How important is the Chelsea game

[homer1]

Would be fantastic to play them off the park, keep a clean sheet & batter them into submission but at this stage of the season the 3 points is all that is important, that's the be all and end all IMO

The team will take time to settle into the style of play Rafa wants, to get used to new team mates & their strenghts & whilst they regain their fitness & sharpness ..... not being able to pick up wins whilst we do that has been a major factor in us being out of the title race so early over recent years as Utd & Chelsea are masters at grounding out results even when not playing at their best.

[Fubar]

i am the same as everyone and see how important this game is and i honestly cant see us losing. on the off chance the ref is a **** up and awards a red card/ penalty when it shouldnt be and for some bizarre reason we lose i really dont think i could look at this site for a couple of weeks imagining how negative everyone will be

[bobbyfallon]

I was saying the same earlier to a Manc **** at work.

I know there'll be a lot of fed-up Reds if we draw, but a draw on Sunday will be FINE. No bother at all. Obviously we all want to win desperately, but a draw would be no problem.

a draw would be at best acceptable imo....... we are a big ****in club, should be scared of nobody and IF we see a weakened team on their team sheet should boost our teams confidence and go out and ****in do them !!!

we have dropped too many points in recent years against our RIVALS, now is the time to stand up and be counted. beat these teams at home settle for a draw away.........

thats whats needed to win championships.... and we should ****in know that as record holders of the league championship.. oh ye baby !!

[Johnny]

i am the same as everyone and see how important this game is and i honestly cant see us losing. on the off chance the ref is a **** up and awards a red card/ penalty when it shouldnt be and for some bizarre reason we lose i really dont think i could look at this site for a couple of weeks imagining how negative everyone will be

We`d miss you.

[Shaggy]

It's funny how Malouda has gone from someone who most Reds didn't seem to want to sign, to being a top class left winger on the strength of two games - one a friendly and one against BIRMINGHAM - in a matter of weeks.

In the Charity Shield he was up against WES BROWN and on Sunday STEPHEN KELLY.

My mind isn't made up about Malouda yet and won't be til I've seen a lot more of him, but he certainly isn't 'key', not to my mind anyway.

Drogba will play and he will be key for Chelsea.

[Joe King]

Malouda is key, Finnan will have his hands full.

Whoever plays in front of Finnan will have to be disciplined, can tennants do that job?

I hope Stevie stays in the middle, masher instead of Alonso as well

I dont think Masher will play, some are saying he will play with Momo on Wednesday against TooLose as he has had a long summer with the Copa America. Hopefully he plays with Alonso and Rafa allows Stevie to play off Torres.

Would be fantastic to play them off the park, keep a clean sheet & batter them into submission but at this stage of the season the 3 points is all that is important, that's the be all and end all IMO

The team will take time to settle into the style of play Rafa wants, to get used to new team mates & their strenghts & whilst they regain their fitness & sharpness ..... not being able to pick up wins whilst we do that has been a major factor in us being out of the title race so early over recent years as Utd & Chelsea are masters at grounding out results even when not playing at their best.

I think if Terry isn't fit, Crouch should play and expect long bombarded agricultural balls in the box. Everytime Crouch plays against Terry, he gets bullied. Here's hoping for an early goal like Kuyt's last season and to kill them with another special from Pennant

[Marky]

I would like to see Penant start this game, he tore Cashley apart last season in the league game at Anfield.
More of the same please Jermaine, if you play.

[blacky]

They key to Sunday is taking our chances and if possible grabbing an early goal. I'd love the 3 points but would settle for the draw. I have a good feeling about the game though and believe we can and will win!!

[Redlife]

It's funny how Malouda has gone from someone who most Reds didn't seem to want to sign, to being a top class left winger on the strength of two games - one a friendly and one against BIRMINGHAM - in a matter of weeks.

It's funny that, isn't it? Remember the vitriol and piss-taking when we were linked with him, then the further vitriol when we didn't sign him!?!

[homer1]

a draw would be at best acceptable imo....... we are a big ****in club, should be scared of nobody and IF we see a weakened team on their team sheet should boost our teams confidence and go out and ****in do them !!!

we have dropped too many points in recent years against our RIVALS, now is the time to stand up and be counted. beat these teams at home settle for a draw away.........

thats whats needed to win championships.... and we should ****in know that as record holders of the league championship.. oh ye baby !!

Absolutely - would like to see Babel play on the left wing and really have a go at Johnston or Ferreira. Also think they cannot handle Crouch so expect him to start

[Jacko]

Malouda is key, Finnan will have his hands full.

Whoever plays in front of Finnan will have to be disciplined, can tennants do that job?

I hope Stevie stays in the middle, masher instead of Alonso as well

It's Key Mashcerano plays but I also think it's Key Alonso plays as well. If there's anyone on that pitch that can dictate the play and hurt them from deep it's Xabi and I want Benitez to give him that chance.

TBH I think Chelsea on Sunday will see SG on the right and correctly so in my opinion. He'll offer the skill the pace, the power and the delivery that we need but he has the defensive attributes and discipline to protect finnan cause whoever said Finnan will have his hands full is right on the money. Malouda looks class and certainly if his early impression is to go by he know's where the goal is and will need some serious attention.

For me this is how I think we should line up. . . but then again i'm not Rafa

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Gerrard Xabi Mash Sissoko benni

Crouch

Remember like I said- that's my team, haha!

[Johnny]

I wanted Malouda,How can we compete with Chelsea on the pitch when they can bid higher and pay more for our targets.

[Johnny]

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Gerrard Xabi Mash Sissoko benni

Crouch

i`d play with 2 strikers,two wide men and pull them all over the pitch.

[bobbyfallon]

Absolutely - would like to see Babel play on the left wing and really have a go at Johnston or Ferreira. Also think they cannot handle Crouch so expect him to start

babel has looked good, strong, quick, direct and possibly better than what we have on the wing... if played there...

will he start??? imo doubtful, too big a game and too soon !!!

crouch up front with torres

[Marky]

It's Key Mashcerano plays but I also think it's Key Alonso plays as well. If there's anyone on that pitch that can dictate the play and hurt them from deep it's Xabi and I want Benitez to give him that chance.

TBH I think Chelsea on Sunday will see SG on the right and correctly so in my opinion. He'll offer the skill the pace, the power and the delivery that we need but he has the defensive attributes and discipline to protect finnan cause whoever said Finnan will have his hands full is right on the money. Malouda looks class and certainly if his early impression is to go by he know's where the goal is and will need some serious attention.

For me this is how I think we should line up. . . but then again i'm not Rafa

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Gerrard Xabi Mash Sissoko benni

Crouch

Remember like I said- that's my team, haha!

That's way too negative mate.
We're at home, they're missing two of there powerhouse players in Essien and Terry, lets attack them to fcuk.
We now have the players to do so and Rafa has already hinted he will set his team to attack teams hence why he bought the likes of Yossi, Babel, Torres and co.
Lets rip into em