Love to see RLC as well. If we werent down to ten I think he would have come on instead of Mikel against Brom.

Dont think Jose will trust him to start given how much we need 3 points.

Think this game will finish 2-0 

Edited August 25, 201510 yr by MANoWAR

As long as Ivan ain't playing I'm hopeful. Surely Jose must have seen his shocking performances. Baba debut and Azpi at Ivans position.

Can't see our vice captain being left out with JT suspended, although I think everyone can admit he's really struggled this season at least. Admittedly I know very little about the young left-back we've signed, judging by this thread he's of starting quality, so I guess that option may be explored.

 

I'm just excited to see that front 4 again, thought they were superb. Still to throw Oscar somewhere in the mix too, things are looking good!

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

Ivan-----Zouma----Cahill----Azpi

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

----Pedro---Oscar---Hazard------

---------------Costa-------------------

 

Willian for Oscar if still not fit.

 

Brana doesn't deserve to start but can't see Baba being thrown in for this especially with how direct palace are and how good they are from set pieces, need a big performance from him! Come on the Chels.

Courtois

Ivanovic Zouma Cahill Azpilicueta

Fabregas Matic

Pedro Willian Hazard

Costa

 

Just Cahill in to replace Terry.

 

I was really happy with the performance of our front 4 against West Brom. I also thought Matic put in a decent performance.

 

Hopefully Oscar is fit enough to give us an option from the bench. I hope Baba gets a chance soon, but I don't think it will happen before the international break.

Wrap up the 3 points and then send on Mikel to hatchet their strikers so Bamford can get a few games...... I honestly don't know if I am kidding or not...

Courtois

Ivanovic Zouma Cahill Azpilicueta

Fabregas Matic

Pedro Willian Hazard

Costa

 

Just Cahill in to replace Terry.

 

I was really happy with the performance of our front 4 against West Brom. I also thought Matic put in a decent performance.

 

Hopefully Oscar is fit enough to give us an option from the bench. I hope Baba gets a chance soon, but I don't think it will happen before the international break.

How happy were you with Ivanovic and cecs' cover play 

I think we'd do well with the backline of:

Dave--Cahill--Zouma--Baba

Apparently Jedinak went off injured during Palace's League Cup game against Shrewsbury. Looks like Pardew might stick with the Cabaye-MacArthur midfield then.

Palace is not reliant on pacy wingers so Branna probably starts even though he doesn't deserve it. They are far more direct and attack centrally through Cabaye passing and dribbling by Puncheon and co.

 

No team in the league attacks down the centre less than Palace do. Two of Zaha, Bolasie, and Sako will be playing there (possibly Puncheon if they go with three in the middle), all of whom are definitely pacey wingers.

Bolasie and Zaha will have Ivan on toast.

If he plays then we will concede for sure.

We should have enough in attack regardless but you never know.

hard fought struggle against this mob is on the cards....for f**k sake...should be beating these teams with comfortable ease.

Bolasie and Zaha will have Ivan on toast.

If he plays then we will concede for sure.

We should have enough in attack regardless but you never know.

Agreed regarding Bran. Probably would prefer to risk Baba and Dave and see how it goes. How about you?

Agreed regarding Bran. Probably would prefer to risk Baba and Dave and see how it goes. How about you?

I’d do the same, that would give us a far better balance on the flanks where Palace ALWAYS try to hurt you…If you watch them they very rarely go direct or through the middle it’s constant attacking utilising their speedy wide players.

Dave---Cahill—Zouma---Baba

That gives us protection as Dave doesn’t bomb forward at the drop of a hat leaving the right hand side woefully exposed plus Pedro will have more freedom without the worry of his fullback sprinting by him leaving gaps right, left and centre!

The issue is Baba and if he is ready and had enough time with the lads in training…although it didn’t go against Pedro so why not for Baba?

I suspect Jose will play Ivan in any case because he is blind to his obvious rapid decline and rubbish form of late which may hurt us in this fixture, I just hope if it does he accepts it’s his error and he does the right thing in the next match.

My preferred line up –

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

Dave-----Cahill-----Zouma------Baba

--------Oscar(RLC)----Matic----------

Pedro----------Cesc---------Hazard

-----------------Costa--------

Jose’s 99% lineup –

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

Ivan-----Cahill-----Zouma------Dave

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

Pedro----------Willian---------Hazard

-----------------Costa--------

Agreed chelseabear.Would pick the same team as you (Oscar not RLC) Ivan needs dropping and Cesc pushing further forward.

Don't see Rahman being introduced at this early stage...

Don't see Rahman being introduced at this early stage...

Why not? Ivanovic was a liability again against West brom...

Why not? Ivanovic was a liability again against West brom...

And he'll have the support of the home crowd on he's debut

We can all dream, but I don't see Jose dropping Ivan.  Jose is too stubborn.  Hope I'm wrong.  

I'm curious to know how many of you have actually seen Rahman play in a full game, because I certainly haven't.

 

Ivan has been poor recently but I'm reluctant to suggest throwing in a complete unknown so soon, simply because I haven't a clue what to expect.

I'm curious to know how many of you have actually seen Rahman play in a full game, because I certainly haven't.

 

Ivan has been poor recently but I'm reluctant to suggest throwing in a complete unknown so soon, simply because I haven't a clue what to expect.

He will be:

A. Heaven

B. Hell

C. Somewhere I between.

Darn, I'll have to record it, I'm going to be in Wisconsin for a wedding on that day. 

Is Mou's press conference today?

I'm curious to know how many of you have actually seen Rahman play in a full game, because I certainly haven't.

Ivan has been poor recently but I'm reluctant to suggest throwing in a complete unknown so soon, simply because I haven't a clue what to expect.

Exactly.