Posted August 14, 200717 yr We all have some doubts about starting squad. I`m unsure about Maka and Drogba, but here it is: ...............Rikky.....Ben-Haim Johnson??..............................A.Cole .............Maka??.........Lamps.............. SWP....................................Malouda ...........Kalou..............Drogba............ 2-1 or 3-1 depends on squad news.....
August 14, 200717 yr Is this the right place??? Who's going to Reading? Anyone know about parking and the like? Where's a Chels pub? Will I be scared and lonely? Kev
August 14, 200717 yr J Cole might get a run in this one. Possibly also Diarra at right back. My guess is Jose will be trying to keep some of the troops fresh for Sunday. Dont want to drop any points, but neither do we want to tire people out too early in the season. We were playing a very pressing game high up the pitch against Bham.
August 14, 200717 yr Author I think no room for Joe Cole now, while Malouda and SWP are both impressive, maybe as a sub only as well as Diarra
August 14, 200717 yr from Mark Lawrinson's fearless predictions: Reading v Chelsea (2000 BST)I was at Old Trafford and Reading put in a real top effort in terms of work rate and application. In fact, Marcus Hahnemann in goal did not have to make too many saves. Hrm. That's odd, Mark. Because the official match report shows that Hahnemann made 10 saves. And though I watched the match on televison several thousands of miles away, I seem to recall United peppering the goal with shots, and Marcus having to make at least 3 saves that average keepers (read: Birmingham's) would have had trouble with. But I see that you were at Old Trafford! So I'll defer to you, good chum. Nevertheless, I think Chelsea will go there and win, because Sunday will have taken a lot out of Reading. True. I can't argue with the man. Dave Kitson will be suspended for the Royals and Leroy Lita is still out so they're lacking a bit up front. I'm going for a 2-0 Chelsea win. Okay. Well. He almost sounds lucid. Never mind that Reading was essentially "lacking" up front all of last season and still managed to score a goal or two. Let's get on with the prediction! I can't wait to see what it is! Prediction: 0-2 Oh. Actually, that seems to be the prediction you've made in about 32 of the last 39 of Chelsea's matches, or something like that. Good work, Lawro.
August 14, 200717 yr I just hope we beat them without picking any fresh injuries. The weekend is a very important match at Anfield. .....................Cech......................... ...............Ricky.....Ben-Haim Ferreira..............................A.Cole .............Mikel.........Lampard.............. SWP....................................Malouda ...........Kalou..............Drogba............ P.S. If there's any justice in the world Stephen Hunt will get what's coming to him.
August 15, 200717 yr I'm sticking with the 4-4-2 with wingers: - -----------------------Cech Ron Harris*----Ricci------Ben Haim-----A.Cole SWP--------Sidwell-------Mikel---------Malouda -------------Pizarro-------Kalou * Ron Harris drafted back for special man-marking duties on Hunt Joey Jones & Mickey Droy on the bench in case Chopper gets sent off before crippling the little c*nt
August 15, 200717 yr Author Joey Jones & Mickey Droy on the bench in case Chopper gets sent off before crippling the little c*nt
August 15, 200717 yr ------------------------Cech----------------------------- -----GJ--------Benny--------Ricci-----------Cash------ -----SWP------Mikel--------Lampard------Malouda--- ----------------Drogba-------Pizarro------------------- Subs: Carlo, PF, Diarra, Kalou, Joe
August 15, 200717 yr Author Little analysis: Strikers: Drogba should play anyway, he was injured, he played 30 min only vs Birm and he needs match fitness now. I think the next game is not vital, hardly probable to see there brilliant opponent`s defence, so we just need settled pair of forwards with good communication - such is Drogba&Kalou. Kalou is from delivery department and Drogba is controlling all other departments. And it`s difficult to predict the effect of Drogba-Pizarro joint presence on the pitch. I think we shouldn`t gamble on this, no need to gamble. It`s Reading. And Pizarro could come from the bench if the things wouldn`t go our way having fresh legs, that could makes the difference easily. Midfield: Lampard is starting - that`s usual thing. No comments. I believe the second place should get Makelele, for the same reasons as Drogba - need of match fitness, for Mourinho to have options at Anfield. Malouda and SWP were very impressive. (And i`m starting to beleive J13,5 mil for Malouda was a decent price) Whilst it`s so no need for changes in this areas. Joe Cole should come from the bench, because he missed the last game due to circumstances (Essien`s injury) and he needs fitness too. I don`t know what to say about Robben!! (Do you remember him? HE`s still here ) The only defensive concern is our right back. You could have a desire to change the number for Paolo, but I think this change would kill boy`s confidence at all, he`s under pressure already. So I`m willing to give him another chance, it`s a good opportunity for him to show his best. So Plan `A` - We should rely on fast counter -attacks, SWP`s Malouda`s and Kalou`s pace and Drogba`s finishing. If it doesn`t work and Reading should sit deep in defence with 10 men behind the ball then Plan `B` : Pizarro for Kalou Joe Cole for SWP Obi Mikel for Maka We should play slower, enjoying possesion, crossing ball into box and using all our stength, agility and balance. I`m for 3-1. C`mon Chelsea.
