Chelsea v Manchester United (PL) 19/12/10 KO 16:00 GMT

[ozboy]

The biggest pre xmas game of the season.

We are at home.

ManU are virtually at full strength with strong central defense and midfield vastly improved since Anderson has come back into their team.

For me its too early to start Lampard. I would go with the same team as against Spurs. Lampard can come on a bit earlier and maybe Sturridge can get a bit more time.

If Lampard was to start then I would play without Mikel and use Essien in the holding role. I know that's not a popular decision but that would be my choice.

Spurs is one thing and ManU another. We are good enough... I hope.

[PloKoon13]

Ferguson will be more than happy with a draw from this fixture, and I'd imagine they'll line up with another 4-5-1 with the intention of sitting back and hitting us on the counter. We're gonna have to work hard to break them down, as I have no doubt that the four c**ts in their back four will raise their game for this one.

If there was ever a time for our forwards to find their shooting boots, it is this game. We can't really afford to let this game pass without clawing back some of the lead we lost, or God forbid, seeing it extended further.

Let's also bear in mind we're still waiting on that Mikel screamer...

[The Moos]

Important game. Normally I would settle for a draw, but we really need a win now. We play at home and therefore it really would be great to see the players step it up and prove that we're still a force to count on in the title race. I hope that he supporters in the stadium will lift the team.

Guess the line up is easy to guess:

Cech

Ferreira - Ivan - JT - Cole

Essien - Mikel - Lampard

Anelka - Drogba - Malouda

Lampard should be ready to play from the start (atleast I hope so) and since Boss (he is out, right?) and Alex are out Ivan will partner JT and Ferreira will be RB (hopefully he'll be able to play as well as in the last game).

Anyone know if Zhirkov is back soon? Though I doubt Carlo will use him as RB (or even put Cole there).

Only real question is whether Carlo will put Drogba on the bench again and play Kalou - Anelka - Malouda up front as he did against Spurs. Though if Drogba are 100% fit then he will be needed against ManU.

I want a win here and I really couldn't care less how we do it. A draw would be okay I guess, but a loss would be bad (even if there's still alot more games to be played and alot of points to fight for). Let's show everyone that Chelsea is getting back to its old self and will challenge for the title.

P.S. I mentioned Zhirkov above, anyone know when our injured players might return? Alex should be like 4 weeks away atleast, but what's the news on Benayoun? How long was he going to be out for? I know it was a long time, but it's still nice to know when we might expect him back.

[The Moos]

Let's also bear in mind we're still waiting on that Mikel screamer...

Well it would be a nice time for him to give us that one.

Reading your post made me think back on when Makelele scored on that penalty so long ago. If we get a chance to do it this season then I hope Mikel will get to take one as well. Would be nice to see him score. But he's free to score before that if he can.

Remember the goal Thiago scored on ManU many years ago? Perhaps Mikel can copy that on sunday :icon_biggrin:

[The Brit]

must win...simple

[HazardsLeftPeg]

Bos could be back for this. Yuri is out I think. Beni is still months away.

Lamps is probably not ready to start so we keep the same line up with Drogba starting in place of Kalou

Win this and we're back in business although a draw wouldn't be the end of the world either.

[rahul]

I think I'd drop Anelka for this one. He needs a kick up his arse like Drogba last weekend. Apart from that, I'd start with Lampard in the midfield along with Essien and Ramires. Mikel has had a lot of bad games in the past month or so and generally looks half the player he was last season or at the start of this one. Loses the ball a lot and that could turn disastrous against United. Ramires isn't too good in that account either but at the moment he is better of the two because he is somehow better at helping out Ferriera and generally being a destroyer in the midfield.

Drogba to start in the middle along with Malouda and Kalou (sigh!)

Cech

Ferriera Ivan JT Cole

Ramires Essien Lamps

Kalou Drogba Malouda

They will have 5 in the midfield and will try to hurt us on the counter. We need to press from the front when we lose the ball in their third and not let their long ball find Rooney. One goal late in the first half and another early in the second should seal it. Come on Blues, this is your chance to prove your title credentials!

Edited December 14, 2010 by rahul

[Tim W]

"Settle for a draw" what the f**k is that for an attitude? Stand up, sing and win there is nothing else.

BTW This time of year there's only room for one red nose and it ain't saf

[bluegraham]

we played alot better against spurs and i think we will kick on from that performance and beat man utd

[Nibs]

I know Carlo won't, but I would go for:

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

Ferriera ...Ivan.... JT....... Cole

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

......Ramires.............Malouda......

...........McEachran.......

......Drogba........Sturridge........

Sub: Turnball, Lamps, Bruma, Mikel, Anelka, PVA, Kalou

[rahul]

I know Carlo won't, but I would go for:

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

Ferriera ...Ivan.... JT....... Cole

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

......Ramires.............Malouda......

...........McEachran.......

