Looking forward to this one. A rambunctious and swashbuckling cup tie, the perfect tonic to a dreary winters eve.

I like some of the potential line ups but I'd look at resting Gallagher too...or is that too much of a risk!

Never thought I'd ever have to worry about Preston.

 

12 hours ago, Simplymo said:

I like some of the potential line ups but I'd look at resting Gallagher too...or is that too much of a risk!

Never thought I'd ever have to worry about Preston.

 

Trouble is who comes in ? Caicedo and Gallagher are the only midfielders who seemingly aren't broken ... 🙂 

Perhaps Enzo's hernia can be "managed" and he'll be able to play ?

One new option: if we aren't sending Santos back out on loan, then maybe he could come straight into the team for this one ?

5 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Trouble is who comes in ? Caicedo and Gallagher are the only midfielders who seemingly aren't broken ... 🙂 

Perhaps Enzo's hernia can be "managed" and he'll be able to play ?

One new option: if we aren't sending Santos back out on loan, then maybe he could come straight into the team for this one ?

If Santos plays then he cannot go out on loan again this season. With our injury issues that may not be a bad thing.

23 minutes ago, forbzy said:

If Santos plays then he cannot go out on loan again this season. With our injury issues that may not be a bad thing.

Wasn’t good enough to get into the Forest team so doubt he’ll be ready for a place in our midfield.

8 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Trouble is who comes in ? Caicedo and Gallagher are the only midfielders who seemingly aren't broken ... 🙂 

Perhaps Enzo's hernia can be "managed" and he'll be able to play ?

One new option: if we aren't sending Santos back out on loan, then maybe he could come straight into the team for this one ?

I'm hoping Enzo, its been a week🤞

I just feel Gallagher needs a rest, he's been one of our most consistent players. When he hasn't pushed it too far and been sent off that is. 

 

I agree...if Santos isn't ready then I wouldn't use him and just hope poch has more "jenga" moves in him. Which of the kids can step in for Gallagher just for this match?

Edited January 5, 20242 yr by Simplymo

Good chance for Batshuayi to get some minutes.

 

 

Wait. 

On 03/01/2024 at 08:21, RIP Mourinho said:

Petrovic

Gilchrist  Disasi  Colwill

Sterling  Gallagher  Caicedo  Maatsen

Madueke  Broja  Mudryk

No point risking Nkunku or Palmer imo.

I think Nkunku will start to improve his match sharpness. Prob a decent game for him to play too.

So Jackson has left for afcon already?

If so I'd stick Nkunku solo up front and hope his muscle memory remembers what that position was like on his own and builds up from there. Usual mix of 3 of the 4 behind him to support. Palmer, mads, muds, or sterling.

Broja has surprised me most. I thought he was so much better than what we've seen so far. I remember him being better! Unfortunately I'm moving towards selling him for profit and help balance the books for an experienced striker.

Lavia has bruising in his thigh and will be out for a few weeks. 

Nkunku also out with issues. Will make the bench though. 

47 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Lavia has bruising in his thigh and will be out for a few weeks. 

Nkunku also out with issues. Will make the bench though. 

Same old, same old, something wrong somewhere. 🤔

29 minutes ago, Kev56 said:

Same old, same old, something wrong somewhere. 🤔

Well we bought 2 players who were out with long term injuries so maybe start with the people that decided that was a good plan.

No Badiashile either. So means options are limited at the back. Still I would sooner make some changes to allow Silva a game off, Palmer and Conor as well.

 

Petrovic

 

Gilchrist 

Disasi

Colwill

Gusto

 

Caicedo

Enzo

 

Madueke 

Santos

Mudryk

 

DD Fofana

44 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

No Badiashile either. So means options are limited at the back. Still I would sooner make some changes to allow Silva a game off, Palmer and Conor as well.

 

Petrovic

 

Gilchrist 

Disasi

Colwill

Gusto

 

Caicedo

Enzo

 

Madueke 

Santos

Mudryk

 

DD Fofana

Really can't see Fofana playing ahead of Broja ; I'd rather see Nkunku in his preferred position of Second Striker off Broja. 

Santos, if he plays, is also surely more likely to be in the pivot alongside one of Enzo, Caicedo or Conor ?

Got to feel sorry for Pooch, trying to cobble together a cohesive side with this ongoing injury crisis.

Need Stewart and Winstanley to come out and explain what's going on.

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

Really can't see Fofana playing ahead of Broja ; I'd rather see Nkunku in his preferred position of Second Striker off Broja. 

Santos, if he plays, is also surely more likely to be in the pivot alongside one of Enzo, Caicedo or Conor ?

Yeah Santos I would like to see in the pivot, but I don't want Enzo moved to the 10.

 

I guess we could leave Enzo out, move Santos back and play Palmer.

Apparently Nkunku picked up a knock and cannot start, and ideally won't play.

Match Day!

Come on Chelsea!!

18 hours ago, Gonoir Beniashile said:

Got to feel sorry for Pooch, trying to cobble together a cohesive side with this ongoing injury crisis.

Need Stewart and Winstanley to come out and explain what's going on.

That's why I think he's done well with his "jenga" so far. I'm sure there's more reasons why players are playing out of position that we don't know of but injuries alone, it's bad enough.

 

Ggrrrrr....Nkunku is on the bench, slight knock. Can't even rest ppl!

Off to the game in a while. Via the pub of course. As it's a bit cold will be taking three hip flasks for medicinal purposes. One with Tamnavulin single malt whisky; one with Mount Gay rum (from Barbados); and one with Courvoisier brandy. So if you see some people on the tube quaffing from hip flasks it could be me and my mates.

Here's to a Chelsea win!

 

Our loanees Omari Hutchinson and Cesare Casadei are both currently in action as starters in the FA Cup today for Ipswich and Leicester respectively 

 

Edit: Casadei has just scored !

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by Sexyfootball

I can help but think of classic joke when I hear the name Preston 😆

35 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Our loanees Omari Hutchinson and Cesare Casadei are both currently in action as starters in the FA Cup today for Ipswich and Leicester respectively 

 

Edit: Casadei has just scored !

and set one up.

 

Cracking goal for Coventry from our ex Kasey Palmer as well today !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67902680 

The player he brushed off easily in midfield was Josh McEachran LOL. He's 30 in March - god I feel old !

Edited January 6, 20242 yr by Sexyfootball

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

Cracking goal for Coventry from our ex Kasey Palmer as well today !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67902680 

The player he brushed off easily in midfield was Josh McEachran LOL. He's 30 in March - god I feel old !

Stunning goal. Saw Josh at SB and he was a talent, thought might be our very own Xavi, not sure what happened there sadly.