7 minutes ago, rtwelch said:

Would like to see him get a decent run out just incase we actually see something exciting happen.

This is the thing i'm hoping for and Conte should be gambling on. We need some kind of ignition up front. Someone from midfield to support our attack. Kante is world class, we just need to find his partner/s. If Barkley can consistently show his A game we may be onto a winner. Coming back from a long injury i don't expect miracles at the start of his return, but if he shows the class we know he has, then his presence alone could lift everyone else in the team.

2 hours ago, TomCFC85 said:

The way Conte's 343 works though, don't they go deeper into the middle, CF style?

I see Barkley trying to play a similar role that KDB plays for citeh, behind our forwards.,pulling the strings.

Keep Kennedy at lwb and stick Marcos Alon-goals up top 

I'd like to see us play a 3-4-3 instead of the usual 3-5-2 with hazard playing off the striker

I'd go with

                                       Tibo

             Azpilicueta      Christensen       Rudiger

Zappacosta                   Kante                              Alonso

Willian                           Barkley                           Hazard

                                    Batshuayi          

Barkley playing a simular role to lampard as a box to box midfielder

Barkley played 70 mins on thursday in a friendly match, The max he will get is 20 mins against Brighton. Conte is smart enough to ease him in rather than push him and have him breakdown will go for

 

                Courtois

      Dave    CHristensen   Rudiger

Moses  Kante   Drinkvodka    Alonso

     Willian     Hazard   Musonda...

 

Bats is better off coming from the bench

An early goal would be nice. In fact, a goal in general would be nice. 

55 minutes ago, The Don Antonio said:

Barkley played 70 mins on thursday in a friendly match, The max he will get is 20 mins against Brighton. Conte is smart enough to ease him in rather than push him and have him breakdown will go for

 

                Courtois

      Dave    CHristensen   Rudiger

Moses  Kante   Drinkvodka    Alonso

     Willian     Hazard   Musonda...

 

Bats is better off coming from the bench

Drinkwater played the whole match vs the Canaries - I expect to see The man with the Magic Hat & perhaps Barkley subbing him out round the 75th minute - other than that I believe you are are on point

9 minutes ago, robdog said:

Drinkwater played the whole match vs the Canaries - I expect to see The man with the Magic Hat & perhaps Barkley subbing him out round the 75th minute - other than that I believe you are are on point

Unfortunately Conte says Cesc is injured along with Cahill

1 hour ago, The Don Antonio said:

Unfortunately Conte says Cesc is injured along with Cahill

oh? that isn't good <_< - Side Show Bob for 60 minutes? I am up for that - or maybe Barkley to start

 

Everyone confident Dave will start? Played 120 mins mid week. Never misses a game but I need to know for Fpl purposes. 

On 1/18/2018 at 09:05, Mod Stark said:

I agree, we've had a few of these time's this season and it's crap.

430 am start for me on these ones...brutal

Telegraph reporting Courtois and Drinkwater may be out (+ Cesc and Cahill).... 

So that's Cesc, Cahill, Morata and Pedro. Tibo out - Drinkwater maybe. Also Azpi played 120 minutes on Wednesday so must be knackered.  I'm sensing a ''just get through it' draw.

Looks like we have a few injury/suspension issues with Courtois and Drinkwater now also out. That means youth on the bench!

Caballero, Dave, Christensen, Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Batshuayi.

Bench: Eduardo, Luiz, Ampadu, Zappacosta, Kenedy, Barkley and Musonda

I'd switch to a 433 just for this game, although it's highly unlikely, Conte did say we need to change it up without Morata. It's not a lot of changes in terms of persoonel, we leave out Moses and put Azpi at right back, 3 midfield with Kante/Drinkwater/Cesc, and the front 3 pick itself. Cesc need a couple of more targets to hit his long passes too, and Batshuyai needs attackers around him to be effective, and needs early cross from the attacking duos.

Stick Luiz in midfield, will add more going forward than Baka.

10 minutes ago, Ernie_blue said:

Stick Luiz in midfield, will add more going forward than Baka.

Baka is far more suited to the 2 in midfield where he can play short simple passes to recycle possession rather than the three where he is often the outball and required to create or shoot. I was impressed with him on Wednesday in this role (still wouldn't describe myself as a fan by any means)

That said, if we do persist with a three, Luiz could be used more in this role in the second half of the season. He passes well and has a good long shot. Rafa and later Jose showed that he can be used to good effect there.

Those injuries and suspensions. Think that 0-0 I predicted is looking pretty of result now...

12 hours ago, Famous CFC said:

An early goal would be nice. In fact, a goal in general would be nice. 

Agreed and a good tempo and performance from us right from kick off.

Come on Chelsea.

Edited January 20, 20188 yr by erskblue
spelling

9 hours ago, mad_mac said:

430 am start for me on these ones...brutal

Oh dear !

If Bakayoko starts I will be tempted to shoot myself 

Match day.Difficult to know what team we will put out what with all the injuries and suspensions.Good job our away support is so good as the boys will need it today.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

We've only got about 3 players available for this fixture. 

Dave is bionic so will of course start. I would like to see Kenedy start but naturally Conte will pick Alonso instead.

14 minutes ago, Blueblur said:

We've only got about 3 players available for this fixture. 

Dave is bionic so will of course start. I would like to see Kenedy start but naturally Conte will pick Alonso instead.

Agree! He is good enough to be a backup