Happy for the point but an ultimately disappointing performance against Newcastle. Now more than ever is our chance to at least try to look more like the team of last season with an away win in a Champions League game. If the PL isn't going for us thus far then we can at least make headway in Europe. 

 

Thoughts on the lineup?

Well, PL isn't going well for us, but at least we started CL with right leg. We have to win this to keep our squad motivated, we need to raise our morale and finally play our football. 

 

JOSE MUST MAKE CHANGES !

 

I'd like to see this XI:

 

Begovic

 

Azpi

Zouma

Cahill

Baba

 

Ramires

RLC

 

Willian

Oscar

Hazard

 

Costa

Edited September 26, 201510 yr by IliyaKrostin

Good line up, but I'd put Terry in and take Zouma out and I'd start with Mikel, bringing RLC on in the second half, as I was impressed with Mikel the other day. I'm hoping for a win on my birthday.

Want to finally see a RLC Matic partnership

Zouma and Cahill need to stay together as if they are the long-term future partnership they need to play together as much as possible. Yes Zouma was at fault for Newcastle's first but aside from that he had a decent game, the second was neither defender's fault.

Back to 4-3-3 for me:

 

Begovic

 

Azpi

Zouma

JT

Baba

 

Mikel

 

Ramires

RLC

 

Kenedy

Traore

 

Costa

 

Maybe missing out on the big CL fixture of the group, and the following league game against Southampton, if enough to get Matic, Cesc, Pedro and Hazard going again. I do feel this is harsh on Willian and Oscar so could not argue if they started in place of Kenedy and Traore.

Porto to win 2-1. If it happens, this could make Abra have second thoughts on keeping Mourinho as the manager.

Porto to win 2-1. If it happens, this could make Abra have second thoughts on keeping Mourinho as the manager.

Shut it

Shut it

Why?

If you don't like reading my predictions, start your own forum then.

Why?

If you don't like reading my predictions, start your own forum then.

Perhaps you should start one where the idea of 'strategic' sacrifice is acceptable and preferable to getting behind the team even in difficult times.

Back to 4-3-3 for me:

 

Begovic

 

Azpi

Zouma

JT

Baba

 

Mikel

 

Ramires

RLC

 

Kenedy

Traore

 

Costa

 

Maybe missing out on the big CL fixture of the group, and the following league game against Southampton, if enough to get Matic, Cesc, Pedro and Hazard going again. I do feel this is harsh on Willian and Oscar so could not argue if they started in place of Kenedy and Traore.

 

Good line-up. I would maybe swap Traore with Willian. Costa having a game is good so that he won't get too rusty in 2 weeks.

Perhaps you should start one where the idea of 'strategic' sacrifice is acceptable and preferable to getting behind the team even in difficult times.

What does getting behind the team have to do with predicting s result?

Nothing and everything.

would like to see a rlc-matic combination but probably it won't happen as jose certainly will field the usual lineup in important fixtures

happy with a draw with ivan and cesc having the worst performance in footballing history that will finally convinced jose to drop them

Anyone know a lot about Porto?

I'm just guessing but I'd imagine they'll be slightly weaker without the likes of Martinez and Sandro.

Casillas doesn't look the same keeper he was before.

Aboubakar may cause us problems if he's still kicking about.

Anyone know a lot about Porto?

I'm just guessing but I'd imagine they'll be slightly weaker without the likes of Martinez and Sandro.

Casillas doesn't look the same keeper he was before.

Aboubakar may cause us problems if he's still kicking about.

Aboubakar is in very good form right now. They're wingers are pacy, their midfields not bad and their defense is ok. It will be very tough

Aboubakar is in very good form right now. They're wingers are pacy, their midfields not bad and their defense is ok. It will be very tough

Thanks.

Perhaps you should start one where the idea of 'strategic' sacrifice is acceptable and preferable to getting behind the team even in difficult times.

Personally I did not get from Itchk's post that he thought a loss was acceptable for whatever reason. He pointed out what it could lead to. And for what it's worth, with every result that isn't going our way I too fear Abramovich's reaction. Let's just hope he is seeing the bigger picture (if not Mourinho, who else?).

Would love to see:

 

----------------------Begovic----------------------

---------------Terry-----------Cahill--------------

-Azpi----------------------------------------Baba-

-----------------RLC--------Mikel-----------------

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

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

 

with Traore and Oscar coming on in the second half.

 

We will see:

 

----------------------Begovic----------------------

-------------Zouma-----------Cahill--------------

-Ivanovic------------------------------------Azpi-

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

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

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

with the off chance of Ramires starting ahead of Fabregas or Oscar.

It's a European away match against (theoretically) our strongest competitors in the group. The priority will be solidity, knowing that a draw isn't the worst result and a win on the break would be superb.

 

I expect to see something like:

 

----------------------Begovic----------------------

-------------Cahill-----------Terry--------------

-Ivanovic------------------------------------Azpi-

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

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

-Oscar-----------------------------------Hazard-

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

Why?

If you don't like reading my predictions, start your own forum then.

Glad you voiced your opinion, but adding to the negativity with wild speculation on the managers job is uneeded. I dont think we'll win either but he's not getting fired for it. This isnt game 6 with us in 3rd

I would like us to try something like this for the next 2 games.

 

Begovic

Azpi  Zouma  Terry  Rahman

Matic

Ramires/RLC Fab/Oscar

Pedro                        Hazard

Costa/Remy

 

OR

 

Begovic

Azpi  Zouma  Terry Rahman

Matic Ramires

Pedro Hazard Willian

Cost/Remy

 

I think both of these formations would work well with the players we have. It would work better than what we are currently going with i am pretty sure of that.

I'd make plenty of changes if I were Jose. If he wanted to make 6 subs at half time at St James' it's his fault he didnt do it before the game even started. Now this is a chance to show that he can drop underperforming players and give others deserved chance to stake a claim at the regular starting spot.

 

I'd drop Fabregas and Matic and bring in RLC and Ramires.

 

Costa, thankfully, starts up front.

 

At the back, Baba in at left back and Dave moves to his natural position.

 

Please Jose, bring back the hunger! There cant be a bigger motivation for any player than Champions League.

Glad you voiced your opinion, but adding to the negativity with wild speculation on the managers job is uneeded. I dont think we'll win either but he's not getting fired for it. This isnt game 6 with us in 3rd

Fair enough but my opinion on Mourinho's standing with Abra still stands if Chelsea loses to Porto.  I am not saying he will get fired right after the match but I do think serious questions will be asked and doubts raised at Stamford Bridge if it is a loss.

Personally I did not get from Itchk's post that he thought a loss was acceptable for whatever reason. He pointed out what it could lead to. And for what it's worth, with every result that isn't going our way I too fear Abramovich's reaction. Let's just hope he is seeing the bigger picture (if not Mourinho, who else?).

There are some in this forum who only want score predictions to be victories or draws at worst - never losses.  Otherwise, you are seen as the devil incarnate.  One wonders what is the point of a discussion forum after all.  It's best that these narrow-minded people quit the forum.