Chelsea vs Southampton (PL) 15/03/2015 KO: 13:30 GMT

[Izanagi]

Horrible feeling that things are gonna go from bad to worse. Extra time and a defeat like that against PSG was the last thing we needed.

 

We're losing this one.

 

0-3 Southampton.

[ForeverCarefree]

Horrible feeling that things are gonna go from bad to worse. Extra time and a defeat like that against PSG was the last thing we needed.

 

We're losing this one.

 

0-3 Southampton.

 

The Chelsea side who have lost 3 games in all competitions and have lost once in a billion home league matches under Jose Mourinho are gonna roll over and have our bellies tickled 3-0 against an out of form Southampton? 

 

I'll have some of whatever you're smoking fella. 

[coco]

The Chelsea side who have lost 3 games in all competitions and have lost once in a billion home league matches under Jose Mourinho are gonna roll over and have our bellies tickled 3-0 against an out of form Southampton? 

 

I'll have some of whatever you're smoking fella. 

 

You'll need a syringe and a strap to have what he's on.

[coco]

----------------Courtois

---------------John Terry --------

 

------------------Matic

 

----------Willian-----Oscar

Cuadrado-----Fabergas-----Hazard

--------Drogba----Costa-----Remy

[CFCBlue12]

Courtois

Brana-Zouma-Terry-Luis

Fabregas-Matic

Cuadrado-Willian-Hazard

Loic Remy

 

I hope we get to see this.

[Remodez]

Why are people dropping Cahill? He's been fantastic since he got back into the team and we need to win this game, he's part of our strongest lineup. He should play, no doubt about it. 

[launcher]

F*** it, lets go all out attack with pace and send the lads out there with a free reign!! Give Remy a shot Costa needs a breather.

GK - Thibaut Courtois

CB - Branislav Ivanovic

CB - John Terry ©

CB - Kurt Zouma

CDM - Namanja Matic

CM - Oscar

CM - Cesc Fabregas

CAM - Willian

LW - Eded Hazard

RW - Juan Cuadrado

ST - Loic Remy

3-4-3 Diamond Formation, play some tika taka at speed. Stack the midfield and Boss a game for once.

 

yes, lets switch to 3 at the back 10 games before the end of the season! Even though we havent played it once!

 

Its just like playing with 4 at the back, only its 3 instead of 4. Cannot possibly fail!

[carrickblue]

Matic looked spent after an hour, I wonder about playing Zouma from the start on Sunday. I thought he did well when he came on last night.

 

I'd love to see us try something different in attack, our play has become so predictable.  We cross the ball into the box less often than any other side; we constantly try to pass/dribble through ranks of defenders in the penalty area; we never shoot from outside the box - basically everyone knows what we are going to bring. 

 

Cuadrado looks like he might be able to go past a defender and whip the ball in to Costa/Remy/Drogba

 

I don't get Oscar he is an enigma; Fabregas can only play for 45 minutes

 

I still think our back four looks more solid with Cech between the sticks; Courtois hasn't yet got the same understanding with JT and Cahill

 

I'm hoping we will bounce back on Sunday but I fear Southampton will frustrate us if we can't play a more fluid attacking game and of course we need to play at a positive tempo for a whole 90 minutes. 

 

Jose has his work cut out this week.

[bloodyfool0]

It's only one competition we need to focus on now, so let's do it properly and without excuses of tiredness and other distractions such as the refereeing.

 

I say we're championship material and we will come through despite our CL exit.

[axman2526]

Think the importance of the crowd will be vital on Sunday. Our lads will have their confidence on the floor after the PSG game, and our fans at the Bridge will need to help them along.

 

If the nerves get in to the crowd it can only make matters worse for the team. We may need to encourage this poor form out of the side.

[AsianBoy]

BRAND NEW FORMATION TIME!!!!!

 

                                   Courtois

 

                     Ivanovic - Zouma - Terry

 

         Willian - Fabregas - Matic - Zouma - Luis

 

                                  Hazard

 

                                  Remy

[soldiergirl84]

It's only one competition we need to focus on now, so let's do it properly and without excuses of tiredness and other distractions such as the refereeing.

 

I say we're championship material and we will come through despite our CL exit.

 

I was going to say this, but you beat me to it. No need for us to cry over spilled milk. Did it suck to crash out of the CL? Yes.  But now the lads can go full steam ahead with the league, and not have anything else to distract them. Let's de-canonize those Saints! 

[JoeyN]

Horrible feeling that things are gonna go from bad to worse. Extra time and a defeat like that against PSG was the last thing we needed.

 

We're losing this one.

 

0-3 Southampton.

 

Twat.

 

Have a word with yourself

[Sloth]

Why are people dropping Cahill? He's been fantastic since he got back into the team and we need to win this game, he's part of our strongest lineup. He should play, no doubt about it. 

 

No idea, although he might of had his rough patches this year, he is one of the most underrated players by Chelsea fans I find. His last two performances have reminded me of last season Cahill, absolutely lethal and solid in the box, if we have that Gary Cahill again then it's going to be hard for us to concede a goal.

