Chelsea (A): Build Up

[Doc_Piptorious]

he's the most mobile of their centre backs but the issue for them is which runner to pick up and from where. we're effectively playing a false 9 which means their centre backs have no reference point for our attacks.

but it works both ways as when we have the ball we could struggle to keep the ball if we push it forward back to front.

Was thinking along the lines of him sitting just ahead of Cahill/Terry, and pretty much defending the zone rather than marking any one player. Basically being able to go at whoever has the ball in his zone and having the safety net of the other two behind him if someone gets beyond him or plays the ball past him.

[Kenneth]

Costa's made a speedy recovery hey. Surprise surprise.

We've got Skrtel in the side to elbow the cunt again.

[SB]

Was thinking along the lines of him sitting just ahead of Cahill/Terry, and pretty much defending the zone rather than marking any one player. Basically being able to go at whoever has the ball in his zone and having the safety net of the other two behind him if someone gets beyond him or plays the ball past him.

Sounds more like a DM then?

[Assassin]

Costa's made a speedy recovery hey. Surprise surprise.

Jepp. Broken ribs.....Rushed to hospital.....blah blah blah.......

[danperkins]

Come to think of it 3 of Chelsea's regulars in Cesc who have been dropped/injured, Ivanovic & Matic who are usual class.. have been dog**** this season. Might have been better for them to play considering their form.

[SB]

We've got Skrtel in the side to elbow be **** again.

I can see Sakho squaring up to the dirty ******* for sure. Do Paddy power bet on such things? Nailed on I'd say

[SB]

Jepp. Broken ribs.....Rushed to hospital.....blah blah blah.......

too right. I hope Sakho sends him back there pronto.

[kingfunk]

The pressure is on Chelsea.

[SB]

The pressure is on Chelsea.

Sure but the 3 points are much needed by us too. It'd do our confidence the world of good.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Sounds more like a DM then?

Not as far forward as a DM though.

Would see him, if that set up was used, as having a similar freedom to roam as Can had in when used as part of a back three for us.

The difference being that Can was free to roam offensively from the three CB set up, and Zouma would be doing so in a destroyer role.

Zouma certainly has the ability to play in such a role and he is deceptively good against quick, tricky players whilst still having the size and strength to handle the big guys. Decent passer of the ball too.

Would prefer to see him used at FB for them tbh despite us not having the sort of players to really take advantage of him being used in that wider role.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Sure but the 3 points are much needed by us too. It'd do our confidence the world of good.

Yep a result for them would see them jump us in the league table, so plenty of incentive for them

[el matador]

Was thinking along the lines of him sitting just ahead of Cahill/Terry, and pretty much defending the zone rather than marking any one player. Basically being able to go at whoever has the ball in his zone and having the safety net of the other two behind him if someone gets beyond him or plays the ball past him.

absolutely but i also think he will be given much more freedom to move around the entire width of the pitch. If coutinho plays as the 10, then the spaces for firmino to attack are the gaps between the centreback and fullbacks otherwise he's stood right in front of coutinho.

[SB]

Not as far forward as a DM though.

Would see him, if that set up was used, as having a similar freedom to roam as Can had in when used as part of a back three for us.

The difference being that Can was free to roam offensively from the three CB set up, and Zouma would be doing so in a destroyer role.

Zouma certainly has the ability to play in such a role and he is deceptively good against quick, tricky players whilst still having the size and strength to handle the big guys. Decent passer of the ball too.

Would prefer to see him used at FB for them tbh despite us not having the sort of players to really take advantage of him being used in that wider role.

See what your saying now.

[Assassin]

I believe they are too static at the back to deal with Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino

[Gibbo]

I ****ing love Klopp.