West Ham vs. Chelsea

[Gem]

Seeing as there was no football at the weekend, we get to look forward to our next Premiership game - away to West Ham this Saturday. If we want 3 points, I'd recommend the following:

1. No SWP or Malouda, not even on subs bench - Kalou or Sinclair will do (or both!)

2. Play Joe 90+

3. Play Drogba and Anelka upfront together (to see what they can do) i.e. 4-4-2

4. Ballack over Essien, the latter has vastly under performed this season

5. Stick with the same back 5 who played our last game (whatever that may be, I forget)

Alas... We need to win this, even if it's just to get confidence back ready for next midweek CL. Big game that one is, must qualify for the next round.

I expect a performance and I actually think they'll deliver it.

Come on you blues.

[Chippy]

Good thinking Gem lets get bact to the football,

I dont know if I would like to try the 4-4-2 out away to West Ham as they are a decent enough team and we could come unstuck,

maybe try it for the last twenty minutes or so if we are not ahead(we have to get three points or annoying the top two will end)

I rate Sinclair but still cant bring myself to say at this stage he is premiership quality and although maybe more like a winger than our wingers, I just think he's a bit raw, that said if we are definately out of it in three or four games time, I hope he gets loads of starts,

I would not give Sweepy too much stick for being crap in the final as he pretty near got us there against Everton and in his inside right role nearer to Anelka, I think he was looking good,

I would play Anelka up front and SWP just behind with Joey and Kalou with a view to bringing Drogba on late 4-4-2 with Joey and Kalou out wide,

I can't see Lamps not playing and would go with another try of him and Ballack.

I would give Paulo another run out with JT, Ricky and Bridge

Dont know who to have in goal in case they get a penalty

Bench would be Carlo, Drogs,Mikel,Belletti, Essien.

[Valerie]

Seeing as there was no football at the weekend,

[Alan]

Start Joe Cole and don't play Anelka on the wing!

That is all

[MURDOCH_(8)]

Start Joe Cole and don't play Anelka on the wing!

That is all

YOU be our manager

[barak81]

I rate Sinclair but still cant bring myself to say at this stage he is premiership quality and although maybe more like a winger than our wingers, I just think he's a bit raw, that said if we are definately out of it in three or four games time, I hope he gets loads of starts,

.

If he was playing for gooners he would be starting more offten than not and be on the fringes of the england team, even arse fans i meat seem to hold him in higher regard than walcott.

He has showen a lot more than malouda in the few games he's played and he seems a far more natrual player than sweepy, id stick him in there, unfortunatly there is no chance of this happening!!

[Chelsea FC Champions]

-------------------------Cech-----------------------------

Paulo--------Terry-------------------Carvalho--------A.Cole

-------------------------Essien-----------------------------

-----------------Lampard------Ballack-----------------------

------------------------Joe.Cole-----------------------------

-----------------Anelka---------Drogba----------------------

Bench:

Carlo

Alex

Mikel

SWP

Kalou

[The Moos]

Cech

Ferreira - Alex - Riccy - Bridge

Joey - Makelele - Ballack - Malouda/Sinclair

Anelka - Drogba

Basically I think that the players who didn't do well enough against Spuds should be put on the bench or not be picked at all. Only reason why I picked Anelka and Drogs is because we don't have any other strikers. Well, Pizarro, but he hasn't been that good.

And I'm prepared to give the two strikers another chance because they wasn't played in the right way against Tottenham. Anelka is not a winger!

[Chippy]

I rate Sinclair but still cant bring myself to say at this stage he is premiership quality and although maybe more like a winger than our wingers, I just think he's a bit raw, that said if we are definately out of it in three or four games time, I hope he gets loads of starts,

.

If he was playing for gooners he would be starting more offten than not and be on the fringes of the england team, even arse fans i meat seem to hold him in higher regard than walcott.

He has showen a lot more than malouda in the few games he's played and he seems a far more natrual player than sweepy, id stick him in there, unfortunatly there is no chance of this happening!!

I know what you're saying but just feel with a lot still to play for I would sooner put my faith in Kalou in that position,

as I said if the games had less importance I would give Sinclair as much game time as possible, just personal preference but I feel Kalou deserves a place and with the options available playing Sinclair would be a bit premature for me.

although if the choice was between Sinclair and Malouda as it has been in the past, I feel Malouda has been given plenty of time to show some form and not shown enough to warrant a place ahead of Scott.

