BPL: NUFC at Chelsea, 29 Dec [R]

[tigerdave]

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/icnewcastle/jul2005/7/6/000BD845-7721-12CA-88B40C02AC1BF824.gif vs. http://www.wantastadiumtour.com/gfx/clubs/chelseafc/chelsea_crest_static_100px.gif


Saturday, 29 Dec 2007 at Stamford Bridge
KO: 3 p.m. local time. (10AM EST)
Television: Fox Soccer Channel (United States) live


We haven't won at the Bridge in the Premiership, and we haven't scored there since 2001/02. Doesn't bode well for us in that regard, particularly since we're not in very good form up front.

Chelsea will be missing John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele due to injury, and Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole due to suspension after being sent off. Essien picked up his fifth booking of the year against Villa, but his suspension comes in the FA Cup tie next month, not here.

Cech is not 100 percent, so we may get Hilario if he can't go. Also worth watching is to see if Ballack's ankle will hold out. While Chelsea will miss Lampard and Drogba, the bad news for us is that Shevchenko appears to have finally figured out how to score in this league.

Likely lineup: Cech, Ferreira, Ben Haim, Alex, Bridge, Essien, Mikel, Ballack, J. Cole, Kalou, Shevchenko.

With the aerial guys in the back for Chelsea, we have to go on the floor. I would like to see an attack-minded offense with N'Zogbia at attacking mid, but of course we'll go with the usual lineup.

[Jimbo Asprilla]

I'd go with this line up, but Sham won't.

url=http://myeleven.co.uk/]http://www.myeleven.co.uk/images/fBDsBfcfCGhBgdeCBAGHCFSHbHbfBbsF.jpg[/url]

[tigerdave]

Gotta go and be positive. With the proper squad and formation, we can win with Chelsea in the depleted state they're in. This is the formation I'd like to see for this game.


http://www.myeleven.co.uk/images/eHAgEsghGbDhSahHSSHFDSGNcesgFdeH.jpg

Of course, being on the road against a good team, we'll get this:


http://www.myeleven.co.uk/images/bbGGnEfggcBbaDddHBcBACdbcbBAdAdG.jpg

and lose 2-0 at least.

[Dirt McGirt]

Chelsea's got a massive injury list coupled with the suspensions of Carvelho and Cashley means we've got a chance to get a result........if Big Sam gets after and attacks. What does he have to lose???

[ToonUSA]

We'll win 2-1. It's that kind of year.

And btw Dave, Smith as Captain???

Edit: And why do you guys have Harper over Given? Did I miss some injury?

[bburgarelli]

He's fit as far as I know, but with the recent flops... Well, Harper just seem the best option right now.

Talking about goalkeepers, anyone knows when Krull will be back?

[tigerdave]

And btw Dave, Smith as Captain???

Edit: And why do you guys have Harper over Given? Did I miss some injury?

Smith is the captain....

And Given, while he's been good for years for us, was responsible for that goal against Wigan and hasn't been in the best form. Harper was very good when he was between the sticks and I think that maybe he should get a game since it's been a while.

[tigerdave]

He's fit as far as I know, but with the recent flops... Well, Harper just seem the best option right now.

Talking about goalkeepers, anyone knows when Krull will be back?

He's due back Jan. 1 but wants to extend his loan for the rest of the season. With Forster as cover it'll probably happen.

[tigerdave]

Cole lost his red card appeal which means he's definitely out. I should note that Malouda and Cudicini are out due to injury as well.

So that brings Chelsea's official MIA list to: Cudicini, Carvalho, A. Cole, Terry, Lampard, Malouda, Makelele, Drogba.

[Jimbo Asprilla]

Given the unpredicablilty of Newcastle United we'll probably, against all odds win this one !

[Shameus]

Gotta go and be positive. With the proper squad and formation, we can win with Chelsea in the depleted state they're in. This is the formation I'd like to see for this game.


http://www.myeleven.co.uk/images/eHAgEsghGbDhSahHSSHFDSGNcesgFdeH.jpg

Of course, being on the road against a good team, we'll get this:


http://www.myeleven.co.uk/images/bbGGnEfggcBbaDddHBcBACdbcbBAdAdG.jpg

and lose 2-0 at least.

