I would like to see baba start but really who would really know whether he is going to be better than other options.

However I think any fair judge would say that our fullback situation with a right footer at left back and a converted centre back at right back is always risky and only winning can justify those choices.

We are not winning.

I wonder how many people that have been crowing for Baba to start have even seen him play any football, other than a YouTube clip that some spotty teenager made?

I will freely admit that i don't think I've ever seen him play.

Yet the club determined he was worth three times what they paid for Azpilicueta and I've seen the right side of our back four this season. I say give the new guy a shot and slot over our best fullback to their natural position. How badly could it backfire compared to the last few matches?

I'm all for us grinding out a 1-0 boring win. Mikel and Matic sat just in front of the defence and let the four forward players have more freedom to attack.

I will freely admit that i don't think I've ever seen him play.

Yet the club determined he was worth three times what they paid for Azpilicueta and I've seen the right side of our back four this season. I say give the new guy a shot and slot over our best fullback to their natural position. How badly could it backfire compared to the last few matches?

 

I watched him in the cup game just before we bought him, whilst being ok going forward he looked naive in his defensive positioning. A few good training sessions under Jose's guidance will iron these out no doubt.

I watched him in the cup game just before we bought him, whilst being ok going forward he looked naive in his defensive positioning. A few good training sessions under Jose's guidance will iron these out no doubt.

However his 1 on 1 defending is very good, it's extremely hard to turn him from what I have seen, and this right now is our major issue, can go past ivan like he isn't there, in any case he is fast and agile, has to be an improvement on how we look now, only sunderland are worse 

I'm all for a midfield of

Matic Mikel

Pedro Oscar Hazard

 

As awfully boring as Mikel is, I don't think he would be outmuscled that easily as Cesc has in the past games. Let's face it, Cesc's passing game has been poor for a while now, can't see Mikle do much worse. I'm more than happy for a boring 1:0, probably unlikely to happen through. 

I'm all for a midfield of

Matic Mikel

Pedro Oscar Hazard

 

As awfully boring as Mikel is, I don't think he would be outmuscled that easily as Cesc has in the past games. Let's face it, Cesc's passing game has been poor for a while now, can't see Mikle do much worse. I'm more than happy for a boring 1:0, probably unlikely to happen through. 

Why not RLC or Rameres?

 

 I would love to see:

 

Azpi------Zouma--------Terry----------Baba

 

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

 

-------------Fab---------Oscar-------------

 

Pedriho----------Costa----------Hazard

mou just said oscar is still out.

Chelsea FC ?@ChelseaFC  8m8 minutes ago

Jose says Oscar won't be available tomorrow but is 'almost there' and could be in contention to feature next Wednesday. #CFC

Is Ramires injured?

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/9/11/9309963/thibaut-courtois-injury-news

Tibo out for a " long time". We had best hope begovic stays healthy.

Guess he will certainly get a fair crack as number 1 so long as he stays fit.

Edited September 11, 201510 yr by axman2526

Is Ramires injured?

 

We can only hope. 

My mate just messaged me saying that his friend's dad is sat near Ivanovic at an airport in Toulouse. He could be bullsh*tting, but I can still dream that Ivanovic is injured/dropped/released.

Wishing injury on our own players, classy.

Wishing defeat on our own team, classy.

 

But seriously though, Ivanovic starting tomorrow would significantly decrease our chances of getting a result. I wouldn't mind if he picked up a knock at all because of that. I love the guy, but damn he is awful at the moment. I'm sure his 65k a week would soften the blow of an injury anyway, don't feel too sorry for him if it does happen.

Edited September 11, 201510 yr by BaconButty

We can only hope. 

I feel terrible for liking that.....lol

 

edit: Of course we're hoping for a 24 hour flu or something. Nothing painful or serious!

Edited September 11, 201510 yr by Barry Bridges

Wishing defeat on our own team, classy.

 

But seriously though, Ivanovic starting tomorrow would significantly decrease our chances of getting a result. I wouldn't mind if he picked up a knock at all because of that. I love the guy, but damn he is awful at the moment. I'm sure his 65k a week would soften the blow of an injury anyway, don't feel too sorry for him if it does happen.

His wage has sod all to do with anything.

His wage has sod all to do with anything.

 

It wasn't really the point I was making, it was just a sidenote stuck on the end.

 

My point was that Ivanovic is currently the biggest liability in the squad and I'm hoping he doesn't play tomorrow. Don't worry, I'm not wishing a leg break on the guy, a short flu would suffice as Barry above said of Ramires. If you have a different opinion on Ivanovic, I'm more than happy to hear it and discuss.

Edited September 11, 201510 yr by BaconButty

I really fancy us getting a comfortable win alongside a clean sheet tomorrow

 

We have a world class squad and after quite a few below average outings I can see them finally coming good

I really fancy us getting a comfortable win alongside a clean sheet tomorrow

 

We have a world class squad and after quite a few below average outings I can see them finally coming good

 

Wish I shared your confidence, but there is certainly part of me that can see this happening. It would be quite like Mourinho to suddenly bounce back with a 0-2 win or even a 0-3 win out of nowhere. I wish Oscar was fit, though. If Ramires plays it'll be painful to watch us try and counter them.

I really fancy us getting a comfortable win alongside a clean sheet tomorrow

 

We have a world class squad and after quite a few below average outings I can see them finally coming good

That's the way! Come on you Blues!

My mate just messaged me saying that his friend's dad is sat near Ivanovic at an airport in Toulouse. He could be bullsh*tting, but I can still dream that Ivanovic is injured/dropped/released.

I hope he is telling the truth, on a random note my pal saw Anelka in a hotel in Dubai a couple of days ago, this one is true they took pics :) 

I went against all my instincts last time and predicted a win against Crystal Palace, so of course we lost. So the only sensible thing to do really is to predict Everton 2-1 Chelsea

early start for the West Coast Chelsea fans, I expect nothing but high octane drama........

 

and hopefully a repeat of last season which I was fortunate to see in person

 

Come On Chelsea !!!!

I hope he is telling the truth, on a random note my pal saw Anelka in a hotel in Dubai a couple of days ago, this one is true they took pics :) 

 

Of all players to meet haha. Was never Anelka's biggest fan. Better than nothing though I suppose, and I imagine being in Dubai mustn't have been too bad either.