This is not going to be easy, at all. Newcastle have really improved, and we have been anything but that.

AVB can't afford to lose this game, or the Valencia game. It's sad to see him being so far under the microscope, but he has to answer for.

I have a real sense that he is two consecutive defeats away from getting the boot.

A tight rope graphic has never been so appropriate.

If I was AVB I would go for:

Ivan, Terry, Alex, Cole

Ramires Merieles Romeu

Mata Drogba Sturridge

Newcastle, will win this because their players will show more commitment and heart!

To have any hope we need to play

Ivan, Luiz, JT, Cole

Romeu, Merieles

Studge, Ramires, Mata

Torres

Otherwise expect more heartache!

My team

cech

Ivan luiz terry cole

Romeu

Mereiles Ramies/lampard

Sturridge Torres Mata

The team I think he will play and the one I believe we will lose with

Cech

Ivan Alex terry cole

Mikel

Mereiles Ramires

Sturridge Drogba Mata

Edited November 30, 201114 yr by Bluehatter

Got a nasty feeling Mikel will return for this one.

Say it ain't so, Andre.

A midfield three of Romeu, Mereiles and Ramires worked fine against Wolves, albeit Wolves were sh*t.

I would play Luiz but he can't be trusted, and Newcastle will be cooking, he needs to keep his cool.

Up front is the big conundrum ..

Drogba or Torres ?

It's not a nice problem to have, as they're both sh*t.

Got a feeling Gutierrez is banned for this one, which should make things easier for Sturridge on the right.

This is not going to be easy, at all. Newcastle have really improved, and we have been anything but that.

AVB can't afford to lose this game, or the Valencia game. It's sad to see him being so far under the microscope, but he has to answer for.

I have a real sense that he is two consecutive defeats away from getting the boot.

A tight rope graphic has never been so appropriate.

If I was AVB I would go for:

Ivan, Terry, Alex, Cole

Ramires Merieles Romeu

Mata Drogba Sturridge

I think thats the team we will play too, but with Luiz instead of Alex.

Ive got a bad feeling about this.....

Cech

Ivanovic-Luiz-Terry-Cole

Ramires-Romeu-Meireles

Sturridge-Torres-Mata

or

Cech

Ivanovic-Luiz-Terry-Cole

Ramires-Romeu

Sturridge-Mata-Meireles

Torres

and yes I realize Meireles is not fast enough to play on the wing, so have him and Mata freely switching. Get them both some opportunities to feed Torres in the penalty area.

Why is everyone going for Torres when he doesn't fight to win the ball back or hold the ball up? Drogba is unlikely to find his best form again, but in the last 2 games he has at least worked hard, until his legs were gone. Lukaka was better than Torres on wed night. Surely you pick the player who contributes more to the team, especially when your job is more than likely on the line.

Ben,

Torres runs all over the place. But if you don't put quick, creative guys around him, those runs are completely wasted. The team has been built to suit Drogba's style. It's what they know. They hold up play, they grind it out in the final third, and then people bitch when Torres doesn't single-handedly maul 3 defenders, spin, and get his shot off.

THAT'S NOT WHAT HE'S GOOD AT.

We had about a month-long stretch in September where we looked lethal. Torres was the striker during that stretch. Mata, Sturridge, and Meireles were contributing to a quick paced attack, and Mata especially was finding Torres in space so he could do what Torres does: react quickly, beat his 1 man, and shoot.

We run into trouble when our midfield and front line is half "old guard" and half "new guys," because no matter how much time they've had at training together, they've just been wired to play different styles.

Just really hope that Lampard is on the bench for this. Just think we play better without him. Hasn't AVB already stated that he'll probably go with drogba, I hope not, lets go for pace instead of power. Newcastle have a huge pitch perfect for torres. Play him for 10 GAMES straight, if he sh*t shift him but tell him he's number one and see what happens. Meirles Romeu and Ramires have to be our midfield. Front 3 pick themselves and so does defence. Luiz and terry partnership please. BA is on fire and Bossy will get the run around if he's pick Gutierez has got a lot of confidence and will attack him all day.

