Fullbacks v Chelsea could be make or break

[Didsbury Dave]

Whilst Sunday's was a very good win and I was pleased, we were hugely narrow. You'd expect that with the current formation of course but you do need attacking fullbacks when playing as we are doing.

Richards has a go it it, with mixed success, but Zabaleta is no leftback. Even at right back he's a problem for me to be honest.

Anyway, I was thinking this morning about the Chelsea game and I think our fullback's performance could win or lose us this game. Richards needs to be on top of his game to contain and stretch Ashley Cole. If he switches off after a run Cole could really hurt us. No disrespect to Zab, but I really would rather he wasn't giving silly freekicks away at leftback.

I know Kolorov won't be ready but what is the news on Bridge and Lescott? Either would do for me.

 

[Ric]

Bridge is out for 2 weeks apparently, and Lescott won't be back either. Left back is a big problem for us at the moment.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Bridge is out for 2 weeks apparently, and Lescott won't be back either. Left back is a big problem for us at the moment.

That is very very bad news. Gulp.

 

[Ric]

Bad news indeed. There's a chance Boateng will be fit, and he can cover either full back position but he's not played all season so to drop him straight in against Chelsea would be a big ask.

 

[DannyBoy2890]

boateng can play left back also and should be fit , micah right back ?

 

[Hes the left back remember]

Think it must be nailed on that Milner or SWP plays wide right to combat the Cole threat and at the same time try to push him back .
I know AJ is my preffered choice but see RM setting us up not to lose.

 

[mat]

Milner????

 

[garnett727]

on pape we have 5 defenders who are more than accomplished at LB. sums up our luck this season that all five are injured :(. think with a full squad we will be beating teams like sunderland and blackburn with ease !!!!!

 

[Soulboy]

I think Richards struggled at Wigan, and even Mancini blew his top with him a few times at his unwillingness to overlap... as did Tevez at one poiint!

I agree about Zabaleta at left back, but he's decent enough on the right... even if only as third choice.

Shame that Kolarov, Bridge and Lescott are all missing, so maybe if Cunningham got a run out at WBA tomorrow, and impresed, he might be chanced?

But realistically, we'll have to go with the same pair as at Wigan... and hope for the best!<br /><br />-- Tue Sep 21, 2010 9:18 am --<br /><br />

Think it must be nailed on that Milner or SWP plays wide right to combat the Cole threat and at the same time try to push him back .
I know AJ is my preffered choice but see RM setting us up not to lose.

That's a decent call that SWP plays right back... he did at the start of his career, and I think it might be an option for him now that he's unlikely to be a regular in midfield now.

 

[Rammy Blue]

I expect Bob has been keeping Boateng back in order to be ready for this one.

Chelsea aren't as dangerous down the right as they are the left, Zab at left back will be fine and I would put Boat at right back with AJ in front in order to counteract Cole and Malouda.