game on FSC at 11:00 a.m. EST per Wrath from the Injury Thread- Luiz and Mata doubtful. Ash back in contention.
I've been waiting for this. Good on ya fern. I'm a little worried about this match as Laudrup has his lot scoring bags of goals. Still looking forward to, but slightly nervous. More importantly, we can put the last 6 days behind us and focus back on the PL schedule ahead.
I'd figure Cech Azi, Cahill, Bane, Cole Mikel, Ramires Moses, Oscar, Hazard Torres Bench - Luiz, Mata, Bert, Marin, Studge, Romeu, Turnbull
Completely agree, however, we just can't afford to do so. Maybe once Marin is healthy, if he actually ever gets healthy, we will have the ability to rotate one of the 3 in our out on occasion, not when they have a knock.
Thanks Pete. I had thought about that. Likely keep Mata out and bring on Piazon to the bench if Mata is unable to go.
What concerns me is the natural letdown that comes after two ion-charged matches with ManU. If we go out there flat and listless, Swansea will beat us. If we can win this, it'll be a very good win. Not having Mata really hurts, he's been our most in-form player. Moses must step up and keep OHM alive! It will be a nailbiter, I predict.
Guinness is chilling. And I'm REALLY looking forward to this. Should be pretty free flowing. While they may have something going forward, they've score 14/conceded 13 (21/9 for Chels). I think it'll be a pretty straight forward 2-0 for the boys.
I disagree. We've been leaking goals recently, throw in Swansea's ability to go forward I could see a 4-2 result or the likes. Our backline without JT has been scary. However with Ivano moving to CB for this one and Azi getting a start, perhaps we'll be better off. Luiz has looked like a lost puppy without JT.
He's just not match fit. He was on the bench for the League Cup game, but Robbie wasn't going to throw him into that tempest. I'm sure the plan was to get a lead on a somewhat inferior United side and sub him on to get him going. That went out the window with the sheer tempo of the game, especially considering that we were the ones chasing it. Would not be surprised to see him make a cameo in this game. Mata and Oscar only came on as subs midweek, even if they did end up playing a considerable chunk of minutes due to ET. But I'd be shocked if both weren't in the XI. The way Di Matteo has played his cards, it seems Mata has been slated for a rest in this one for quite some time anyway. I would say start Moses, but he looked very leggy in the extra period. Our lack of central midfielders is really hamstringing the side, because it would be easy to stick Ramires on the right when so many of the skill players need a rest. Maybe Romeu gets another start to allow Rami to play in the front '3'? I'd be really surprised, but perhaps Piazon will get the nod. He didn't look at all out of place Wednesday, though an away fixture in the Premier League is a totally different kettle of fish. If Luiz is indeed out: -----------------Cech Cesar------Ivan-------Cahill--------Cole ---------Mikel--------Ramires Studge---------Oscar----------Hazard -----------------Torres There's always Malouda
I take your point, but it's about perspective for me. "Recently" being 2 absurd games against Man United, and 2 goals away at Shakhtar & Spuds. Hardly allowing 5 against Reading. I respect Swansea, but they are not of the level of any of those teams. If the back four are sketchy, possession will be key.
Assuming Mata is out.CechAzpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, ColeRamires, MikelMoses, Oscar, HazardTorres Bench: Turnbull, Saville, Bertrand, Romeu, Marin, Piazon, Sturridge I'd love to see Ferreira on the bench just for old time's sake.
Team: Cech ©; Azpili, Ivan, Cahill, Cole; Rom, Mik; Moses, Oscar, Hazard; Torres. - subs: Turn, Fer, Bert, Ram, Piazon, Marin, Sturr.
quite loose from Romeu there and it seems we have Tony Gale today... I am sure he wont be biased at all
great cut out by Ivan really poor stuff from Romeu there he is very static with his runers and Cahill looked quite flat there