Team and Tactics for Tues ... including Chelsea

[Craig_H]

I think with Carra @ RB we are more solid. Given the importance of not conceding an away goal and that Finnan does not offer much more offensively I'd be inclined to use Carra @ RB

I would too. Carra's such a strong defender and we're SO much more solid with him in there.

[Johnny]

I would too. Carra's such a strong defender and we're SO much more solid with him in there.

STATTO,where are you?????

[Ben_Itez]

What's the Chelsea team gonna be though

Cech
Belletti
Alex
Terry
Cole

Mikel
Ballack
Lampard

Cole
Malouda

Drogba

Read somewhere that Ballack is a doubt, Essien is suspended and Lampard wont have his mind 100% on the job cos of his mum. Who am i missing out? Anelka, Kalou, Shevchenko, Ben Haim, Makelele, Bridge, Ferreira, Pizarro, Sidwell, Wright-Phillips.....mind you i think that lot cost £114 million

[Johnny]

What's the Chelsea team gonna be though

Cech
Belletti
Alex
Terry
Cole

Mikel
Ballack
Lampard

Cole
Malouda

Drogba

Read somewhere that Ballack is a doubt, Essien is suspended and Lampard wont have his mind 100% on the job cos of his mum. Who am i missing out? Anelka, Kalou, Shevchenko, Ben Haim, Makelele, Bridge, Ferreira, Pizarro, Sidwell, Wright-Phillips.....mind you i think that lot cost £114 million

Are all doubtfull or suspect,We`ll do em.


Rafa is champion.

[Woobus]

i have a feeling kuyt will be left, torres centre, and pennant right of the attacking 3

Think you might be right, Pennant has had a few good games against Cole and normally gets the better of him.

[saveferris]

I thought Arbeloa was injured? That was the reason he missed the Fulham game. Chelsea will be quite narrow and so i like the idea of Kuyt and Babel/Yossi starting moves alongside Alonso and Mascherano to stretch out the play. As much as people have mentioned Pennant might get the nod because of his record against Cashley, this would be risky, with us needing to get a decent result in this game.

Chelsea will surely have Makelele in to try and deal with Gerrard, alongside Ballack and Lampard. Its going to be set plays for us again, if we can deal with Chelsea's crosses into the area then I think we will do OK. Reina seemed more comfortable dealing with them on the weekend.

[El Jefecito]

I thought Arbeloa was injured? That was the reason he missed the Fulham game. Chelsea will be quite narrow and so i like the idea of Kuyt and Babel/Yossi starting moves alongside Alonso and Mascherano to stretch out the play. As much as people have mentioned Pennant might get the nod because of his record against Cashley, this would be risky, with us needing to get a decent result in this game.

Chelsea will surely have Makelele in to try and deal with Gerrard, alongside Ballack and Lampard. Its going to be set plays for us again, if we can deal with Chelsea's crosses into the area then I think we will do OK. Reina seemed more comfortable dealing with them on the weekend.

I think SG is far too mobile for Makele to deal with on his own.

[dww]

I think SG is far too mobile for Makele to deal with on his own.

The real battle for me is making sure that Gerrard plays the game in the right areas. If like against United he goes looking for the ball deep we are in trouble. If he concentrates on attacking, giving us an outlet and taking Makele and the other defenders away from Torres we are onto a winner.

The first part of that is that Mascher and Alonso (assuming the latter is his CM partner) give us a lot of possession early on and prevent us from having to chase the game. Also the wide players have to keep possession, if nothing is on for them they have to be willing to turn back and allow us to keep the ball and spread play.

[Ben_Itez]

I forgot Carvalho

Another 20 million player.....how the **** Mourinho could label Rafa a free spending flop if we dont win this match is incredible...they are quite likely to have nearly 150mill worth of talent not even in the team

[Neil Young]

---------------Charles "AA" Itandje---------------

Cider--------Smirnoff------Finlandia---------Insua

------------Margarita----San Miguel--------------

Heineken-------Whisky and Gingerrade------Amstel

Torres (Gran Coronas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva)

[DeeTheDog]

Based on his performance on Sat I think Lucas should be in contention. Not sure on whether he will have recovered by Tues though. I only hope Xabi can retain the ball this time.

I think Lucas may start this one ahead of Xabi. The one thing, which is crucial in this first leg, is not to commit any mistakes and give an away goal. Xabi for all his passing strengths has been ponderous since his return and lost possession too often in dangerous areas of the pitch. On Saturday, he almost let Fulham back into the game being caught in possession.

Lucas is more mobile and may give us the upper hand aginst what is sure to be a midfield five of Chelsea.