Man Utd 3-1 Chelsea

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

Draw is a good result for us.

[Sheva. 5,373]

So AVB has 4 midfielders to select for 3 positions - if we do play a 4.3.3. of course - Ramires, Meireles, Mikel and Lampard.

I would like to see the first 3 start, with Lamps coming off the bench!

[zolayes 14,489]

we have nothing to fear but fear itself... have a go at them ,,their defence is vulnerable,, so attack them

[Fabriccfc 21]

I dont want to talk too much about United. We all know that Rooney is the dangerman. He's the most talented English footballer I've ever seen. There's not much he can't do. If we were really able to contain him we would give ourselves a real chance of winning the game, but they will have at least two other fast, skillful forwards playing with freedom upfront. One this is for sure United will give it 100%. Carrick is a weak link in my opinion we need to pressure him massively. If he doesn't have time he crumbles.

A lot of people talking about the Benfica performance last night and I think it's very valid. I think there were 3 reasons they were able to perform so well.

They are used to winning. They have a winners mentality and they were not going to let United turn up and walk all over them. We have this.

Second, they had the players technically capable and fast enough to hit United hard on the counter. Do we have enough of these players? In my opinion were probably missing at least one in midfield, and unfortunately Modric would have helped massively.

But most importantly they closed United down relentlessly. Their work ethic was spot on. They didn't let them play their football. I thought United started the game in exactly the same fashion as most of their games this season. But after 10 minutes Benfica decided they weren't going to sit back and let United play their football and this shocked United and they lost confidence on the ball. They eventually abandoned trying to play football in the first half and decided to go long to Rooney.

Do we have the players to do this? Anybody has the players to do this. It's just having the bravery and fitness to do it. We're starting to see more pressing of the ball under AVB. Compare this to Ancelotti's Chelsea where the players were too positionally disciplined, which is why we saw very slow football lacking any sort of creativity for the most part. AVB has talked about playing without fear and were going to need to do this with and without the ball. I would love Drogba to be available to lead this from the front, but unfortunately he won't be so AVB needs to demand that Torres works hard without the ball.

I'm not saying these tactics will win us the game. I still believe they will have a few more moments of real quality than us and lets face it they are likely to be much more clinical than us. I just think that other than an ultra defensive performance these are the best tactics to employ and lets face it, were not going to do that.

Go there to win. Go hard or go home.

-----------Cech

Bosingwa-Luiz-Terry-Cole

--------Lampard----------

Meireles-----Ramires

Sturridge-Torres-Mata

I've gone for Lampard holding over Mikel, as although I rate Mikel in certain situations, I don't think he has the required intensity for this game, so I've gone for Lampard holding to move the ball quickly and to allow him more time on the ball. I also think Lampard is good defensively. Meireles as 'playmaker' and Ramires as the ballcarrier/winner and for his all round explosiveness.

Sturridge needs to really get at Evra and he'll have the chance to because Nani is unlikely to trackback much. He's the danger man for me. Mata just needs to keep doing what he's doing. Torres NEEDS to work hard. There will be no use whatsoever of him getting frustrated if a run doesn't get spotted or United's defence shuts him down. He needs to give it his all from the start. I'm backing him to do it. I think the stick he's going to get at OT will fire him up.

We need to go all out for the win. I'd take a draw. It's the only game of the season I ever would but we can beat them. They aren't that good unless you let them play.

2-1 Chelsea. Ramires, Mata.

And for anyone who's making the journey up for OT, sing loud, sing proud. The atmosphere in the way end is usually incredible.

[zolayes 14,489]

excellent post ..much of what I was too lazy to write

[Fabriccfc 21]

excellent post ..much of what I was too lazy to write

Cheers mate.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

-----------Cech

Bosingwa-Luiz-Terry-Cole

--------Lampard----------

Meireles-----Ramires

Sturridge-Torres-Mata

Good post, but there's no way Lampard has the defensive capabilities or positional discipline to play as a holding player

[Rambo 1,729]

I've gone for Lampard holding over Mikel, as although I rate Mikel in certain situations, I don't think he has the required intensity for this game, so I've gone for Lampard holding to move the ball quickly and to allow him more time on the ball. I also think Lampard is good defensively. Meireles as 'playmaker' and Ramires as the ballcarrier/winner and for his all round explosiveness.

I think you've got it the other way around mate, Mikel's strength and discipline in the holding position will benefit us a lot more vs. United.

[Fabriccfc 21]

Good post, but there's no way Lampard has the defensive capabilities or positional discipline to play as a holding player

I disagree. I think Lamps is good at tackling. I wouldn't ask him to play a similar role or be that defensive. I want him to play there because I feel we need to take the game to United and I don't think trying to contain United and being defensive will be enough.

Obviously Mikel is far superior defensively.

I just think if Lampard played deeper and got more time on the ball, we would see an awesome range of passes from him.

