Definitely, the were purring against Liverpool, although the dippers were sh't too. It's really about their front men who looks very strong at the moment and stopping them. I think we can hurt them though with our attacking players and their back line. Oscar was obviously immense against Sunderland, and one has to assume he will get the chance to repeat the performance in this one, with Hazard slotting in for Pedro. Can't really see Hiddink making any huge changes here, although he might play with two strikers which means dropping Willian, Hazard or Oscar (not easy).*

 

Back-four seems pretty clear too. Will be difficult, but we really have no choice but to beat them. No more hiccups I am afraid, and as the painful Mourinho circus is steadily put behind us, I hope we can find our groove and push on. I believe we will! 

 

--

 

* I do wonder, though, whether the whole sub-plot with Hazard means he is effectively a goner in the transfer window. 

 

Well last season I think 4-4-2 would've been viable at least for part of the game.

 

But this season it's not for me - Watford are pretty lively and pacey and I think if we play that formation we are going to struggle in midfield.  Our defence is still Tom-Tit.  Tibo looks shakey and not yet fully up to speed, Zouma looks like little (metaphorically) boy lost at times, JT is nearly done for and can't handle anyone with pace and Brana's great goal does not compensate for his defensive woes.

 

Stick with 4-2-3-1.

 

Or if we end up having a really bad time of things 4-3-2-1 (god forbid!).

Edited December 21, 201510 yr by Bloo

Or if we end up having a really bad time of things 4-3-2-1 (god forbid!).

 

I would actually be interesting to see how we would organize on the 4-3-2-1. If applied properly, it would completely negate their two strikers or it could be used as a full attacking tactic:

 

Courtois

 

Azpi - Zouma - Terry - Baba

 

William - Matic - Pedro

 

Oscar - Fabregas

 

Remy

 

Would be a really interesting formation. You get overlaps from the back and the middle, while Oscar and Fabregas have both freedom to operate up and down the field. However, I doubt Gus will change much in his first game in charge.

I would actually be interesting to see how we would organize on the 4-3-2-1. If applied properly, it would completely negate their two strikers or it could be used as a full attacking tactic:

 

Courtois

 

Azpi - Zouma - Terry - Baba

 

William - Matic - Pedro

 

Oscar - Fabregas

 

Remy

 

Would be a really interesting formation. You get overlaps from the back and the middle, while Oscar and Fabregas have both freedom to operate up and down the field. However, I doubt Gus will change much in his first game in charge.

 

Hazard for Fab' and that would be a very mobile unit.

This is just what we need, 3 games in about 6 days, 9 points to grab. We have to believe we are capable of go on a winning streak with the depth in our team comparing to the likes of Watford, Palace or even United/Arsenal. If Hazard is available, I would pick him, he needs to face the music from the fans, may as well get it out of the way and win them back with a goal. I think Hiddink should make 2-3 changes to not wearing players out with the busy schedule. Player like Pedro never had to play during this time of the season. I would pick something like

GK

Azpi Zouma JT Baba

Matic RLC

Hazard Oscar Willian

Remy

 

I'm even tempted to play Cahill in place of JT to counter their pace upfront, but I guess we need a captain on the field.

This is just what we need, 3 games in about 6 days, 9 points to grab. We have to believe we are capable of go on a winning streak with the depth in our team comparing to the likes of Watford, Palace or even United/Arsenal. If Hazard is available, I would pick him, he needs to face the music from the fans, may as well get it out of the way and win them back with a goal. I think Hiddink should make 2-3 changes to not wearing players out with the busy schedule. Player like Pedro never had to play during this time of the season. I would pick something like

GK

Azpi Zouma JT Baba

Matic RLC

Hazard Oscar Willian

Remy

 

I'm even tempted to play Cahill in place of JT to counter their pace upfront, but I guess we need a captain on the field.

 

Seems as good as anything we can put out at the moment to be frank.

I hope we give Kenedy a shot in this game, he has the directness and flair we are lacking (even if his decisions occasionally lack and he lacks poise)

 

Gonna be really tough, I hope we dog it out under Guus and grab a win, but who actually knows

Will be the same team that played sunderland most likely. Maybe hazard comes in for one of the 3 behind Costa.

Will be the same team that played sunderland most likely. Maybe hazard comes in for one of the 3 behind Costa.

Yeah I can't see it changing from our best performance of the season so far (though against much weaker opposition). Leave Hazard on the bench and bring him on at half time if it's not working?

 

Pedro had a very good game and I think we'll need Oscar to drop in a bit to help stop the ball getting into their front 2. Oscar had a very good handle on the "free role" he had but some more defending is going to be required in this one.

Give the younger guys a go. Give rlc some minutes and maybe Kennedy.

