Quite a few interesting discussion points here;

- Rotation WILL happen again, the question being will Benitez play a weakened team during the fixture pile up and try and rescue it next week should we not perform?

- Will he actually play a full strength line up and try and add another trophy to his CV?

I suspect we'll see a return for Lampard and possibly Terry.

My starting XI for this would be:

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

Az --------- Ivan ------- Terry --- Bertrand

----------- Luiz ---------- Lampard ----------

Moses ---------- Mata -------------- Hazard

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

Let Ramires and Oscar have a rest so we can get some easy points off Sunderland this weekend.

Edited April 2, 201313 yr by splishsplosh21

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

 

Ivan - Luiz - Terry - Bertrand

 

-------Lampard - Mikel

 

 

--Hazard -- Mata -- Marin 

 

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

 

 

 

Try to build a lead within 60 minutes then get Oscar on for Mata and Moses on for Hazard to try to rest them for the weekend.

 

3-0 Chelsea. 

I would give Mikel a rest and play Ake in the middle with Lamps.

 

Game at the weekend is more important that this one. We cant lose further ground to Spuds while Arsenal and Everton are breathing down our neck. I'd give ample rest to Mata/Hazard. Therefore, I'd start with just one of them with Moses and Marin starting on either wing.

Hi! I'm journalist Ilnur Sharafiev from Kazan. What is interesting I'm Chelsea fan and now newbie here. I'm really interested in opinions of Levante fans about match against Rubin today. So, can I ask anyone to write not really big article about your thoughts, expectations and so on? Our site is filister.ru. Think it would be great to share your view with russians. Thanks.

Any chance to see Ake or Lewis Baker (nextgen MVP) on the bench for this game?

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

 

Ivan - Luiz - Terry - Bertrand

 

-------Lampard - Mikel

 

 

--Hazard -- Mata -- Marin 

 

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

 

 

 

Try to build a lead within 60 minutes then get Oscar on for Mata and Moses on for Hazard to try to rest them for the weekend.

 

3-0 Chelsea. 

f**k Marin, he's been as bad as Torres. Give Moses a game.

 

Play the team we had against Southhampton. We can't afford to lose the league game this weekend, got play the full team for that. I have the feeling the FSW will play an almost full strength team for this, and sacrifice the league game.

think people better get prepared for a tough two games...just looked at their results - they have only conceded one goal in their last nine games in the competition...finished top of a group involving inter Milan and knocked out atletico and levante...also just seen gokhan tore plays for them...hope he doesn't prove a point against us!

think people better get prepared for a tough two games...just looked at their results - they have only conceded one goal in their last nine games in the competition...finished top of a group involving inter Milan and knocked out atletico and levante...also just seen gokhan tore plays for them...hope he doesn't prove a point against us!

Yeah exactly, they are o joke and they aren't this far on in the competition without being able to play some good footy.

It will be interesting to see Tore play against us, as he is one I thought would make it into our first team.

I think we have to play a strong team, especially at home.

Rest ramires mata cole and luiz. Instead play lampard marin bert the derp and JT

Rest ramires mata cole and luiz. Instead play lampard marin bert the derp and JT

Bert the derp?... What is your issue?

It just rolls off the tongue man. Don't take it personally. Anyways, I'm saying we should play him!

Not taking it personal, just thought you were attacking a player of ours

Be interesting to see the attendance at the Bridge for this game...

Bert the derp?... What is your issue?

Considering he referred to him him as a piece of sh*t in another thread I think he definitely has an issue with him.

f**k Marin, he's been as bad as Torres. Give Moses a game.

 

 

Moses has been nothing short of woeful himself in his last couple of appearances.

 

I've said it before in a couple of other threads I think Marin needs to be given a start when Mata and Hazard are also in the starting line up because to me he is only ever picked when Benetiz is heavily rotating the team. 

f**k Marin, he's been as bad as Torres. Give Moses a game.

 

 

Harsh, the guy has only had 14 games for us. When has he ever had a run in the team ? he plays 1 then get's left out for 3 or 4 games, how is anyone supposed to gain any form playing like that ?

He got slated for playing badly against Southampton but to be fair Marin got the only assist for us in that game.

 

Anyway, I expect we'll probably field a strong side and try and finish it off here, then play a weakened side for the away tie.

I'd be surprised if Rubin allowed us to finish the tie off here. Going to be two tough games imo.

Be interesting to see the attendance at the Bridge for this game...

 

I was thinking the same. Tickets still on sale so I expect to be surrounded by Rubin fans in the West Lower.

 

Shame people can't be arsed to turn up.

I would rather Marin than Moses. Moses can be saved for when we play sides with very poor full backs. 

I was thinking the same. Tickets still on sale so I expect to be surrounded by Rubin fans in the West Lower.

 

Shame people can't be arsed to turn up.

So you thought the same as me and bought West Lower for the atmosphere aswell ?  LoL

I'd still like to see Marin given a run in the side, Not so long ago he was a really decent prospect.

 

He looked really good in pre-season then picked up an injury before our first game.

 

I honestly don't know what is going on with him but the fact that Benetiz brings on Yossi over him just doesn't sit well with me.

Marin was a real sight in pre season a joy to watch.