http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport...icle2060032.ece

PHIL SCOLARI admits Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are still struggling to hit it off up front.

The Chelsea boss has been working tirelessly on a way to get the pair firing so that he can start with two in attack.

But his hopes of them linking up from kick-off over Christmas have been dashed.

Drogba has not started a league game for the Blues since September due to injury and suspension.

And he is set for a prolonged period on the fringes until he manages to show Scolari he can click with in-form French strike ace Anelka.

Scolari admitted: “Didier is ready to start — but maybe that will be after this one.

“I’ve tried playing them together in training and sometimes it is good — but sometimes it is not.

“At the moment it is 50-50. But in this period the players have worked hard to understand how it works.

“We have discussed what the players need to do when we play the two. They now know what positions they should be in when we have the ball.â€

Anelka has struck 16 times this season and is a guaranteed starter.

Scolari will continue with his 4-3-3 formation at Everton tonight but has more confidence that he will be able to reshuffle his pack with bigger impact.

Plan B would see Drogba and Anelka pair up later on in the game.

Scolari added: “If we need to change things then we would be more confident and the players would know what is needed. We can quickly change positions.

“Anelka has said he believes he can play with Didier. We need that confidence.

“If the players don’t have that, it is impossible.â€

Scolari is desperate to end 2008 on top of the Premier League — but is still getting used to the idea of playing matches over Christmas.

The Brazilian is more familiar with a winter break than a packed festive season but insists he is relishing the challenge.

Edited December 22, 200817 yr by BLUENUT

I had convinced myself that Scolari would see sense and play Drogba tonight hence why I put him in my BPL prediction. However it would appear I was too optimistic.

I am not convinced by this 'Anelka and Drogba can't play together' line - clearly that is just a sensational headline as the article doesn't actually go on to say that however for the sake of argument lets just assume Scolari is saying the partnership isn't working. For me that would be a lot less to do with Anelka and Drogba (who have both shown in the past that they can play in partnerships with players of the other's style).

The problem for me would be that Scolari does not have a track record of playing with a strike partnership and the failing would more likely be down to his inability to make it work well.

I had convinced myself that Scolari would see sense and play Drogba tonight hence why I put him in my BPL prediction. However it would appear I was too optimistic.

I am not convinced by this 'Anelka and Drogba can't play together' line - clearly that is just a sensational headline as the article doesn't actually go on to say that however for the sake of argument lets just assume Scolari is saying the partnership isn't working. For me that would be a lot less to do with Anelka and Drogba (who have both shown in the past that they can play in partnerships with players of the other's style).

The problem for me would be that Scolari does not have a track record of playing with a strike partnership and the failing would more likely be down to his inability to make it work well.

this is a ridiculous story and headline. scolari doesnt even actually say they cant play together. good old media logic.

could be a tactical ploy, have everton believing we will play just anelka up front, and unleash the drog aswell

could be a tactical ploy, have everton believing we will play just anelka up front, and unleash the drog aswell

:D Keep on dreaming mate, keep on dreaming..

I had convinced myself that Scolari would see sense and play Drogba tonight hence why I put him in my BPL prediction. However it would appear I was too optimistic.

I am not convinced by this 'Anelka and Drogba can't play together' line - clearly that is just a sensational headline as the article doesn't actually go on to say that however for the sake of argument lets just assume Scolari is saying the partnership isn't working. For me that would be a lot less to do with Anelka and Drogba (who have both shown in the past that they can play in partnerships with players of the other's style).

The problem for me would be that Scolari does not have a track record of playing with a strike partnership and the failing would more likely be down to his inability to make it work well.

I done exactly the same thing in my BPL, I had my doubts but thought it would have been nice to go out tonight with a firm statement of intent and line up with the pair of them.

It's the first time I have gone for it but just felt tonight would be a good time.

In my crystal ball I see Drogba starting tonight (instead of Anelka), but I am not confident in being right.

I think it would be difficult for him to drop Anelka with the ammount of goals he has

been scoring.

With our away form I have a feeling he will keep the formation very much the same

as before although I've also went for Nic and Drogs starting together,

I think it would be difficult for him to drop Anelka with the ammount of goals he has

cant argue with that, i think if he's going go with only 1 up front then until anelka has a dip in form he's got to stick with him

I would like to see them play together in the next game.