9th Fixture: November 3, 2012- Swansea City FC v. Chelsea FC - [R]

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.

curious what the line up is going to be....

Hazard and Oscar need a rest. Don't think we can afford that though.

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.

Piazon and Saville traveled

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.

The lack of information available to me on why Marin hasn't played is frustrating.

Like This.

You mean Mata.

I'm with ya. Indications awhile ago, even from Marko, was he practicing again, getting ready.

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.

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.

Cech

Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole

Ramires, Mikel

Moses, Oscar, Hazard

Torres

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.

Remember Ramires is on 4 yellows. We need him for the next game.

He is alive !!!!!

Let's try to avoid a red today.