On paper we have the better players, Watford will be their normal physical selves and we just haven't got the players that are of that mentality any more, except maybe Luiz and Rudi. Given we seem to believe that football is a game somewhere between 55 minutes and 75 minutes I'm not hold out much hope of walking away with 3 points. 

Dear Sarri, please start with a striker.

 

24 minutes ago, Malcolm9 said:

Dear Sarri, please start with a striker.

 

We don't have one of any note, that's the problem.

Can see it being a long hard festive period, with little reward.

Watford are on a three match unbeaten run including this weekends away win at West Ham, something we couldn't do.

We don't seem to convert many of our chances and are likely to be caught on the break if we do play too high up the pitch.

The bare white knuckle ride begins again, I thought following Conte's two-man midfield that was a thing of the past!

For me after Leicester this now becomes like a cup final for staying in the top 4.

                          Kepa
       Azpi - Rudiger - Luiz - Emerson
         Kante - Jorginho - Barkley
            RLC - Hazard - Willian

Subs: Willy, Pedro, Cahill, Kovacic, Morata, Fabregas, Zappa

Edited December 23, 20187 yr by the special one

Think we have to rotate given is the festive period:

Kepa

 

Zappa 

Rudiger 

luiz 

Emerson 

 

Cesc

Kante

Barkley

 

RLC

Giroud

Hazard

 

Either way whoever Sarri picks we have to be clinical or we lose.

59 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Think we have to rotate given is the festive period:

Kepa

 

Zappa 

Rudiger 

luiz 

Emerson 

 

Cesc

Kante

Barkley

 

RLC

Giroud

Hazard

 

Either way whoever Sarri picks we have to be clinical or we lose.

Actually f*ck it, CHO in place of Eden, Ampadu in place of Luiz. Cannot be worse than the triple yesterday.

Sarri is not that brave though.

Wish we had more pace in midfield. Watching that lot from North London shows how quick you can go from back to front

18 hours ago, Malcolm9 said:

Dear Sarri, please start with a striker.

 

Dear Sarri, please buy a striker.

Kepa, Dave, Rudi, Ampadu, Emerson, Kante, Barkley, Jorginiho, RLC, Hazard, CHO.  Young and pacey side. We have it, but manager like ones before him seem reluctant. 

Edited December 24, 20187 yr by chi blue

All I want for Christmas (well Boxing Day actually !) Boxing Day is three points at Watford.

I know, I know, I know that coffee has kicked in again

Well my Xmas was ruined after the Leicester game and I just can't see us getting anything from this game so boxing day isn't looking to festive either...ah well  keep the faith and carefee where ever you may be KTBFFH!!

And a very Merry Christmas to all the boy's n girl's here in The Shed End 

We won't win if we persist with the team from Leicester, needs to drop Alonso, play a striker, start RLC or Barkley in midfield.

Kepa

Azpi  Rudi  Luiz  Emerson

Jorginho

Kovacic       RLC

Pedro     Hazard     CHO

Going to be tough. Woudln't be surprised if we come away with only 1 or maybe 0 points.

Hope we smash them,having an affilation with Luton.To all on here Merry Christmas and some of you try to remember its only a game.....UP THE CHELS !

Unless we score first, dont Count on anything. THey will play fast direct footy when they can, they will sit back and wait for that chance to walk trough us. We really need the 3pts or the pressure will officially be on.

Going to go out on a limb here and say Sarri should start both Giroud and Morata together. It might give both the opportunity to get game time without the intense level of scrutiny on them individually. Giroud as the main striker and Morata in place of Willian making runs from midfield. It might sound crazy but atm I'm prepared to try anything!

 

                      Giroud

       Morata    Hazard      Pedro

       Kovacic   Jorginho     Kante

      Alonso   Luiz    Rudiger    Azpi

                        Kepa

19 minutes ago, fitz said:

Going to go out on a limb here and say Sarri should start both Giroud and Morata together. It might give both the opportunity to get game time without the intense level of scrutiny on them individually. Giroud as the main striker and Morata in place of Willian making runs from midfield. It might sound crazy but atm I'm prepared to try anything!

 

                      Giroud

       Morata    Hazard      Pedro

       Kovacic   Jorginho     Kante

      Alonso   Luiz    Rudiger    Azpi

                        Kepa

It's so crazy that it has 12 players!

11 minutes ago, JMaher94 said:

It's so crazy that it has 12 players!

Whoops. Although atm that's probably the only way we''l score....

Edited December 24, 20187 yr by fitz

                  Kepa

Azpilicueta Rudiger Luiz Emerson

Kante Jorginho Kovacic Barkley Fabregas

RLC Pedro Hazard Hudson-Odoi Willian

          Giroud Morata

We should do what we always do when we're struggling... revert to 4-5-1:

------------------------------Kepa

 

Azpilicueta--------Cahill-------------Rudiger---------Alonso

 

------------------------------Kanté

----Ramires--------Mikel-----------Lampard-------Hazard

 

-----------------------Some massive lump

 

10 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

We should do what we always do when we're struggling... revert to 4-5-1:

------------------------------Kepa

 

Azpilicueta--------Cahill-------------Rudiger---------Alonso

 

------------------------------Kanté

----Ramires--------Mikel-----------Lampard-------Hazard

 

-----------------------Some massive lump

 

I’m disappointed at the lack of Essien at right-back.

It looks like Sarri is fighting a losing battle. Our squad isn't strong enough, there is too much dead wood and our offensive play is too slow in the buildup. PLaying Hazard as a false 9 doesn't work but some of us knew that already as Conte tried the same trick.. We need a top striker or two and an overhaul of this squad. Top 4 is out of the question and you have to blame the board for sitting on their hands and allowing our squad to get so poor. The main culprit is that bird who negotiates for the new signings. She knows nothing about football and her handiwork is now coming home to roost. We need players that can actually score goals. and we don't have them. Another wasted season by being tight with the pursestrings. What we have bought just isn't good enough. Zappa, Emerson, Barkley, Drinkwater. PLaying Kante out of position doesn't work either. Watford are more than a match for us and can beat us. WE will have to pray......COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

Edited December 25, 20187 yr by TheBluesBrother