Posted January 2, 201213 yr my team: Cech Hutchinson, Luiz, Terry, Cole Romeu, Ramires, Josh Lalkovic, Torres, Mata Subs. Super Frank, Sturridge, Lukaka, Bertrand, Challobah, either one of the sh*t back up gk's.
January 2, 201213 yr I mentioned this in the "Meeting Up" section, but I thought I'd write it here as well. This game will be my first ever at the Bridge, or indeed watching Chelsea live. This is a close approximation of my mood: . So, if anyone else from here is going, I'd love to meet up before or after the game. You will recognize me as the only one who acts like a giddy 13-year old girl with a crush. As for the game, I hope we will have wrapped up Cahill by then, if only just to give Terry a rest. Turnbull, Bertrand, Josh, Lukaku will certainly start; Kalou, Malouda, Mikel, Paolo probably will feature as well. I hope Hutchinson can get some time, he will certainly get a standing ovation from me. Make my day, boys. And against Pompey, one of the teams I quite like.
January 2, 201213 yr Turnbull Hutchinson Luiz terry Bertrand Romeu Ramires josh Sturridge lukaka mata Cech cole Torres lampard challobah Lalkovic
January 3, 201213 yr The last thing we need is a draw or loss here. Let's get the job done with our strongest team then we can worry about giving fringe players some time when the game is wrapped up. Cech Ivan(if fit) Luiz terry bertrand Romeu Ramires lamps or josh Sturridge Nando Mata
January 3, 201213 yr The last thing we need is a draw or loss here. Let's get the job done with our strongest team then we can worry about giving fringe players some time when the game is wrapped up. This. This team, at the moment, shouldn't be overlooking anybody - regardless of division. Get the real starting XI out there and take care of business.
January 3, 201213 yr Tough lineup to speculate on this far out. Who knows who is fit, who may have left and who may have arrived.
January 3, 201213 yr Kalou and Drogba are off to the ACN aren't they? If that his the case I think we start with our usual starting line up, we need a boost of confidence and Sot of self belief. Of course that could all go horribly wrong and backfire on us
January 3, 201213 yr I'd love to see Josh and Bertrand start. But apart from that it should be the best team that starts. This might be our only chance to win some silverware this season. I'd also drop Bosingwa and give Paulo a go as the former is too much of a defensive liability. A right back should be one priority this summer if not in Jan. Cech Paulo Luiz JT Bertrand Ramires Romeu Josh Sturridge Torres Mata Could have Hutch, Lalkovic, Lukaku etc on bench to give them a run out if we're 3 or 4 goals ahead with half an hour to go.
January 3, 201213 yr Didn't AVB say a while back that Chelsea would play youngsters and players who don't get much time for the first team in the cup games? Or was that just in the CC? So maybe players like Torres, Mata, Cole and JT will get some rest. Might see players like Ferreira, Turnbull, Lukaku, Josh and Bertrand get a chance. Would be nice to see Hutch as well.
January 3, 201213 yr Need a mixture of both experience and youth. Cmon Chelsea ! Edited January 3, 201213 yr by ishangodbole
January 3, 201213 yr --------------------------Cech ---Ferreria ------- Luiz-------Chalobah----Bertrand -----------------Ramires-----Romeu --------Sturridge------McEachran------Mata ------------------------Torres No need for a DM against Portsmouth. We should be attacking them all game.
January 3, 201213 yr --------------------------Cech ---Ferreria ------- Luiz-------Chalobah----Bertrand -----------------Ramires-----Romeu --------Sturridge------McEachran------Mata ------------------------Torres No need for a DM against Portsmouth. We should be attacking them all game. But yet you have included one in a formation that typically allows for two defensive midfielders.
January 3, 201213 yr The last thing we need is a draw or loss here. Let's get the job done with our strongest team then we can worry about giving fringe players some time when the game is wrapped up. Cech Ivan(if fit) Luiz terry bertrand Romeu Ramires lamps or josh Sturridge Nando Mata Totally agree, weakened team sends wrong message out. You win the match and then EARN the right to rest players.2 youngsters max to start if you play with more you dont see just how well they fit into the first team setup.
