Cech

Bos, Ivan, Terry, Ash

Mikel

Ramires, Lampard

Malouda

Drogba, Torres (hope I don't curse it)

Cech

Bos Ivan Terry Ash

Mikel

Essien Malouda

Lampard

Drogba Torres

Works for me :)

cech

Bosingwa-Iva-Terry--A.cole

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

Essien------------RAmires

------------Lampard-------

Drogba---------Torres

Cech

Bos, Ivan, Terry, Ash

Mikel

Ramires, Lampard

Malouda

Drogba, Anelka

I'm a huge Essien fan, but he's struggling at the moment (despite 1 very good tackle v Everton)

I didn't realise this was tomorrow. I'm not particularly confident as this could really go either way. I assume no one needs reminding of 'what happened last time'...

From what I've heard it will be the same team as against Everton. In other words: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivan, JT, Cole; Ramires, Essien, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

Guess Torres will start on the bench if we get him.

I hope we crush Sunderland. That 3-0 loss at home against them still hurts so it's time to get some revenge. Can we get 7-0 with Drogba and Torres getting hattricks?

Cech

Ivan, Luiz, Terry, Ash

Mikel

Ramires, Lampard

Malouda

Drogba, Torres (hope I don't curse it)

Updated (keeping my fingers crossed)

It's feeling like christmas all over again.

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

---Bossy-------Liuz------J/T-------Cole---

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

-------Essien----------------Ramires-------

------------------Lampard-------------------

-------------Drogba-----Torres------------

Bench: Ross - Bruma - Ivan - Josh - Malouda - Kalou - Anelka -

Edited January 31, 201115 yr by coco

If Luiz and Torres do sign will they even be able to play? I thought they had to be registered by midday if they would be able to play tomorow.

Hi guys

A minutes silence before the game.

Sunderland and Chelsea will pay tribute to keeper Jimmy Thorpe tomorrow night - 75 years after his death.

The goalkeeper whose tragic death changed the rules of modern football following a game between Sunderland and Chelsea 75 years ago is to be remembered tomorrow as the sides meet in the Barclays Premier League.

Tomorrow night's fixture at the Stadium of Light marks the exact anniversary of the game on Wearside in which Sunderland goalkeeper Jimmy Thorpe received life threatening injuries as he held the ball, resulting in his untimely death just days later in February 1936.

And both Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon and Chelsea stopper Petr Cech will wear black armbands throughout the game in memory of Thorpe - who died at the tender age of just 22.

The fatality sent shockwaves through the game and was a major factor in the Laws of the Game being altered to stop players raising their foot to a goalkeeper when he has the ball in his hands. Sunderland went on to be crowned the country's Champions for the sixth time that season, with Jimmy's widow poignantly receiving his medal.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: "Jimmy gave fantastic service to the club at a time when it was consistently challenging for - and winning - the Football League title, so he was right at the top of his game when he died.

"To lose his life at such a young age and particularly as a result of a football match was absolutely tragic so it is fitting that we remember him, especially with the same two teams meeting 75 years on.

"Craig and Petr are both only too willing to wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Jimmy. His legacy has protected goalkeepers and has prevented a lot more serious injuries and fatalities ever since and continues to do so."

Sunderland's goalkeeper coach Nigel Spink and reserve 'keeper Simon Mignolet will also wear black armbands in a show of support.

Thorpe had been making his 52nd consecutive appearance for Sunderland, having established himself as Sunderland's number one. A diabetic, Jarrow-born Jimmy was on the receiving end of brutal treatment throughout the 3-3 draw; a game in which Chelsea's Northern Ireland international Billy Mitchell was sent off - a rarity in pre-war games.

Bolton-based referee, Mr. RS Warr, was condemned by the Football Association for allowing such play, leading the game's governing bodies to revise the protection of goalkeepers.

Thorpe had made his debut for Sunderland against Huddersfield in October 1930. Previously an engineer in the Jarrow shipyards, he had played for Jarrow in the North Eastern League before signing for Sunderland at the age of seventeen.

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

---Bossy-------Liuz------J/T-------Cole---

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

-------Essien----------------Ramires-------

------------------Lampard-------------------

-------------Drogba-----Torres------------

Bench: Ross - Bruma - Ivan - Josh - Malouda - Kalou - Anelka -

How can you drop Ivan?

How can you drop Ivan?

and play torres and Luiz ?we don't have either of them yet

and play torres and Luiz ?we don't have either of them yet

Just getting excited about it all. It feels like xmas eve as a kid right now. Lets hope santa delivers :-)

Realistically I know neither will play but moving foward I can see Ivan going back to right & Alex fighting for his spot back in the the team.

Be interesting to see what formation we go with now.

not sure about the team.................but I would change it a little - I would swap kalou for malouda & mikel for lampard.............yes thats right

remember when we played them at home they played 451............433 system with the midfield taking on our midfield and putting pressure on the back 4, so mikel essie and ramires in the middle to counter their energy in there

lamps off the pace on Saturday and needs some more games, but not this one (but yes scouse at the weekend)

malouda in & out on Saturday so kalou should get a start

score

2-1 blueboys but it will be a battle

Sky just said he could make his debut tomorrow, isnt the game late night tomorrow so it could be possible?

I can't see any changes for this game. Torress get 20 minutes in the end. We have to win and we will.

Bos ---- Ivan ---- Terry --- Cole

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

Ramires ---------- Lampard

Anelka ---------------Torres

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

Luiz gets 25 mins when Bos is subbed.

Edited February 1, 201115 yr by Saaladin

abc, I think Petr would only be too happy to commemorate that sad incident, given his history.

On the actual game front, I'd be surprised to see any major changes to the team.

Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Ramires, Lampard, Anelka, Malouda and Drogba

Bench: Hilario/Turnbull, Bruma, Ferreira, Mikel, Kalou, McEachran, Torres. Add Benayoun, Alex, Luiz and Zhirkov into that mix and we're pressed for spots again. Poor old Paulo might be off the bench.

I'd think Torres might be on the bench, but I'm not sure about Luiz. He speaks a little but not much English so I'm told, plus defending is so much more about structure and teamwork, so given that all our games are must win from here on in, I'd say it's too much of a risk. Give him a few days and he might play against Liverpool though it might even be too soon then.

How about we try a good old fashioned 4-4-2?

Cech; Cole, Terry, Luiz, Ivanovic; Malouda, Lampard, Essien, Ramires; Torres, Drogba

Maybe too soon for Torres and/or Luiz? Can Ramires play wide right? He seems to have the pace for it at least.

How about we try a good old fashioned 4-4-2?

Cech; Cole, Terry, Luiz, Ivanovic; Malouda, Lampard, Essien, Ramires; Torres, Drogba

Maybe too soon for Torres and/or Luiz? Can Ramires play wide right? He seems to have the pace for it at least.

Im all for trying 442, i believe Ramires has played wide right before

According to @BluesChronicle on Twitter Torres isn't playing.

Don't expect Torres to play for Chelsea v Liverpool on Sun. Even if he's fit to play (which I don't think he is) he won't.

Update: Apparently not playing against Liverpool either.

Torres not playing v Liverpool: neither club would want this to be his debut. Too much for both to lose. Bad psychology for the player.

Dissapointing but proabably for the best.

Edited February 1, 201115 yr by kitierkatba

Oh yes he will play against Liverpool

so kalou should get a start

With the signing of Torres, that's a sentence I don't ever expect to see again.

Yeah whats that guy basing it on that Torres won't play against Pool. The interview with Nando he says its destiny