Well JT is suspended obviously anyway, so that should make that decision easier. But I think Rahman needs some game time, and Ivan needs a rest, so its a no brainer really.
Like I said, not knocking him. Just feel he shouldn't be exempt from criticism or being dropped if he plays poorly, which he has been so far.
I am not confident that Dave will be playing RB. That is our problem. Jose needs to fix that - simples.
I think Ivan is more likely to retain his place with Terry being out. The reasons being: - - We could miss Terry's leadership so will probably want Ivan in to provide this. Isn't he vice captain now as well? - Terry's ability from set pieces will be a miss so again makes sense to keep Ivan in rather than lose both. - He won't want to mess with the back 4 too much. A back 4 of Dave, Zouma, Cahill and Rahman would effectively be 3 out 4 positional changes from last season' defence. People have to remember that a defence is a unit not a bunch of individuals - it's not quite a simple as inter-changing at will. . Not saying we shouldn't mix it up but I bet he doesn't. I think it'll be the same back 4 that finished yesterday's game.
I agree with the same back 4. Sooner Jose adapts and places people to their rightful positions, better for us. But not going to happen. who do you think will be our next Red card? My money is on Ivan over Costa.
Next read card? Matic all day. Do all fans live in perpetual fear of getting a red card every game or is it just me? I agree a defence is something you shouldn't mess with...when its actually working. If we signed Baba and our defence was performing I'd say if it aint broke dont fix it, but this back 4 needs reshaping and reshaping sooner rather than later. I don't think Jose will change it too much just yet, but who knows. Could even see Ivan in the centre just to keep him on the pitch I guess.
Maybe do it like this Dave---Cahill----Ivan--Baba ----Zouma----Matic--------- Stick Zouma next to Matic, he played really well in DM the few times he played there last season. Why not stick him there full time, at least for now, see how he gets on?
Seems the best way to me, we have a RB at RB, a LB at LB, Ivan stays central with Cahill. Plus Zouma gets game time and hopefully shores up our midfield next to Matic, I think it would help Matic a great deal, he could still put in the tackles and break up play, but could afford to get forward a little more to start an attacking play, confident that Zouma will cover should things go wrong.
Hmm maybe but I think Zouma is already a class CB and definitely as good as Cahill, possibly better. Don't really want to create our own Phil Jones!
I see what you are saying, but with JT out, Jose may well want to keep a senior, experienced player in that back four. Moving Ivan to CB, Dave to RB and Baba at LB and putting Zouma in DM kills 4 birds with one stone. We keep Ivan in to marshall the back four as vice captain, we give Baba game time, we put Dave in his favoured position for once which will give our back four proper balance, and we also give Zouma a run out in a position that we know he can play well in.
There's no way Jose will do that. Ivanovic, Azpi, Rahman all playing in "new" positions with a relative rookie being the 4th man. It has keystone cops and a scrambled managerial mind written all over it. Bet you it will be Ivanovic at right back, Azpi at left back, Cahill and Zouma in the middle.
Probably.... This is all wishful thinking of course, I doubt Jose actually reads these posts But Ivan needs to buck his ideas up at RB, because he is not pulling his weight so far.
You never know though, shipping 7 goals in 3 games is disgraceful, and completely unlike a Mourinho team, so he may want to shake things up, you are probably right though
Not sure what Jose was doing preseason. He said he was happy with his squad and only needed a left back. Now he's after a centre half as he's realised Terry is getting old and a midfielder as he's realised Fabregas has been **** since January. Next he'll be after a right back when he realises Ivanovic is also losing it. Still, he signed Falcao...
If we are not getting Stones then I certainly think Zouma needs to be getting more minutes, whether that be defence or midfield. The guy is a beast and adds some much need pace to the proceedings. I think the Defence will be re-shaped and the recent performances could be a blessing in disguise in the long run; but it'll probably be a gradual process over the season. I certainly think Cahill and (probably Ivan) more than Terry could be the ones to suffer this year.
Deffo, think the guy is quality and would get into the first team of pretty much every other team in the league with the exception of perhaps City.
i really dont fancy a Ivanovic and Cahill backline. I say leave Zouma in there. We already seen what happens when people play sharp balls through and we have no pace in our 2cb positions.
