I'd imagine there'll be a lot of discussion over tactics and personnel before the game, especially in the wake of our centre forward crisis and also the fact that we seem to be going through the motions at the moment in terms of our first XI, so now seems like a good a time as ever to start the thread.

I really hope Sturridge is fit for this.

Studge is out, hamstring.

Well Robbie's "defensive" plan didn't work, so f**k knows.

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

--------------------Ivanovic------------Luiz-----------Cahill

--Azpilicueta-------------------------------------------------------------Cole

----------------------------------------Romeu

--------------------Oscar-------------------------------Ramires

---------------------------------Mata or Hazard

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

Edited November 20, 201213 yr by Zeta Orionis

I hope we stand up and beat them, they are not that good anyway.

I'd like to see us back to 4-3-3

....................Cech

Dave.......Cahill...Ivan.....Cole

....................Mikel

............Ramires..Oscar

....Mata........................Hazard

.................Bamford

Ok, maybe torres for Bamford, but FFS we have to do something

Throw in Marin for this one. We are tired and down in confidence, may as well throw in the fresh face. Let's face it, anyone expect us to win this one?

Pick whatever side you like. For whatever reason team spirit and self belief appear to be nil so it makes no difference.

Cannot see any other outcome than City hammering us.

If this was Fifa I would just f**king sim this game and get it over and done with.

not looking good is it, 2 bob midfield, even worse defending, no strikers.....

it was never gonna be easy losing Drogba then JT & Lampard out, most of the newer players just haven't got that fighting spirit forged over a few seasons of winning a lot and its gonna take time, so lets be patient 10 cups since 04-05 is an excellent haul,

cant see nothing but City winning as they are up and running now, its a long season and as long as 4th space is secured things will be ok

I remember 8 seasons + in a row with nothing so Chins up

Throw in Marin for this one. We are tired and down in confidence, may as well throw in the fresh face. Let's face it, anyone expect us to win this one?

We certainly will be going in as the underdogs. However, the press were already all over RDM for changing the formation today, saying that he "was panicking." If he suddenly throws out Marin, then we will all be listening to how RDM has lost the dressing room, and has fallen out with (insert name of player Marin replaces here).

I do realize that this goes against my post earlier about starting Bamford, which was a little tongue in cheek. But it does seem that we need to get the most out of the players that started so well, and maybe just change up formation to be less predictable. However, Fergie has predominantly played as 442 and he seems to still get results.

Scott

I feel as though I'd rather watch a Saw movie. I think it'd be less gruesome than the mauling I expect us to get against city. Aguero and Tevez ain't going to let up, and then they'll bring on Dzeko with 10 minutes to play and he'll score a brace, as standard.

I love Chelsea, but I can't see us getting anything from this game, whoever we field.

Will be suprised at the line-up with the new Manager. Can we call Lukaku back NOW ?

It's going to be interesting. My inclination is to say "f**k it" and go with what was working before.

Cech

Ivanovic

Luiz

Cahill

Cole

Mikel

Ramires

Oscar

Mata

Hazard

Torres

Cech

Azpilicueta

Ivanovic

Cahill

Cole

Ramires

Mikel

Oscar

Marin

Hazard

Mata

Pointless playing Fernando or Danny.

Cech

Azpilicueta

Ivanovic

Cahill

Cole

Ramires

Mikel

Oscar

Marin

Hazard

Mata

Pointless playing Fernando or Danny.

Yer that team worked really well last night didn't it......

I was going to say that anyone who didn't show up against Juventus shouldn't play, but I remembered that would leave us with a team full or reserves and youths, and Cech.

I don't care who plays, I just want to see commitment and determination.

Yer that team worked really well last night didn't it......

You're right playing 4-2-3-1 with Torres playing was much more succesful against Liverpool, West Brom & Swansea.

Edited November 21, 201213 yr by TomW

You're right playing 4-2-3-1 with Torres playing was much more succesful against Liverpool, West Brom & Swansea.

You seem to have conveniently left out all the games he has played in when we have won!

You seem to have conveniently left out all the games he has played in when we have won!

You seem to think there are games he has played well in....

Anyway - Would take a point.

God knows what city will do to us

I wonder if we'll concede from a Corner or two, Zonal Marking on its way....Facht.

Just watching the interviews before the CIty vs Madrid game - Mancini has clearly gone insane! I like him though

What kind of line-up does RB likes to use?

What kind of line-up does RB likes to use?

Bentez preferred formation with Liverpool was 4-2-3-1

Bentez preferred formation with Liverpool was 4-2-3-1

So nothing is going to change then.