Mod's feel free to add to the title to include the kick off time, but this is a midweek game, at home, against a local derby opponent, so I doubt it's going to be easy.

However, I do think we should at least try something different.

Sounds as if Lampard, Terry, and Sturridge are our concerns with Danny possibly the closest to match fit? however, unless we start Moses up front I think it will be back to relying on Torres.

Therefore, given that Mata looked knackered out there today, and Hazard looks to be jaded and recently ineffective, I would try and wok Moses and Marin in to the starting line up. However, I worry about Moses' crossing. I also think that we'll see more of Romeu due to the Spanish contingent in our team and now manager.

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

Azpi......Ivan....Cahill....Cole

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

.........Ramires..Romeu (Or Ryan)

Moses........................Marin

................Torres.

That gives us Mata and Hazard on the bench to come in aroun 60 minutes if needed. It's just a shame we don't have an alternative to Torres up front. If we don't sign another Striker in January, are we likely to call Lukaku back?

Scott

Edited November 25, 201212 yr by mad_mac

I doubt Benitez is so bad that he would only start with 10 players

Oops, too busy taking about resting Mata or Hazard that I dropped them both and forgot I was reverting to a 4-3-3

Edited November 25, 201212 yr by mad_mac

Well. It will be cfc's problem all season long that points are vital but we don't have the depth to rest and rotate enough players. January is the first chance to remedy that, particularly for central midfielders.

I'd suport more or less the same 11 that started against Man C. You really need to see the players at training to know who to play!

I don't think you can start marin, but bring him on as a sub, unless the club hopes to trade him in Jan uninjured. Moses could potentially start, since Sturridge is still injured.

Romeu will get more game time, but should he start or come on for the last 30 minutes?

If Cole is going to leave might as well get full value from him while he is here and he played so well yesterday.

This will be an open game, Berbatov is class, but they leak goals. Could be our first win for a while

Resting all 3 of the trio?

This can only end badly.

Yeah it is bold to rotate them all, but I think something maybe between what we have seen and what I am offering may work. I just think the "trio" have to be rested. Maybe not start them all, but at least see some of them playing some part of the game

This is the match we expect to win, let's hope Rafa doesn't f**k up by playing a negative 451. Rotations are expected, I expect Romeu, Moses to come in. Since the back 4 did a good job, expect no changes there. Just my opinion, In a match like this where we expect the opposition to pack the central midfield, a natural winger could do more damage than another number 10.

I don't expect the FSW to change much from yesterday's bore fest, so:

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

Azpi......Ivan....Luiz....Cole

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

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

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

.........Lindsay Lohan.

Our clean sheet against City demonstrates how Benitez has bolstered our defence in such a short period of time. It was due to a porous defence that RDM was fired. The back four of Azpi, Ivanovic, Luiz and Cole were outstanding against City. Rafa is good at rotating the squad which was not the case with RDM. It looks like we will start winning with Rafa at the helm as he can now focus on our attack. He needs to get it back on track and return to the winners circle. I don't expect Fulham to pose a problem.

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

Azpi--------------------------------Ivanovic---------------------------------------Luiz--------------------------------Cole

-----------------------------------------------------Ramires------------------Mikel------------------------------------------

Mata------------------------------------------------------------Oscar-----------------------------------------------Hazard

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

Prediction: Chelsea 3 Fulham 0

-------------------------Ham and Egg Sandwich

Chicken and Chips----Paella-----Lasagne-------Spaghetti Bolognese

-------------------------Pan au Chocolat

-----------------Sticky Toffee Pudding---Cheese and Biscuits

-----Cheese and Crackers--------------------------------More Cheese and Biscuits

-----------------------Fernando Abramovich ©

-------------------------Ham and Egg Sandwich

Chicken and Chips----Paella-----Lasagne-------Spaghetti Bolognese

-------------------------Pan au Chocolat

-----------------Sticky Toffee Pudding---Cheese and Biscuits

-----Cheese and Crackers--------------------------------More Cheese and Biscuits

-----------------------Fernando Abramovich ©

Personally I'd bring on Cheese and busicuits with 10 mins to go, followed by coffee and super sub 'complementary chocolate' - another Belgian obviously!

