After today's performance against Stoke, and barring any injuries in the week, Kalou will surely drop to the bench with Anelka coming in on the right hand side. Malouda may retain his place although we could also see Drogba come in for him and played through the centre with Torres pushed out wide.

Whether we see any other changes will depend on recoveries from injuries for players who didn't make it today.

Can't wait for this game, it should be a good one and I can see us winning with pretty big numbers here.. first home game of the season and after the draw against stoke the boys will surely be up for it!

We could see new signings during the week and that would make this fixture even more interesting.

4-0 to Chelsea even though WBA look a better side compared to last season.

I really hope that we don't play all of Nico, Drogba, and Torress at the same time. I want to have someone of a higher calibre to come off the bench if needed.

I'd probaby start the same as we did today, with Nico instead of Kalou. On an outside shot (and this probably won't happen) I'd also have Benayoun in for Lampard.

With AVB picking Bosingwa today, is that a sign of things to come, and if so where does that leave Ivanovic? Could we see Ivan and Alex rotate in as partners for JT? Also, WBA looked very lively against Man U today, so this won't be an easy fixture at all. I'd happily take 1-0 to Chelsea, with Torres on the scoresheet.

With AVB picking Bosingwa today, is that a sign of things to come, and if so where does that leave Ivanovic? Could we see Ivan and Alex rotate in as partners for JT?

I wouldn't read too much into that. Ivan picked up an injury the other day and wasn't expected to play. I took it as a good sign that he was on the substitutes bench, shows the injury probably wasn't too serious.

Also luiz surely has to be in avb plans, and imo fits the bill of his style of football more so than our other cb's. So I doubt it would just be rotation between ivan and alex through entire season. (Sorry if your talking about until luiz is back )

Also luiz surely has to be in avb plans, and imo fits the bill of his style of football more so than our other cb's. So I doubt it would just be rotation between ivan and alex through entire season. (Sorry if your talking about until luiz is back )

In my opinion against teams that pose a threat down the left wing it should be:

Ashley--JT--Luiz--Ivan

and against teams without a good winger on the lift wing

Ashley--JT--Ivan--Bosingwa

I dont want to see too much of an JT/Alex partnership at CB as they both lack pace and they aint getting any younger either. Bosingwa should only get starts at RB if he plays well of course (I am slightly more optimistic about that after todays game)

Anelka - Torres - Lukaku

Modric - Ramires - Benayoun

Cole - JT - Alex/Luiz/Ivan - Bosingwa

Maybe? :)

Sturridge is looking more and more important to this team even without being involved. I hope he lives upto it and makes the right wing his.

About this game, I agree Kalou should be dropped to the bench. Anelka to start on the right. Also agree with mad_mac regarding Benayoun.

The home advantage should see us winning this one easily but an early goal would be vital.

After today's performance against Stoke, and barring any injuries in the week, Kalou will surely drop to the bench with Anelka coming in on the right hand side.

I would hate to see this change, much as I'm aware of Kalou's shortcomings. Far rather see Benayoun on the right than Anelka, if Kalou is dropped.

Will be interesting to see what AVB does about Drogba. I fear the Drogba/Torres conundrum may prove a difficult one.

Torres played well against Stoke. He would be miffed if he were now dropped. Drogba will be miffed if he's overlooked again. Will be a test for AVB.

Also, Alex and Boswinga played well. Personally, I feel this means they should start the next game, regardless of the fitness of Ivan and Luiz.

Torres to start again for me. Got to look at future and the future of this season with african nations, so torres need to be going well. Why take him out when he is playing well?

I'd actually go with exactly the same formation as we started at Stoke as I mentioned on this forum earlier. Let me explain.

Anelka was played on the left where he was okay as usual(hit the crossbar with beautiful dipping shot). No need to swap him to the right side as he can be effective sub for Malouda.

Kalou has much more freedom to attack as we play a significantly weaker opponent at home compared to Stoke. He needs all the minutes he can get to hit good form as Sturridge is out. As soon as Danny comes back from suspension he takes Kalou's place. We need Kalou in form IF Danny gets injured or he loses his form. Don't you agree? Think further.

Best of course would be to buy a right sided winger but as long as we don't have anyone and Sturridge is out we should play Kalou. 13 goals last season from the bench didn't come with just luck mind you.

I love the setup having two great trio's up front for a game. I bet most opposing managers just wait with pale faces the moment we introduce Drogba and Anelka from the bench. Hope it starts to work soon.

