I think we are in for an Athletico Madrid like pasting to be honest. People talk about Arsenals new signings, but for me the difference with them this year is the change in defensive Coaches and tactics. They will be a real threat this year. Going forward we have great attacking players, but we need a front man (ie Not Torres), and I am not convinced by our defence at all.
Arsenal have a nuch better balance in midfield than Chelsea and are better at keeping possession. But Chelsea have more flair players and a better defence. I think it will be a 1-1 draw but anything is possible.
I'm on the fence on this one. Always a tough fixture and despite this I have usually been moderately confident in the past (often misplaced!) but at the moment I am really not sure of our team. It is the archetypal work in progress for sure. Occasionally sublime (Mata, Hazard link up play, Oscar goal of the season etc) but at others schoolboy amateurish (Mikel vs Juve'). We have a staggeringly good set of defenders but they are not rock solid whatever combination is played. Doesn't help that our defensive midfield is out of sorts and doesn't provide an effective first line shield. I'm not going to harp on about FT - but he is currently a joke. As District Line says - the next month is make or break for the lad. In essence we are doing ok without an effective striker which in itself is amazing. So with our dodgy defence (I know they haven't shipped too many but it's hardly Fortress Bridge of a few seasons back) and a striker that isn't (I've just realised that Fernando Torres the striker is an oxymoron...) then I think we are in for a tough time. First to get a goal wins it I think.
Still think the real problem is a linking midfielder. It sure isn't Frank, and Ramires is OK but no Zinadane. Ivan has not been quite right so far, and I just wish we could settle on our centre pairings. For me it should be Luiz and Cahill, the way they played in the CL was absolutely outstanding, but they've hardly had a game together. Terry is too good to sit on the bench. Maybe they should play Ivan and Terry with the new, unpronouncable bloke at right back, and Cahill and Luiz at other times. The constant changing of one CD is screwing us up, and Luiz is too quick for Terry to keep up, so we leave a gap too often. Can't work out Torres, think he just needs better service. Why not try 4 4 2 ?? Torres is no Drogba and gets knocked from arsehole to breakfast time every game.