[midlandblue]

Cech

Ferreira - Alex - Riccy - Bridge

Joey - Makelele - Ballack - Malouda/Sinclair

Anelka - Drogba

Basically I think that the players who didn't do well enough against Spuds should be put on the bench or not be picked at all. Only reason why I picked Anelka and Drogs is because we don't have any other strikers. Well, Pizarro, but he hasn't been that good.

And I'm prepared to give the two strikers another chance because they wasn't played in the right way against Tottenham. Anelka is not a winger!

no J.T. ?

[Jack]

I'd like to think we'd look to the future so anyone who ain't staying, don't play! That includes messers Lampard and Drogba.

What I suspect will happen is that Grunt will look only to the immediate future, namely Olympiacos on Weds - so don't be surprised to see a hotch-potch on Saturday.

For Grunt read Rafa.

It wouldn't surprise me if we didn't win either game.

But then I'm a realist.

[ethicalstrategy]

Difficult to only select those who are staying as that may well not be known.

I can't get my head round the clamour for Sinclair. I must have missed his terrific match winning performances. It sounds more like a case of a players reputation improving because he isn't playing.

The important thing for me is to try and settle on a way of playing that is more effective than the recent performances. It seems crazy to have two world class strikers and not to use them, so providing Drogba is fit (I'm not convinced he is) then he and Anelka have to start in a 4-4-2 formation. That means we have to play our most attacking full backs to provide the width.

----------------Cech

-------------JT-------Carvalho

Belletti----------------------------Bridge

----------------Mikel

-------Lampard----------Ballack

----------------Cole

----------Anelka

-------------------Drogba

Subs: Cudicini, Alex, Essien, Kalou, Sheva

Essien misses out on form and Maka is rested for the wednesday game against Olympiakos.

The key is to make sure that the fullbacks really push on and that we can get the ball in to Joe's feet. If they play deep then either JT or Ricky have to bring the ball out of defence.

And if it isn't working right we need to find someone who has the basic nouse to make the necessary changes. Know anyone good?

[Chippy]

I'd like to think we'd look to the future so anyone who ain't staying, don't play! That includes messers Lampard and Drogba.

What I suspect will happen is that Grunt will look only to the immediate future, namely Olympiacos on Weds - so don't be surprised to see a hotch-potch on Saturday.

For Grunt read Rafa.

It wouldn't surprise me if we didn't win either game.

But then I'm a realist.

Jack

being the realist you are, dont you think while (mathmatically) we still have a chance in the Prem and even if that chance was gone 3rd place is definately worth hanging on to that Grant should use possibly the best striker in the premiership and our top and 2nd top goalscorers as much as possible while they are still Chelsea players?

I myself would not pick Drogs to start as I am not sure he is fully fit and I would want him fit for the CL game but because 2 players may be leaving in the summer(speculation) I see no reason after the service they have given the Club to stop playing them.

Grant has to look to the immediate future, as long term future likely wont be relevant to him unless he gets it together in the short term,

but maybe he's not a realist

[evissy]

Maybe we should try 4-4-2 now that we got two capable strikers avilable.

............cudicini.............

belletti..riccy..terry..a.cole

.............mikel................

...ballack.........lampard....

.............j.cole...............

....drogba...........anelka...

If it doesn't work, change anelka to kalou and change back to 4-3-3.

I woudn't play with sinclair in these important games. he is championship quality. maybe as a late sub at most.

[Jack]

I'd like to think we'd look to the future so anyone who ain't staying, don't play! That includes messers Lampard and Drogba.

What I suspect will happen is that Grunt will look only to the immediate future, namely Olympiacos on Weds - so don't be surprised to see a hotch-potch on Saturday.

For Grunt read Rafa.

It wouldn't surprise me if we didn't win either game.

But then I'm a realist.

Jack

being the realist you are, dont you think while (mathmatically) we still have a chance in the Prem and even if that chance was gone 3rd place is definately worth hanging on to that Grant should use possibly the best striker in the premiership and our top and 2nd top goalscorers as much as possible while they are still Chelsea players?

I myself would not pick Drogs to start as I am not sure he is fully fit and I would want him fit for the CL game but because 2 players may be leaving in the summer(speculation) I see no reason after the service they have given the Club to stop playing them.

