Palace are on a decent run after Sam's initial wobble. Wish they could be dragged into the Relegation slug fest. We need to be careful after their recent run. They will be ultra defensive & try to hit us with long balls & crosses. Another key game for Thibo to continue his recent good form in dominating the box. See usual 11 bar any surprise from the Internationals. Regardless of Palace's park the ship tactics, we should have enough to see this 2-0. First clean sheet in a while may be?
On paper, this looks a bit easier than the last 2 games, but on the pitch, there are bugger all easy games anymore. We should do the business here though, we are stronger than Palace in pretty much every position, and we don't have complacency any more. I think we will see top 11 play every game until we have mathematically won. If we get a couple in front, Conte might use his subs earlier. I'll settle for a good old 1-0. Just for fun, Alonso to score !!!!
Games against teams in the relegation zone always have to be taken carefully and Big Sam has got Palace digging in. Palace sitting just four points off relegation will fancy themselves for a point and no doubt Sam will set them up for this. One thing we have in Conte is he does do his homework seriously and will have worked out a plan like he did against Stoke away. The extra time out with the international break will have enabled him to get this over to the team. I see us looking to establish control via our passing game and press high up the field to put them under continued pressure but will will have to be patient. I can't really see past a Chelsea home win here as we have better quality throughout the team than Palace. An early goal will have them opening up more which will leave them more exposed. It's a perfect opportunity with the Spuds away at Burnley who have an impeccable home record and Liverpool playing Everton in a local derby. Also Arsenal playing City, we hopefully could be all but there if things go our way.
http://www.espnfc.us/club/chelsea/3...ep-hazard-costa-courtois-or-risk-losing-conte hope our march is not halted.
All about something and nothing really anybody can make up scenarios for every team in the league. Chelsea have been building something very special with Conte and I see him strengthening the left back position and a forward to replace Costa who I believe will leave at the end of the season with the likely names in the frame being Morata or Sanchez with the possibility of another centre back but we are strong in that department especially with Christensen being recalled for next season. So basically if my aunty had bollocks she would be my uncle.
One of my sons is engaged to an Italian girl from Rome, and after 7 years in London they are now in Sydney. This has caused unbelievable problems with her parents. One minute they are pleading for her to live in Rome, the next they want to disown her and deliver all sorts of threats. Weird mob those Italians, especially the mothers and their children. I would not underestimate the problem of keeping Conte if his family cut up really rough.
LOL, CP - but family is serious stuff. Chelsea XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill, Pedro, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Fabregas, Diego Costa, Hazard Moses misses out & Hazard comes in. Can Pedro handle Zaha & Co on the right? We shall see. No Willian too, so cescy. As long as Cescy plays up front & doesn't need to chase anyone I am good. Need to convert our chances into goals early.
Pedro gifts that ball & clueless Cahill & Alonso complete the work. All good work from Hazard undone.
kind of expected - our leaky defense is going to struggle against pacy side like Palace - Townsend, Schlupp, Zaha, Puncheon. We have slow & useless Defenders in Cahill, Alonso. Add pedro too. More goals in this for Palace definitely. But can we get 2 or more now?? With our lethargic finishing not so much. we will be lucky to get a draw from this one.
G Crooks is one happy bloke at the Bridge. Needless risk from Conte. Would have went with Zouma & Dave for right side instead of Dave & Pedro. Now will be time to pull Cescy for Zouma, make it solid & push Pedro further up. or else, more goals in this for Palace. Hazard doesn't deserve to lose that 1st half, FFS.
Luiz has been god damn lazy cool for last 6 or 7 games. He should have cleared that second goal easily rather than passing to Benteke. How the **** Townsend was not sent off & penalty not given for that blatant stone wall penalty??