This should be the team imo: Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Terry, A.Cole, Ramires, Oscar, Willian, Mata, De Bruyne, Torres. Subs: Schwarzer, Ivanovic, Mikel, Lampard, Schurrle, Hazard, Eto'o. Maybe swap Oscar & De Bruyne around.
Priority for me is getting some width into the team. Hazard, Willian and Oscar all wanted to play centrally last night and it didn't work at all. The play was narrow, predictable and isolated our full backs. I don't want to see our number 9 (Eto'o last night) in wide positions. We need the striker in the box as much as possible. I'd go with Cech Ivan Luiz Terry Cole Ramires Oscar Willian Mata Hazard/Schurrle/De Bruyne Torres I'd make sure Willian and the other wide player stay wide to stretch the play. Doubt he'll play Oscar in the middle though so will probably be Ram and Lamps with Oscar in the middle at Mata's expense.
Lets not beat around the bush here, Hazard needs to be dropped and get a good telling off. He's out of shape and out of form. I also think there are more players needing the chop here as well, I'd go for: Cech (C) Bertrand Luiz Ivanovic Azpillicueta Mikel Oscar Schurrle Mata De Bruyne Torres Schwarzer - Terry - Cole - Ramires - Van Ginkel - Willian - Eto'o Eto'o is short of fitness; Lamaprd can't play with Mikel but we need Mikel in the team; Azpi is better than Ivanovic at RB; Mata and Oscar must play, therefore Oscar can drop deeper; Cole has been woeful; Terry is dropping too deep to compensate for a lack of pace; whether or not you believe me, Torres is till our best striker. I think that should form the spine of our team. Luiz - Mikel/Oscar - Mata should be the untouchables, not Terry or Lampard, who need to be saved for big pressure matches.
Cech Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole Ramires, Luiz Schurrle, Oscar, Mata Eto'o Apart from Schurrle over Hazard I think that's your best 11.
I totally agree with this line up apart from the omission of Ashley Cole who has been not good but will Bertrand really honestly add much more?
The thing is with Bertrand is this; you dont notice him when he plays, but you also don't notice Ashley isn't playing. Therefore in my mind, he's an adequate replacement.
Cech Azpi Ivan Cahill Cole Ramires Mikel Willian Oscar Mata Torres I'd have Hazard Oscar Mata as they have the best understanding but Hazard needs dropping and resting.
Nothing to do with me but I have been surprised at how sluggich Eto' looks and how out of form Hazard is...but with your trip to the lane next weekend that's bound to bloody change
Cech Azpi Terry Luiz Cole Mikel Ramires Schurrle Oscar Hazard Torres/Eto'o I'd like to know what the **** Jose is playing at with Azpi, he adds balance.
What Bertrand does offer is more of a work rate and better crossing ability. Both he and Cole are guilty of allowing crosses to come in but there really isn't much difference and Bertrand has matured slightly. Better long term solution is Luke Shaw but over the last 6/7 months nothing I've seen suggests Cole is considerably better than Bertrand
Well exactly. Luke Shaw would be an ideal replacement. Should have tied him down earlier with a bid. I also second Drogs' point about Azpi. He should be playing.
I'm suprised we didn't buy Shaw and loan him back for Ash's last season or 2. Then we'd have a ready made replacement with plenty of P.L games under his belt. Maybe we are saving the money so we can buy another small attacking mid in Jan.
That is the team i would go for. Hazard looks cack at the moment and Willian looks very lively and talented. The defence looks solid and the two in front would add some good protection as well as having forward drive with Ramires. EDIT. My only problem with the defence is that i think Ivan and Cahill may both want to play on the right side of it.
