Not if Foy is the ref

Has he officiated one of our games since Aston Villa last season? I find it odd that he hasn't taken charge of at least one game of ours this season unless there was a genuine reason, last season's performance may have brought that to the front.

I'm going to get s**t for what I am about to say, but I would argue that United and Arsenal are significantly better than we are at this moment.  

WITH Cesc and Matic both of those games will be very tough for us, WITHOUT them, I cannot see us beating them.

My simple mind thinks that if they were better they would be higher up than us, but they can't be as we are top.

I am confident there will be an upset or two in our favour; Palace has provided one and we are going to provide one ourselves.

Shame Costa is absent. Would love to see him barge Barton on his arse the whole game.

A Remy/John Terry winner would be just as tasteful.

I have a theory and it is just a theory. We saw getting on for 20 minutes of lovely play from the Blues, I think we'll see that and a little more against QPR. By the time we see United and Arsenal we'll be in our stride and adrenalin and desire will deal with any fatigue. Come on you BLUES!

It's going to be fiery...these games always are especially at Loftus Road.

I can't see our midfield duo not picking up a booking, in a midfield battle and in a local derby it's usually a stick on.

That being said we cannot rest them as our options in midfield are nowhere near as good as Cesc and Matic, we need to win and we need to play the best players.

I could maybe see Jose shuffling around in bringing Mikel in and moving Cesc further forward allowing him to focus more on creatiing than stopping their midfield runners.

Winning the ball in midfield will be key, with QPR looking for the points they are sure to come out playing, so I'd like as much pace as we can get, in front of a tough back line.

 

----------------------------Tibo

 

Ivanovic--------Cahill---------Terry---------Dave

 

---------------------Zouma-----Matic

 

-----------------------------Cesc

 

Willian----------------------------------------Hazard

 

----------------------------Remy

Winning the ball in midfield will be key, with QPR looking for the points they are sure to come out playing, so I'd like as much pace as we can get, in front of a tough back line.

----------------------------Tibo

Ivanovic--------Cahill---------Terry---------Dave

---------------------Zouma-----Matic

-----------------------------Cesc

Willian----------------------------------------Hazard

----------------------------Remy

I like that lineup

A tough game against a nasty team of tramps...I hope we smash them, although a tight 0-1 will do, its all about the result not the performance for me at the moment, purists can say what they want but I'm just desperate for us to win the title...

 

Hopefully we beat the Shepherds bush scum and then I can settle back and enjoy the Manchester derby.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by SHELLY

Could rest Matic and Fabregas and bring in Zouma, Mikel and Ramires. Play it safe, keep it tight and let Hazard do his thing.

 

It's vital we have them for Arsenal.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by Blue Daze

Could rest Matic and Fabregas and bring in Zouma, Mikel and Ramires. Play it safe, keep it tight and let Hazard do his thing.

 

It's vital we have them for Arsenal.

 

Rest them? Or you mean keep them out the side so they don't get a yellow? Because we are playing one game a week it's not like they need rest or could even do with it.

 

End of the day 3 points is 3 points, it's no different to Arsenal or QPR. Easier to get 3 points here, can't underestimate QPR, not after a strange result at West Brom they might actually think they've got a chance at staying up, this will be there cup final we can't be too complacent in our selection.

 

Regardless of the risk of yellow cards I think it is one we have to take, can't take gambles like that. We play our strongest team in both games.

Rest them? Or you mean keep them out the side so they don't get a yellow? Because we are playing one game a week it's not like they need rest or could even do with it.

 

End of the day 3 points is 3 points, it's no different to Arsenal or QPR. Easier to get 3 points here, can't underestimate QPR, not after a strange result at West Brom they might actually think they've got a chance at staying up, this will be there cup final we can't be too complacent in our selection.

 

Regardless of the risk of yellow cards I think it is one we have to take, can't take gambles like that. We play our strongest team in both games.

 

Keep them out of combative local derby so they don't get a yellow card that would rule them out of two key games.

 

Arsenal is very much a 6-pointer now, so it's not just another 3 points. 

I suppose you're right, but I would not write off QPR, it might be a heated derby but we play without our key players that's just asking for trouble, can't afford not to play them.

 

Don't forget we also lose this game that gives Arsenal momentum to close the gap, got to keep that gap as big as we can.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by Slawth

I suppose you're right, but I would not write off QPR, it might be a heated derby but we play without our key players that's just asking for trouble, can't afford not to play them.

 

Don't forget we also lose this game that gives Arsenal momentum to close the gap, got to keep that gap as big as we can.

