Pizy

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, HOLD THE BALL!

Exactly the start I was worried about. We can't handle the press.

Based on form, being at home, and sheer quality of these XI's we should win this comfortably. Which is why I'm nervous as FUCK!

Seeing lots of our fans on Twitter that are convinced we'll ease past them today. Like its a foregone conclusion. Wish I was as confident. Think it'll be our toughest test since the tactical switch. I know Conte won't allow our players to feel the same or that they don't have to be at their best to win, so I hope we don't start like we did against Boro and just let Spuds impose their will.

Just noticed that all of our other rivals have very winnable matches this weekend. Liverpool and City have Sunderland and Burnley respectively so they should coast to 3 points without much effort. Arsenal have Bournemouth who may be somewhat tricky but I doubt it. United have West Ham who are dire and just choked away a very late 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 to Spuds. I expect all of them to get 3 points. Us beating Spuds with Man City away next weekend would be colossal.

Pretty obvious that they'll pack the midfield with lots of bodies. Probably see Dier, Dembele, and Wanyama in the middle of the pitch. Plus that dirty cunt Dele Ali. They'll be an absolute pain to break down.

Oh, what I would give to see us compound their misery and humiliate them like we did Everton and United...

We look a bit creaky and rusty in the defensive wide areas so that'll be a concern. In attack we look dangerous almost every time we get it around their box. If we make it 2-0 I think it's game over.

Feel bad for Willian regardless of circumstances. Injured or simply dropped, the fight and heart he showed during last season's shit show forever earned him respect. Hope he's back ASAP.

If we can pick up where we left off form wise after the international break then I can't see Middlesbrough scoring from open play. It would be from poor marking on a corner or a penalty. They play Negredo as a lone target man, yes? Luiz and Cahill should be able to negate him pretty easily if so. I hope the message that Conte has hammered home to the team this week in training is tempo, tempo, tempo. If we just blitz them and move the ball around quickly they shouldn't be able to live with us. No zombieball like Arsenal played yesterday, no players standing around like statues, and the thing that annoys me most which is our players not being able to string 3 passes together before giving it away. You know Middlesbrough will raise their game far beyond how they normally play because big, bad Chelsea is in town and it's a spotlight match. Don't allow them to build confidence by retaining the bulk of possession and stealing an early goal. We need to pressure them from the start and demoralize them like we've done the past 5 matches.

If we take care of business here tomorrow then we should have a fantastic advantage over Spuds when we host them next week. No Rose, no Alderweireld, they play midweek, and we're home where they never beat us. Hopefully Diego stays out of the book tomorrow. Hugely important to get 3 points before the next two fixtures.

Absolutely unreal from West Ham here. From 2-1 up with only a few minutes to see out to choking it away and losing 3-2. Just fuck off! Couldve killed Spuds' title hopes if they had lost here and then we beat them at the Bridge.

Arsenal playing today how I fear we may do tomorrow. They look like the international break completely killed their flow and rhythm and are playing like zombies. United aren't even playing well at all but they know it's a must win game for them and have caught Arsenal at just the right time. As poor as United have been this season, they're only 4 points behind us currently and if we don't win tomorrow. Plus they have easy fixtures coming up I think whereas we have City and Spuds next.

Looks like the sort of creative little magician we were crying out for under the last regime but I don't see the need for his type now.

I've only seen Borough play once this season and I think I remember them scoring a couple of pretty flukey goals. Not really sure what sort of footballing side they are. Do they defend deep (park the bus) and try to counter attack or are they one of those small teams like Bournemouth who actually try to play attacking football? I'm hoping it's the former coming off an international break where half of our players may be fatigued. Those small sides that sit deep just make it easy on our defense and this 3-4-3. Think we'll win easily if they don't press us high and try to out-hustle us.

Unless he's so desperate to leave that he handed in a transfer request I don't see how it would be possible to sign him. Just recently signed a new contract and is at one of the richest clubs in the world. It would probably take £60-70m, no? Plus, PSG won't want to appear like a sinking ship with their best players continuously leaving. If we did manage to sign him, though, we'd be absolutely unstoppable in the PL and one of the favorites in the CL next season if we finish in the top 4.

So nervous! Mostly about our defense against Lukaku, Barkley, and Bolasie.

Have a feeling our clean sheet streak will end today and it will of course be Lukaku.

Like manpe said, I'd try him in place of Pedro/Willian but only if it's against an "easy" opponent. No way I'd risk him starting against a City/Liverpool/Arsenal at this point. If we have someone like Burnley or any one of these sides who will just sit back and park the bus with little quality in the middle of the pitch Cesc should thrive. He's still lethal when he has time and space to dictate the tempo of the game.

Before its decided that he needs to go, I'd at least like to see him in a midfield 3 with Kante and Matic. Even if it's just against the likes of Hull, West Brom, Sunderland, and the rest of the relegation fodder. Surely he'd have enough protection. I just can't imagine any of the small teams in the PL would be able to deal with a midfield with he, Kante, and Matic in it. Cesc would almost be completely free to ping it around. Hopefully he's fully fit soon so we can give it a shot.

Seeing a whole lot of super arrogant Everton supporters who think they're gonna spank us. If this was at their place I'd be really iffy but at home I think we'll win this. They'll be without their poor mans Kante due to suspension and Lukaku is really their only reliable goals threat. Him alone up top against both Luiz and Cahill should hopefully be manageable. My biggest worry will be from wide areas. Bolasie's pace and skills against Alonso who is pretty slow will be a concern. Will be tough but I can see a 2-1/3-1 win.

Must admit, I thought after yet another very impressive preseason for Victor he'd fade back into obscurity. Absolutely delighted that we finally have a manager who actually tells the truth when he said he plays those who earn their place rather than going solely on names. Moses has kept his head down and become indespensible now in our first XI. Huge credit to him. You can also tell he isn't letting his success get to his head and is just so glad to be playing. Humble and hungry.

Willian for Pedro, please.

We can't get a touch ffs! Just letting them dominate the ball and are inviting pressure.

Thankfully no Shane Long starting. His pace and constant pressing would've caused Cahill and Luiz fits.