I don't think JWP will be dropped....too valuable to have a player back who can deliver a deadball. He featured a lot in the last 2 games.
Which is exactly why, out of the three of them, it was JWP who I regretfully picked to sit out. Give him a little rest, throw him back in against Arsenal. Vic needs to come in for someone, to help us to try and deal with Chelsea's rich talent.
I agree that I'd like to see Mane behind Long up front. There'll probably be considerable rotation, I can't imagine JWP will start either, he hasn't been back for long. Wanyama would give more solidity anyway against a dangerous Chelsea in attack.
It will be quite interesting to see how RK rotates the squad. We now have multiple formations and players available. The game within the game we did not have last year. A draw and then a win would finish the year nicely.
He came back from injury and played every match, I'm surprised by his fitness. If he can manage, then I would keep him in the team, but I suspect he needs a bit of rest.
I think Wanyama will come in along with Fonte and Targett. Chelsea always seem to be miles ahead of us when we play them in terms of easing past us, usually their subs can make a real difference. I think this is a good time to play them as I am not sure how Costa will find playing twice in three days nor Terry or the doubtful Hazard. Maybe we can catch them in the busy schedule and sneak a point. If we can score first we may be able to hold them off but they will press us high up the pitch.
This 3-5-2 formation could be our advantage, we have an extra body in defense, but we pose danger in the attack nonetheless.
Our results far against the top sides has been zip, zilch, nada, nothing. In other words zero wins. This has to change sometime, and the only team we have played at the top who deserved a win was MC. Chelsea will be as hard if not harder than Chelsea, and I cannot see out defence holding them, therefore our attack will need to be on form and clinical in putting away any chances to come our way, if they are....draw 2-2.
This is the team I'd pick: -------------------------------Forster----------------------------- ----------Alderweireld-------Fonte------Yoshida------------ ---Clyne------------------------------------------------JWP----- -----------Schneiderlin-----Wanyama---Davis--------------- --------------------------Pelle-------Tadic---------------------- Tadic to have a free role behind Pelle. JWP at wing back is a risk but he has loads of energy and he's got a great cross on him. I don't like dropping Mane but I don't think Chelsea is the right game for him.
Tom, Yoshida as a LB, or JWP as a wing back? Edit: read all the post. I wouldn't play JWP as a wing back against Chelsea. We have a perfectly good one called Targett - why not play him?
I don't think Ron will be quite that radical Tom! I think he will have noticed how much more effective our set pieces have been since JWP has been back in the side, so I can't see him being dropped. I think it will be the same team as yesterday but with Fonte in for Gardos, Targett for Bertrand, and possibly Tadić for Mané, although I like the idea of Tadić and Long playing up top and resting Pellè. Wanyama might replace Davis possibly too.
Wanyama has to be in the team tomorrow for me. So either one of Davis and JWP drops to the bench, or something outside the box like JWP as a wing back. I think it could work.
