Cluj Preview: Cole or Mikel Holds the Key
By dixon9
December 8 2008
Due to previous mishaps at Roma and Bordeaux this last Champions League group stage match has turned into one of (or perhaps the) most important games of the season. We could still go through even if we lost tomorrow should Roma beat Bordeaux, but who wants to take a chance on that?! Not me and hopefully Big Phil will finally decide to give us Big Attack with both Anelka and Drogba on the pitch?
The build up to this match hasn’t been the most friendly thanks to the usual mischievous provocation from the media who put it to one Cluj player that Scolari had said that if he didn’t beat Cluj then he would go back to Brazil – the reply was short shrift indeed and I can only imagine the Cluj manager pinning the Scolari headline up on his team´s dressing room door.
What Scolari actually meant was that if he had failed to get us through to the next stage of the Champions League then he might as well return back to his homeland – it’s a fine but important nuance (and it was a joke anyway!) and it was obvious to all at the press conference that Scolari wasn’t disrespecting our Romanian opponents.
Still, Cluj have no chance of qualifying for the next stage and we can only hope that their motivation isn’t quite 100% and a first goal then allows a cascade of net-bulging antics from all angles.
If Cluj have been watching videos of us playing at home then there could be the temptation to go for the old “park the bus” trick but given the circumstances perhaps they will play with some pride and genuinely try and hurt us with some attacking football of their own.
"At home, teams have come and blocked the middle of the field against us and it's been a tad difficult for us to break them down,” said Wilkins.
"Perhaps at times we haven't worked hard enough to prise that open."
Well, with finally two senior forwards fit hopefully we’ll go for two up front and go for the jugular – I don’t want any of this 15 mins to go and still 0-0 or just 1-0 up lark thank you very much!
"When we have time to train more with these two and I have confidence for my system with two strikers, I'll use two strikers," said Scolari.
"But tomorrow (Tuesday), I don't know.”
Actually during the press conference, Scolari did labour the fact that WHEN he had time with both in training with the rest of the squad THEN he would use a twin-spearhead – I’m not optimistic that we’ll start with two up front – more than likely we’ll change to that when the match has been in the balance too long!
Frank Lampard is suspended for his sending off at Bordeaux, Malouda is doubtful but Joe Cole has been training.
Obviously, Michael Essien (knee), Juliano Belletti (ankle), Ricardo Carvalho (knee), and Franco Di Santo (hamstring) are all still out.
Joe Cole being fit is key to the whole diamond 4-4-2 in my opinion. We are very short of midfielders with Lampard suspended. Belletti would also work at the bottom of the diamond and if Joey isn´t fit then switching Mikel to the top point would be a viable alternative.
Cluj for their part will be missing striker Didi and their centre-half and right back – all very important absences for them.
I don’t think we’ll start with two up front but this should be the formation that sees us hopefully winning the three points:
Bordeaux 4-0
Roma 1-0
but this is Chelsea
Seriously though
I want a Barcelona start - 3 up in 20 mins so I can enjoy the rest of the night!!
COME ON CHELSEA
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Once we qualify for the knockout stages (either 1st or 2nd) Chelsea will start 'leaking' transfer news.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Quote:Since 66
Seriously though
I want a Barcelona start - 3 up in 20 mins so I can enjoy the rest of the night!!
COME ON CHELSEA
Indeed! No ffing about!
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Quote:Since 66
I bet
Once we qualify for the knockout stages (either 1st or 2nd) Chelsea will start 'leaking' transfer news.
I think I see where you are coming from...
We already have the list/deal(s) drawn up but we won´t commit until we ´ve qualified?
Mind you, Big Phil put his foot in it a bit the other day re Vagner Love (after Love put his foot in it).
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Ps Have a good time boys,
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Get up and about soon mate
I just hope the crwod are up for it tonite - see the freebie scarves are back
COME ON CHELSEA
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Quote:carefree2008
Gutted cant go tonight broken ankle,finger biteing in front of tele which i hate,hope they do it tonight.Come on Chels.
Get better soon mate.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.