Can not see why Vic has to play, Chelsea are not physical in midfield but they are very fit and chase everything and close space down very well. This is a game for our more mobile players, so its Morgan, Davis and JWP for me, even be tempted playing playing Reed instead of Davis
Vic doesn't just have to play against physical sides you know. He breaks up play better than anyone else so he has to play for me.
Vic needs to play for me, besides, he's sharper and more mobile this year. Not sure why, but feel we may get something tomorrow.
I am expecting at least one dodgy penalty from a diving Chelsea player. How they keep getting away with it, because refs are afraid to punish top teams.
Ideally, I'd set the team like this: please log in to view this image Of course, some changes could be made because of tiredness.
Blimey this new system is weird. Big game tomorrow, and a very tough one. A point would be a good result.
Team I selected is capable to defend, it showed the last two matches when Everton and Palace barely had a sniff. Granted, Chelsea is superior to these teams, but they are not unstoppable, and I believe this selection has what it takes to make things mighty difficult for them. Secondly, I think we're more likely to win if we concentrate more on creating play rather than breaking up play. We never play as good without Davis in the team, and JWP is always a threat with his delivery. I feel that the qualities they bring are more important for us tomorrow than the ones Wanyama brings, especially when we have a superb destroyer (Morgan) already in the team.
Merson predicts 2-0 Chelsea. No reason except West Ham were crap against them so we will be too. It must take him ages to come to such a considered opinion.....
Yes but Lukaku was utter ****e, and Palace have no decent strikers. Whereas we're faced with Hazard, Oscar, Fabregas and Costa tomorrow. Vic has got to play.
I'd definitely play Schneiderlin and Wanyama together...if we're allowing Chelsea too much of the ball, the defensive solidity at the back will eventually give way; we need to be able to win the ball back in midfield with regularity, or we won't have much opportunity to create at the other end.
Vic played against Tottenham, Arsenal, City and United in the league this year, didn't help us much in the end. Fifth time the charm? Don't misunderstand me, I'm not slating Wanyama, I like him immensely, but I think that our midfield balance is better when Morgan and Vic aren't both on the pitch. We can hold our end defensively without one of them, hell, even without both of them (vs Everton), we're not that helpless without them or reliant on them. I think that, by having Davis and JWP in the team, Chelsea will just have to worry a bit more how to defend their goal and consequently think less about attacking ours, so there will be less need for a Wanyama figure.
You're underrating our magical penalty shield. When was the last time we gave one away? edit: Liverpool at home apparently, Fonte v Gerrard. Before that Arsenal away, Fonte again at a corner.
it will take a few more wins before I feel comfortable with 3-5-2. What is the real advantage? With a CDM like Vic do we really need 3 CBS? I would still favour fonte alderweirald with target LB.
The system works better with Davis and Ward-Prowse for me. You already have 5 defenders on the pitch this system. Schneiderlin is better than Wanyama. Davis going off early in the last game suggests Koeman wants to start him tomorrow.
I'd start with JWP, he'll benefit us more going forward. However, if we are some how winning at half time, i'd waste no time bringing big vic on.
