QPR vs Chelsea

oooh, I like this. But I can't see MH not starting with Park and Zamora.

 

There will be a hero-sized hole in the England defence against Ukraine at Wembley tonight. John Terry, Chelsea’s warrior king, has been carried out on his shield once too often. Without wishing to sound uncharitable, this may not be entirely a bad thing.

Before Chelsea fans take up their cyber-cudgels, that is not intended as a malevolent judgement on their captain, leader, legend. Even those who cannot abide Terry are unable to question the sense of commitment which prompted him, unwisely, to play for 20 minutes on a damaged ankle in Moldova.

But his return to Chelsea for treatment, to give himself the best possible chance of making an emotionally-charged return to Loftus Road on Saturday, generates a genuine sense of foreboding. This could get ugly – fast.

While his defiance is in character – even his fiercest critics recognise his uncanny ability to compartmentalise calamity – it may not be for the best. The last thing Terry needs is for the football authorities to have their Respect campaign made to look even more foolish than it already does.

If Anton Ferdinand makes his own recovery from a shoulder injury, there is no conceivable way he will submit himself to the specious ritual of a pre-match handshake from a man he last faced across a courtroom. Terry, who was found not guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand in court in July, has also denied an identical FA charge, the hearing for which is likely to take place at the end of the month.

Should Terry be found guilty by the FA his future as an England player would be untenable, despite the public faith of Roy Hodgson, who seems unable to understand the broader implications of the case. Chelsea would come under pressure to reconcile their support for their captain with their corporate responsibilities.

There is already evidence to suggest Terry’s single-mindedness can be self-destructive. He was so desperate to play at QPR in the FA Cup in January he aggravated a knee injury so comprehensively he was out for six weeks. By the time he had recovered Chelsea’s senior players had seen off André Villas-Boas.

Terry’s combative nature will place greater strain on his body as he gets older. He may ignore the abuse he receives, but he cannot ignore the ravages of time. He will continue to rage against the dying of the light, but it is beginning to flicker and fade.

http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/why-terry-missing-the-qpr-match-would-be-best-for-everyone/

 

Good point didn't think of that.

 

That's a reasonable position to take Nutsy. I wouldn't be that far down the road just yet. We had some great teams in the late 80's / early 90's and whilst we've undoubtedly got some real talent in our squad now, only time will tell if the starting 11 and squad are indeed that strong.

On an individual level, player for player, then yes we've got some real good quality in the squad.

 

The way you wrote that Grove, I couldn't help but laugh!

 

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footba...,_beard_and_diakite_state_cases_–_diary

"Whether Mark Hughes has had much chance to start getting that understanding into his team during the fortnight off remains to be seen but he’ll have been hindered by the absence of several players on international duty. Jamie Mackie was a late substitute for Scotland at the weekend against Serbia, then played 75 minutes tonight against Macedonia as they put a massive dent in their own World Cup qualification hopes by starting with two home draws.

Ryan Nelsen travelled slightly further to captain New Zealand to a 6-1 victory against the Solomon Islands and will be back Down Under in October when they play Tahiti in Christchurch. New signing Stephane M’Bia was part of a Cameroon team beaten 2-0 by Cape Verde – a result that leaves them in danger of not qualifying for the African Nations Cup in January – and Adel Taarabt was in the Morocco team beaten 2-0 by Mozambique.

Michael Doughty made his debut for Wales Under 21s as a late substitute in their 5-0 defeat against the Czech Republic.

So Hughes will await their arrivals back from far and wide ahead of this weekend’s big derby game with Chelsea. Thankfully neither goalkeeper Julio Cesar nor full back Fabio Da Silva were involved for Brazil this week."

 

Must have been like using Gel with with stones in it

 

This would be my team if everyone is available:

---------------------Cesar--------------------
Bosingwa------Onouha-----M'bia---------Fabio
--------------Diakite-------Faurlin-------------
Park----------------Grenero------------Tarrabt
-----------------Zamora----------------------
Onouha in for his pace.
Cisse,Mackie and Hoilett impact subs.

 

Hope the international break affects Chelsea more than us. Luiz,Ramires, and Oscar had to go home for two friendly games,Hazard played two World Cup matches as did Ivanovic. Then theres the England players and we know Terrys injured. Will this affect them? Can the atmosphere at Loftus Road upset them like last season? I too am hoping to be pleasantly surprised by our new signings on Saturday.

 

No problem nines!
I'm a little worried that most people's choice of CB pairing have both been away on international duty, and Mbia in particular only returned today- meaning he missed monday training.
Hopefully Hughes will have lessened the impact of the internationals by rescheduling training around them.
I wonder whether Mbia played in CM for Cameroon though? It wouldn't aid gelling if he was working hard in training at CB last week only to be chucked in a different position for his country.
If Hoillet has been here for the whole 2 weeks whilst Taraabt has been with morocco for a bit, maybe that gives the former the edge when it comes to selection?

 

Is the prediction thread up for this one yet?

 

Not yet, but I predict it will be up by 4.10 pm today, and that I will get the result and the score horribly wrong as usual.

 

Thor(god of thunder)
Conan the barbarian, The incredible Hulk, BA Baracas, He man.
Darth Vader, Diakite
A T1000 Terminator, Ghengis Khan, Wonder Woman
Alexander the Great.

Would be a strong line up, have we signed any of these yet?

 

Think cisse will be sent off with Terry

 

Nice one! - Subs: Vlad the Impaler, Spartacus, Saladin...

 

Think we need Spiderman in goal

 

We've got Julius Cesar...

 

could you be hailing cesar, as a neutral i can see rangers getting something out this game, a win is possible, as a betting man what concerns me is the defence, central defenders, shame dawson did not arrive, will be going for a 1-1 draw