Chelsea (h) build up

[Tribute]

Johnson is terrible

Roll on when Flanagan is fit because I'm hoping that eases Johnson further out (probably wont though)

I just dont get the confidence in Borini either, he cant tackle, pass, shoot or dribble but he shows "great movement". Just a pity he didnt get the hint in the summer and show such "great movement"

Ok, so Borini is probably more of a frustrated reference. Mario creates little and moves even less. For all his flaws you mentioned above, Borini's movement causes opposition defenders to move with him... they have to. Yes, he offers next to nothing in terms of a goalscoring threat, but I can see the value in pulling the Chavs back four all over the place. Mario would just wander around looking non-plussed. Or he'd end up on the wing trying to cross it to.... no-one, cos he should have been in the flippin box himself.

[Lecter]

Ok, so Borini is probably more of a frustrated reference. Mario creates little and moves even less. For all his flaws you mentioned above, Borini's movement causes opposition defenders to move with him... they have to. Yes, he offers next to nothing in terms of a goalscoring threat, but I can see the value in pulling the Chavs back four all over the place. Mario would just wander around looking non-plussed. Or he'd end up on the wing trying to cross it to.... no-one, cos he should have been in the flippin box himself.

I will go back to what I have been saying for a few weeks now

The new system we have been playing leaves the lone forward very isolated - no matter who they are. The attacking midfielders are so far away from the forward they struggle to get up and get close to whoever it is nevermind making runs beyond him

Kind of makes dragging defenders out a non-issue if you are not getting runners up in support

[Maxiedge]

Have to say, it's really difficult picking an XI now with Lucas, Can and Toure all doing really well on Tuesday. This is the toughest I've ever found it putting together an XI.

Do you play your in-form players or do you go with the star names? I would go for in-form personally. This would mean Can, Lucas, Toure, Manquillo, Borini should all start ahead of their relative teammates but I can also completely understand any of the above being left out for specific reasons.

Really interested to see the line up saturday afternoon.

The only definite starters I think will be Mignolet, Moreno, Gerrard, Lallana, Sterling.

[Tribute]

I will go back to what I have been saying for a few weeks now

The new system we have been playing leaves the lone forward very isolated - no matter who they are. The attacking midfielders are so far away from the forward they struggle to get up and get close to whoever it is nevermind making runs beyond him

Kind of makes dragging defenders out a non-issue if you are not getting runners up in support

So in that case, the system needs changing - as over the last two months we've seen we haven't got the players able to play it.
Pointless playing one up front as we've seen it doesn't work time and time again this season. Revert to the diamond with two up top (whoever that may be) and let the players pick up confidence and the high tempo from last season. Rodgers persisting with a system that so obviously doesn't work is the most frustrating thing about all this...

I get there's no 'magic wand' to make it all better but why not revert to tried and trusted in the interim?

[Bender]

[Lecter]

So in that case, the system needs changing - as over the last two months we've seen we haven't got the players able to play it.
Pointless playing one up front as we've seen it doesn't work time and time again this season. Revert to the diamond with two up top (whoever that may be) and let the players pick up confidence and the high tempo from last season. Rodgers persisting with a system that so obviously doesn't work is the most frustrating thing about all this...

I get there's no 'magic wand' to make it all better but why not revert to tried and trusted in the interim?

I have no idea

I would change the system myself

[baitman]

i would like to see

mig
manq - skrtel - toure - moreno
lucas
can ------ lallana
gerrard - sterling
borini

[BigChief]

Johnson is terrible

Roll on when Flanagan is fit because I'm hoping that eases Johnson further out (probably wont though)

I just dont get the confidence in Borini either, he cant tackle, pass, shoot or dribble but he shows "great movement". Just a pity he didnt get the hint in the summer and show such "great movement"

[BobTheCharmer]

The quietest build up to a Chelsea game ever, let's smash these *******s all over the pitch, take some retribution for last time, a broken leg for hazard and drogba would do for a start. Need to make this a war, let's play them at their own game, cunts.

[danperkins]

Yeah strangely quiet alright. If they play to their potential they'll beat us. But knowing Mourinho he'll play it safe, pack the midfield and get us on the counter & stifle the game. Interesting to see Rodgers team selection. If we lose today we'll have lost 5 out of 11... don't think anyone would have thought we'd struggle this much.

I'd love to see us take the game to Chelsea but I think he'll play it safe. None of our strikers have scored in the league this season, if Rodgers plays one man up top against that Chelsea defence... I can't see us doing much. Surely against this Chelsea side you would play on the front foot, diamond with two up top? Defend from the front. Anyways we shall see, a win would be massive.

[BobTheCharmer]

Actually Dan this is one game I would play one up top, match them in midfield. Play it safe for a while. Tempted by borinis work rate to start him again. Its another tough one.

[Muddled]

A good performance and three points would make you think we'd turned that cliche loaded corner. If we could use this as a catalyst, our next four league games are winnable and we could go in to the Manchester United game in a different fettle.

[danperkins]

Actually Dan this is one game I would play one up top, match them in midfield. Play it safe for a while. Tempted by borinis work rate to start him again. Its another tough one.

IMO we've been toothless up top and our lone striker isolated all season. Against a top class defence IMO a lone striker would be swallowed up...especially if it's Balotelli. Really tough game regardless, their an excellent side.

[BobTheCharmer]

IMO we've been toothless up top and our lone striker isolated all season. Against a top class defence IMO a lone striker would be swallowed up...especially if it's Balotelli.

Chelsea are the one side that wants you to attack them, then they hit you. I'd much rather go down having given it a go, so yes there is merit in your option Dan. What ever setup, we must hit a few hard.

[danperkins]

Chelsea are the one side that wants you to attack them, then they hit you. I'd much rather go down having given it a go, so yes there is merit in your option Dan. What ever setup, we must hit a few hard.

We have to press and show some intensity. I think we'll see Gerrard,Hendo,Sterling,Coutinho & Lallana in the midfield. Balotelli up top on his jack.