January 3, 201213 yr But yet you have included one in a formation that typically allows for two defensive midfielders. The way I had my line up, was more with 2 central midfielders, not one sitting deep. I put Romeu in because he can actually go forward and make intelligent attacking passes, so I don't think he'd have a problem with playing in a traditional 2 man centre mid. Plus it's either him or someone like Lampard or Merieles, and since it's the FA cup I went for the younger one.
January 3, 201213 yr I'd play hutch at rb bertrand at lb JT and Luiz cb's. Romeu josh and ramires in midfield sturridge if fit, with torres and mata. Mix of youth and experience
January 3, 201213 yr I think it's probably still too soon to throw Sam into a full 90 minutes for the first team. It was only a few months ago he was still taking it slowly with the reserves, we don't want to rush things and mess up the recovery. Edited January 3, 201213 yr by BlueSkies
January 3, 201213 yr I Think I'd go back to a good old 4-4-2 and not take Pompey too lightly. --------------------------Cech ---Ferreria --------Chalobah--------JT---Bertrand ----Ramires-----Luiiz--------Josh-----------Mata --------Sturridge-------------Torres Subs - the usual, inc Lukaku, Romeu & Lalkovic....
January 3, 201213 yr I Think I'd go back to a good old 4-4-2 and not take Pompey too lightly.--------------------------Cech ---Ferreria --------Chalobah--------JT---Bertrand ----Ramires-----Luiiz--------Josh-----------Mata --------Sturridge-------------Torres Subs - the usual, inc Lukaku, Romeu & Lalkovic.... Luiz would probly be better sitting in front of the back four his positioning is awful sometimes
January 3, 201213 yr I think it's probably still too soon to throw Sam into a full 90 minutes for the first team. It was only a few months ago he was still taking it slowly with the reserves, we don't want to rush things and mess up the recovery. Should be able to manage 45 though. He's played the full 90 in most of the reserve games against the likes of Villa, who are probably on par with Pompey.
January 4, 201213 yr Unless we are getting a few players in the next few days, the 11 players played against Wolves will pick themselves automatically for this one. Likely changes will be Josh , Betrand and the reserve goal keeper come in for a start, We aren't playing well, the FA cup maybe only chance to win something this seasn, can't see us risking too much.
January 4, 201213 yr As much as many think that the youngsters should get a run out I disagree, IMO we should play the strongest team possible and hammer them to get the goalscorers scoring, if were up 4 we should want 5, then 6 and so on. If we were on a good run and playing well I certainly would consider the young angle as I have been a strong supporter of bringing the youngster through, but we are fragile and need to build confidence and get the winning mentality back...although I'm sure if we are 5 up AVB will give the youngster a run out.
January 4, 201213 yr I agree we should put out a strong team but it doesnt mean we cant put a few youngsters in. Cech Ivanovic Luiz Terry Bertrand Mikel (to give Romeu a rest) Ramires Lamps Malouda (rest Mata who looks knackered) Studge (if fit or Lukaku) Torres subs: Chalobah Piazon Lalkovic Kalou Turnbull Bertrand if the starting 11 cant get goals then we really do need to spend a lot this month
January 4, 201213 yr Been a mixed bag in the FA Cup playing teams from lower leagues in recent seasons, the biggest blunder being Uncle Avram getting knocked out by Barnsley by 1- 0. Under Carlo Chelsea hammered Watford 5 - 0 (cup winning season) and Ipswich 7- 0 last year. Also remember a narrow 1 - 0 over QPR as well in the 3rd round by TSO. What usually happens if it goes tits up is the likes of Lampard, Sturridge etc. left on the bench come on to sort it out in the 2nd half. I don't really care who gets rested or who gets a chance in the outfield, I do however want to see Cech in goal for a bit of insurance. Pompey are languishing in 17th place in the championship, they have had a mixed bag of results lately, so if Chelsea can't thump them at Stamford Bridge even without the likes of Torres, Lampard Ivan, Cole, JT etc. starting - lord help us.
