10/19/02 Matchday X: Manchester City v. Chelsea [R]

Depleted squad: Trouble ahead?

Unavailable: Zenden, Gronkjaer, Stanic, Forssell, Cole, Babayaro, De Goey, Bosnich, Keenan

Here is the squad according to the CFC site:

Cudicini, Pidgeley, Melchiot, Ferrer, Desailly, Gallas, Terry, Le Saux, De Lucas, Petit, Lampard, Morris, Oliveira, Gudjohnsen, Hasselbaink, Zola.

Who is on the left wing? I assume Le Saux is at LB since he is the only left footer in the whole squad. What I'd like to see tomorrow:

----------------------Carlo------------------
Melchiot--------Gallas-------Desailly------Le Saux
De Lucas-------Lampard------Morris-------Oliveira
----------------Zola---------Eidur-------------

Alternatively he could go with 3 at the back and Melchiot and Le Saux at wingback. Or he might play 3 up front with Zola, JFH and Eidur. Hard to tell with this team and CR's selections have been a bit mystifying recently. Until tomorrow then...

 

Mystifying...or just plain ol wrong?

Given that the (other) mancs play a highly attacking game and only keep three at the back most of the time i have to think that given our recent and on-going inability to keep a clean sheet..esp away from home...that they will score more than one goal against us.

However, like i said they like to attack,this should leave us plenty of room to operate down the wings.
If De Lucas starts then i would like to see both jimmy and Eidur get the nod up the front as i just can't see Zola geting on the end of many crosses.

 

Perhaps

This is why Jimmy may not get the nod.

 

Leeds lose at home

to the scousers.Thats their 5th league defeat of the season already.It would seem the glory days at Elland road are all but over and El Tel will not be the second coming of christ afterall.

Now i know it's early in the season yet, but they must realise that they are in regression.
Bowyer has yet to sign his deal that has been on the table since last christmas.probably gonna go for free in the summer....would be a good buy for us, but we're skint.

Anyways, i suppose that was the best result for us in terms of league positio at the end of the season as i realistically don't see us finishing above the scouse.Leeds will battle for a spot in the top 6 so with them loseing the three it can only further our cause.

No word on the team yet.

 

Trevor Birch on Big Blue

Excellent interview with the man.

Talking about many things.
Restructuring of debts is not as easy as a simple buy out it would seem.
All players wage contracts would have to be satisfied first...i didn't know that....or else the priemier league won't allow it.This is why asking the players to accept wage cuts would be a necessity.

Club stunned by rejection of planing permission for the new training ground.No real idea of what dierection to go in at the moment.

Going out of the UEFA cup was a blow, but not such a big calamity as it would seem as the income from it is minimal compared to a good cup run or the Champions league.
Admited that CL football is almost a necessity for the club to continue success in the premier league.

 

Todays team

---------------Cudicini---------------

Melchiot----Gallas---Dessailly-----GLS

De Lucas-----Lumpy----Petit-----Morris

----Hasselbaink-----------Zola-------

 

So we've gone for width then

with the notorious speedster Jody Morris on the left wing? What the hell is CR up to? At least he got the back line correct, but Petit has been dead weight all season, I have run out of excuses for him. I really thought he would be able to pull this midfield together with his vision and passing ability but he just hasn't done enough. I really would have liked to see Oliveira on the wing and I think today was the best opportunity with all our other wingers out and playing a crap side like City. Oh well. CR must have some giant cojones to leave out Eidur the match after he started scoring.

I will commence my tirade when we go down 1-0.

 

where are my manners?

Morning Clan. How is the fresh PA air?

 

Morning MST

Nice and fresh in the mtns thanks.

Geting a new neighbour soon...older couple from Jersey building on a property next to us.
Kids had me up early...so i actually got to listen to Big Blue and an interview.If i'm not working on Sat, i don't do the early rise thingy too well

Yeah, Morris on the left is sad really.
I'm begining to think Ranieri has lost it with his team selections, although to be fair to him today his squad was rather limited.
Still, over the course of the season to date he has made a few gaffs as far as i'm concerned.

There is a growing murmer to the voices that want a change of leadership.

 

so you were impressed with Birch then?

I'm still a bit apprehensive but he has been far better for the fans than CH ever was. Any time there is major news he has come right out on CTV or Big Blue and laid it out. Stark contrast to CH who I don't think spoke to the fans more than twice a season. He's seems to have gotten a handle on the situation - let the dead contracts expire and don't sign these type of contracts any more.

Heard the interview with Melchiot. Seems like a top guy, we should keep him. He may not be the best RB in the world but seems likeable enough, someone the supporters shouldn't have a problem cheering for.

Bowyer? I wouldn't mind getting him on a free. I've gotten down off my high horse. Yes, he has a bad past, but if he can help the team and doesn't get into trouble off the pitch then I would take him in. He and Lampard could form a tough midfield and he could even play wide if we don't want to conventional wingers. Some will consider this blasphemous, but I am all for what makes the team perform better.

 

Bates

did he pay off the ref?

 

Thrilling stuff

Two penalties against us not given, Zola/Jimmy have a shot cleared off the line. A bit different than the Liverpool match...

 

Big Blue commentators are funny

They are giving the ref a lot of stick...whilst he is giving us all the breaks.

 

Wonders

Of the game.

1.Hasselbaink chased a ball laid forward of his position.

 

Tell me

Zola is on the pitch solely because of his early season form...read goals scored here....yet he is forced to step aside for a free kick a mere (for him) 25 yards from goal to let our worst striker of the season to date take it.

Does this seem strange to just me?

 

Petit

What a pity we have such an injury depleted squad as he should be taken off at the half.

 

wish i was still asleep

as it would be more entertaining than listening to this muck. If they play like this next weekend I am getting my money back.

 

Painfully obvious

That we have little of no imagination in the middle of the park.
We are playing like a lower mid table team.
Just trying to hold on away from home whilst hoping to win three quatrers of the home matches to secure top flight footie the following season.

We need to scout the first division for a couple of decent players for the middle.
If what Birch says is indeed true we are fecked as i just don't see this team going anywhere fast.

Morning GPK.

 

Oooooooooohhh

Gonna steal 3 points? That'd be nice. Come on you Blues!

 

Must say

Totally undeserved, but, this is football and the best team doesn't always win the game.

Zola...Premier league leading scorer.

 

Clan

I am awaiting your tirade against CR's defensive tactics now that we are winning.