I'm sure GPK will be around in due time, but until then we can use this as the game is less than 30 hours from kick-off. Our team news isn't available as of yet, but Malouda has been back in training and in all probability will start *sigh* with Kalou being moved over to the right to accommodate him *sigh*. I would love to see di Santo start but he'll be on the bench, probably along with Stoch. It will be interesting to see whether Drogba makes the 18 or not. Stoke's team news is available and is as follows: James Beattie is set to make his debut after moving from Sheffield United. Salif Diao may be fit following a back spasm, but Ricardo Fuller is suspended. Stoke (from): Sorensen, Griffin, Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Delap, Amdy Faye, Whelan, Diao, Etherington, Beattie, Cresswell, Kitson, Simonsen, Wilkinson, Olofinjana, Lawrence, Tonge, Sonko, Pugh. Chelsea 3rd - 42 points Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd Lowest could fall: 4th 1. Won one of five Premier League matches, and two of eight. 2. Already beaten all three promoted clubs without conceding a goal; 0-2 away to Stoke, 0-3 away to Hull, and 0-3 away to West Brom. 3. Two points down on this same stage last season, and on their lowest total after 21 games for six years. 4. Since losing their proud 86-match unbeaten home league record to Liverpool on 26 October, five league matches have been staged at Stamford Bridge; won two, drawn two and lost one.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion I'm actually surprised its not more than two points. I think Man U is down points also from last year (even if they win the game in hand), but I could be off.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Malouda is back... yipppeee. So he will be wasted on the pitch for a half and then subbed.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Posted elsewhere that Scolari may give some of the youngsters a run here. Good news
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Lamps' 400th game with us. Thank the boys at CFCNet for this banner.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion article on Clarke effect: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11662_4802678,00.html
Re: Where is Joey at?? I think Fern or someone else posted a link...out for a month or so? I know it was his knee.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion More like 2 months is what was reported, but it's early days and they can't just diagnose it in 48 hours.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Why would Malouda get this start. Why. I'm so upset, I refuse to put question marks at the end of any preguntas. If Scolari is upset at Didi for not trying, then I don't understand this at all. START A KID FOR F*CKS SAKE.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion I expect Drogba to be promoted from reserve team punishment to bench duty. Per Scolari's comments on the official site, it seems like he was a boy scout mixing it up with the likes of cork & kakuta. Anyways, here's the lineup as I see it: ................CECH BOSINGWA....JT...CARVALHO.....ASH COLE .................MIKEL .............LAMPY.......BALLACK KALOU......................................FLO ....................NICO
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Maybe Deco for Flo...though I hope not. Any word on Deco's injury?
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Isn't Cork on loan at Watford for the rest of the season? I think Scolari mentioned Miro Stoch. Scolari said he'll use the same line-up from Southend if they played well. It better not be Alex in there, he's becoming a bit of a calamity back there and isn't playing with any confidence. War Ivanovic moving to 3rd choice. ---------------------------------- Didier Drogba is back in the Chelsea squad after being left out for the midweek FA Cup replay at Southend, but Joe Cole (knee) is set to miss out. Deco is sidelined with a calf strain, but Ricardo Carvalho has recovered from his calf problem and Florent Malouda is back after a hamstring injury. Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, A Cole, Belletti, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Kalou, Stoch, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Di Santo, Mineiro, Mancienne. No chance of Kakuta even making the bench. Mineiro might just
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion When is this game and is it on FSC? And for my evaulation I'd say that tactics wise we need to keep it on the ground and play soft defense. We shouldn't concede free kicks or throw ins as those are Stoke's two top talents. My line-up: Cech Bosingwa-Carvalho-Terry-A.Cole Mikel Lampard-Ballack Kalou-Anelka-Deco Bench: Cudicini, Alex, Ivanovic, Belletti, Sinclair, Stoch, Di Santo Prediction: 3-1 to us. Anelka, Kalou, and Lampard to all have goals.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion For those in the US: The game is on Saturday at 10 AM on FSC.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion What about....? -----Cech Bosingwa-Carvalho-Terry-A.Cole -----Mikel --Belletti-Ballack -----Lampard ---Kalou-Anelka
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion 10 AM East coast time? That could work but IMO this is the perfect game for Deco. He needs to prove himself and our best way to attack a Stoke team that looks like they're on steroids is on the ground. That's Deco's game. Then, if we get a good lead we can bring on Belletti, who's better defensively.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Great that means a 7 AM wake up call for me. At least I can sleep in on Sunday and Monday thanks to this dude: and we'll be liberated from this dude on Tuesday.
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion On a lighter note http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...rs-to-play-with-love-for-chelsea-1418131.html Almost brought a tear to my eye
Re: Chelsea vs. Stoke pre-match discussion Oh yeah this is my prediction of a line up --------------Cech------------- Boss----JT- Carvalho-----A.Cole -------------Mikel------------ ------Ballack----Lamps------ --Kalou---Anelka----Di Santo Would be nice to see Di Danto get a start