Grant has to look to the immediate future, as long term future likely wont be relevant to him unless he gets it together in the short term,

but maybe he's not a realist

I'm that pissed off Chippy that to be honest I don't give a f**k anymore. The bottom line is that since September the club was always heading one way - backwards. The spirit that Jose created over three years has all but gone, the players are questioning the management, and the team is disjointed and stale. I know, lets give the man a chance, stop looking backwards, what's done is done etc, etc.

Doesn't make the situation any easier to live with though.

[BLUENUT]

The bottom line is that since September the club was always heading one way - backwards. The spirit that Jose created over three years has all but gone, the players are questioning the management, and the team is disjointed and stale.

A sad fact but all true from what I've seen since he took over.

[Chippy]

I'm that pissed off Chippy that to be honest I don't give a F*** anymore. The bottom line is that since September the club was always heading one way - backwards. The spirit that Jose created over three years has all but gone, the players are questioning the management, and the team is disjointed and stale. I know, lets give the man a chance, stop looking backwards, what's done is done etc, etc.

Doesn't make the situation any easier to live with though.

I can see that Jack but plenty of people still do give a F*** and I (hard to tell as I am in the give Grant more time camp ) am one of them,

Surely though it's worth posting some positive things like what team you would truely play if it was down to you rather than just getting the hump with the manager first then any player the media wants to tell us is not happy?

you say the spirit has gone unyet a couple of weeks ago people were posting that the reason we had done so well under Grant was because the Spirit Jose installed in the best squad in the prem would not die?

the papers say the players are questioning the management?

I know everyones pised off but if people think because we have some good players we are going to beat everybody the're always gonna be pissed off.

[BLUENUT]

the papers say the players are questioning the management?

See Drogba and Cech walking off against Olympiakos to see it aint the papers. It is the players.....wel it was then!

Terry squaring up to the management, confirmed again today by the management envolved.

Ballacks refusal to shake hands, Drogba's celebration with him after the goal on Sunday.

Joe Cole storming down the tunnel when they told Ballack to strip off On Sunday.

Both assistants giving team talks in extra time in a cup final

Captain giving team talks during extra time of cup final

manager walking - ALONE - up and down the touch line scratching his head!!!!!!!

The papers aint making it all up!

[Chippy]

the papers say the players are questioning the management?

See Drogba and Cech walking off against Olympiakos to see it aint the papers. It is the players.....wel it was then!

Terry squaring up to the management, confirmed again today by the management envolved.

Ballacks refusal to shake hands, Drogba's celebration with him after the goal on Sunday.

Joe Cole storming down the tunnel when they told Ballack to strip off On Sunday.

The papers aint making it all up!

Bluenut

I dont say the papers are making it all up, what I do say is they like to get their teeth into Chelsea more than they do other teams and will blow every argument out of proportion and add the spicy bit they love to add,

When we have just lost a final is a good time for them and we are inclined to believe more of the sh*t they right,

I choose to believe nothing they right as if I did I would likely support Liverpool by now not really Lofty

did'nt notice Joey storm off down the tunnel Sunday but if he did it shows how much he wants to play for us, did he do ok when he came on

bustups occur in most teams and I like to think JT will be well up for the next games because of it, Cate seemed to do alright Gee'ing up Ronny.

[Jack]

I don't read the papers - they are written by and designed for the consumption of idiots! I make my own conclusions using what little sense I have. I really don't see much point in 2nd guessing who Grunt will pick for the game on Sat, that's his choice aided by the staff and the performance/attitude of the players over the next few days. What I am miffed about (still!) is that the powers that be decided last September (and more realistically way before that) to dispense with the services of probably the greatest football brain currently available in World football. Kenyon (spit!) chose to state last week on the back of the clubs financial report that there was a lot of noise coming out of the club but very little of it from the manager - like it was a good thing! They got shot of Jose because he was outspoken, because he was 'arrogant', because he had conviction in his own beliefs. That was their prerogative. What we as fans are interested in are results and trophies, no? The excuse was used that we wanted to play better football, a more exciting brand of football. Well what I've seen over the past few months has been a club playing worse and worse with each game, culminating in the debacle on Sunday against a team of average ability at best.

