Fullbacks v Chelsea could be make or break

[pee dubya]

I don't mind having Zab at left-back. He has the odd 'moment' but it's the right-back that concerns me more. Malouda is in the most amazing form, combined with Cole overlapping, so i agree that Chelsea's threat down their left is far greater than down their right.

 

[SV Squares]

With Chelsea being so free scoring I think the first thing to do is prevent them from doing that. If we ask our full backs to overlap we are defo going to get caught out. I'd be happier if we held a solid defensive line and played Milner right wing and AJ left wing (left foot, left wing, crazy idea I know) to give us the width. I don't think Zabba will get forward much anyway and I doubt that Boateng will start ahead of Micah, so he'l really have to be on his A game positionally (cringe).

 

[MadchesterCity]

-----------------Hart---------------------
Richards---Kolo---Kompany---Boateng

It will be important to protect Micah against Cole - would love to see him chopped into 6 pieces early in the match

 

[the blue panther]

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.

I like your option the best.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

We should have kept Martin Petrov. He could have slotted in perfectly at left back and played in his best position for a change.

 

[Rammy Blue]

We should have kept Martin Petrov. He could have slotted in perfectly at left back and played in his best position for a change.

Good call Trev, on his day much better than AK, Bridge, Lescott or Zab at left back.

 

[ST Coleridge]

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.

Defensively, the right's a worry. I'd play SWP or Milner, for the work rate, and Richards, because there's no other option. De Jong should be on the right of the midfield two/three, but there's going to be a battle in the middle - De Jong, Toure and Barry vs. Mikel, Ramires/Lampard and Essien.

On the left, Zabaleta should be fine - Kalou or Anelka will be coming inside anyway.

I think the best chance we have is to spring SWP in the space behind Cole, and have Johnson on the left (against Ferreira).

No Silva for this one - it'll be a real grind.

 

[tonea2003]

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.

Defensively, the right's a worry. I'd play SWP or Milner, for the work rate, and Richards, because there's no other option. De Jong should be on the right of the midfield two/three, but there's going to be a battle in the middle - De Jong, Toure and Barry vs. Mikel, Ramires/Lampard and Essien.

On the left, Zabaleta should be fine - Kalou or Anelka will be coming inside anyway.

I think the best chance we have is to spring SWP in the space behind Cole, and have Johnson on the left (against Ferreira).

No Silva for this one - it'll be a real grind.

give over silva has to play lets give them something to think about, instead of always trying to protect,
if we sit back to let them come on to us they will grind us down, the best form of defence is attack, especially when at home

 

[FEEDHIMGARY]

zab struggles going forward from left back.. as it seems completely un-natural for him. However, i think he does well defensively.. aside from the occassional rash challenge

However, i worry more about the other flank with micah against cole. Cole is on fire and gets into very dangerous positions for the entire 90 mins.. he does not stop. Micah's tendency to switch off for 5 mins here and there could cost us.... more so than zab on the other side.

id have milner supporting micah for this game.. and johnson on the other flank.

the other plus here is having our best winger against their weaker fullback.

 

[Oasis_City]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmvYjJZBzaE[/youtube]

That's going to happen again!