Frank sit behind Drogba with Malouda and Anelka providing some width and a bit of defensive cover. The fullbacks need to be more cautious and we need to make sure we don't give the ball away cheaply when we are over committed. The onus is on Spurs to win this game. A point for us would be quite acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea Bar Boy Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 don't care who f*ckin plays so long as we win .............or else the knee surgeon will have a full list Tuesday morning whan I have finished with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutch Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 They've got injury problems of their own, apparently. Particularly at the back: Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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