I heard Leicester will be resting players against us to play them in the run in, after us all their last games are against relegation candidates. 

I heard Leicester will be resting players against us to play them in the run in, after us all their last games are against relegation candidates. 

 

It shouldn't matter who they decide to play, we should have more than enough quality to beat them.

dunno about this fixture

 

points were anticipated to potentially be dropped vs MU & Arse, 2 were , we all agreed that's a good yield from the 2 nearest rivals

 

but Leicester , evening game , midweek, they on best form of the season, no strikers (Crocked Drog is like an ashtray on a motorbike)

 

hope the players selected dig deep and get the win , draw would be ok, but no points would reignite the media's darlings the gooners title charge

 

confident that in the long run the title is nailed on, but not so confident about this one going all Chelsea's way, don't believe Pearson will rest anybody - why when

they are staring down the barrel of a gun ?

dunno about this fixture

 

points were anticipated to potentially be dropped vs MU & Arse, 2 were , we all agreed that's a good yield from the 2 nearest rivals

 

but Leicester , evening game , midweek, they on best form of the season, no strikers (Crocked Drog is like an ashtray on a motorbike)

 

hope the players selected dig deep and get the win , draw would be ok, but no points would reignite the media's darlings the gooners title charge

 

I did the math - the most points le arse can get this season is 82 - we only need 5 points to achieve this number - so 6 is our magic number - 5 matches left - I like our chances

Ahem - Charlton legend! His wilderness years at West Ham and Liverpool will merely be a footnote in his career.

Here's a [not so] interesting fact for you though - Konchesky is the only Leicester player whose car has a personalised numberplate.

Also he was bald for his entire career, disappeared into the briny depths of the Championship for a while, then returned with a full head of silver hair. Had a genuine double take when I first saw a picture of the new 'silver fox' Konchesky.

Its really weird to look at, its like his hair pulled a benjamin button. Im halfway expecting him to sport a set of thick blonde locks in a few years

                 Dave

Dave - Dave - Dave - Dave

            Dave - Dave

     Dave - Dave - Dave

             Ramires!

 

 

But, really...

 

               Courtois

Ivanovic - Cahill - JT - DAVE!

         Ramires - Matic

 Willian - Fabregas - Hazard

                Oscar

Edited April 28, 201511 yr by the special one

People I have a Remy sighting

People I have a Remy sighting

Ha ha, that's hilarious.

He scores when he wants......,,,,,

One of the best things I've seen all season.Love it.

Edited April 28, 201511 yr by nodddy

People I have a Remy sighting

MIKEL SCORED!!

I thought it was just at the discretion of the other team. They either do it or they don't. Fergie instructed his players to give us a guard of honour in 04-05 (partly to show respect to the new champions but also, I think, it was a way of giving his own players a kick up the arse), and Mourinho returned the compliment a couple of years later. But I'm not sure if teams are actually obliged to do it. Does anyone remember a guard of honour from Charlton in 04-05 or Blackburn in 05-06?

If that's the case then I could see Liverpool not doing one

Courtois may be out with a hip injury - isn't it great to be able to call on Petr Cech?  I'd be very happy for Cech to see the season out in goal for us, would give us a chance to show the guy what he means to Chelsea fans

Cech for the last 5 games. He deserves one last run before he leaves us.

Ramires for an emergency striker won't be a terrible idea, he's fast and always willing to run, the finishing is a bit ordinary through. I just don't think Drogba will be able to run on any through balls, and a physical battle with their central defenders will suit them a lot. No chance Jose will risk a 17 year old striker for this game. Hope either Remy or Costa will be able to play some part of this match. 

We have to be careful, Leicester are in good form and showed against Burnley (okay, admittedly not the most potent attacking force in the league, especially in the absence of both Vokes and Barnes) that they are as capable of defending deep as they are of going on the attack. We certainly shouldn't treat this as a done deal; we shouldn't be complacent despite getting four points and two clean sheets out of Arsenal and Man Utd, the title isn't [technically] won just yet.

I think ultimately if we can nullify Cambiasso we will be able to disrupt their effectiveness in possession quite effectively. They do quite frequently play it long; Schmeichel's goal kicks are almost invariably aimed at Ulloa, with Vardy closing down the back four with his relentless stamina, then again Ulloa tends to come off after about an hour or so. Albrighton has also earned a place in the team on the right, he offers a threat with his frankly impeccable crossing (an increasing rarity in the modern game), and has even developed the stamina to play as a wing-back. He seems like a bit of a throwback, a reminder of the Beckham-style wide men who rely on their delivery as opposed to their pace.

