Chelsea Build Up

[Tribute]

So with the players not eligble tonight here is the potential Chelsea lineup against us:

Cech
Ivanovich Cahill Terry Azpi
Matic Ramires (probably no ban)
Salah Oscar Schurle
Torres (or Ba)

That's pretty much a first team. The only thing we have to hope for is the atmosphere gets to their players. Plus minds geared toward the second CL leg. They may not risk Hazard against us, makes no sense now that City are effectively second favourites to win the league.

Can't see why Ramires wouldn't get a retrospective 4 match ban - seems pretty clear he will according to most media outlets. Hazard is due to return for our game (as is Yaya Toure for City's game at the weekend) - but hopefully he'll be on the bench and only used if Maureen decides to go gung-ho...

As games go, I thought the City one would be the hardest but can't help but worry about Chelsea's defensive record - tighter than a gnat's chuff...

[Konstro]

What`s up with the referee appointments? I checked premiership website and nothing there. Normally they announce it on Monday, isn`t it?

[Lecter]

[ame="http://youtu.be/HP301iR6tDQ"]Jose Mourinho Has Hilarious Pop At Brendan Rodgers & Liverpool - 'Crying Managers' - YouTube[/ame]

[npinn001]

What`s up with the referee appointments? I checked premiership website and nothing there. Normally they announce it on Monday, isn`t it?

Bank holiday.

[ChesterDave]

What a tedious oik

[Reece]

Can't be arsed to watch it. Is it recent and what does he say?

[Konstro]

Bank holiday.

I have totally forgotten. thanks.

[dww]

Interesting analysis from Carra and Neville on how deep Sakho and Skrtel are dropping and how this is inviting pressure.

Need to get out of the 18 yard box.

It really is a bit of a worry when we do that. I think a lot of the problems people see in Johnson step from the way our CBs sometimes drop back and the midfield often seeming to follow. He's the one player we have who consistently maintains an aggressive positioning (not sure if this is a good thing or not when everyone else is working to a different plan but there you go).

Maybe it was practice against Norwich to see if we can get away with giving Chelsea the ball as they seem pretty hopeless in possession. On the Guardian podcast quoted an Atletico player as saying that if Chelsea gave them possession their plan was to give it back.

[Fosterbloke]

Haha self immolating prick

[Shaggy]

I thought the whole dropping off thing at Norwich - highlighted by Neville on MNF - is/was nothing more than human nature. Every football team in the world, ever, has dropped deeper when they have something to protect, especially near the end of a game. Expecting Skrtel and Sakho to hold a risky high line when we were leading with 15 minutes to go is living in fantasy land IMO.

[Sarb]

Jose Mourinho Has Hilarious Pop At Brendan Rodgers & Liverpool - 'Crying Managers' - YouTube

That was just ****ing weird. What a cunt

[Sarb]

Howard Webb is due a big game. I really hope it isnt ours or we are ****ed

[Muddled]

That was just ****ing weird. What a cunt

What's he saying, Bras?

Work have restricted my YouTube viewing.

[dww]

I thought the whole dropping off thing at Norwich - highlighted by Neville on MNF - is/was nothing more than human nature. Every football team in the world, ever, has dropped deeper when they have something to protect, especially near the end of a game. Expecting Skrtel and Sakho to hold a risky high line when we were leading with 15 minutes to go is living in fantasy land IMO.

I don't think you have to play a risky high line though. We tend to end up practically on top of the keeper (its not just the Norwich match there have been plenty of times over the season). It might well be human nature but I think the better defensive teams control that urge better.

[Sarb]

Just some ****ing mumbo jumbo about managers influencing referees, crying when dont get a decision and needing a meeting with ref 's boss because some managers have forgotten about what was agreed in the summer meeting. Was doing some weird ****ing impressions too

It is 1 min of my life I wont ever get back. Yes, Dom, I know I wasnt going to do anything productive anyway

Seriously though, Mourinho is one annoying ****er