After a disappointing draw against Liverpool with no one i can really blame in our team for a poor performance (maybe morata at most), it sees us drop another 2 points behind City so its probably about time i faced reality and we aim for Top 4 and the CL and root for Judas to beat Pep (since i hate Pep). We see the Swans visit us who have had a terrible run of form although surprisingly, they haven't received a spanking from anyone. Ever since they turned into a basket club of a team, and their ball boy got hazard sent off, i'm hoping we give them a proper hiding. With our 3rd game in 7 days, i suspect Conte will again rotate the team and this is exactly the type of match we should be playing Fabregas. Not much more to say except that i'm expecting nothing more than a straight forward win but if we don't, we only have ourselves to blame.
We have a fairly decent run of games coming up until we face Arsenal on 3rd Jan. We really need to go on a bit of a run and hope City drop some point somewhere. I certainly don't hold much hope of the title as things stand though so we need to consolidate our top 4. This should be a routine 2-0 win.
I suspect we put a lot of effort into Liverpool, and think we will be carrying a few weary players. Expect to see new faces aplenty, but we are terribly short up front and on Alonsos' side. I am guessing we start something like.......... Courtois, Dave, Luiz, Rudiger, Moses, Kenedy, Drinkwater, Kante, Willian, Pedro Morata . Christensen as earlyish replacements for Dave , Hazard if we really need him, and young Fuzzy in midfield if we change to 3 in the middle. Dave Hazard and Christensen have done a lot of work last couple of weeks and must be ready for 45 mins rest by now.
I don't think we had much to moan about re Liverpool as the players only had one days rest after an arduous journey coupled with not pulling off Bakayoko and Drinkwater at half time who were generally ineffective. Even though Christensen has been a revelation I expect Conte will play Luiz against Swansea in a 3-5-2 formation. I think Willian has done enough to merit a start and I believe he will which will see the team look like Courtois, Dave, Luiz, Cahill, Alonso, Fabregas, Moses Hazard, Willian, Pedro & Morata.
Personally thought it was pretty even and agreed we weren't brilliant going forward (although drinky had a good opportunity and zappa had some good crossing opportunities). As for we looked different when Fabregas and Willian and Pedro came on. I was glad conte made those subs and fabregas gives us that creativity but i'm not sure he would have had that amount of time and space had he started. By the time those boys came on Liverpool decided to drop off, i think its part person (because pedro runs in behind/fabregas passing) but mainly because they were 1-0 up and were defending the lead. They had already replaced sturridge with another midfielder at that point.
Start with a strong team and try and get it wrapped up and bring Hazard etc off early if needs be. 343 for me, Courtois, Azpi, Luiz, Rudiger, Moses, Alonso, Cesc, Kante, Willian, Hazard, Morata
Sad news today Dermot Drummy died . He won trophys with youth and development squads and always gave great interviews nice guy.
Both Luiz and Kenedy ruled out , Luiz with knee injury not sure about Kenedy. Luiz also had meeting with Real about January transfer.
Happy to see Luiz out of the picture for the time being as Christensen is playing so well. Can't see past a Chelsea win here 2-0.