Replace Smith with Emre in the first one and I would like our chances with that one, but I have to agree with you....Big Sam will play for the tie and go with the second one.

[tigerdave]

Replace Smith with Emre in the first one and I would like our chances with that one, but I have to agree with you....Big Sam will play for the tie and go with the second one.

I would agree, but you and I both know Smith is going to play since heh as the armband and whatnot.

[ToonUSA]

Smith is the captain....

And Given, while he's been good for years for us, was responsible for that goal against Wigan and hasn't been in the best form. Harper was very good when he was between the sticks and I think that maybe he should get a game since it's been a while.

Smith is the captain for...this week? It appears they play pass the armband before the game or something.

The last part of your statement is absolute blasphemy. Sure he was at fault for the goal at Wigan but we shouldn't of been in a 1-0 game with freaking Wigan. For all he's done for the club it's ludicrous to think one mistake on guessing too early should lead to him being replaced. Especially for such a crucial away fixture. If it was home to Fulham I might be ok with it.

[CrewToon]

I'd go with this line up, but Sham won't.

url=http://myeleven.co.uk/]http://www.myeleven.co.uk/images/fBDsBfcfCGhBgdeCBAGHCFSHbHbfBbsF.jpg[/url]

You mean Milner plays on the right? When? :rolleyes:

[ToonUSA]

True Faith's funniest match preview to date:

"Chelsea Away is like eyeing the really fit bird from across the dance floor. You always wonder if you might get a shout but know deep down you haven't got a chance. Chelsea are unbeaten at home in domestic competition since 1432 so the chance of our disheartened, demotivated, shapeless devil may care mob getting anything other than a hiding here is so remote as to be unmentionable."

Team News:

Injured:

Ramage: Cruciate

Doubtful:

Owen: Groin
Carr: Hamstring

Suspensions
None

In Jail:
Barton

http://www.true-faith.co.uk/html/Features/0708_preview_chelsea_a.htm

[JayRockers!]

Smith is the captain for...this week? It appears they play pass the armband before the game or something.Sam Speaks: Smith Skipper For Now (http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1199911,00.html)It's a permanent decision for now because obviously Geremi is going away. FSA forgot to add that he finally saw the light and Geremi obviously brought nothing of note to the squad on the pitch and that the owner invested about 150 million quid in a #17 shirt and has yet to see it score.

Thx,

Jay!

[mdfc]

Sam Speaks: Smith Skipper For Now (http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1199911,00.html) FSA forgot to add that he finally saw the light and Geremi obviously brought nothing of note to the squad on the pitch and that the owner invested about 150 million quid in a #17 shirt and has yet to see it score.

Thx,

Jay!

Hard to score when you're not allowed to cross midfield! ;)

Getting back to the game, if we follow form, we should put out a good performance today. Chelsea are missing their biggest guns, and basically their entire first choice defense. Plus it's a 'big' club so some of our slack ass players might get up for it.

I see 0-0 at the half, and Chelsea slip one in around the 70th. Everyone applauds our effort and says things like 'we deserved something from that game' and 'if we play like that we'll be fine.'

[tigerdave]

NUFC: Given, Beye, Taylor, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Faye, Smith, Duff, Martins. Subs: Harper, Rozehnal, Emre, Viduka, Owen.

Chelsea: Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Ben Haim, Bridge, Essien, Mikel, Ballack, Wright-Phillips, J. Cole, Kalou. Subs: Taylor, Ferreira, Sidwell, Sinclair, Pizarro.

I give up trying to figure out squads beforehand. Where are the goals going to come from?

[ReMad]

Match Trailer (With Nice Music)
Click Here for Video (http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=1643906)

[mdfc]

Well, for starters, if he'll put Taylor and Beye at fullback and pair Cacapa and Faye in the middle, we can actually free Zogs to play in the midfield, and Duff on the left and Milner on the right. Play Smth with Martins up top with Zogs behind, Butt protecting the back four.

What i think will happen will be something like this

given
beye-taylor-cacapa-zogs
---------faye------
-----butt--------
duff-----smudge----milner
--------oba---------