Ahh it's time for an international break again...good old England.

 

Two weeks to wait for our next Chelsea fix, but our games against the Hammers are usually worth waiting for, even if the do royally screw us now and again. Personally West Ham is one of those games I look forward to seeing or catching the highlights of if I cannot watch the game.

 

This game begins a run 5 league fixtures that build up to our pre Christmas match at the Emirates. This trip to West Ham, followed by hosting the high flying Saints, trips to Sunderland and Stoke and lastly hosting Palace. Our dreaded November and December runs have put paid to our title chances in recent years, and I believe we need to keep ourselves in touching distance of the top sides before we go to Arsenal, which is not too long followed by facing Liverpool.

 

These 5 pre Arsenal games are not easy, West Ham, Stoke and Sunderland will not be easy places for us to go, nor will hosting the Saints and while we would hope Palace is a simple 3 points it may well not be as, after all, it is in December.

 

I really do feel what we will be fighting for in the new year, whether it is the title or to remain in the top 4, will be defined on how we do in the build up to Arsenal. We are capable of beating them and Liverpool, but that may count for little if we have gained few points before them.

 

With that said though it is West Ham first up. Tricky game at Upton Park but one the Championship teams of Jose, and Carlo, would relish. Soak in the hostile atmosphere and use it to bring about their best.

 

Without knowing who will be fit after the international break and all I would like to see us go with this team.

 

Cech

 

Azpi

Cahill

JT

Betrand

 

Mikel

Ramires

 

Willan

Oscar

Schurrle

 

Eto'o

 

Would advocate starting with Oscar as the number 10 away from home and Mata as the number 10 at home for most matches, the same with Cahill away and Luiz at home.

West ham are capable of good football..They will also play tough in a hostile arena...They team picked must reflect this and be made up of players not scared of the west ham fans noise..Not scared to face the tough tackling team, and be able to attack and not just sit back and wait for a break

Big Sam will play his 4-6-0 formation so I really hope we've got some sufficient attacking threat + width. No Cole or Branna please. 

will be tight ... 2 x exciting away fixtures coming up, Hammers & Basel! ... I think w'll beat Basel 2-1 with an excellent display but w'ill struggle more against the Hammers 1-1 or 2-1 defeat is my prediction for this one ...

will be tight ... 2 x exciting away fixtures coming up, Hammers & Basel! ... I think w'll beat Basel 2-1 with an excellent display but w'ill struggle more against the Hammers 1-1 or 2-1 defeat is my prediction for this one ...

 

I don't think we'll lose but we won't win if our attacking threat comes from the likes of Ivanovic (as it often was today). 

If our midfield is anything like it has been in the last 2 league games then we will really struggle, if they start showing their creative side like they should then we shouldn't have any troubles really. I can't actually believe that i am complaining about our midfield of all things, with that much talent it just seems ridiculous

If our midfield is anything like it has been in the last 2 league games then we will really struggle, if they start showing their creative side like they should then we shouldn't have any troubles really. I can't actually believe that i am complaining about our midfield of all things, with that much talent it just seems ridiculous

It is a fair compliant really though. You can understand why a few want Lampard, Ramires, Oscar and Hazard dropped for a couple of games because they simply have not produced consistently. Some more so than others.

I'll be happy to see Torres and Mata start.

Mata really needs to start over Oscar who hasnt played well offensively fof over a month.

A must win for us

anyone fancy meeting up with me at their boleyn pub, singing chelsea songs and taking a chance ??????.......ohhh ive just woken up and had a terrible dream 

I'll be happy to see Torres and Mata start.

 

Definitely need to see Mata in the lineup.

 

I don't see any reason to drop Eto'o though. He has played fantastic for us recently and now he'll have two weeks of working on his fitness, training with the youth/reserves and adapting to Jose's system while everyone else is tiring themselves during the international break. Would rather Eto'o play himself out of the starting XI at this point rather than have Mourinho drop him once Torres is fit. If Torres is on the bench, it will just make him work harder too, so he can get back into the lineup. And we all like to see a fired up Torres.

 

Schurrle has to be back in the squad for me as well. Don't understand why he was dropped from the matchday squad yesterday, but oh well. Let's hope he's back for West Ham.

Definitely need to see Mata in the lineup.

I don't see any reason to drop Eto'o though. He has played fantastic for us recently and now he'll have two weeks of working on his fitness, training with the youth/reserves and adapting to Jose's system while everyone else is tiring themselves during the international break. Would rather Eto'o play himself out of the starting XI at this point rather than have Mourinho drop him once Torres is fit. If Torres is on the bench, it will just make him work harder too, so he can get back into the lineup. And we all like to see a fired up Torres.

Schurrle has to be back in the squad for me as well. Don't understand why he was dropped from the matchday squad yesterday, but oh well. Let's hope he's back for West Ham.

Great point. I think our three strikers will be in a good place after this intl break.

Has to be Mata in the CAM role. Oscar no doubt will be in the Brazil starting 11.

Cech

Ivanovic

Terry

Cahill

Cole

Ramires

Mikel

Schurrle

Mata

Hazard

Torres

That's what I'd like to see.

West Ham have just lost to Norwich who had just recovered from a thrashing from City.

I fancy our chances in this one.

Not our happiest hunting ground this and a pretty shambolic performance there last season.

 

 

Will need a big performance from the team for this one. 

