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DragonPhilljack

Well-Known Member
Feb 25, 2011
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Swansea 2 Chelsea 1




'Chelsea's Diego Costa a doubt for Premier League opener against Swansea'

The Special One had apparently sent someone to the Liberty to cast his eye over Swansea’s final warm-up fixture, but he might not have bothered. While Garry Monk had the Community Shield and a first shot in the rivalry with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger to have a good idea of what he will face next weekend, Mourinho may well be scratching his head at just what Swansea are going to do.

There are about seven names seemingly guaranteed to start at Stamford Bridge with the rest dependent on judgement calls and which system Monk goes for. It is the latter that is the most important, the traditional 4-2-3-1 used here but the diamond and other options being worked on behind closed doors.

After all, Monk twice changed things before taking on and triumphing against Louis van Gaal including going from a 4-4-2 in the final game of pre-season back to the tried and trusted.

Mourinho, being Mourinho, will be more concerned about what his side do, but Swansea will keep him second guessing what will come at him in West London.



A little birdy told me Monk wants a double over 'The Special One' this season?


Discuss
 
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Well Chelsea have been piss poor against Arsenal today so far. They look lost without Costa up front.
 
Good win for the Gunners, Wenger will be happy, nailing 'The Special One'!!..............<laugh>
 
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Performance is the most important thing next week. I'll be over the moon with a point.
 
A positive performance will do me and hopefully putting away the odd chance we may get
 
Well I watched the game today and Chelsea looked very ordinary and adrift up front without Costa, so for me a draw should be the least we can get considering it's the opening day fixture...........<cheers>
 
My heart says we will get a point at least but my head says they will win with ease by 3 or 4 - 0.....We struggled to score saturday against a team that lost to huddesfield so we need to sort that out.....will be an interesting game and i cant wait.....
 
Obviously we're all praying for a win - it would certainly be an interesting to the start of the season should we beat them.
However - I'm just petrified that it will turn into a rout : 4 or 5 nil.
That could be very demoralising and cause us a hangover for the next few games.
A draw or narrow defeat would be acceptable as long as the performance was good. It's all very well drawing 0-0 but if we were clinging on from minute 1 and had no possession and 1 shot on goal, then it would inspire no confidence that we would have a decent season.
 
My heart says we will get a point at least but my head says they will win with ease by 3 or 4 - 0.....We struggled to score saturday against a team that lost to huddesfield so we need to sort that out.....will be an interesting game and i cant wait.....

It was Huddersfield 0 Deportivo 0 in fact. Chelsea have had a shorter pre-season than most PL teams by all accounts, which might mean we have a better chance than usual. A Chelsea win is the most likely outcome though.
 
Chelsea were hurt by Arsenal and wont want to lose the first game at home as well.....we will have to park the bus and hope for a break away goal but they are a good team who many fancy for the title again, It is going to be very difficult to get a win...90% - 10% against but that 10% gives us hope.....
 
I still can't come to terms with the logic of 'parking the bus' : it's just saying "you have the ball and we'll just hope you don't score". Surely you stand more of a chance of not losing if you are in control of the ball yourselves ?? It would be better off to just keep hammering the ball out for a goal kick from wherever we are on the pitch.....every time we get the ball don't pass, just slam it down field and out for a goal kick. It would waste much more time than trying to defend for 90 mins
 
Hopefully Chelsea has tired legs since they have another game against Fiorentina on Wednesday.