Arsenal came closer, 2 points behind us. Few fixtures before they were closer to the relegation. It might put some pressure on us, we need that win tomorrow.

Expectations have really nosedived. Understandably so, but it’s quite a shift. And it’s not just on here. I’m seeing it in the media too. Leicester can “pounce on ponderous Chelsea”, says Sky Sports. If I were a Leicester fan, that would make me wince, just as the Chilwell “we’re invincible” interview made many on here nervous - justifiably so, as it turned out alas. This doesn’t mean we’re going to win of course, but I prefer this setup. We have a better chance of winning than many seem to think.

Edited January 18, 20215 yr by Dean

I'd snatch your hand off if you offered a draw, tomorrow. Obviously hope for the three points, but I genuinely believe Rodgers has them poised for top 3 at minimum.  

Ponderous and slow and one paced and lacking imagination. That is the very consistent theme on these boards and in the media. And I agree with it. That's on the coach. I watched Chelsea every year Frank was at the club and he is a great player and may one day be a great coach but he just hasn't worked out game day tactics or how to manage the team to produce a style of football that fits this  year's  squad.

The team gets chopped and changed so much its hard to know but I am guessing there will be a few changes fo this one.

Match Day !   Come on you Chelsea !,

Match day nerves already kicking in and I’m not long up.

I’m a like a big kid Chelsea wise...

I know, I know...

We win: Frank and players praised for great performance

We draw: Frank's team has problems both end of the field and they need to be fixed quickly. 

We lose: Frank is on the brink. 200m spent and no wins from rivals. 

Let's go for the win! 

Can't afford to lose this game, realistically we are the underdogs and playing like one is probably the way to go. Defend deep and compact, don't press too high, give up some possession, and hopefully play more direct to get behind the space behind them.

GAMEDAY!! COME ON CHELS!!!

While I think we are probably 100% f**ked without Kanté, I'm sticking to my guns:

 

----------------------------Mendy

James------------Zouma------------Silva----------Chilwell

---------------------------Gilmour

-----------------Mount-------------Havertz

-------Ziyech-----------------------------Hudson-Odoi

--------------------------Abraham

 

Much more likely that we see Jorginho and Kovacic again but a man can dream... 

Must win game if we are to have any chance at top 4 this season.

24 minutes ago, dan_cfc said:

Must win game if we are to have any chance at top 4 this season.

A draw and we are still within reach.

We are done for with a loss though.

The Leicester fans on the whole are feeling pretty bullish. They finally have something resembling a full squad back, and predictably enough have started to hit some form, while playing some very good football. Tielemans and Ndidi in particular are two players who will undoubtedly give us problems. 

On the other hand, they are absolutely convinced that Werner will score: https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/118111-the-ever-obliging-leicester-city/#comments

2 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

While I think we are probably 100% f**ked without Kanté, I'm sticking to my guns:

 

----------------------------Mendy

James------------Zouma------------Silva----------Chilwell

---------------------------Gilmour

-----------------Mount-------------Havertz

-------Ziyech-----------------------------Hudson-Odoi

--------------------------Abraham

 

Much more likely that we see Jorginho and Kovacic again but a man can dream... 

I do like that lineup, it's daring. I cannot however see Lampard put this much trust in Billy. Is Kante out though? Or...I guess he's just out of your lineup. 

Edited January 19, 20215 yr by DannyLB

4 minutes ago, DannyLB said:

I do like that lineup, it's daring. I cannot however see Lampard put this much trust in Billy. Is Kante out though? Or...I guess he's just out of your lineup. 

Hamstring issue apparently (again) - confirmed by Lamps yesterday.

Kanté is the first name on any teamsheet for me and has been for a long time. 

10 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

Hamstring issue apparently (again) - confirmed by Lamps yesterday.

Kanté is the first name on any teamsheet for me and has been for a long time. 

Yikes, I did not know this. I was fully expecting Kante to start, of course. I don't think he's been performing all too well of late and has had positional discipline issues (though that could be because of what Lampard has been telling him) but in order to get both Mount and Havertz to start, I believe it does require Kante behind them. 

Huge game tonight, I am very very nervous

I think we all are. Leicester are in very good form, while we are in no form at all, either as a team or individually. Massive game for both teams, with huge pressure on Lamps. I hope his selection is better than at Fulham. Worrying that Kanté is missing, given how poor our other DMs were on Saturday. 

Feels like a big one this. If we get embarrassed, I really worry that could be that with Frank!

Pull out a win and it could turn the season around. 

Make no mistake though, the board will be getting very nervous about

1) how poor the new players/investments have settled in

2) missing out on the Champs League, while it doesn't really bother me too much, matters to the finances of this club   

If we get hammered that may well  be it for frank 

Einstein said “ only an idiot expects a different result while continuing to do the same thing ‘ 

needs to find his best team and stick with it

wecare slow and ponderous I expect Leicester to swarm all over us 

2 hours ago, Sindre said:

A draw and we are still within reach.

We are done for with a loss though.

Nope only win will do tonight. We drop points again & the whole can’t win v a Top 8 team becomes psychological. 
To finish ahead of Leicester as the table stands, we need to take points off them. 

Chelsea and Frank need those 3 points. I am 90% sure if we lose today Frank is sacked. I don't think the club has changed its policy on managers. We know what happens when we sack a manager, we start winning and by that we could reach our target of making the CL. 

 

So far United, City, Liverpool & Everton have all put 2 or more goals past Leicester and I am still not convinced with the partnership of Fofana and Evans. There is a possibility Soyuncu may start in place of Fofana and with him returning from injury & not many minutes under his belt he may not be completely match fit.

I will be disappointed if we don't put any pressure on the Leicester backline.

17 minutes ago, Imran_CFC said:

So far United, City, Liverpool & Everton have all put 2 or more goals past Leicester and I am still not convinced with the partnership of Fofana and Evans. There is a possibility Soyuncu may start in place of Fofana and with him returning from injury & not many minutes under his belt he may not be completely match fit.

I will be disappointed if we don't put any pressure on the Leicester backline.

We should score 3 goals here.

I know it is obvious but this group needs a win against a top 4 team to start building momentum. 

I just hope we see Havertz in the starting lineup, if Lampard really wants to implement that style with 2 offensive midfielders it's now or never so let's see Mason and Kai together in their best positions.

                Mendy

James T.Silva Zouma Chilwell

            Jorginho

     Havertz     Mount

Ziyech                      CHO

              Abraham