From http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbol...elsk_fodbold/PremierLeague/article1904629.ece (my own bad translation) - We won't play defensively because it doesn't lie in Michael's thought process. It almost the only way not to win when you meet a team with so much individual quality. - Of course Chelsea needs to attack because the team needs to score goals. It's a terrifyingly strong team but they are better at counters than they are at applying pressure Even though he kind of contradicts himself here I'm delighted with this approach. The longer Swansea can keep the ball within their own ranks the less time Chelsea have to score goals. In theory at least, but then again Chelsea are strong at counters so we need to be careful here. I predict an early goal from Swansea and a late equalizer from Chelsea and a heavy pressure from them in the last 20 minutes that will get everybody to bite their nails.
Play like Arsenal did in the second half on the weekend, get tight and give them no time on the ball and hopefully that will see us through
We need to put them under pressure imo, because if we sit back we'll not be going to Wembley. I don't agree that Laudrup doesn't play defensively against top opposition though. Recent smash and grabs prove otherwise.
Acurate passing throughout will be important for us to hold them up and get comfortable on the ball, look to set michu up on the break away . It wont be easy but a disciplined display from us should get the desired result. The two goal advantage if held long enough will force them to get sloppy to.
This is a game tonight where procession and concentation will be key factors .They'll be looking for an early goal and press us high up the pitch with a lot of pressure .How we're set up tonight has to be a fine balance between attack and defence ,if we score first then we can relax a little bit but if they do then it will open up for both sides .We're more than capable of winning this outright tonight without the 2 goal advantage ,we need to want it more than them .
I wouldn't be surprised if we leave a player higher up the pitch to try and keep Luiz occupied. He had too much ball last game
Strange comments from Larson there, as we clearly parked the bus and defended for the most of 90 minutes against Arsenal, and that strategy would be flawed tonight. We simply need to do what we do best, and that's our passing and keep ball game, yes Chelsea will have the ball a fair bit, but we really need to be at top speed on the counter, which has proved our strongest threat this season. I would like to see Leon and Ashley Williams calm the nerves in the first 15 or twenty minutes, so that we can get into our stride. Michu will be on fire tonight, with his new deal, so lets hope the nerves settle and we get to do what we do well, keep the ball lads!...................
We defended Chelsea pressure, but did not succumb to Chelsea's speed on the break. ML's approach (I believe he has stated this in an interview way back in the August time frame) is that attack is the best form of defense. Which is why you often see him sub on a forward when we're starting to get under pressure - he believes in his players and basically says, worry about this, if you **** up we're going to hurt you .... which is exactly what happened against Arsenal in the league (Michu x2), Arsenal in the cup at home (Michu), Chelsea in the cup (Michu, Graham) etc. Chelsea have to attack tonight, they must score at least three to go through (?), as they press us we draw back shutdown the space they need to play through and with our own speed merchants have a threat on the quick counter. This is not parking the bus, its really responding to the pressure of the other team. Compare to Stoke, who amazingly said come at us and offered no offensive threat at all.
At the end of the day Chelsea have to come at us early, they have to score at least 2 which will leave them open to the counter attacking football that ML has us doing well this season. I am sure Benitez is just as concerned about that as we are about them pressuring us high and early. For me my only concern is Ba and Lampard. When they are on the pitch Chelsea look a lot more potent. If Ash and Chico can keep Ba under control then no worries. The bottom line here is we are at home and we haven't done too bad against the top teams so far in the Premiership and I dont see any reason why tonight will be any different. ML is a great tactician and I have no doubt he has our boys drilled to perfection for tonight. A draw will do us and I think probably 1-1 or 2-2. (Although I did dream the night before last we lost 5-0). However my dreams are notoriously wide of the mark you will be glad to hear especially as our keeper in my dream had a sheeps head nad didnt look anything like Tremmel!!
