Team for Chelsea 2nd leg

[cannotmakeit]

-------------------------Reina----------------------------
Carra---------Hyypia------------Skrtel---------------Riise
Kuyt-------------Masch-----------Alonso-----------Torres
------------------------Gerrard--------------------------
------------------------Crouch--------------------------

[blacky]

We will play 4231 and keep it tight hopefully nicking a goal 1st half. The formation suits the players we have and we are winning games with it. Torres should not get isolated if Babel and Kuyt support him from the wide area's.

[Guest]

In fact, i'll do a Mourinho and name their team for you

Cech, Ferreira, A.Cole, Terry, Carvalho, J.Cole, Kalou, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Drogba

Makalelé will play IMO. Their team will look like this:

-----------Cech-----------------
Ferreira----Terry---Carvahlo--Cole
-----------Makelelé--------------
J.Cole----Lampard--Essien---Ballack
----------Diver Dogbreath--------

[JPK]

Pepe
Carra Skrtel Hyppia Arbeloa
Xabi Masch
Pennant Gerrard Kuyt
Torres

Subs: Charles,Crouch,Babel,Benayoun,Finnan,Lucas and Insua.

I would not have that jogger Riise near the squad.

[dww]

I would go with 4-2-3-1 as Kuyt has taken a liking to the CL and seems to break into the box to great effect. My concern would be what to with Babel - he is best at the minute if held back to run at tired defenders but he is by far our best option on the left and I really wouldn't want to start any of the alternatives. I don't like Kuyt when he is switched left which rules out Pennant coming in on the right.

In fact with the JAR situation the left hand side is the real worry for me. In the end I think I would end up going for Riise and Babel but I could be persuaded to switch Arbeloa to LB, it's a real shame Finnan has been so poor of late.

[Vermilion]

From the hints coming from the Boss it does sound like he'll give JAR his chance to make amends, although after saying he needed throwing straight back into the action against Brum, & his subsequent performance, or lack of it, he could well have changed his opinion on that.

If only Finnan had performed a bit better on Saturday, then again it's all about the game on the night, hopefully the players we have doubts over will raise their game & put in a solid performance.

[Kenneth]

Nobody gave a **** in that game though. I'd rather have Finnan and Arbeloa against chelsea, than JAR.

Ideally, I'd rather not have Finnan either. But I want Riise to play much less.

[Vermilion]

Nobody gave a **** in that game though. I'd rather have Finnan and Arbeloa against chelsea, than JAR.

Sad that really, when you think Rafa had said that players had the chance to play for a place in The Final.

[Joe King]

------------Reina------------
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Riise
-------Alonso Mascherano----
Kuyt-------Gerrard-----Babel
-----------Torres----------

If its 0-0 at 60 minutes, I would put Crouch up front for Alonso

[Craig_H]

See what you're saying Syd, but I'm not sure 4-4-2 suits Kuyt or Babel with neither being very effective in deep positions, or they're more effective higher up at least. With Gerrard in Crouch's place we have more protection in midfield, with Crouch there its pretty much a front four, which would leave gaps unless we really try and squeaze them in which would be risky with Drogba and the pace they have, especially at their place.

I don't know...either way it will be tight I suppose. Who knows

There's pros and cons for each different system mate and you could make an argument for either. Just with us HAVING to score, i'm worried about Torres being nullified which reduces our attacking threat enormously.

Just have to bow down to the manager's experience and expertise on this one and hope he (and the players) get it right.

[tomasjj]

Pepe
Carra Skrtel Hyppia Arbeloa
Xabi Masch
Pennant Gerrard Kuyt
Torres

Subs: Charles,Crouch,Babel,Benayoun,Finnan,Lucas and Insua.

I would not have that jogger Riise near the squad.

Tempted to go with that, and throw Babel on the last 25. But if Babel plays the Chavs will stick 2 men on him, so that gives others more room....hmm...

Also unsure if Pennant should start, even if he has had 2 decent games against weak teams.

Crouch also to make a cameo at the end.

[Craig_H]

We will play 4231 and keep it tight hopefully nicking a goal 1st half. The formation suits the players we have and we are winning games with it. Torres should not get isolated if Babel and Kuyt support him from the wide area's.

The problem for me though, is that Torres had Babel and Kuyt supporting him (or supposedly) against Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea when we played 4231 against them previously...and each time, he's been on the periphery of the game, not really influencing it much. I'm concerned it'll happen again.

Furthermore, 442 would surprise them greatly potentially disrupt their thinking, because i'm sure they'll be planning to face 4231.

[Craig_H]

Sad that really, when you think Rafa had said that players had the chance to play for a place in The Final.

Human nature, unfortunately.

[El Jefecito]

All our great recent results have come playing 4231, I don't see much case for going to 442.

[Taffy]

I think Rafa will play:

-----------Reina
Carragher-Skrtel-Hyypia-Riise
-----Alonso-Mascherano
Kuyt----Gerrard----Babel
----------Torres

Subs: Itandje, Finnan/Voronin, Arbeloa, Lucas, Pennant, Crouch, Benayoun


Whatever he picks we can do this - we've nothing to be scared of, and it's ANOTHER chance to reach a CL Final. The lads will be up for this one!!