Torres has to start. He was terrific really against Stoke. In fact I thought we lost momentum when Drogs came on. Anelka could start instead of Kalou.

I was happy with the defence and the boss winger deserved to start although Ivan has always been one of my first picks. Defence is the least of the worries at the moment.

Its midfield that's the struggle, when we play 4 3 3, because if Malouda and Kalou/anelka play and Mikel plays and Ramires and Lampard play it doesn't leave room for a creative midfielder anyway.

Assuming Lampard remains an untouchable for the time being, its Malouda that has to go to make room for either Benayoun or Josh with some adjustment in the formation to suit. Alternatively for a home game we could consider doing without Mikel but the security in defence is what lets us have the freedom to attack. So its a problem

I love the setup having two great trio's up front for a game.

I don't even think we have one great trio, let alone two.

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

Ivanovic--Terry-----Alex-------Cole

Ramires-----Lampard-----Malouda

-------Anelka-------------Benayoun--

---------------Torres--------------------

I don't even think we have one great trio, let alone two.

Compared to most teams in the league. Stoke had Jon "who" Walters.

I think AVB took a stand on the Drogba/Torres debate by starting Torres. Its long term thinking and one which makes me positive regarding AVB's plans. Now he shouldn't fk it up by dropping Torres unnecessarily. He is the only player capable of some flair in this team.

Now he shouldn't fk it up by dropping Torres unnecessarily. He is the only player capable of some flair in this team.

Until we sign(in this transfer window or in a later one) a creative midfielder, it would be worth a try to start both Torres and Benny. They know each other from their Liverpool days, so Benny knows best(out of our current squad) how to pass the ball to Torres and and he's got a bit of creativity as well.

Mikel will surely be excused from playing on Saturday. Hopefully Josh will get the start.

Yeah surely Mikel will be out. Young Romeu might get a start sooner than he would have expected, being the only other defensive midfielder in the squad.

Play without a defence midfielder. Alternatively use Luiz there, if he's fit.

For once, I think I would just give Bosingwa the nod ahead of Ivan for this one.

Hope to see one of Josh/Yossi given a start, particularly if Mikel is rightly allowed a break.

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

-Bos--------Alex----JT--------Cole

-----------Ramires-Josh-----------

-----------------------------------------

Anelka------Yossi---Matalouda

--------------Torres

Edited August 16, 201114 yr by footballoholic

Play without a defence midfielder. Alternatively use Luiz there, if he's fit.

I don't see the logic here. Play without a defensive midfielder or put a center-back there who surely is the most defensive-minded player.

I understand the idea of using Luiz elsewhere but he should learn his trade well enough in this country before trying him in midfield. He is coming back from injury so maybe AVB will use him as a sub. I really want to see him play again.

I agree with not using a DM. Put Ramires in there as a box-to-box midfielder alongside Lamps and maybe Yossi. Its a balanced mid of hard-workers, with a bit of flair and some goals in it. Best we can do for now I guess. bring Josh on for some minutes in the second half to replace Lamps (Yossi and Torres need as many minutes on the field to get Nando firing again).

For once, I think I would just give Bosingwa the nod ahead of Ivan for this one.

Hope to see one of Josh/Yossi given a start, particularly if Mikel is rightly allowed a break.

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

-Bos--------Alex----JT--------Cole

-----------Ramires-Josh-----------

-----------------------------------------

Anelka------Yossi---Matalouda

--------------Torres

This one, great formation.Luiz in for Alex if he's fit though.

Would like to see more from Josh and Ramires.

People saying we shouldn't play any DM there, I agree. but at least with a box to box midfield. So we got Ramires there. He is an engine, he can run from one end of the field to the another end for 90minutes.

Josh as a deep lying playmarker, he doesn't get forward too much, but will make some late runs, just like Lampard does always. Josh might go and ask some help from Lampard :P

Obviously, we have no choice on the left, so Malouda is the only player who can play there. I hate this, we really need to buy some winger.

Depends on Lampard's fitness level, if he's not fit enough, Benayoun will start.

Edited August 16, 201114 yr by Faith-in

Alex was our man of the match against Stoke, it frightens me that he's being linked with a move away and it baffles me that people would want him left out of the team against WBA.

Based on the performances from the last game, I think Lampard, Kalou and Malouda unfortunately offered very little, and would pick Benayon, Anelka and Drogba respectively to replace them.

Sturridge would fit straight into the team for me if he was fit, his pace, technique and massively improved drive & determination will hopefully make him one of the first names on the team sheet when he returns from suspension.

Edited August 16, 201114 yr by blizeH