[Fabriccfc 21]

I think you've got it the other way around mate, Mikel's strength and discipline in the holding position will benefit us a lot more vs. United.

Would he be quick/sharp/adventurous enough though?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I disagree. I think Lamps is good at tackling. I wouldn't ask him to play a similar role or be that defensive. I want him to play there because I feel we need to take the game to United and I don't think trying to contain United and being defensive will be enough.

Obviously Mikel is far superior defensively.

I just think if Lampard played deeper and got more time on the ball, we would see an awesome range of passes from him.

Tbh, what would happen (if those 3 made up the midfield) is something like..

Miereles - Ramires

------Lampard

[Fabriccfc 21]

Tbh, what would happen (if those 3 made up the midfield) is something like..

Miereles - Ramires

------Lampard

Yeah, more than likely. I'm just saying what I would do.

Frank will have to get used to playing a more reserved role if he wants to prolong his career though.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Phil Dowd named as ref for the game.

[Badboy 1,526]

I can not see united playing 4-4-2 against us like they did against Spurs and Arsenal. He will go with Carrick sitting with Anderson and Cleverly in front of him. He will then go with Rooney flanked by Nani and young. We will probably go with Anelka Torres and Mata upfront, Sturridge will be on the bench for this. Lampard Raul and Ramires will play in midfield.

The key player in this game for us is Ramires and this is why i think we will win this game. Ramires will completely cut Nani out of the game and then that will put too much pressure on Young and Anderson to provide for Rooney, Man utd at this point will malfunction. We will grow in confidence and we will score.. i think we will wi this 2-0 we might get third depending on how desperate united get.

[Rambo 1,729]

I can not see united playing 4-4-2 against us like they did against Spurs and Arsenal. He will go with Carrick sitting with Anderson and Cleverly in front of him. He will then go with Rooney flanked by Nani and young. We will probably go with Anelka Torres and Mata upfront, Sturridge will be on the bench for this. Lampard Raul and Ramires will play in midfield.

The key player in this game for us is Ramires and this is why i think we will win this game. Ramires will completely cut Nani out of the game and then that will put too much pressure on Young and Anderson to provide for Rooney, Man utd at this point will malfunction. We will grow in confidence and we will score.. i think we will wi this 2-0 we might get third depending on how desperate united get.

Bold prediction! I like it.

[magic weeds 446]

I can not see united playing 4-4-2 against us like they did against Spurs and Arsenal. He will go with Carrick sitting with Anderson and Cleverly in front of him. He will then go with Rooney flanked by Nani and young. We will probably go with Anelka Torres and Mata upfront, Sturridge will be on the bench for this. Lampard Raul and Ramires will play in midfield.

The key player in this game for us is Ramires and this is why i think we will win this game. Ramires will completely cut Nani out of the game and then that will put too much pressure on Young and Anderson to provide for Rooney, Man utd at this point will malfunction. We will grow in confidence and we will score.. i think we will wi this 2-0 we might get third depending on how desperate united get.

I think Cleverly is injured.

[Blue Armour 4,439]

Ivan - Luiz - JT - Cole

Bosingwa at RB against Utd just gives me the creeps. Too immature positionally and too vunerable to lapses in concentration. Ivan, while more solid than spectacular, will do his job and keep their winger in check. Having Sturridge ahead of him makes a difference as well, last season Anelka/Kalou kept straying in midfield and it increased Ivan's workload on the right. Also I'd imagine Ramires will be asked to help out the RB with defending, much like against Bale at WHL last season.

In the middle I'd go for Luiz regardless of whether Mikel plays. As much as I rate Alex, he's a little limited in what he brings to the table apart from bread and butter defending. He's been making some mistakes lately (Newcastle late last year, WBA this year) and isn't suited to the high line. His match fitness is a worry anyway. Even though Luiz is very capable of having a rush of blood to the head and ending up doing something silly, he's just as likely to make amends and make a telling contribution at the other end.

Like I said, if the coach gives him specific instructions he should do it. He did fine against Messi (with help from the CB's of course) at the Nuo camp.

I'll say it again, if one of their wingers is in a good nick, they could skin Bane with their pace. Yes Bosingwa, suffered from lapses of concentration last season, but he seems to have improved again this season. And I honestly feel he's better at dealing with fast players than Brana. His only problem is that he bombs forward whenever possible. He will definitely have to restrict himself more for this match

[Badboy 1,526]

I think Cleverly is injured.

You're right actually, i think the possibility of them playing a 4-4-2 is real now as they don't have that many options as i don't think he can afford to start Carrick Anderson and Fletcher. I think he probably stick Chico upfront, Chelsea 3-1 Man utd !

[daBlackMamba7 174]

Careful boy, that they are lucky to have not discovered the wonders of Fox News and its team!

Can't get any better then Bill O'reilly!

Lmao....It doesnt get any better than dear old Bill...lol

[Igi26 346]

We can win this game. 2-1 for us.