Really hope the extra days of training and rest pays some dividends, and we have a fast start to blow them away by half time. Newcastle without their key striker, will have no choice but to park the bus and make it as difficult as could for us. This will be a real test, no excuse but to win this game, anything other than that will cast doubts about Tuchel and the team's credentials to the top 4. I think we will do it, but won't be easy if we don't get an early goal to set the tone.

I don't care how we do it, but 3 points is vital tonight.

What a boost to get into that top 4, it will really give the club a massive lift and confidence that we are on the right track.

Come on you Blues !

Match day.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

Imagine if someone told you, about a month ago, that a win here would get us into top four. Crazy season.

Anyway, no room for mistakes tonight. Hopefully we can score at least two before the inevitable goal from Andy Carroll.

I will take a scrappy 1-0 win,but it really would be great to start scoring a few more goals,we really have dried up in that area.

GAMEDAY!!! COME ON CHELS!!!

Win and we're in the top 4.

Come on CHELS!

4 minutes ago, Jezz said:

Win and we're in the top 4.

Come on CHELS!

Yup. Big match in the context of our season.

Everton loss is a big one too. I think their other game in hand is against City so that will be tough for them to pass us (noting we play them in a few weeks).

1 hour ago, wizardous said:

Imagine if someone told you, about a month ago, that a win here would get us into top four. Crazy season.

Anyway, no room for mistakes tonight. Hopefully we can score at least two before the inevitable goal from Andy Carroll.

That guy bullied JT at his peak. Here's hoping he's had about 10 pints last night or did something else stupid to blunt him a bit.

2 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

That guy bullied JT at his peak. Here's hoping he's had about 10 pints last night or did something else stupid to blunt him a bit.

How long ago was that? Carroll must have played only about 3 matches since  

Doesn't mean he can't be a threat, I know 

@Malta Blue you will be happy to know I’ve topped up my beer supplies. Also as a sign of respect to the north east I’ve got myself some blue drink. 

3 minutes ago, Valerie said:

How long ago was that? Carroll must have played only about 3 matches since  

Doesn't mean he can't be a threat, I know 

We need one of our players to look at his knees in the warm and that’s his season over!

Every win is going to help us a lot so this is an easier match on paper and we must take 3 points here...

I think we will win tonight though Newcastle will throw players behind the ball and we will find it difficult.

This is the classic “can we do it on a cold rainy night in Newcastle” scenario. Excpect a hard scrappy game but the pitch will surely be better than that heap of mud at Barnsley. If I were them I’d go for the high block, high risk but high reward. If they sit back there’s only one outcome. 

Edited February 15, 20214 yr by ozboy

10 minutes ago, ozboy said:

This is the classic “can we do it on a cold rainy night in Newcastle” scenario. Excpect a hard scrappy game but the pitch will surely be better than that heap of mud at Barnsley. If I were them I’d go for the high block, high risk but high reward. If they sit back there’s only one outcome. 

Yes except it’ll be in West London...

One thing I noticed with Leeds last night a number of crosses thrown in yet poor quality ones, let's hope we play with our brains today.

I know we’re at home but Newcastle really is a fantastic place to go to for drinking. Probably my favourite town for an all dayer!

1 hour ago, Munkworth said:

@Malta Blue you will be happy to know I’ve topped up my beer supplies. Also as a sign of respect to the north east I’ve got myself some blue drink. 

You're too posh to drink beer, tell us which wine you've selected from the cellar for tonight

3 hours ago, wizardous said:

Imagine if someone told you, about a month ago, that a win here would get us into top four. Crazy season.

Anyway, no room for mistakes tonight. Hopefully we can score at least two before the inevitable goal from Andy Carroll.

Thats when i backed on it, good odds at the time.

3 hours ago, Munkworth said:

@Malta Blue you will be happy to know I’ve topped up my beer supplies. Also as a sign of respect to the north east I’ve got myself some blue drink. 

Good for you, with the beer, not so sure about the blue drink, isnt that one of those teenage girls drinks?? I'm running a bit low now though, down to my last crate and a half. Depending on tonight's game should see me through a few days.

3 minutes ago, Malta Blue said:

Good for you, with the beer, not so sure about the blue drink, isnt that one of those teenage girls drinks??

 

Came into work today and found out my boss - whom I work in close contact with every day - tested positive over the weekend but decided to not mention it until we are literally showing up at work. Work is say, "you don't have to get tested unless you start feeling sick..." so, I am doing a rapid test here in a few hours... hopefully test negative but hey happy Monday everyone!

UP THE CHELS

17 minutes ago, chiefBlueCFC said:

Came into work today and found out my boss - whom I work in close contact with every day - tested positive over the weekend but decided to not mention it until we are literally showing up at work. Work is say, "you don't have to get tested unless you start feeling sick..." so, I am doing a rapid test here in a few hours... hopefully test negative but hey happy Monday everyone!

UP THE CHELS

File a complaint, I say   Hopefully you test negative!

A win is a must but depending how West Ham's game goes a draw may be enough to see us go into the top 4 on goal difference.

With that in mind I expect we keep the 3 at the back even if Newcastle play negative football with 5 at the back themselves.The Fa cup game allowed us to see a back 4 under Tuchel for the first time after he was forced to switch and I hope we see it more often.

Interestingly I watched Athletico at the weekend and they started in a 343 I'm wondering if Tuchel has been using the 3214/3412 in the league and in training working on something for the champions league that Simeone won't be able to anticipate.