Gianfranco Zola has a big decision to make today. Does he change our formation to 4-5-1 to counter the effect of Chelsea’s powerful midfield, or does he stick with 4-4-2 and hope for more chances of unsettling Chelsea’s stand in rookie keeper Ross Turner? Normally, I’d want Zola to go for it, but in this case I’d go 4-5-1 and instruct Diamanti to get forward as much as possible and shoot on sight.
Another big decision is what to about the defence. There have been calls from many people on this site to drop James Tomkins after a couple of shaky performances. I totally disagree. Tomkins is a class act and will come good again. Dropping him now could affect his confidence. In any case, Da Costa is suspended and Danny Gabbidon has only played an hour in a reserve game. If Gabbidon plays, it could be at right back as Faubert us struggling to recover from the muscle injury he suffered against Bolton. Alternatively Behrami could play there, or Daprela could come in at left back with Spector switching to the right.
So basically, predicting this afternoon’s team is a mug’s game. But here goes anyway!
Green
Upson
Tomkins
Daprela
Spector
Behrami
Dyer
Kovac
Diamanti
Parker
Cole
If we can get a point out of this game, we will all be highly delighted. I’m gutted as I was offered two free tickets in an Executive Box for the game a couple of days ago, but I couldn’t take them. Bugger!
I would take Tomkins out of the firing line. Gis mistakes have been basic defensive errors and not the result of good forward play. If gabbidon is fit to start he should start.
I agree that we should play 4-5-1, but with Diamanti in a free central role behind Cole.
I would go:
Green
Behrami
Gabbidon
Upson
Daprela
Stanislas
Kovac
Parker
Collison
Diamanti
Cole
Our lack of an away victory since the opening day is disgraceful, and I can't see anything other than a comfortable Chelsea win, but stanger things have happened.
2-0 Chelsea.
That team works for me Devo, but isn't Stan injured?
Heading to the rugby but just wanted to put up a quick post before I do.
Today is a massive day for us and we have to restore some belief and pride in the team, if we capitulate today then its very hard to see us coming back from it. A decent performance today and another against arsenal and it gives us some hope going into a run of absolute must win games.
With faubert out then we should move Behrami back to right back as Spector will get carved up again. I still cant bring myself to say Upson should play as he has been nothing short of a disgrace for weeks now. Personally I cant wait to see the back of him.
The one chance we have is that they have a dodgy keeper in Turnbull who we need to put under pressure from the first whistle. Diamanti has to be given licence to shoot on sight and Cole has top win knock downs in the box. I agree with Devo that Stan should start we need his pace and width whipping in crosses.
I have this feeling that Cole is going to give Terry a real going over today, he is due to give someone a battering and he has a habit of playing well against against his old club. If Daprela plays then he and Stan could cause havok down the left. Kovac needs to kick lampard hard and early and break them up in midfield. He could be key today, if he can disrupt and allow Parker time on the ball to get us moving.
It is a big big ask today but if we show character and stay in the game for the first half we could nick a point. If its nil all with 5mins to go then someone needs to clatter into Turnbull and hope he goes off and that 19year old has to come on
I agree with Devo mostly.
Apart from cole Diamanti seems our only other goal threat,so to get him up with Cole we have to lose balance on the left,I can swallow that if Deprela plays,the only thing that worries me Chelsea would of worked on us playing 4 5 1 all week,Its about time Zola pulled some kind of tactical master stroke and took the enemy by surprise!!!
Green
Behrami Upson Gabbs Deprela
Dyer Collison Parker stanislas… or Behrami with parker
……………Diamanti …………….
…………….Cole…………..
Chris, I'd expect there's more chance of you saying nice things about Kovac and Spector than there is of Zola pulling a tactical master stroke…
Some things just aren't meant to be…
Sorry if Kovac or Spector play its all over.
I aint seen the teams yet, but I be surprised if both don't start…
How Kovac can be picked over Collison is beyond me,the fellas got so much more about him.
A 451 is the only solution. Diamanti has to come on with 25 mins left to unsettle chelsea. We need stamina and pace in midfield and I'm afraid Diamanti will get murdered against the strongest Midfield in the Premiership.
Stanislas would be handy to come on in the 2nd half also- but again, all through this season he has been lightweight and very poor at tracking back, and his tackling is terrible. Chelsea will exploit him.
Chelsea's midfield is so structured and organized. Everyone knows their place and they are brilliant at marking 2 players up front. We need to have players like Parker and Dyer breaking from midfield. I think Dyer will be our most important player today as he can take on Ferreira and get behind the defense.
I would have Dyer to start and Collison and try to contain Chelsea. With the likes of Stanislas and Diamanti to bring on I think we might push them close.
I really fancy us with this midfield
Green
Spector Tomkins Upson Daprela
Dyer Parker Kovac Collison Behrami
Cole
Iain, how about next time you get an offer you can't accept you offer it our way ..
As for today I'd like to see us go with a 4-2-3-1 …
Daprella has to start but I think he'll go with gabbidon .. Specter in at RB and the have Berahmi and Kovac hunting and holding the allow Diamante-Parker-Dyer to push them back and get support closer to CC …
I'm not holding my breath for the result, I'm looking for a performance … after Bolton the players have alot of faith to restore …. I'd rather get relegated than continually see certain players earn a fortune and give sod all …
Todays as much about pride and confidence as it is the result… if we get a hiding, we're in serious trouble for the run in… if we remain competitive and do well, then who knows…
Formations for me go out the window today… we know we'll end up defending most of the game, we know Chelsea will have most of the ball, we know they are the better team… so its about attitude and putting out our most committed 11 players… and then using our 3 subs at crucial times so anyones thats run themselves ragged gets to come off…
I don't think Chelsea are playing well… I think we can get something from the game… but it'll all come down to attitide and belief… run our n*ts off from start to finish and we've a chance… if we've even one player at sea today, we'll go down like the titanic…
Dyer starts, Mido starts… and Cole on the bench ???????
Is this the master stroke you wanted Chris…
Talk about ring the changes: This is an interesting starting 11
Green, Spector, Gabbidon, Upson, Deprela, Ilan, Behrami, Kovac, Parker, Dyer, Mido.
Subs:Cole, Diamanti, McCarthy, Stanislas, Tomkins,Collison, Kurucz
Desperation or tactical genius?
I don't know. But has has done the unexpected. Fight lads fight for the claret and blue
The team had no fight, no direction and no quality. Spector is a trier but is out of his depth and who was supposed to be helping him against Malouda?
I fear Zola/Clarke have lost the plot! Gabbidon for Tomkins!? No Collinson? what a joke. I told you all pre-season selling James Collins would be disasterous and I'm gutted to be proved right.
But help is at hand…let's buy a striker at least 5 years past his peak and pay him 30 grand a week more than Collinson! Genius.
So its a 4-5-1…
Green
Spector Upson Gabbs Daprella
Ilan Parker Kovac Behrami Dyer
Mido
You were spot on Ian, predicting todays team was defo a mugs game…
i dnt think anyone saw that starting line up coming.
Bench includes Cole, McCarthy, Tomkins, Collison, Diamanti and Stan…
Impressive bench for the first time in years… pity about the first 11…
Have got a very, very weird feeling that we're going to win today. Have just listened to the lineup and I think Zola's got a gameplan. 1-2 for me.
COYI!!!!!!
Credit to Zola for dropping some of the non-triers from last week, but I can't share your optimism, Gav!
Completely understand Devo – hence me callling it a very, very weird feeling. I'm not sure where this hunch has come from but when I heard the team it sounded like he knows what he wants them to do. Will soon know.