So yes, I'm f**ked off. I can't just focus on picking the next team because I'm so bloody angry that the club made the worse decision in my lifetime, and I'm 47 in October. Building the East stand was a mistake, but one made genuinely. Other decisions were poor, but sacking Jose was criminal. I know all my whining won't bring him back, but I have to make myself heard nonetheless. Kenyon, Buck, Abramovich, Tenenbaum ...... whoever .....hang your heads in shame.

[The Moos]

Cech

Ferreira - Alex - Riccy - Bridge

Joey - Makelele - Ballack - Malouda/Sinclair

Anelka - Drogba

Basically I think that the players who didn't do well enough against Spuds should be put on the bench or not be picked at all. Only reason why I picked Anelka and Drogs is because we don't have any other strikers. Well, Pizarro, but he hasn't been that good.

And I'm prepared to give the two strikers another chance because they wasn't played in the right way against Tottenham. Anelka is not a winger!

no J.T. ?

No. He's off form and was far from good against Tottenham. He's a great leader but so is Ballack.

[Guest Brian M]

I don't read the papers - they are written by and designed for the consumption of idiots!

Cover your ears, Dorset!

[Gem]

No JT but willing to have Malouda, Moos?

[Chippy]

I don't read the papers - they are written by and designed for the consumption of idiots! I make my own conclusions using what little sense I have. I really don't see much point in 2nd guessing who Grunt will pick for the game on Sat, that's his choice aided by the staff and the performance/attitude of the players over the next few days. What I am miffed about (still!) is that the powers that be decided last September (and more realistically way before that) to dispense with the services of probably the greatest football brain currently available in World football. Kenyon (spit!) chose to state last week on the back of the clubs financial report that there was a lot of noise coming out of the club but very little of it from the manager - like it was a good thing! They got shot of Jose because he was outspoken, because he was 'arrogant', because he had conviction in his own beliefs. That was their prerogative. What we as fans are interested in are results and trophies, no? The excuse was used that we wanted to play better football, a more exciting brand of football. Well what I've seen over the past few months has been a club playing worse and worse with each game, culminating in the debacle on Sunday against a team of average ability at best.

So yes, I'm f****d off. I can't just focus on picking the next team because I'm so bloody angry that the club made the worse decision in my lifetime, and I'm 47 in October. Building the East stand was a mistake, but one made genuinely. Other decisions were poor, but sacking Jose was criminal. I know all my whining won't bring him back, but I have to make myself heard nonetheless. Kenyon, Buck, Abramovich, Tenenbaum ...... whoever .....hang your heads in shame.

I can see you're still grieving and thats up to you,

I was trying to find your reasoning for saying you would,nt play Drogba or Lampard at all and could'nt have realised it was because you are upset at Jose's exit.

I disagree Jose was the greatest football brain in the world and results under someone you would likely credit as having no football brain at all tend to back that up,

The reasons Jose went have been guessed at many times but in the cold light of day he likely was too arrogant to his boss, many people in all walks of life have been sacked for less.

nobody knows the real reason but if he was sacked or if he was in agreement that he had had his time here and got the pay off that suited him.

the anti Grant posts went quiet for a short while, the Draw with Pool, then the Draw with Olympiacos away(not a bad result if you think about they're record up to now in the CL) started it getting louder again then losing in the CC final has caused another step up in the Grant bashing creshendo,

You know I believe he has made mistakes since he's been in charge and the CC final placement of Anelka wide was likely the worst but the players just were'nt up to it on the day and that was as much or more to do with us losing as anything Grant did or did'nt do (IMO)

regardless though that is only our third defeat under Grant and rather than make excuses for the wins we have had since he's been here, a bit of understanding for the losses is the way I chose to judge him so far, I just dont believe anybody that took over this team and had the players out we have had, could have done better.

I know our most sickening defeat was with the best players available but other than the Anelka wide selection the team was ok and although not to my choosing was far from a bad team, yes Subs were late but with 20 minutes left we were leading so he may have been thinking why change it, again not saying anything in that game was right, just that mistakes can be made by anybody.

[dkw]

im with chippy on this. jose wasnt ousted in some kind of coup. he made an enemy of the owner, and paid the price. grant hasnt done amazingly, but hes done pretty well. the club could have imploded when jose left. i for one was fully expecting to struggle to get 4th. the fact that we got the results speaks volumes for the players and coaching staff. i think my feelings towards grant will be swayed either way by his selection on saturday. if he plays something like the same formation and team as sunday, then hes lost my support. if he realises his mistakes, then ill give him more time.