Posted January 5, 20169 yr This should provide an opportunity to build on our unbeaten run and extend our positive form against a low-scoring Sc**thorpe side who have 1 win in their last 6 games in League One. In addition, this is really a game in which we should see a few of our squad members given game time.  I know absolutely f**k all about their team but a quick glance at their squad list on Wikipedia shows that among their ranks are former Watford striker Darius Henderson (who apparently has not scored in 13 appearances this season), former (pre-administration) Rangers youngster Jamie Ness, and to cap it all off, Coventry legend Gary McSheffrey (who is somehow only 33). Their top scorer by some distance is Irish striker Patrick Madden (I admit I've never heard of him) who has already matched last season's tally of 14 goals. I have no clue about their tactics.  Presumably we'll see Begovic and Matic return to the side, as well as starts for the likes of Baba Rahman, Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, possibly Bertrand Traoré, and with any luck a rare sighting of Patrick Bamford.  Any score/line-up predictions?
January 5, 20169 yr          - Begovic -  Ivan© - Djilobodji - Zouma - Baba       - Ramires - Matic -Kenedy - Loftus-Cheek - Pedro/Traore      - Traore/Bamford -  It's a hard line up to predict so I've gone for what should still be a pretty strong squad but with a lot of rotation, I would like to see a fair amount of youth and this team has 5-6 youngsters. I'm predicting 6-0 but Sc**thorpe are an unknown entity to me and this team won't have much experience together so it might be a bit cagier.  Also I'm actually getting to go to this one so I'm hoping to see some good football from these youngsters first hand. C'mon the blues! Edited January 5, 20169 yr by PedroMendez
January 5, 20169 yr Begovic  Baba Zouma Cahill Azpilicueta  Ramires Loftus-Cheek  Kenedy Pedro Traore  Bamford
January 5, 20169 yr Not sure of the team we would put out but an early prediction from me would be 4-1 to Chelsea. Sc**thorpe to score early and then 2 goals in either half from us.
January 5, 20169 yr Lolz that Sc**thorpe is being censored every time it's written ha ha  Not sure why everyone is talking about Bamford. He isn't getting anywhere near the team.Â
January 5, 20169 yr I hope we see plenty of youth but wouldn't be surprised to see us put out a near full strength team just to build back up their confidence and gain momentum.Â
January 5, 20169 yr Not sure who guus will pick. I would go for: Begovic Ania Zouma Terry Baba Mikel Rlc Traore Oscar Kenedy Bamford
January 5, 20169 yr Hoping none of the youngsters play just so I can have a giggle at the faux outrage the team selection will cause on this match day thread.
January 5, 20169 yr I know some of our top tier talents have been playing at a Championship or lower quality, but this is really one for some of the youth to feature in. I suspect Blueblur is bang on about Bamford but I do hold out hope to see him starting or on the bench and getting a decent shift. Add to that Kennedy, Baba, RLC and possibley Traore I'd like to see Zouma with Cahill because Terry can use all the rests he can at this age and who knows, next season Cahill and Zouma might be our main pairing.
January 5, 20169 yr Hoping none of the youngsters play just so I can have a giggle at the faux outrage the team selection will cause on this match day thread.The amount of toys coming from prams will be more than Santa delivered all Christmas.
January 5, 20169 yr I think 2-3 younger players will get a chance at most. The club probably sees the FA Cup as our only realistic chance of silverware this season and the team selection will reflect that.
January 5, 20169 yr Whilst wanting to see some youth team players play. it is pointless as an exercise if they are thrown into a 'scratch' side that hasn't played much together. We need to know how they will integrate into a strong team, how they link up with the existing first team members.This is though the third round of the cup, 'the iron' will put all current league form out the door, their supporters will treat this like their Wembley trip, it is a match we should win easily but we have to make sure we aren't victims of another famous cup upset. With this in min two to three youth starters at the most.
January 5, 20169 yr Lolz that Sc**thorpe is being censored every time it's written ha ha  Not sure why everyone is talking about Bamford. He isn't getting anywhere near the team. Aren't both Remy and Falcao injured, so I went for a rotation on Costa to keep him fresh for the 2 BPL we have that week. Personally I think we should give Traore a go ahead Bamford as he has at least been training with the squad.  Edited January 5, 20169 yr by PedroMendez
January 5, 20169 yr I think 2-3 younger players will get a chance at most. The club probably sees the FA Cup as our only realistic chance of silverware this season and the team selection will reflect that. I've always been an advocate of not flooding a team with all youth, I don't see what that gains them. I would rather 3 or 4 at most play alongside senior players, as in reality that's more the situation they may eventually find themselves.
January 5, 20169 yr Begovic Azpi -- Zouma -- Cahill -- Baba Ramires -- Matic -- RLC Traore -- Diego -- Kenedy  Chels 4-0
January 5, 20169 yr Would love to see an emphatic win and a couple of youngsters grabbing their chance with both hands.....COYB!
January 5, 20169 yr I've always been an advocate of not flooding a team with all youth, I don't see what that gains them. I would rather 3 or 4 at most play alongside senior players, as in reality that's more the situation they may eventually find themselves. Â Agree with that, game time is more effective to their development if they are surrounded by experienced players on the pitch to guide and support them.
January 5, 20169 yr RLC, Kennedy, Baba, & Traore starting and that will be the right injection of youth for me. Throw Begovic a start too.  We want to be winning this otherwise al the talk of a revival and confidence will be blown out the water...
January 5, 20169 yr this on TV? BT I'm afraid, more surprised that the game with Everton next week isn't on at all.
January 6, 20169 yr At least if BT have it then there should be a stream. Â Not sure the US Channels pick up the FA Cup this early
January 6, 20169 yr Just looked and FS1 is showing the game. Â 9am EST means a 6am rise for me. Â But glad it's on
January 6, 20169 yr "Chelsea are prepared to give Patrick Bamford a chance in their first-team squad. [...] It was expected that Bamford would be sent on loan elsewhere in January with Bournemouth keen but Guus Hiddink is considering using him at Chelsea this season." Perfect timing for him. No Falcao, Remy is leaving and Costa could do with a rest after that monumental effort against Palace and a game coming up mid week.
January 6, 20169 yr Begovic  Baba Zouma Cahill Azpilicueta  Ramires Loftus-Cheek  Kenedy Pedro Traore  Bamford  Really like this lineup! Chelsea 2.0
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