Team v Chelsea

Jol confirmed in today’s press conference that Stekelenburg, Hughes Briggs and Ruiz are all out of Saturday’s game. Bent has however recovered from his hamstring injury and is available. So too presumably is Berbatov.

He has also been quoted as saying, “Amorebieta plays the same position as Hangeland and am wary of the risk of playing Brede on the right.” Looks like Big Phil will keep his spot then and Fernando will again be used on the bench as cover across the back. To be honest I doubt if we will see any changes except the one enforced by Bryan’s injury. Dejagah still gets no mention - he must be disastrously out of favour or form - so the right hand postion would seem to be down to ’Gabriel’ or Kasami. I think he’ll go with both :


…………………..Stockdale…………..
…………..Senderos……Hangeland……...
..Riether………………………………......Richardson..
…………….Parker……Sidwell……
…..Duff…………Kasami…………Kaca…
…………………Berbatov……………


The alternative would be:

….Kasami…Berbatov…Kaca..
………………Bent….

However I feel he’ll hold Bent back to come on later.

 

Seems the most reasonable selection. I have a feeling that Bent will not start and will be a sub.

 

Berbatov still doubtful but it sounds as though Bent is playing, come what may. Obviously the will affect the eventual line-up and in today's internal video interview there are no indications really from Jol - except that Richardson is 'the bees knees'. Mainly the chat is about the aftermath from the West Brom game:



[video=youtube;LrbgV-EDj6s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrbgV-EDj6s&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

Defensively we will be solid, the back four will pick itself and then the 2 holding players will be Sidders and Parker. As for the front 4. I think cottager has it about right with his first selection, with Kasami behind the striker and duffers on the right. Kasami cannot play on the right, he did this a few seasons back and was so ill disciplined that we would be murdered by hazard. I worry about kaka being able to deal with the runs of ivanovic as well. A lot will depend on whether we will be happy with a point or go for the win. I hope we start Darren bent and get him as far up the pitch as possible, put Ruiz under pressure. I think I am right in saying Kasami missed a Leno against chelsea and got sent into exile, maybe tomorrow will be his chance to atone.

Coyw

 

The referee today is Mr Marriner. This is all you need to know:

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The ref won't make a difference today I'm afraid. I think Chelsea have got way too much for our squad as it stands and will want to avoid three defeats on the trot so will be well up for it.

 

Stockdale; Riether, Hangeland, Amorebieta, Richardson; Duff, Sidwell, Parker, Kačaniklić; Kasami; Bent.
Subs - Etheridge, Senderos, Karagounis, Taarabt, Rodallega, Zverotić, Na Bangna.

No Berbatov, Hughes, but Bent & Amorebieta both start.

C O Y W

 

Good to see our first choice defence starting. We've looked fairly solid so far.

 

Nearly halt time and not too bad - even Talk Sport are impressed!

 

Ridiculous - Fred, are you sure?

 

Dare I say it but we look a very balanced team. Sidders and Parker have been brilliant. I wish bent had played a few games before today, he would have buried that. Great performance so far though

 

Have to say the ref has let us get away with a lot... Shame about the goal, Stocky needs to take these opportunities but he's not convincing thus far.

 

Let's say he's not been so favourable to us in the past.

 

Looked very good first half but mourinho must have let them have it at half term. Feel for Darren bent no service second half, bangna looks a good prospect though

 

Yep, that's why I thought it was especially worth mentioning!

And yes, Mesca has looked decent. A bit less piss and vinegar and more thought and he'll be cracking.

 

A decent performance and I wasn't expecting anything from this game.

The next game at home to Cardiff is very important now, though. We absolutely have to be winning games like that one.

 

Good to see our young lad whose name I'm not even going to attempt mis-spelling coming on for a run out. He looked quite assured as well. Pleased he made a solid debut.

 

One thing I thought from his Pre-match interview, was that Jol said Bent will play, as if Bent is one of these players who doesn't want to play unless he is 100% fit.

Thats the thing about young players Kaca wasn't at the races today, but Mesca came on and looked more lively.

Let's hope the Everton game gives us a boost in performance.
Wonder what type of team Jol will put out, I suspect a full team.