http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...plan-to-field-B-team-in-Anfield-showdown.html Liverpool v Chelsea: Roman Abramovich backs Jose Mourinho's plan to field 'B team' in Anfield showdown Owner clears Jose Mourinho to choose weakened side as manager is charged by the FA along with Rui Faria and Ramires following Sunderland defeat
Echo reporting he (Sturridge) was back in training today... A couple more days and if no reaction we could have Sturridge back in the team, would most likely mean Lucas dropping to the bench and going back to a Diamond again, I doubt Rodgers will change the way we play for Chelsea, didn't do so for City but then again, City weren't setup to defend and spaces were easier to find and exploit in the first half..
Depends who plays for the chavs. I would maybe target sterling running at Cole who has barely played.
So if I am reading this beeb article correctly there will be no ban for Ramires but a small "charge". Makes you wonder: if Suarez did the same thing would we of seen a 4 match ban? I don't buy in to the Chav philosophy that the FA is against them....
It's what the guardian is reporting, they are usually pretty reliable with this sort of thing. Article says he has till this evening to appeal, maybe that's why it is not 100% official.
Through injury and this crazy attitude that they think they can't win the league it really looks like Chelsea will field a weaker team. I hope we take advantage.
Yes it's official according to the FA webpage. He has until 1800 today to appeal the decision. He was charged with violent play!!!
Even a weakened Chelsea team is as strong as, if not stronger than, most of the Prem, so no huge advantage there to be taken, imo.
This and not forgetting Jose will set them up the same way, keep solid and play violently. I don't trust the chavs for a second, so when the teams are announced just after 1pm Sunday, we will see. We just need to get at whatever team and win.
I really wonder if Chelsea have thought this weakened team thing through properly. If they go the whole hog (similar to the +£1 Suarez bid) then they are likely to face the contempt of all of the other Premiership sides. Everybody is well aware of their situation. However other sides have faced similar problems. For goodness sake, Liverpool played a Cup Final on a Saturday and a European Cup Final on the Wednesday! But over and above that every team expects that their opponents will expend the same effort as they do in trying to win their matches. If this season does go down to the last match of the season both ourselves and City will expect that the others opponent will at least by trying! Nobody expects that Chelsea will field their strongest side and risk players who are vital to their semi result. However, everybody is aware of the amount that Chelsea has spent on players and the depth of their squad. Therefore, even allowing for injuries, the expectation is that they are capable of putting out a half decent side. But, with Maureen making such a public statement and the arrogance that emanates from the club I can see them fielding a side full of youngsters on the basis that it's legal and "our right". Whatever side they put out, our job is to ensure tat we get the 3 points that we require. Let's concentrate on that and let them worry about the response that their actions will evoke from the other sides.
Tbh, dave- I think the only ones to be genuinely put out will be City, for obvious reasons. The other PL sides might make a few "outraged" gestures in order to be PC but won't really care. If Mourinho was bothered about other people's opinions of him he wouldn't come out with all the guff that he does. He's spoilt, he needs attention- good or bad it's all the same to him.
saint, I agree that he's spoilt and all of the consequences of that. That's the only reason I think he will go the full half-mile and play mostly youngsters on Sunday.
Tony Cascarino on sky thinks this will be the chav team: --------------Hilario Kalas---Matic---Christensen---Ake ---Mikel---Lampard---Van Ginkel ----Salah-----------------Shurrle ----------------Ba
cascarino is nuts... and too busy gambling to know much about footie. that back 5 is simply not going to occur. front 6 might but its obvious
i would risk sturridge on this one. i don't care about world cup which is over a month away. play sturridge and hope for the best.
