CL, Bordeaux vs Chelsea, 26/11/08, 1945 GMT

[loz]

Didier will be available to play however I would expect him to start on the bench. Unlikely that the team will be much different from the one that started against Newcastle unless Ballack can force his way into the starting line up.

Bordeaux still not impressing massively in Ligue 1. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Rennes at the weekend and were souundly beaten by Lyon (although the score was only 2-1)

Win this and we are into the knock out stages with a game to spare.

[Kornblume]

I watched most of that game against Rennes since it was on TV here. On paper Bordeaux should be a big challenger in the weak French league, they do have some players with skills (Gourcuff, Cavenaghi) but the mix seems not to work totally yet.

They needed a garbage goal to equalize against Rennes. And well, it is amazing to see how slower and less powerful the French league is compared to the Premiership.

Bottom line, as long as Chelsea shows up to play, and maybe score one or two early, we should be fine.

[Tim W]

I don't have your optimism, with a manager unable to see outside of the box, a.k.a. a one trick pony, I think teams will find it easier and easier to shut us out. On Saturday he had Sinclair on the bench yet again and perhaps his speed would have helped with 15 minutes to go, but no, we see Kalou for more of the same ineffectiveness as shown by Malouda. I've seen nothing this season that identifies Scolari as a master tactician, I think he brings more as an walking advertising board for the megastore than he does to the team. I really wonder if things had been so much different if AG had stayed. From someone who has sat on the fence I've now fallen deep into Bluebeard territory and am flying the flag of Scolari discontent.

Edited November 24, 2008 by Tim W

[kalpitv]

I don't have your optimism, with a manager unable to see outside of the box, a.k.a. a one trick pony, I think teams will find it easier and easier to shut us out. On Saturday he had Sinclair on the bench yet again and perhaps his speed would have helped with 15 minutes to go, but no, we see Kalou for more of the same ineffectiveness as shown by Malouda. I've seen nothing this season that identifies Scolari as a master tactician, I think he brings more as an walking advertising board for the megastore than he does to the team. I really wonder if things had been so much different if AG had stayed. From someone who has sat on the fence I've now fallen deep into Bluebeard territory and am flying the flag of Scolari discontent.

It's a bit too soon to form an opion of LFS. He isn't isn't that bad a manager and we couldn't have done so well under Grant becuase players couldn't motivate themselves to work for him.

And Malouda is not at all ineffective (and Kalou still needs some time in my opinion, I have a feeling he will be a late bloomer). We need a quality man in the box who is able to convert all of Malouda's chances and Anelka simply isn't good enough. On their day, Drogba and Malouda can be as deadly as they were during their earlier days in France.

[4EVERCHELSEA]

I'm a little worried about this game.

It all depends on which chelsea show up. if the chelsea team that played roma shows up, we could be in for a very nervous night.

2-1 Chelsea with a late winner.

[goose]

I think he'll start with Drogba and give him as much playing time as poss while he is suspended.

We should overcome Bordeaux easily by a couple of clear goals with Drogba and lamps on the scoresheet.

[evissy]

It will be a tough one no doubt about it. I predict one goal margin in this one. 0-1 or 1-2 to us. Didier should start as he faces his old opponents in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux plays home and they still have good chances to qualify. It could play in favour for them or turn against them with too much pressure.

We have been good in away games but LFS's team hasn't shown any positive signs in these CL games yet. It is a different world from EPL and it shows. AG managed to do brilliantly in CL.

Time to show your managerial skills Phil!

[ethicalstrategy]

I've got three possibilities:

We score early and win 3-0

We concede early, take off all our defenders before half time and lose 3-1

We start well without scoring, get progressively less dangerous as the match goes on and it ends up 0-0

Two things won't happen:

We won't come back from a goal down

We won't score a late winner

[Tim W]

I've got three possibilities:

We score early and win 3-0

We concede early, take off all our defenders before half time and lose 3-1

We start well without scoring, get progressively less dangerous as the match goes on and it ends up 0-0

Two things won't happen:

We won't come back from a goal down

We won't score a late winner

Got a new girlfriend ethical?

[BLUENUT]

I've got three possibilities:

We score early and win 3-0

We concede early, take off all our defenders before half time and lose 3-1

We start well without scoring, get progressively less dangerous as the match goes on and it ends up 0-0

Two things won't happen:

We won't come back from a goal down

We won't score a late winner

You've been reading the script......that's pretty much my feelings toward the game.

[ethicalstrategy]

Got a new girlfriend ethical?

Yes, but I haven't inflated her yet.

[Ruh Buh Juh]

Not expecting much. Maybe we'll scrape a 1-0 if we have a bit of luck on our side. But predicting a draw.

[icecoolguy22]

I for one believe we will win quite easily, simply because French teams (apart from Lyon) arent in the same league as the top 4 English teams. If they open up and play football, we will carve them up on the counter , if they park the team bus, we should be able to score a goal with 60%+ possessions, especially Drogba will play some parts. I dont think they have a GK in the class of Given, or classy defenders. Malouda and Drogba used to eat teams like Bordeaux for breakfast back to the glory days in Frnace :D

The only chance things can go wrong is if they steal a goal early , Scolari start to panic .. I just cant see it happen, expect a 2:0 win. A draw would be disasterous, not even going to consider the option of a lose

[mad_mac]

Think they will park the bus, think we will play the same team that started agains teh geordies

[Tim W]

Think they will park the bus, think we will play the same team that started agains teh geordies

You mean the same as in every minute in every game this season, there are no alternative tactics, no plan B, nothing.

Scolari is starting to get found out and found wanting.

[Nibs]

You mean the same as in every minute in every game this season, there are no alternative tactics, no plan B, nothing.

Scolari is starting to get found out and found wanting.

