Team news is in and some of it is positive ahead of what could be our most important game of the season. Tim Sherwood might have been approaching today’s match at Stamford Bridge with only three fit senior defenders but with Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul available, the coach has a limited choice of options.
However, Christian Eriksen remains a doubt and he could join Danny Rose, Erik Lamela, Vlad Chiriches and others on the sidelines.
“Christian is doubtful, he’s still not shaken off the back injury,” Sherwood said. “It’s a minor injury but still irritating him and this game might come too early.”
“We’ve had good news on Danny so we’re hoping he’ll be on the mend soon, we’ll get him back out training soon and then assess him,” added Tim. “Erik and Vlad remain longer-term injuries alongside Etienne.”
Aside from the questions in defence and midfield, the coach has to decide whether to operate with a 4-4-2 or to revert back to a more defensive formation while away at the league leaders.
Here’s what we’d like to see – we suspect it will be 4-5-1 with Dawson instead of Kaboul. What’s your view?
Two strikers is suicide in this game, if we try to play attacking football they will soak it up and destroy us on the break, we do not want Willian running at Naughton.
Lloris
Walker Dawson Kaboul Vertonghen
Sandro Dembele
Lennon Eriksen Townsend
Adebayor
If Eriksen isn’t fit then either Chadli or Sigurdsson. I don’t like playing Vertonghen at LB but he’s the lesser evil of him, Naughton and Fryers.
I’d rather my weaknesses be exposed instead of wearing a mask to cover them up. THFC’s historical identity is attacking football. To stray from one’s identity is to accept defeat before the game begins. Not starting Soldado after he finally broke his slump is disappointing. Bullets are useless when in the gun of a dead soldier.
Lloris
Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Rose
Sandro Paulinho
Lennon Eriksen Chadli
Adebayor
Soldado Sigurdsson Dembele Townsend Dawson Naughton Freidel
A left side of naughton and siggy is, in my opinion, half of what got AVB sacked! Its so ugly!!
Lloris
Fryers (if we can trust him, i do more than rose! otherwise super jan)
Vertonghen (if LB, then kaboul)
Kaboul (if vert LB then dawson)
Walker
Sandro
Dembele
Chadli
Lennon
Townsend (this lad must pass more and vary game!)
Adebeyor
Naugton OUT Fryers IN
Hopefully Eriksen IN Siggy OUT
Playing in A: 4-1-3-2 Formation
Llores
walker jan kaboul fryers
coupe sandro
lennon dembele townsend
adebayor
No dawson, pace on the wings for counter attacking.
The danger from Chelsea comes from the wings. Hazard and Willian break down the opposition by both taking on their man and with the killer pass. So you have to use wingers against to push them back, make them work defensively. Lennon always works back which makes him essential, while Townsend doesn’t, so he should sit. Sigurdsson will cover his full back and has the ability to make something happen up top as well, so he should get the left side. Chelsea love to counter so perhaps the best approach is the old Italian style of two sitting midfielders in front of the back four. Sandro is essential probably with Dembele in a more disciplined role than usual. That would give Paulinho freedom behind Adebayor. At the back, if Kaboul is ready, gotta use him. He provides speed and size to what is an essentially slow centreback pairing. Can’t make my mind up between Naughton and Fryers, and I would suggest talent over experience and chose Fryers.
So the team is:
LLoris
Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Fryers
Sandro Dembele
Lennon Paulinho Sigurdsson
Adebayor
and a draw would be a great result
Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Fryers
Sandro
Lennon Paulinho Dembele Chadli
Adebayor
No! We can’t play Naughton at left back. That’s where he played against Liverpool and Manchester City, when we were thrashed.
I would bring Kaboul in and move Vertonghen left. I know he doesn’t like it but needs must.
Here’ my team: http://wp.me/p2Sby9-DD
Terrible. We suck.