------------------Fabianski------------------------ Naughton – Fernandez – Williams – Taylor --------------------Cork----------------------------- -------Ayew - Ki – Shelvey- Tabanou-------- --------------------Eder---------------------------- Subs: Nordvelt, Amat, Gomis, Sigurddson, Dyer, Montero
It was more defensively minded than attack. Tabanou can defend and will do more tackling than Montero/Routs. Ayew can play anywhere and although he didn't create a lot last week, he is busy and closes down defenders. I'd but Eder on to start as he has more pace and will bother the Chelsea build up play. Montero and Gomis to come on in the 70th minute with Gomis to score the winner in the 89th..............................
My team, the new diamond formation, flood midfield and counter. .......................Fab......................... Naughton, Fernandez, Ash, Tab .......Cork ........, Ki,........Shelvey.... ..............Siggy...........Ayew.............. .......................Gomis....................... Naughton & Tab (R/LWB)
Hard to tell as he was only on for 15 minutes on Saturday. He looked pretty sharp and put a great cross in
PGF a good call for Tabanou as he has played midfield and left wing previously for his clubs. I thought he played the whole of the second half last Saturday and certainly looked useful in attack. Although training not sure about Amat's match fitness so could be Bartley instead. Nothing against Dyer but I would have Routledge on the bench.
I dont think we will field an attacking side against the champions as i dont think we can take them on man for man, We will be on the back foot for a lot of the game like we were against Man utd and Arsenal where most of the game was in our own half where we defended out of our skins. There will be two or three chances of a breakaway during the game especially if it is still 0-0 with 30 minutes to go and chelsea will get frustrated and really go for it opening up the chances for us. I would start with Eder over gomis as he has looked better in pre season...
Fab Naughton, Ash, Fed, Taylor Cork, Ki Ayew, Siggy, Montero Gomis Shelvey wont start imo as we need to be very disciplined in our defensive positions. So I think Ki will play in the holding role next to Cork. Siggy will get the start ahead of Shelvey in that position because he is the better set piece taker. Its very hard to break chelsea down in open play, so we may be looking to punish them from free kicks and corners.
KI and Cork will, when fit, always play the holding and midfield roles imo whilst it will between Shelvey and Siggy for the attacking midfield role with Grimes pushing them as the season progresses. I think we may see more of Fulton this season as well.
Monk may do what he did last season with new players and let them play their way into the team (the way Montero did), but he did stick Cork straight in in Jan. I'm thinking he'll go with tried and tested so Routledge plays and Ayew comes on second half. I wouldn't actually mind that either and think they'll give Chelsea a good game either way.
I agree. Ki and Cork are the vital cogs in our defensive game. Personally, I'd still pick Gylfi over Jonjo. I think Monk will play the diamond system and play all four with Routs and Gomis up front with the likes of Ayew, Tabanou, Dyer, Eder etc on the bench, unless he plays Tabanou on the wing instead f Routs to compress the midfield space and stifle Hazards movement. What is crystal clear is, we have no idea what type of side Monk will put out or what system he will deploy and that's a great problem as the opposition will also be in the same situation
Shelvey will be monks first name on the team sheet, We need his long range shots and his aerial capabilities. his discipline wont come into it as he has improved and any of the others are in the same boat......shelvey mus play, Monk will go with gomis probably but i prefer eder up front as he has looked good in pre season....
I would have dyer and routledge in the reserve side, no idea why they were not sold, my outrageous comment for the day
