Can't help feeling we need pace over solidity given our solid players in the middle watched the ball go round them for large periods of Monday and the Villa team are hardly quick! Maybe the pacey players could keep hold of the ball as well
You need a balance, you cant park 10 players and hope to stop a team like Chelsea. You need an outlet, to disrupt their balance, and pace will always create opportunities. With Yun, Isla, Vargas and Hoilett we have those players, and all 4 are improving and playing well.
I just hope we put in a decent display. Palace went there and caused them trouble albeit earlier in the season before they had settled. It is possible we could get the draw. A win seems very unlikely indeed but this fixture produces strange results. I see Mike Jones is ref, not Sir Chris - sadly!
Something like this perhaps? I assume players out injured Monday will still be out. I'd prefer Clint to Dunne, but if Ned were fit, him. If Barton were fit, I'd prefer him to Sandro, and a fit Adel for Hoilett or Niko. BZ would be good to have in too, but it is hard to see a place for him and Vargas. Green Isla Caulker Clint Yun Sandro Henry Vargas Kransjar Hoilett Austin This has some pace in it mentioned in the OP, the ball holding as well is harder to see with our current players out. Nico fit and on form would help and give us a deadball and creative threat.
I reckon it will close to the side that was on the pitch after Hoilett came on for OBZ. Green Isla, Caulker, Dunne, YSY Sandro, Henry, Fer, Hoilett Vargas, Austin May be that Vagas drops back to right side midfield to make a 451 when defending but 433 when attacking (cough, cough)......
We need Zamora playing so that we can get the ball forward 50 yards and have a chance of it sticking. It also allows us to keep the Chilean combination on the right which was looking very promising the other night. I'd have the same team with maybe Hoilett for Fer if we want to really go for it.
The Scum would be Dunne for with this team!... -----------------Dunne---------------- --Dunne--Dunne--Dunne--Dunne-- --Dunne--Dunne--Dunne--Dunne-- ------------Dunne--Dunne-----------
Same team as Monday to start. When we chase the game....Hoillet on for OBZ, with Vargas moving into the 10 position
I can't see OBZ getting any change out of Terry and Cahill, so I'd start with this, presuming Ned is fit: ---------------------------Green------------------------- Isla--------------Onuoha---------Caulker-------------Yun -------------------Henry---------Sandro----------------- Vargas------------------Kranjcar------------------Hoilett ----------------------Austin-----------------------------
OBZ, just to out muscle JT, knock him down, elbow him, stand on his gonads, head butt him (accidentally of course) grab his by now crushed testicles, rip them off his person & shove them down his nanny goat until he chokes. This is obviously a blue sky scenario. Failing that I would accept a 0-1 scoreline, guess the scorer, yep JT OG. BTW if anyone is offended by the above, despite the user name, I am originally an Acton Boy whom had the misfortune of having too many Chelsea muckers from whom I have had grief for the last 40 years and I am pleased to say that getting old will never diminish my distaste for their club, players, manager or proprietor. Regardless of the result, WEST LONDON Is RSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Bit of a tough one to call for me... Do we go at them and try to get a draw at the risk of injuries to key players in a game that; frankly; most would be amazed if we got a point. OR Do we try to grind out a draw and put on a more defensive show against the table topping unbeaten league leaders...? Personally, id (always) like to see us have a go but I'd understand it if we played more defensive. A decent performance and no injuries would be great. A point would be a bonus EDIT: Id be absolutely gutted if we lost Vargas or Charlie in a game like this ! Edit Edit: Before anyone says this is defeat-ist. Its not. Its acknowledging the gulf in class between them and us and "playing the long game"
I'd start with Capt Clint, he can boot Costa up in the air early doors to keep him schtum, just like he did to Torres a couple of years ago. He didn't want to know after that.