Their back three/four is quite seriously lacking in pace; a combination of Huth, Morgan and one of Wasilewski and Upson are imperious in the air, but very vulnerable to pace and clever running. I think we should also target their right side as well; they will be starting one of Konchesky and Schlupp at left back, both of whom are total liabilities.

In terms of our selection, I suppose our key issues are the lack of centre forwards and Oscar's apparently head injury. Drogba seems to be capable of at least a half; I wouldn't really want to start him as I think it would play into the hands of Morgan and Huth, who are both strong in the air, but I can't imagine José will give Solanke the start. We certainly shouldn't resort to pinging the ball long from goal kicks as it likely won't meet its target.

If they do start with three at the back, playing a single striker would in theory be the best way of take advantage, leaving their two spare players both as centre backs, neither of whom are particularly good on the ball. Although this isn't ideal, with the players we have available, Drogba would probably be the best man to physically occupy their centre backs, even if he ultimately has little actual role in our actual possession, acting almost as a decoy.

Playing Hazard (or Fabregas) up top would likely nullify him; I think he should start on the right to best take advantage of their weakness on the left of defence. The obvious replacement on the left would be Willian, although I would start him in the centre in order to put pressure on their midfield (particularly Cambiasso, who dictates their play). My instinct would be to play Rémy on the left, which obviously isn't an option, therefore I think this might be a good opportunity to give Cuadrado a go.

Therefore I would go for this:

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

Ivanovic--------Cahill-----Terry-------Azpilicueta

----------------Fabregas----Matic

-------Hazard--------Willian-------Cuadrado

-----------------------Drogba

Bench:

Cech, Luis, Zouma, Mikel, Ramires, Brown, Solanke

Why play hazard on the right?

Game day! Come on Chelsea let's get these points!!

Will it be much of a problem if we don't win tonight? Obviously I wouldn't be happy with a draw but it wont effect anything at the end of the day surely?

 

A defeat tomorrow and a draw against Palace and I'd start to get a bit nervy haha!

We could draw our remaining games, and still be champions!

 

 

Not to mention, Arsenal and United need to continue winning.

Why play hazard on the right?

 

The quoted post explains my reasoning, but it is because I think Leicester's left backs (Schlupp and Konchesky) are defensive liabilities.

 

That said, Leicester seem to attack predominantly down the right so your objection could well be valid. I think it largely depends on whether or not they play three at the back.

Will it be much of a problem if we don't win tonight? Obviously I wouldn't be happy with a draw but it wont effect anything at the end of the day surely?

 

A defeat tomorrow and a draw against Palace and I'd start to get a bit nervy haha!

 

a draw tonight would still put us in a comfortable position.

 

If we win today it puts us just 3 points away from securing the title. regardless of whether arsenal win all their remaining games.

I'm nervous about tonight! They're a very tough side and we will need to be on our best game to beat them. It'll be interesting to see what Jose goes for up front - I echoe Plokoon's sentiments that maybe Hazard would be best placed on the right for this one. I hope we score early! 

 

On a selfish note, I managed to get 2 tickets on the exchange for Palace this weekend (after refreshing approximately 726,000 times over the last few weeks). My old man is in London this weekend so I'll be going with him.... he's never seen us win anything in the flesh as when he lived in the UK and he went to games we were awful, and he's been an expat ever since, catching the odd game when he visits.

 

He never imagined we'd get tickets for this game, and he was visiting London for another reason altogether. He's been a supporter since 1964 so I imagine it will be tears all round if we can get over the final hurdle this week! 

 

COME ON CHELS set it up for Saturday please!! 

Given Leicester's form would hope we don't take anything for granted - naturally hope we go for the win (to give us the best chance possible of being crowned champions at home to Liverpool), but will be content with a draw. Another must not lose for me.

Edited April 29, 201511 yr by the special one

Nervous.

Nervous.

 

Nerves are dissipating for me now. 

 

Short of a complete collapse the title is as good as ours and I have faith that a team lead by Jose and captained by JT, to pinch a phrase from a famous scouser, won't let this slip.

 

We're in a position about as comfortable as you could hope for. Getting out of the Arsenal game without a loss was the last big step we needed to take in my opinion. 

 

I'm just going to enjoy these remaining fixtures now.  

Is this on BT or Sky?

Is this on BT or Sky?

Sky.