August 15, 200717 yr Oh. Actually, that seems to be the prediction you've made in about 32 of the last 39 of Chelsea's matches, or something like that. Good work, Lawro. The criticism that Lawrenson gets for continually predicting 2-0 wins to Chelsea is a bit like the criticism that Jimmy gets for scoring too many goals.
August 15, 200717 yr Oh. Actually, that seems to be the prediction you've made in about 32 of the last 39 of Chelsea's matches, or something like that. Good work, Lawro. The criticism that Lawrenson gets for continually predicting 2-0 wins to Chelsea is a bit like the criticism that Jimmy gets for scoring too many goals. You mean we've finally found out Just's real identity? Boy that makes sense of so very many things...
August 15, 200717 yr I see this being a tough game and if Reading defend anything like as well as they did against MU we will be lucky to sneak a goal and our defence is going to have to be on their mettle. I don't think this time it will be a goal fest, Reading are not as naive as Birmingham and their goalkeeper is a damn sight better.
August 15, 200717 yr i am assuming Shevchenko is being traded huh? Do you think he wasn't scoring enough points as well???
August 15, 200717 yr I see this being a tough game and if Reading defend anything like as well as they did against MU we will be lucky to sneak a goal and our defence is going to have to be on their mettle.I don't think this time it will be a goal fest, Reading are not as naive as Birmingham and their goalkeeper is a damn sight better. Oh whooopeeee Callista - another big chunk of the cheery-uppies! Be chill poppet - like Brian says, the glass is HALF-FULL! Your glass appears to be emptied, put in the dishwasher, rinsed, dried, put away neatly in the pessimistic cupboard and is now slowly gathering spiders! And anyway, Birmingham were not naive, they just played out of their skins and rode their luck. With a bit of good fortune we could have had 6 or 7 kev
August 15, 200717 yr Out of all the games being played tonight Sky are showing Wigan V Middlesbourgh - how exciting. The rest of the games are being shown on a special MOTD tonight
August 15, 200717 yr Tonight I just hope that our defence is a bit better. We can't go around conceding two goals against teams like Birmingham and Reading. I hope we can win it by 3-0. If Hunt scores a goal I'll hang myself from an old oak tree.
August 15, 200717 yr I've got a feeling we'll crush them tonight. oh, and I'm afraid Hunt will be just like last time
August 15, 200717 yr Line-up according to chelseafc.com Cech, Paulo, Ben Haim, Ricci, Cash, SWP, Sidwell (!?!?!), Lampard, Malouda, Drogba, Kalou Subs: Carlo, Pizza, Glen Johnson, Obi and Joe Now dont ask me why Jose preferes Sidwell over Mikel !!!!!
August 15, 200717 yr Pretty obvious. He'll know plenty about his former club and no matter what they say, players always like to perform well against former clubs. Just hope Joe gets some decent playing time.