Could be. Then again could also be down to lack of options. In previous seasons you could always look to the bench and there were options to change a game if need be. On the bench, you would invariably have some of Joey, SWP, Mikel, Sheva, Pizza, Anelka, Kalou - possibly a few more.

Now Joe tends to start when fit, Mikel has replaced Maka and injured Essien, Anelka has to play 'cos he is our only fit and in form striker and the others have all gone. I guess it's then about trying to change a game using the existing players but getting them to play differently during the game. Perhaps some of our players are not good enough to do that?

I just think Scolari is very limited in his options at the moment and tonight he won't have the teachers pet available either, which I'm glad about to be honest as I think we've played better this season when he was missing.

[Mr Chelsea]

a must win game for us, just to settle the nerves and get back on track in europe

i cant see a massive score line, but a frustrating 1-0 with a defender scoring

mystic meg was ere

[dkw]

You mean the same as in every minute in every game this season, there are no alternative tactics, no plan B, nothing.

Scolari is starting to get found out and found wanting.

how can he have a plan b when he doesnt have the players to go for a plan b. he hasnt had a squad to pick from all seaon and at times has had to make do. give me a plan b that would work with the players available then.

[bjd]

Big game. The away trip to the 'third' team in the group has been a stumbling block for us in recent seasons.

The fans (particularly those who traveled to Rome) are owed a decent Champions League performance so lets hope the lads are right up for it.

Will be very interesting to see if Drogba starts ahead of Anelka. And i agree with Nibs, Deco wont be missed.

[Chippy]

Could be. Then again could also be down to lack of options. In previous seasons you could always look to the bench and there were options to change a game if need be. On the bench, you would invariably have some of Joey, SWP, Mikel, Sheva, Pizza, Anelka, Kalou - possibly a few more.

Now Joe tends to start when fit, Mikel has replaced Maka and injured Essien, Anelka has to play 'cos he is our only fit and in form striker and the others have all gone. I guess it's then about trying to change a game using the existing players but getting them to play differently during the game. Perhaps some of our players are not good enough to do that?

I just think Scolari is very limited in his options at the moment and tonight he won't have the teachers pet available either, which I'm glad about to be honest as I think we've played better this season when he was missing.

Pretty much the way I am looking at it for the moment at least,

Scolari has not got a Robben on the Bench or an Essien who can go to RB while another striker or attacking midfielder is brought on,

I know we get frustrated he leaves Sinclair on the Bench but a like for like swap out on the wing is not exactly game changing especially as we don't know how good Scott has been in training, Scolari might have watched him and thought (I will give him some Bench time but he is miles from good enough) I know sometimes our wingers look

that way to us but we don't get to work with the alternatives and I think we need to put the faith in Phil that he can see who is the better player at this time.

I said in the Newcastle thread that we dont know if Robinho would be any better against teams that put 10 men behind the ball and we dont so maybe the best thing is

to hope Joey and Deco find some form and start to make things happen.

I must admit I'm quite happy Deco is not available tonight as this is a game where luxuary players might cost us.

[Tim W]

how can he have a plan b when he doesnt have the players to go for a plan b. he hasnt had a squad to pick from all seaon and at times has had to make do. give me a plan b that would work with the players available then.

So you are telling me players of the apparent calibre of Lampard, Ballack, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Cole J, Mikel, Kalou can only play one way? Stop making excuses, the majority of players injured are defenders and as Nibs says the lack of Deco means we can play with 11 men for 90 minutes instead of carry a passenger for most of the game.

[dkw]

So you are telling me players of the apparent calibre of Lampard, Ballack, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Cole J, Mikel, Kalou can only play one way? Stop making excuses, the majority of players injured are defenders and as Nibs says the lack of Deco means we can play with 11 men for 90 minutes instead of carry a passenger for most of the game.

majority are defenders? essien, ballack, drogba, joey cole are not defenders and are all players that would have been more than useful of late. with only one frontline striker available we couldnt change to 4-4-2 as was needed. if we had essien or ballack availabel im fairly sure they would have been able to take the weight of deco and lampard. our wingers are garbage, but he had to stick with kalou and malouda because there was no-one else. im not making excuses, im putting over my opinion, like i thought i was allowed to do on this forum.

[Chippy]

I thought Alex would be back for tonight...they said he was training with the team yesterday but reports are saying his thigh muscle has gone again...

Buggered my BPL.

Ivanovic has been good though.

[BLUENUT]

I really, really have no idea how this is going to go.

I would like to think we'll win the game, but what side is going to turn up? If we get an early goal we should be OK, if they get one, it could be goodnight campers. I'm that unsure!

The days of Chelsea turning up and just winning are over, if Barnsley and sides in the bottom 3 won't be out-witted I'm not too sure about Champions League opposition, there is no air of invincibility with us at the moment.

We might spank lesser sides 3 or 4 nil, some may find that entertainment in itself, but I take a bit more from knowing what our game plan is likely to be, then pulling it off and coming away with what we went there to get.

Are we playing for a draw, or to hit them on the counter, or to play a pressing game with lots of posession, or going to defend (I doubt), or going for all out attack (which could be suicidal, eg Roma), like I say what side is going to turn up? Who know's.

It makes for interesting watching, but failure to win tonight will leave our qualification resting on the last game, which is always risky!

I hoping our recent away form counts for something, but Hull, WBA and Stoke are a totally different proposition to CL opponants

Edited November 26, 2008 by BLUENUT

[Chelsea FC Champions]

Cech

Bosingwa

Terry

Ivanovic/Alex

A.Cole

Mikel

Lampard

Ballack

J.Cole

Anelka

Malouda

Bench:

Carlo

Bridge

Belletti?

Paulo

Mienro

Kalou

Drogba

2-0 win