loz Posted September 9, 2007 Share Posted September 9, 2007 I know it seems a little early to be posting this but there is good reason. We have struck a deal whereby we run a link to sign up for Setanta for six days prior to a Chelsea game televised by Setanta and in return they deposit a small sum of cash into the forum bank account. It is very much a game by game agreement so it may be long term or it may last for all of one game! Basically the money received will go towards the running costs of the site and thus mean less times I appear at your front doors with a flat cap and a begging bowl! So Blackburn it is!! Sparky's blue and white army (not to mention 2k's team). Commonly thought to be a team of limited ability but above average ferocity - probably a fair comment in some prior years however maybe no longer valid although they do still have Robbie Savage! Blackburn's start to the season has been pretty impressive. At home they have beaten Man City and drawn with Arsenal and away from Ewood Park they have drawn with Everton and beat Middlesbrough. So currently unbeaten (which is more than we can claim) and only sitting two points behind us with a game in hand. Make no mistake this is going to be a tough game! History ......................... Chelsea wins......Draws.......Blackburn Wins League..........................35.................25........................32 FA Cup...........................2...................0..........................2 League Cup....................1...................1..........................0 Other..............................2..................0......................... .0 Total.............................40.................26........................3 4 Past Five Seasons Results 2006/2007 English FA Cup...........Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Chelsea................15-04-2007 English Premier..........Chelsea 3-0 Blackburn Rovers................31-01-2007 English League C .......Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Chelsea................25-10-2006 English Premier..........Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Chelsea................27-08-2006 2005/2006 English Premier..........Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Chelsea.................02-05-2006 English Premier..........Chelsea 4-2 Blackburn Rovers.................29-10-2005 2004/2005 English Premier...........Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Chelsea................02-02-2005 English Premier...........Chelsea 4-0 Blackburn Rovers................23-10-2004 2003/2004 English Premier............Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Chelsea.................01-02-2004 English Premier............Chelsea 2-2 Blackburn Rovers.................30-08-2003 2002/2003 English Premier............Chelsea 1-2 Blackburn Rovers.................22-02-2003 English Premier.............Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Chelsea..................11-09-2002 Click here to sign up to Setanta to see Chelsea v Blackburn ?9.99 a month and no annual contract (Note - sign up for the month of September and you can also see Rangers play Hearts on September 15th) .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozboy Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 How long is Carvalho out? Would be great if he could be back for this one, and Lampard as well. I note that Sheva has had three groin injuries in a row, which is a bad long term sign. Terry is playing with a broken toe, which has to limit his effectiveness. Drogba has had three unspecified knee injuries in a row. Personally I think this is more of a worry than we are letting on but nothing can be done about it now. My team would be Cech Belleti -- Carvalho -- Terry -- Cole SWP Essien -- Lampard -- JC Drogba Kalou I'd actually like to play Maka instead of Essien but that's never going to happen for this game. Also I would consider playing JC up front with Drogba and using Malouda on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moos Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 I'm probably the only one here who actually likes Robbie Savage (though not when he plays against us) and I have some respect for Blackburn. Not the best of teams but they're always hard to beat. I expect us to play Cech Belletti - Alex/Ben Haim - JT - Cole Sweepy - Mikel (Lampard isn't fit, right?) - Essien - Malouda Drogba - Kalou But I would like to see Joey get a chance instead of Malouda who were bad last game (who wasn't?) and I wouldn't mind letting JT rest his toe and use Alex and Ben Haim together. Would be nice to see how well they can play together. Talk about a big wall in central defence. Not the nicest defenders to run into. Alex imitation of a mad bull only lacks the ring in the nose. What a beast! Any news on Sheva - the guy who is too injured to be in the Chelsea squad but fit enought to play for Ukraine? Is he fit or isn't he? I wanna see him play (for Chelsea that is). I think he suits Drogba the best. At the moment I think Kalou is the best partner for Drogba but Pizarro is the better player. A real dilemma to be honest. Play someone who suits the other better or play one who is more of a threat? Since we're already talking about injuries what is the status on Bridge, Ballack and the others? When can we expect them to be back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taipan Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 According to Physioroom: Drogba - No date Lampard - Sept 12 Carvalho - Sept 15 Shevchenko - Sept 15 Bridge - Sept 29 Ballack - Sept 15 That is only a general guide. I can't see Ballack being back in anything like that timeframe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erict Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 ahhh...my big debut in the shed end forum... i personally would like to see Joe play before malouda but alas i dont see it happening... my lineup would look like this paulo JT alex ashley swp essien mikel/sidwell malouda drogs kalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Loz, as I read the Terms and Conditions of the Setanta package, there's no annual contract BUT you have to give a months notice to end your subscription, meaning once you sign up you're committed for at least 2 months (unless you sign up and end the subscription on the same day - probably not possible). Anyone have any experience of this or read the T&C's differently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Street Ken Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 ahhh...my big debut in the shed end forum... Welcome Erict. Always good to have