......Drogba........Sturridge........

Sub: Turnball, Lamps, Bruma, Mikel, Anelka, PVA, Kalou

I'd love to see how that works but maybe not against United. I think being narrow against United might not work so well as they will obviously crowd the midfield out and the complete onus of creating chances for us will fall on McEachran's shoulders. We do not move the ball very well in midfield and being narrow would mean it will become all the more difficult.

[evissy]

This might well decide the rest of the EPL season. "Only" three points but the psychological edge is more important in this one. ManU might not suffer too much if they lose but if we lose home it might be a crushing blow to the confidence. If ManU win they believe they can beat anyone.

[Blueblur]

ozboy, 'its too early to start Lampard'...are you out of your f****** mind? Without him we're screwed.

It would inflict great psychological damage if we beat United on Sunday. It'll show them that we're far, far from being out of the title race.

Edited December 14, 2010 by TrueblueRich

[Nibs]

ozboy, 'its too early to start Lampard'...are you out of your f****** mind? Without him we're screwed. It would inflict great psychological damage if we beat United on Sunday. It'll show them that we're far, far from being out of the title race.

Hardly.

What are we gonna do in another season or two when he retires? Will we be screwed FOREVER?!!

[Blueblur]

Hardly.

What are we gonna do in another season or two when he retires? Will we be screwed FOREVER?!!

I suppose so. But we have him now, he's back from injury, and it would be foolish not to play him for at least 45 mins.

[54veteran]

Time for Michael Emenalo to assert himself on the training field. I hear he once coached a team of 11 year old girls in Arizona, so you can be sure the likes of Drogba and Anelka will give him the respect he deserves. I just hope he isn't head hunted by SAF.

[Alex]

They will almostly certainly start 4-5-1 as they always do in big games. If that means Carrick starting that could be a bonus as he is in a terrible bit of form and Essien could have a field day on him. Really would like to see Sturridge get a start ahed of anelka and play malouda sturridge and drogba as front three, but obviously that wont happen it will be malouda anelka and drogba.

I will be surprised if Frank starts but would expect him to come on a bit earlier than last week, if nothing else for more playing time.

It does seem as though its written for Chelsea to win this with man u unbeated and us in a bad run (allbeit with a much much improved performance last week) but on the day that means absolutley nothing.

Come on lads get a result

[yorkleyblue]

Time for Michael Emenalo to assert himself on the training field. I hear he once coached a team of 11 year old girls in Arizona, so you can be sure the likes of Drogba and Anelka will give him the respect he deserves. I just hope he isn't head hunted by SAF.

Actually, there is no respect, this time. You just talk bollocks. Snide get!

[Zeta]

Can't say I'm really looking forward to it. I'd like to believe we'lll turn it on for such a big game, but recent performances are hard to ignore. We really need to start with 2 up front though. Playing with just 1 striker, especially if it's Anelka, means we just get outnumbered up there and keep losing it.

I'd go for something like:

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

Bosingwa-------Terry-------Ivanovic-----------Cole

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

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

--------------------------Malouda-------------------------

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

[saran75]

I know Carlo won't, but I would go for:

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

Ferriera ...Ivan.... JT....... Cole

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

......Ramires.............Malouda......

...........McEachran.......

......Drogba........Sturridge........

Sub: Turnball, Lamps, Bruma, Mikel, Anelka, PVA, Kalou

this team is much too narrow against 5 man manc midfield and that c**t Fletcher or Carrick to kick lumps outta Josh...have to go with second half display as against Spuds and pressure them all over, with Nico upping his game somewhat and staying up where he can hurt their defence, as Drogs cannot manage Rio & Vidic for entire game.....They no doubt will play as against Le Arse 5 in the middle and counter attack, driving our midfield back constantly --- they will be happy with a point, 3 ahead with poss cert 3 from game in hand.. . we deffo cannot afford a loss as that would give them a 9 point cushion at half way stage, they are not likely to throw that away, esp when they havn't lost yet......

[Zola]

Lampard should start I think. With a hard weeks training he will be ok. If he gets tired then put on Josh in his place!

Must win, for many reasons.

[Andreas]

Must win this one, especially to give them their first loss of the season. I could see us winning this one 2-1 but it will be one of those games where your heart is about to stop.

If Lampards fit enough to start he should, we need players to get inside the box and with him that will happen.

Drogba should start this one as Anelka's not a target player, drops way to deep for a striker.

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

-Ferreira-----Ivan-------JT------Cole--

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

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

-Anelka------------------------Malouda-

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

[Zola]

Looks a good lineup

[Threepw00d]

Now somebody can tell me who really is carlo's assistant?

I just don't get it why Emelano is not sitting next to him, this sunday too.

[rahul]

The c**t Fletcher tried his best to influence Webb last night and managed to some extent. If he tries the same antics against us I'd go to his house and toilet paper it to no end.