We have a very congested fixture list coming up, and every game is frankly massive (CL semi final, FA cup final, four absolutely huge league games, potential CL final) and I have to say, after Saturday I'm pretty worried...

Drogba - has been back to his best in Champions League games this season, and as a result absolutely has to start tomorrow, and also in the final if we make it. Very unlikely he'll be fit to play every game.

Mata - absolutely instrumental for us this season, but has been showing signs of fatigue lately (he was very ineffective against Barcelona, although we hardly saw the ball so that's not too surprising) - should still be included in the starting XI whenever possible, although recently he has been played in a more central role, and not as one of the front three.

Sturridge - to say he's regressed would be a massive understatement. People won't like me saying this, and I don't like saying this myself, but it's almost like he's now playing with arrogance and apathy rather than the confidence and determination we saw earlier in the season. He needs to sort himself out, else I can't see him being here next season, such a shame.

Torres - I've been a huge supporter of Torres (both on here, and at the few games I've been to this season) but damn did he ever look lethargic against Arsenal - his worst performance of the season for us by far, looking completely disinterested, at a time when he really had a chance (and a full 90 minutes) to prove himself in a huge match.

Kalou - love the fella, never stops trying, but often looks lacking, bless him. For effort alone, I'd be tempted to have him in the team above certain others. He does have a knack of being in the right place at the right time too, so can be just as effective as he is frustrating. Fantastic squad player (potentially more than that right now) and I hope he stays with us.

Malouda - consistently mediocre. He can be frustrating at times, and also fairly single minded when he has even a glimpse of the goal, and he's very one footed. From what I've wrote there he basically sounds like a slightly better version of Sturridge. Puts in a shift and could be useful for us though.

Ramires - love love love this guy, but playing him as one of the front three (either on the left or right) can leave us lacking in midfield. His attitude is spot on, and as a result I'd play him for every single minute of every single game until the end of the season if he's up to it.

Lukaku - still an unknown quantity, but did look promising in the games he played near the end of AVB's reign. I think the remaining matches are too important to give him a run out unfortunately, but Robbie did get Romeu a chance, and I honestly don't think it'd be possible for Lukaku to have had a worse impact on the Arsenal game than Sturridge and Torres did.

Looking at those, if you had to pick three it'd probably be Mata, Drogba and Ramires. The problem is they cannot play every game, and also having Mata/Ramires further forward may leave us slightly lacking in midfield. Thoughts?

Edited April 23, 201214 yr by blizeH

Since we play 4-3-3 I find it quite difficult to pick the front three. With a 4-4-2 it would be a bit easier. The reason is that I would like both Torres and Drogba up front together, but not in a 4-3-3. Torres can do well out wide, but his natural position is central.

As for Mata, he's a guy I would like to have out wide in a 4-3-3, but at the same time I want him in at midfield, since we need someone creative there.

It's a bit the same with Ramires. I want him running up and down the midfield, breaking through the opponents with speed. That gives us more options. Besides, I don't think he's that great out wide. He's got the speed and stamina, but his technique and passing ability isn't great.

It's hard.

And I want to see Lukaku play, but I know that we have only important games left and I doubt we'll chance playing him, unless we get loads of injuries.

Until we get a better crossing left winger than Malouda, then he, unfortunately, should be starting. Either that or stick Bertrand there, but that's never going to happen. Kalou breaks down just about every good attacking move, should never be a starter on either wing.

Hard to pick a front three without resorting to midfielders/fullbacks cause our "wingers" are pretty sh*t. If I had to though, I would be forced to choose a trio of Malouda/Bertrand/Torres - Drogba/Lukaku - Kalou.

Malouda being first choice, just getting balls in for the big guys. Bertrand cause he's probably our best crosser and Torres doing a Sturridge (but you know, actually passing), cutting in and curling shots from edge of the box, playing one twos with Mata and of course setting up goals with his passing and crossing. Kalou is just...there. Getting in somewhat decent crosses and poping up in and around the box to finish of rebounds like he generally does. Was thinking of Bosingwa but he seems to panic when he does get in the box, good crossing although it can be a bit hit and miss though, I think he's one of those who can get great balls in from deep but not from down the byline. Plus he can't really beat his man anymore.

That line up is in general, not expecting that v Barcelona or anything like that.

I don't really think we have the players to play a formation which are based around good winger (4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1). Shame that we never replaced Duff, Robben and Cole. Okey, Malouda was good under Hiddink and the first season with Ancelotti, but after that he's been a bit lazy I think.

If that means diamond formation, Christmas tree or narrow 4-4-2 (with Mata cutting inside from the left) I don't know, but I really do think we either need to buy some top notch wingers with the ability to stretch the oppositions defense or re-evaluate our formation (which I do think we need to do anyway).

Okey, let me play Football Manager here:

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

----Iva-------Cahill----Terry-------------------

--------------------------------------------Cole--

--Rami------Lamps-----Mikel------------------

----------------------------------Mata------------

-------------Drugolyzer-----------Torres------

With Cole/Bertrand as a wingback providing width at the left hand side (when Mata's cutting in centrally) and Mikel closing down the space behind him. Lampsy is allowed forward runs. Rami providing width and good first defending. Torres cuts inside on goal (on his right foot) and Drogba just lays it down and smashes it on goal.

I nearly pissed myself laughing when I saw the title of the thread. We don't have any! Drogba has to play (which is a concern in itself these days), who partners him doesn't really make a lot of difference. Mata should play if we want to attack anyone!

Mata should play if we want to attack anyone!

This is the key. Against Fulham and Les Arses he didn't play, and we created none. The same was against Stoke where Mary Ellis had to be substituted because we didn't create anything, even against 10 men.

I nearly pissed myself laughing when I saw the title of the thread. We don't have any!

Well, yeah - that was my point :)

Don't think I've ever heard Drogba being called 'Drugolyzer' before by the way!

Well, yeah - that was my point :)

Don't think I've ever heard Drogba being called 'Drugolyzer' before by the way!

Pretty nice name, right? I think it's very representative for him as well; one day he's on good drugs, one day he's on crack.

I saw the reserves match against United today, and I have to say that I understand that Lukaku never gets a chance in the first team. The man has the first touch of a rapist, absolutely no control of the ball what so ever. However though, he would bleed for the jersey if played, which is more than I can say about some other players in the first team squad.

Maybe I'm in the minority but I want to see Kalou gone at the end of the season. Giving him a new contract might mean De Bryune going out on loan for a season and given the choice, De Bruyne wins every time. A quick look at the table reveals the obvious gap in quality in squad depth with the team above us.

Sturridge is massively overrated in my opinion, way too selfish and just doesn't play for the team. Kalou isn't good enough, we've had him long enough and needs to go in the summer. Malouda has been a decent player for us but doesn't look interested when he plays, and shouldn't start another game unless he has to. Drogba has been good in our massive games, but apart from that hasn't been great this season. He should defiently start tonight against Barca though, his strength is enough to trouble any defence. Torres always works hard, but hasn't been effective at all this season. I think Drogba needs to leave for Torres to start scoring I think...