I'm not sure who the line up will be, but I can't help but feel we will stick with the same old team and try and survive this season.  I really hope that last weeks game was merely Steve Holland sticking with what he knew, and trying to get a reinvigorated squad to work.  I Hiddink does start to play RLC and Kennedy a little more, I'd be very happy to at least see the club take that chance between now and the end of the season.  Let's be honest, despite all of the strange results this season, we'd need an exceptional amount of strange results, plus nothing short of 100% success against our usual top 4 rivals to even sniff top 4 this season ourselves.

 

So, that begs the questions:  What are our ambitions tactically this season?  If it is to make European Football of any sort, then I think the integration of youth will be minimal.  If it is more along the lines of "let's show that we are a top half team, and advertise to the world (and potential suitors to the vacant head coaching position) that we have an amazing academy, then I can see us playing a different style.  Personally, I wouldn't mind the second option, but that's merely a fan-base gripe that I have.

 

Anyway, intersting times ahead, and I think the line up will be very indicative of what the rest of our season will look like.

 

Thanks.

 

Scott

If it is more along the lines of "let's show that we are a top half team, and advertise to the world (and potential suitors to the vacant head coaching position) that we have an amazing academy, then I can see us playing a different style.  Personally, I wouldn't mind the second option, but that's merely a fan-base gripe that I have.

 

 

I agree with this, but I think it is safe to assume that Hiddink wants to get us as far away from the relegation zone as possible before doing anything of that sort. This PL season is extremely uncertain, and we can't be sure that we will simply jog on just because we have a new manager! Maybe, if we're safe come Spring, we can start doing a bit more. 

anyone seen the weather forecast? apparently storm eva is heading here for the weekend, so hopefully she doesn't ruin the day. 

 

We're due to smash someone, I feel this is it. 2-1. COME ON CHELS!

We're due to smash someone, I feel this is it. 2-1. COME ON CHELS!

hardly a smash 2-1 lol.. anyway, as long as we win with quality then I'll be happy.. baby step 

Can't see Guus coming in and leaving the team totally unchanged.. not sure what those changes will be though, maybe a Mikel in the midfield? 

Either way we've got to stop a team in a very good run of form, but if we try and hold on for a result I don't think we'll get anything out of it.

We're Chelsea, we're at home, let's have the ball and let's create chances.

Whatever Guus does please drop Costa! His attitude stinks and he's been a total liability this season.

 

Give Remy a start and see what he can do this week. I reckon we may be pleasantly surprised.

A good reception for Guus and three points will be a good Xmas present.....COYB!

is this live on tv?

Whatever Guus does please drop Costa! His attitude stinks and he's been a total liability this season.

Give Remy a start and see what he can do this week. I reckon we may be pleasantly surprised.

I'm a fan of Costa, but I agree, Remy's movement has been pretty good in his recent appearances.

is this live on tv?

 

it is live out in the states, so there will at least be streams available

 

For those in the States it's on the USA network at 10am EST

Edited December 23, 201510 yr by mad_mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Jh8ujt1AE

Definitely, the were purring against Liverpool, although the dippers were sh't too. It's really about their front men who looks very strong at the moment and stopping them. I think we can hurt them though with our attacking players and their back line. Oscar was obviously immense against Sunderland, and one has to assume he will get the chance to repeat the performance in this one, with Hazard slotting in for Pedro. Can't really see Hiddink making any huge changes here, although he might play with two strikers which means dropping Willian, Hazard or Oscar (not easy).*

 

Back-four seems pretty clear too. Will be difficult, but we really have no choice but to beat them. No more hiccups I am afraid, and as the painful Mourinho circus is steadily put behind us, I hope we can find our groove and push on. I believe we will! 

 

--

 

* I do wonder, though, whether the whole sub-plot with Hazard means he is effectively a goner in the transfer window.

Dropping Willian????

Hello McFly. Have you seen us play this season? Any of it? At all? Or only the game since José was sacked?

Drop Willian!!! Pfft.

No bloody way Costa should start this game, unless he managed to convince Hiddink in training he has turned it around. We need at least 3 goals to win a match these days, can't see us getting that against a decent team with Costa doing his usual stuff. Playing at home, one more day rest, almost a full team to pick from, there are no excuses not winning this game, and the next..

And when we get crosses in have more than one person in the box.  Surely mourinho could see that that  was an issue, but every f ing game it was the same thing. I would actually like to see baba play for that reason. We have got to be more attacking I feel.

Edited December 24, 201510 yr by kennypaul

Must win N1. Courtois, Dave, Zouma, Terry, Baba, RLC, Fabregas, Willian, Hazard/Oscar, Pedro, Remy.