If Eden Hazard plays like he did the last time he played West Ham then we're in for a treat.

Cech

Azpi

JT

Cahill

Bertrand

Mikel

Ramires

Willian

Mata

Schurrle

Eto'o

Need to see Ivan and Lamps dropped, haven't fancied Ivanovic going forward. He's got a terrible cross and he pushes far too forward to leave our defense vulnerable. I really have no explanation for Lamps other then he should never be a starting consistently at his age in a position he's not used to. That and he's been terrible with Ramires.

Willian has been solid in just about each cameo appearance and even games he's started. He works tirelessly and always has something to offer other then slowing down the game and allowing teams to settle. Quick on the ball and doesn't dwell on it.

Mata needs to start in CM, that's been obvious for the last 2 seasons.

Schurrle really needs to be given more of a chance, Hazard hasn't reached his standards from last season. Yes, I realize he had a part in both goals. He's also played a lot of football seeing as he's a starter for his national side also. I just think Schurrle is more fresh and offers just as much.

Eto'o at the moment gets the start only just..His pressing causes so many problems and gives us chances to pounce on other defender's mistakes. Torres will get a chance off the bench, but I'd say for now don't fix what isn't broken. He's close to his clinical best. Still feel Torres would be picked due to his presence alone. He's bigger then Eto'o and it doesn't hurt when West Ham got some big boys in their side. Also gives an option for set pieces seeing as Eto'o is 2 feet tall...but I'd say play it safe if Torres isn't 100% fit.

If none of the squad was involved in internationals I'd be inclined to go with

 

Ivanovic Cahill Luiz Dave

 

Ramires Willian

 

Hazard Mata Schurle

    Torres

 

Because a few of that bunch will be playing internationals and may have travel involved it might have to be a different team

 

Axman's comments about needing to get points from these games is correct and recent performance have been uninspired to put it mildly. We want to be in a position to gap the pretenders over the xmas break, not be playing catchup.

No keeper, interesting

The only good thing about this break is that it means we only have 1 more dreaded November match left. I like our run in though for December, especially when you consider the other top sides and their schedules. Spurs still have to play City, Arsenal host Southampton which is tricky. Also Liverpool have to go to Goodison. Few results that can go our way and maximum points should see us top, if not 1 point back of Arsenal. On top of all that, a huge London derby at the Emirates. That could put us in a brilliant position by the new year.

Not confident about this game at all, based on recent performances I am going for 1-1 (at best).

If Jose sorts out the formation and plays a suitable team I'll be a lot more confident.

I reckon if we start with Mata, Oscar and Hazard we will win.

Surely most of our players playing 2 internationals all over the world must have an impact. Presumably most of their players will be mush fresher after 2 weeks rest?

Cech

 

Dave

Terry

Cahill

Bertrand

 

Oscar

Ramires

 

Willian

Mata

Hazard

 

Eto'o

Cech

 

Dave

Terry

Cahill

Cole

 

Oscar/Luiz/Essien (take your pick)

Ramires

 

Willian
Mata 

Hazard

 

Torres

 

--------------------------

 

Sadly I still think we will see Oscar in the No. 10 role and Mata on the bench. 

Ahh it's time for an international break again...good old England.

 

Two weeks to wait for our next Chelsea fix, but our games against the Hammers are usually worth waiting for, even if the do royally screw us now and again. Personally West Ham is one of those games I look forward to seeing or catching the highlights of if I cannot watch the game.

 

This game begins a run 5 league fixtures that build up to our pre Christmas match at the Emirates. This trip to West Ham, followed by hosting the high flying Saints, trips to Sunderland and Stoke and lastly hosting Palace. Our dreaded November and December runs have put paid to our title chances in recent years, and I believe we need to keep ourselves in touching distance of the top sides before we go to Arsenal, which is not too long followed by facing Liverpool.

 

These 5 pre Arsenal games are not easy, West Ham, Stoke and Sunderland will not be easy places for us to go, nor will hosting the Saints and while we would hope Palace is a simple 3 points it may well not be as, after all, it is in December.

 

I really do feel what we will be fighting for in the new year, whether it is the title or to remain in the top 4, will be defined on how we do in the build up to Arsenal. We are capable of beating them and Liverpool, but that may count for little if we have gained few points before them.

 

With that said though it is West Ham first up. Tricky game at Upton Park but one the Championship teams of Jose, and Carlo, would relish. Soak in the hostile atmosphere and use it to bring about their best.

 

Without knowing who will be fit after the international break and all I would like to see us go with this team.

 

Cech

 

Azpi

Cahill

JT

Betrand

 

Mikel

Ramires

 

Willan

Oscar

Schurrle

 

Eto'o

 

Would advocate starting with Oscar as the number 10 away from home and Mata as the number 10 at home for most matches, the same with Cahill away and Luiz at home.

 

I think we will have to play to our very best each and every game and these five are all banana skins as we have seen time and again already this year with the supposedly big clubs getting beat by the so called mid-bottom table clubs.  The league this year has to be the toughest for many years, there are no 'certs' any longer; the team that takes the prize will have to play consistently well throughout the season and we have yet to find any real rhythm or consistency so far.   Hammers will be a tough hard game and we might come away with a point, Stoke, Sunderland and Southampton are not going to be pushovers either and we could find ourselves outside the top 6 before we play Arsenal if we are not careful.