new posters from other parts of the world. And I totally agree with bringing in Joe Cole for Malouda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midlandblue Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 with regards to Setanta tv, I have virgin cable and a couple of weeks ago they informed me that Sky sports had increased the cost and therfore Virgin had to up their prices also, by ?1.50. a month. But as a bonus and at no extra cost I would also rercieve Setanta 1 & 2, setanta golf plus Celtic & Rangers TV. Than you Mr. Branson. by the way, welcome erict and a decent selection to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 with regards to Setanta tv, I have virgin cable and a couple of weeks ago they informed me that Sky sports had increased the cost and therfore Virgin had to up their prices also, by ?1.50. a month. But as a bonus and at no extra cost I would also rercieve Setanta 1 & 2, setanta golf plus Celtic & Rangers TV.Than you Mr. Branson. by the way, welcome erict and a decent selection to. I'm with Sky and there does seem to be a bit of a battle going on between Sky and Virgin - lets hope Sky counter the offer you got by offering us satellite customers a similar deal! I'm quite content to search for games online - the Reading one was a bit close, as Sopcast wouldn't work (thanks for the other link, whoever that was) but I've watched a couple of other games that Setanta were showing, so I'll wait and see how it all pans out. The missus is quite happy with the arrangement - she gets the TV while I watch games online! As for the game itself, this one worries me a lot. We've had close things against Brum and Pompey, all of our players are away (bar Sidwell, Alex and the walking wounded!) so I'm prepared for a tough game. I'm all for the Joe Cole for Malouda swap, but 3 games in 7 days may take it out of our Joey seeing as he's hardly played 90 mins for a long time now. Lets see what develops on Wednesday - could be that the team essentially picks itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loz Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 Loz, as I read the Terms and Conditions of the Setanta package, there's no annual contract BUT you have to give a months notice to end your subscription, meaning once you sign up you're committed for at least 2 months (unless you sign up and end the subscription on the same day - probably not possible).Anyone have any experience of this or read the T&C's differently? jack I will look into this and get back to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 My team for the game: Cech Beletti JT Ben Haim A.Cole J.Cole Lampard (If fit) Essien SWP Drogba Pizarro Subs: Carlo, Alex, Malouda, Mikel, Sheva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Phoenix Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 My team for the game: Belletti - Terry - Carvalho - A. Cole Wright-Phillips - Essien - Lampard - J. Cole Drogba - Shevchenko Sub: Cudicini, Mikel, Kalou, Malouda and Pizarro Shevchenko has played a few games for Ukraine, s? he should be fit to start. If not, then Pizarro takes his place, and Sheva will be on the bench. Hopefully Lampard is fit and ready for this match, but if not, I think Sidwell would be a better option than Mikel or Essien as the attacking midfielder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack h Posted September 10, 2007 Share Posted September 10, 2007 Im assuming lampard and Carvalho isnt gonna be fit so my team would be. Cech Beletti Alex JT Cole SWP Essien Sidwell Cole Kalou Drogba If sidwell is going to have any impact he needs chances and an Essien Mikel partnership is a bit to defensive IMO. Since hes played two full games for Ukraine Sheva must be fit so if he doesnt start he should get on the bench Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornblume Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I'm going with: Cech Belletti-Ben Ha?m-JT-A Cole SWP-Mikel-Essien-J Cole Drogba-Pizarro Bench: Cudicini, Alex, Malouda, Sheva, Sidwell (If Lampard is fit he starts for Mikel, who's on the bench instead of Sidwell. Still no Sheva?, then Kalou) Altho I hope that Sheva will finally be in the lineup and get some playing time. A good season from him is imperative to the club's success. Especially with the African Cup coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozboy Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 There seems general sentiment that the Essien Mikel partnership is too defensive. I agree with that. That could leave room for Sidwell or JC to start in the centre with Essien. Just shows that we do miss Ballack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblivion Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I would like to see: Cech Belletti Tal JT Cole SWP Mikel Essien Malouda Joe Cole Drogba I feel that with Lamps out it will be a great opportunity for Joe Cole to shine in a role he may be more accustomed to playing. He and Malouda both like to start on the left and drift inside, so in this case, Joey could start behing Drogs and Malouda on the left, then that swopping places. If the game proceeds well and we are in front, SWP could also be included so that we have 3 players constantly swopping sides, making it very hard to defend against. However, I get the impression that it will be Kalou who will get the start on Sunday and play in the same role I hoped Joey would play in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim W Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Actually I can't remember the last time I honestly thought we would lose a game, probably at the start of CR's management and I don't like to say it now, but I think we will lose our record on Saturday. Poor form, unsettled side, return from internationals, and for once a JM that doesn't know his best formation, it smells of a 2-1 defeat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erict Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 ahhh...my big debut in the shed end forum... Welcome Erict. Always good to have new posters from other parts of the world. And I totally agree with bringing in Joe Cole for Malouda. thnks for the welcome ken... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I doubt very much that Lampard will be risked for this game, and as far as is known Drogba is injured. With Pizarro playing for Peru in the early hours of Thursday (UK time) we are starting to look thin on the ground again in terms of strikers/goalscorers. A lot does depend on how we come through the next couple of days but what is a fact is that Blackburns players will have a distinct advantage - people like Savage, Dunn, Samba and one or two others have been able to put their feet up (metaphorically speaking) and concentrate on the game Saturday. They aren't players I fear necessarily but any team with four of five rested, focused players will be a handful for anybody. I expect us to start with: .................................Cech............................... Beletti............Alex.................JT..................Arsley ..................................Mikel................................. ..............Essien..........................Sidwell............... SWP..........................Kalou......................Malouda Reasons being that the Brazillian lads haven't been away, neither has Sidwell. Personally I'd have Joey Cole in the side but I feel Mourinho likes Malouda, probably more for his adaptability, dropping into midfield, than anything else. Sidwell must play if Lamps isn't fit otherwise he really is a waste of space. These are the times when he's needed, when his fresh legs should be utilised. Normally I'd play Maka but he'll be coming off the back of two tough games for France and knowing Jose he'll probably feel another game in quick succession would be too much for him. Alex plays for the reason above and for the fact that Blackburn will probably have McCarthy and Santa Claus playing for them - add to that the 6' 7" Samba and Alex is a must. I hope and pray Lamps and Drogba are fit because without their goals and height we might well struggle. We can't afford to drop any more points, especially with Manyoo away coming up next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2k. Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Actually I can't remember the last time I honestly thought we would lose a game, probably at the start of CR's management and I don't like to say it now, but I think we will lose our record on Saturday. Poor form, unsettled side, return from internationals, and for once a JM that doesn't know his best formation, it smells of a 2-1 defeat. Whilst it would be nice (for me) if that were to happen I can't see it happening. What I would say is that I personally don't think there will be a repeat of the 4-0 thrashing you gave us 3 seasons ago although that is contrary to what is being said on the rovers forums (more on this later). In central defence Nelsen and Samba seem to be forming a good partnership and Warnock is looking good on the left linking well with Pedersen. I'm still unconvinced about Emerton at right back. We will probably have Ooijer and Khizanishvili on the bench. Our biggest problem is midfield, If we are going out to win the game I would think that we'll start with Pedersen left and Bentley right. However centre midfield is where the problem lies, i would imagine that we'll start with fatboy Dunn and Savage but due to injuries they really haven't played together that often and with Tugay out due to a suspension it leaves us with few options. The option that I'm praying he doesn't go with is to drop fatboy Dunn in favour of Mokoena (the axe) which will result in the most boring game of football anyone will ever witness with the likely outcome being 0-0 And us not being picked for a TV match again for about 2 years! Up front we have no such problems with McCarthy and Santa Cruz being the ones most likely to start with Derbyshire and Roberts on the bench. This season the press seem to keep talking as though we're going to finish in the top 6 however (which in itself is unusual as we barely get noticed and if we do it's never praise) I feel that this is probably overly optimistic as our central midfield just isn't good enough Tugay is too old, Reid seems permanently injured leaving just Dunn, Savage and Mokoena, hardly top 6 material really? Saying all this we have had a good start to the season, and we should really be looking for a top half finish. Though I'm still going to predict 2 - 1 to you. this is a quote from a rovers forum which shows the general feeling in our camp... Looking at it like this....1...Rovers are unbeaten 2...there`s 'tension' in the Chelsea camp (Jose & Don Abramovich) 3...Chelsea just been beaten 4...We showed we are no push-overs in the semi-final ....i can only envisage one thing. We are in for a hammering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornblume Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I doubt very much that Lampard will be risked for this game, and as far as is known Drogba is injured. With Pizarro playing for Peru in the early hours of Thursday (UK time) we are starting to look thin on the ground again in terms of strikers/goalscorers. I believe you are right. And as someone suggested in this thread, the idea of playing with only one striker is a strong possibility. Even tho I posted a 4-2-2 team earlier in the thread, I had before strongly considered a 4-2-3-1 formation. And I must say I would have done it, having known that Pizarro would also play an international game. So I'm changing my mind for something like: Cech Belleti-(Ben Ha?m/Alex)-JT-A Cole Mikel-Essien SWP-J Cole-Malouda Drogba Bench: Cudicini, (Ben Ha?m/Alex), Kalou, Sidwell, Sheva I'd give the start to Kalou if Drogba is indeed injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clubhappy Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Actually I can't remember the last time I honestly thought we would lose a game, probably at the start of CR's management and I don't like to say it now, but I think we will lose our record on Saturday. Poor form, unsettled side, return from internationals, and for once a JM that doesn't know his best formation, it smells of a 2-1 defeat. Hate to say it but im inclined to agree. Were struggling in the opposition half , conceding goals , low on confidence and missing Riccky , Lamps , Sheva and Ashley hardly inspires me with confidence . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Official site is saying that Kalou, Ben Haim and Mikel are now back from international duty so it's looking a bit healthier in terms of numbers. Fingers crossed that everyone else comes through todays games! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midlandblue Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 This has the makings of a classic 1-0 away win. what says you T.T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loz Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 Sorry Jack - I have only just got round to e-mailing Setatnta to ask about the 1 month / 2 month query. Will let you know what they respond with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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