Our clean sheet against City demonstrates how Benitez has bolstered our defence in such a short period of time. It was due to a porous defence that RDM was fired. .................one half-way sensible sentence...................Rafa is good at rotating the squad which was not the case with RDM. It looks like we will start winning with Rafa at the helm as he can now focus on our attack. He needs to get it back on track and return to the winners circle. I don't expect Fulham to pose a problem.

I'm sorry, but that is just mostly bollocks and shows an almost complete lack of any understanding of football.

Hopefully we have more people supporting the team instead of booing the manager, going to be a tough game either way.

I have a feeling....Dont tell anyone......We are gonna score so many goals against FULHAM and WET SPAM, its gonna make you all smile....

Any one who says rafa did a good job yesterday needs their head looked at, it was robbies side that was out there, the FSW had 2-3 days with the team, probably doesn't even know any of their names except torres. It will be an interesting game on wednesday to see the team that 'he' chooses.

Resting all 3 of Mazacar might not be a good idea. The mid-week games have been screwing over the players' energy for each match as we now have one every 2-3 days with the odd midweek games. Been a midweek game every week since Tottenham. However resting all 3 is a big no-no. It's a local derby and then another local derby straight afterwards away at West Ham. Admittedly they are both games we should be winning and hopefully if we do we're back on the right track.

Cech

Azpi - Ivanovic - Luiz - Cole

Mike - Ramires

Oscar - Mata - Moses

Torres

I see him potentially giving Hazard a rest. He took the league by storm early on but is suffering his first big dip in form as of late...perhaps a little rest might help the kid out. Expect to see Romeu again as a sub at some point.

I don't expect the FSW to change much from yesterday's bore fest, so:

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

Azpi......Ivan....Luiz....Cole

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

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

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

.........Lindsay Lohan.

I think this may be the line up we see (minus LL). I think we have to utilize wingers, and I'd like to see Mikel back to just breaking things up and then passing to Ramires or Oscar to move it on. I do think we need some rotation, so maybe Moses in for Mata, ot Marin in for Hazard in your line up and we may just be on to something.

However, RB did play a 4.2.3.1 at Liverpool, so he may want to stick with that and we'll not see a 4.3.3 again

It won't happen, but what I'd like to see is something with 2 strikers. Torres obviously isn't getting it done as the lone striker, but he works hard and his passing is underrated in my opinion. That gives me hope that he still can be productive, if he's freed from dealing with the back line alone, and has a partner.

Rest one of the midfield trio, and bring on a 2nd striker. With Sturridge hurt though, who? Moses? Maybe Hazard up top with Torres?

How many weeks have we all been calling to see Marin in the lineup or even used as a sub...? I know he has been hurt but is the kid still not match-fit or what?

Fernando Abramovich ©

love this....quality

He's been playing for the U21's so I don't see why he couldn't play in the first team. Good player and if the rumors are true that he wants to leave in January then I won't be too happy, waste of a talent.

Hopefully we have more people supporting the team instead of booing the manager, going to be a tough game either way.

I agree.

Apparently the boo boys want Benitez out immediately and I assume they are hoping for someone else to replace him. Do they really believe we can get a better manager at present? It ain't going to happen. They need to get their act together and support Rafa as Cech requested. If the abuse of Benitez continues it will eventually affect the morale of the team.

The idea that Guardiola will come to the Bridge is wishful thinking. The guy has expressed a desire to manage the Brazil national team. If he does come to the Premiership it will more than likely be to Man Utd or Man City. Benitez deserves a chance to prove his worth and I fully support him in his efforts.

love this....quality

Nicked it off Just.

I agree.

Apparently the boo boys want Benitez out immediately and I assume they are hoping for someone else to replace him. Do they really believe we can get a better manager at present? It ain't going to happen. They need to get their act together and support Rafa as Cech requested. If the abuse of Benitez continues it will eventually affect the morale of the team.

The idea that Guardiola will come to the Bridge is wishful thinking. The guy has expressed a desire to manage the Brazil national team. If he does come to the Premiership it will more than likely be to Man Utd or Man City. Benitez deserves a chance to prove his worth and I fully support him in his efforts.

Just listen to Balague interview & it seems he wants to live in London.