[splishsplosh]

Have to admit that I feel we'll lose this one.

 

Southampton are a decent team and are more than capable of pulling off a victory at the Bridge.

 

I think the team are desperately low on confidence and it'll take a few more weeks for Jose to get it sorted.

 

0-2.

[Sloth]

Courtois

Ivanovic-Cahill-Terry-Azpi

Fabregas-Matic

Cuadrado-Willian-Hazard

Costa

 

More like the Everton home game, we played some good stuff in the first half, I hope we can really go at them, they are a very well balanced side but we have to beat them it is a must win game.

[Carefree92]

Cuadrado has to be given a start. I would certainly drop Oscar for this.

We also need to start defending set pieces better (something I never thought I'd say). Every goal we have conceded since January has been from a header.

[mclovin83]

After a turgid display and 120 minutes of football on Wednesday I would expect some changes although I doubt Jose will mix it up all that much.

 

I would bring Luis in for Ivan, Cuadrado in for Oscar, Willian in for Ramires and Zouma in for Cahill.

 

This would at least limit the amount of players who played the full 120 minutes and also try and add a bit of width and attacking intent to our play with Luis & Cuadrado.

 

I would be open to seeing Remy get a start ahead of Costa but can't see it happening.

 

Massive game this- 3 points essential but we could really do with wiping the floor with them to wash the sour taste of Wednesday out our mouths.

[SurfCFC]

To me this is a definite must-win game, not only for the sake of league title but for the team's morale and team spirit.  If we lose, then it's not just a league defeat (which isn't necessary title-deciding) but also another mental set-back for the guys. 

 

I am hoping that we will feed off of the poor PSG game and going out of the CL and it may final be the kick up the arse that they all need; Jose's press conference today showed that.

 

I can't honestly remember that last game I really enjoyed watching in a relaxed way, or a game where we dominated all the way through or where we won 3 or 4 nil.  Too many times have we tried to hold onto a one-goal lead and lost it.  We need to be more aggressive and stop pissing about with the ball; we try and pass the ball into the net, we need to take a few more shots on and be braver; you've to make your luck not hope that something will come from nothing.

[Sloth]

Perhaps Luis should be given a start just to change things up a bit, however we can't really underestimate Southampton either, they seem to be able to create chances against even the best of sides, we might need Azpi.

 

It's a gamble either way I suppose.

[ForeverCarefree]

Perhaps Luis should be given a start just to change things up a bit, however we can't really underestimate Southampton either, they seem to be able to create chances against even the best of sides, we might need Azpi.

 

It's a gamble either way I suppose.

 

Southampton get a lot of width form Bertrand and Clyne overlapping, providing a lot of width and crosses. 

 

I'd play them at their own game, start with Dave and Luis, get them pushing on from deep and force the Southampton full backs into their own half. 

 

If Matic is injured, play Zouma in the holding role and effectively go to a back 3 with him tucking in alongside JT and Cahill when we're in attack. 

[Blue Daze]

What I'd like to see is 

 

             Courtois

 

Ivanovic  Zouma  Terry  Luis

 

   Oscar Matic Fabregas

 

Caudrado             Hazard

 

               Costa

 

What I think we could see is

 

               Cech

 

Ivanovic  Cahill  Terry  Azpi

 

       Matic  Fabregas

 

Willian    Oscar   Hazard

 

              Costa

 

Not too fussed who starts at centre-back. Think it would be unfair to drop Cahill but Zouma never deserved to lose his spot. Luis could do with a run out at left-back with Courtois in goal, but I could see Cech being brought in because....well just because.

 

Matic, Fabregas and Oscar is still our best midfield in my opinion but Ramires could start because Jose likes his ability to run with the ball. Cuadrado deserves a look because Willian isn't actually that great, and whilst I think Remy should start there's probably more chance of Drogba starting.

 

We're lucky that Southampton have had a downturn in form but they're still an incredibly tough team. We need to be assertive and dictate the tempo rather than doing what we've been doing since January and letting teams take the initiative. 

[IliyaKrostin]

Does someone believe that there would be a chance for RLC or Ake to start?

[spadefx]

Time for everyone to step up.

 

This 'world against us' mentality doesn't work with passengers in the team (and I think just about every midfielder bar Matic, Zouma and Hazard fall into this category).

 

Every player on the starting eleven needs to be leaving that pitch knowing they've put everything into their performance. Do that and we win.

 

Not going to pick a lineup - just hoping for some real focus and desire from whoever starts.

 

We're first in the race - now lets see a sprint finish.

Edited March 13, 2015 by spadefx

[mad_mac]

Does someone believe that there would be a chance for RLC or Ake to start?

 

I'd very much doubt it.  No way Jose starts throwing any young-un's in this late in the campaign during such a crucial part of the season.  Southampton have been a top 4 side for most of this season, and I don't see us trying kids out against them