Chelsea are playing a training match against some cones on Tuesday night. The cones will have five positions at the back, which will make no difference other than being able to shift around in irrelevant ways as they are "intensive man-marking cones". Chelsea will stroll through and beat the cones, due to the fact that the cones can't move. The cone game is the perfect game for an off-form Chelsea to rack up a cricket score to regain their confidence. The cones will then be taken back to their base in Southampton. Chelsea 7-0 Cones.
and when they’re smashing us, their fans will be able to repeat that special song they kept singing at SMS,we’ve got our Chelsea back Someone said at weekend, “can’t wait for Juric’s team tombola selection”. Must admit, it’s a sort of highlight for me.
The 25 goals that we've conceded in IJs 9 games probably suggest that 5 at the back isn't working. Maybe we should try something else. It's time for 6 at the back.
I expect to see: - Attacking midfielders at centre back - Full backs at centre back - Centre backs on the bench - a gaping hole where our midfield should be - lumping balls up to the shortest striker in the league - Ramsdale making many good saves but ultimately conceding at least 6
It won't make any difference but we have :- Tuesday 25th February 2025. 20:15 ko Chelsea V Southampton Referee: Tom Bramall. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Mat Wilkes. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Craig Pawson. Assistant VAR: Marc Perry.
Might check the score before bedtime ... Or be totally glued to bbc football .Co.uk combo with not606 for two hours
Who do we actually play for this? No Ugochukwu, presumably no Bednarek or THB. Is Downes back in the fold enough to start? Juric said that the players aren't good enough to play the way he plays and he will have to find a different way to play. But it's been a short turnaround since Brighton. Does that mean he plays a back 4, or will he just ditch the man marking thing, or was that just words and we'll set up with Aribo, ABK and Bree again?
Surely Downes will start here if issues are resolved? God help us if we play Smallbone, might end up leaving earlier than I did Saturday if we do as it'll be beyond messy. I'm curious to see how we set up with Juric saying a change in tactics is needed after Saturday.
I’m hoping Rusk can hypnotise Juric & wave a bit of magic into this team. He must have been brought in to assist in some senior capacity?
The risk with Downes is a) if he gets booked we’ve lost him for two games? b) probably not able to play a full 90. I’m not saying don’t play him but in our situation the balance of probabilities is getting pretty difficult to judge. As much as I respect and like Will, please not in this or future matches, it’s too obvious that he simply cannot play at this level. ABK hopefully can do another full match and (can’t believe I’m saying this) but does Wood come back in? Over to you Ivan!! Best of luck!!!!!