 

We can afford not to play them in my opinion and go for the draw. The most Arsenal can close the gap to before we play them is 4 points (if we lose to QPR and they beat Burnley away). The weekend we play United, they have the FA Cup semi-final so we could possibly extend it to 7 again.

 

I expect Jose will risk them on Sunday, just like he risked Costa on Saturday, but I'd be very worried about them getting in a midfield battle with Barton and Sandro.

Win this and we potentially go TWELVE points clear of Manchester City.

 

We will twat Arsenal at the Emirates as well.

Win this and we potentially go TWELVE points clear of Manchester City.

 

We will twat Arsenal at the Emirates as well.

 

Arsenal are above City and have won 12 of their last 14 league games. Who cares about City anymore?

 

Arsenal are our main rivals and have been for the last month. The match against them is huge.

Far too risky to rest both of our normal central midfielders.

We don't keep hold of the ball at all when those two are missing, we can't just drop them...this game is just as improtant as the Arsenal or United game...3 points is 3 points at the end of the day.

Strongest 11 play and if we are in a position to rest them after half time or whatever then fine but we start with them 100%

Far too risky to rest both of our normal central midfielders.

We don't keep hold of the ball at all when those two are missing, we can't just drop them...this game is just as improtant as the Arsenal or United game...3 points is 3 points at the end of the day.

Strongest 11 play and if we are in a position to rest them after half time or whatever then fine but we start with them 100%

 

If one of them gets booked, they're out for the matches against the teams who are currently in 2nd and 3rd in the table. Arsenal are a title contender and we need our strongest team to get a draw at minimum there, so I'd say that match is very much a 'six pointer'.

 

Like I said, I think Jose will play them both just like he played Costa but I think it's a dangerous move. I'd rest them both, go with Mikel and Ramires and look to keep it very tight.

 

We could go into the Arsenal game with a minimum 4 point gap and our strongest midfield or we could risk being without them. Have to remember you're also putting two players in there who know they are one mistimed tackle away from missing out on two huge matches.

I honestly don't think we would beat QPR with Mikel and Ramires dictating things.

It would be slower than a week in the jail.

Ideally we go a few goals up and we can change things, If I were Jose I'd play my strongest 11 and worry about Arsenal and United when it comes.

Edited April 7, 201511 yr by Chelsbear

I honestly don't think we would beat QPR with Mikel and Ramires dictating things.

It would be slower than a week in the jail.

Ideally we go a few goals up and we can change things, If I were Jose I'd play my strongest 11 and worry about Arsenal and United when it comes.

 

And I guarantee we won't beat Man United and Arsenal without Matic and Fabregas.

 

Jose will almost certainly pick them both and if they get through that match without a booking then I'll be delighted, and somewhat surprised. Maybe pick Ramires too just to alleviate the defensive workload of both.

Absolutely hate playing QPR. Seem to give us a game every single time we play them, apart from that 6-1 game of course. Unfortunately that New Years game against them will live long in all of our memories

And I guarantee we won't beat Man United and Arsenal without Matic and Fabregas.

Jose will almost certainly pick them both and if they get through that match without a booking then I'll be delighted, and somewhat surprised. Maybe pick Ramires too just to alleviate the defensive workload of both.

I don't think you can say 100% either way, this is a Jose who didn't lose a game to the top 4 with last seasons squad.

If anyone could mastermind a result with a depleted team it's Jose Mourinho and that's the blessing here should it come down to that.

One game at a time is always important when we are so close to the title, no slip ups and just see what the others serve up.

I can see either of the below being the team.

----------------Courtios----------------

Ivan------Cahill------Terry-----Dave

----------------Zouma-------------

---------Cesc-------------Matic----------

Willian----------------------------Hazard

-------------------Remy-----------------

That would provide Matic and Cesc with some leeway in terms of defending so not to be left in a situation where they need to take a card…of course that might not be the only issue.

The other being

----------------Courtios----------------

Ivan------Cahill------Terry-----Dave

----------------Mikel---------------

---------Ramires-------------Matic----------

Willian----------------------------Hazard

-------------------Remy-----------------

IF we HAD to rest one of them then it would be Cesc IMO, we could compensate a little defending wise with Ramires ability to bomb forward and back while Mikel could step in and push Ramires further forward.

I don’t see two of them not starting, at a push maybe one could work but again I’d rather stick to what has got us to the top of the league.

I cant see this one finishing 11 v 11 hopefully barton walks

After Palace's win last night the odds against us winning the title are 1-25! If that doesn't settle the nerves, nothing will

It has to be said Zeta you are a glass is empty person.

Give him a break, since last December every game terrifies me as well. Nothing is coming easy.