UP THE BLUES, play with no fear and with lots of pride and passion.

Ben,

Torres runs all over the place. But if you don't put quick, creative guys around him, those runs are completely wasted. The team has been built to suit Drogba's style. It's what they know. They hold up play, they grind it out in the final third, and then people bitch when Torres doesn't single-handedly maul 3 defenders, spin, and get his shot off.

THAT'S NOT WHAT HE'S GOOD AT.

We had about a month-long stretch in September where we looked lethal. Torres was the striker during that stretch. Mata, Sturridge, and Meireles were contributing to a quick paced attack, and Mata especially was finding Torres in space so he could do what Torres does: react quickly, beat his 1 man, and shoot.

We run into trouble when our midfield and front line is half "old guard" and half "new guys," because no matter how much time they've had at training together, they've just been wired to play different styles.

Con-f**king-curred

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

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

---Meireles---Romeu---Ramires

Sturridge----Torres-----Mata

Drop Alex for Luiz and I like that. Alex has been shaky this season if you ask me, and he lacks the pace for AVB's high line. Terry and Alex together are way too slow to play that style.

If we play the same midfield, torres should play , his best chance to get some early balls, and the midfield- forward can easily accommodate 4231. I fear avb will include mikel, lampard and drogba in this because the experience factor.

Has anyone seen the quotes from AVB basically stating that he will revert to drogba for Newcastle.

No, care to share?

No, care to share?

I dunno where to find it mate, I would if I could Lemme ave a look

Found it mate.

Here http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-chelsea-fc/2011/11/30/chelsea-boss-set-to-axe-fernando-torres-for-newcastle-united-clash-64767-29869125/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I don't know....nothing too conclusive in there.

This is going to be a turkey shoot. And we ain't holding the gun.

Edited November 30, 201114 yr by Elliott

If he does revert to Drogba, with the team he will pick around that I expect us to lose!

And just for the record AVB how the f**k is 433 our favoured formation, we've lost we've won 2 out of 9 games with that formation, against the 2 worst teams in the league, hardly stunning is it!

I'm not 1 for calling for the managers head but if he can't change his mind, then he is not a very good manager!

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

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

---Meireles---Romeu---Ramires

Sturridge----Torres-----Mata

I would start with that

Already an important match, vital we get the 3 points. Making the trip down for this one, looking forward to it, albeit I'm not confident of the result we need.

Torres will be dropped which is a huge mistake, Drogba will start.

3 points here are cruical and Newcastle aint an easy team to beat away - I just hope the lads are up for it and that we can give them some beating.

Ben,

Torres runs all over the place. But if you don't put quick, creative guys around him, those runs are completely wasted. The team has been built to suit Drogba's style. It's what they know. They hold up play, they grind it out in the final third, and then people bitch when Torres doesn't single-handedly maul 3 defenders, spin, and get his shot off.

THAT'S NOT WHAT HE'S GOOD AT.

We had about a month-long stretch in September where we looked lethal. Torres was the striker during that stretch. Mata, Sturridge, and Meireles were contributing to a quick paced attack, and Mata especially was finding Torres in space so he could do what Torres does: react quickly, beat his 1 man, and shoot.

We run into trouble when our midfield and front line is half "old guard" and half "new guys," because no matter how much time they've had at training together, they've just been wired to play different styles.

Thank god you have realised this.Iv been arguing with friends the past few days all slagging me saying weve turned sh*t and will struggle to make top 4. I guarantee if we go back to this with meireles sitting playing quick ball and ramires and lampard either side we will start winning again. Could also have romeu sitting and meireles instead of lampard. The sentiments must go out the window now with lampard we have stronger players than him and I feel he shouldn't be starting the game against newcastle.

Saying that if he does start I hope he gives us a few goals and make me look like a numpty