New rule made up by FA for us. Less time for appeal and fast track Costa hearing to give the ban before EOD Friday. Never before in the history. Good for you FA. S#!t heads! I won't fret, unless Jose goes ahead - just like last year - benches younger striker for older striker. Meantime, Yaya & Bony trying hard to escape AFCON and be here for City.
TBH - I won't be too discomforted if Cesc misses out with injury. More than few instances Cesc was one of the reason for Cahill & JT getting too exposed. Cesc's natural role will be Oscar's or Willian's advanced position through the middle. Hope Rambo will have better discipline and energy to supplement Matic in the DM role, providing cover to JT & Zouma. I would go with the same team except, Dave for Luis (if injured) Rambo for Cesc (if injured) or for Willian and push Cesc up.
Typical of the FA, though Costa has not done anyone any favours with his dumb discipline. I can't see him getting off, so instead I would play Remy. Drogba is fine, but the team need to play a more direct long ball game to get the best of him, and that would neuter too many of other attackers. Without Cesc we are really lacking in distribution unless Oscar plays there and plays well. That means more work for Matic. I'd like to see Ake line up along Matic in front of back 4 with Oscar just behind front 3. Jose is a master of surprise line ups and tactics, he'll need another masterclass for City.
Its going to be a draw I think 0-0 or maybe a 1-1 if we are lucky. Dont think we have dropped any points at the Bridge yet.
City simply have to go for it,which I suspect may well play into Jose's hands,affording him the luxury of sitting deep and narrow then playing on the counter against us. Yaya and Nasri are big misses for us probably more than Costa & Fabregas will be for Chelsea but we managed to get through an admittedly fairly easy 6?weeks or so bereft of any fit strikers so it's all just lame excuses if the squad don't step up to the mark City side should more or less pick itself with the odd tweak here and there Hart Zab Kompany Demichellis Clichy Fernando Fernandinho Navas Silva Milner Aguero I've got to collect a ticket from the chelsea box office before the match,anyone know if the queues are usually lengthy or not My mrs somehow threw my tickets away and I've got to collect duplicates
As someone who presumably sees City live regularly, can you explain what Navas actually does? Granted I perhaps don't get the full picture on TV but it baffles me he gets in your side.
I'd get there in good time mate as the Bridge can be a mare for that kind of thing if you leave it too late.
That's what I thought Going to a Michelin starred indian for lunch near tower bridge so probably have to collect earlier rather than nearer match time
Spot on - too much at stake for both sides which usually leads to a cagey stalemate especially with the absence of Costa and Toure plus the inconsistent form of both sides.....don't expect a classic.
I need to pick up reissues too. Have some ID and your confirmation email ready on your phone. The Box office is near the away end too
Chelsea starting XI: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Matic, Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Remy. Manchester City starting XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Fernandinho, Milner, Silva, Aguero. Zouma & Remy - Me likes. And on NBC Kyle Martino agreed with me about Rambo over Cesc!! Should be a good game!
what a **** atmosphere for a top of the table clash between the two best teams in the overrated league not surprising given both clubs are just money, little history or prestige some things money cant buy
