Closed Man City vs Chelsea

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Soak up pressure then counter.

4-4-1-1 (4-4-2 on offence)

Cech

Ivan - Luiz - JT - Cole

Ramires - Essien - Lampard - Mata

Drogba

Torres/Sturridge

Swap Torres and Drogba around than it would work better

[capriccioso 2,545]

I agree with Sheva.A win is a win, and particularly this season, we can't afford to be picky over them. I'll take a 1-0 own goal win where Man City have 90% possession and have 45 shots on target at this point.

[francozola 2,040]

Just couple months ago we had a run of games against recently promoted sides, and teams at the bottom half of the table.

We had like 3 wins and a shit load of draws out of that.

Point is, the way we have been playing this season it's very wrong to discredit wins by saying 'Championship side' or 'down to 10 men' - this one especially, we were on top from the very beginning, even when they had 11 men.

And remember we couldn't even beat Birmingham at home just a couple weeks ago..

Yeah absolutely. But what I meant was... If you look at the whole picture, It's not all that impressive. Sure, for us it's great. I mentioned in my post that it's obvious the players are happier etc. But based on those results you can't say that we're suddenly ready to beat the best teams in the world.

Again, not saying we can't win. I believe in the lads. But I'm also realistic enough to understand that we're nowhere near the powerhouse we once were so for us to win is not just a simple matter of us playing well. We haven't played consistently well in 20 over months.

[The Rising Sun 710]

First Goal means everything.

We need it to have any chance.

They will be happy to throw wave after wave of attacks, knowing that eventually they will score one of them.

We HAVE TO score first.

And not starting Torres is utter nonsense, yes he hasnt scored many goals this season but i think he has shitloads of assists. Now he has got some confidence going and his pace and trickery are good too.

Yes, Sturridge will beat alot of players in the opposing half, but if he doesnt score, it is quite improbable that he will play creator, knowing how he plays. Sturridge must be benched, as a punishment for not playing enough for the team. Then if required, get him on in the 65th minute and tell him, make a goal, or score it. Clichy will be tired and Sturridge can play like he has something to prove.

With sturridge, there is no happiness for fans like me.

Earlier on, i used to feel good and smile everytime Sturridge nutmegged or tricked a player and made runs forward.... Now everytime he does that, i know what he is going to do....keep his head down and shoot from anywhere. Sad that such great hope has turned into such a turnoff and irritating element in our team. And yet he plays every game doing the same thing again and again.

[robdog 2,084]

Soak up pressure then counter.

4-4-1-1 (4-4-2 on offence)

Cech

Ivan - Luiz - JT - Cole

Ramires - Essien - Lampard - Mata

Drogba

Torres/Sturridge

Swap Torres and Drogba around than it would work better

Yea & bring in Danny Boy Sturridge vs. those tired legs. Man City will be up for this match, because they are losing ground to manure. I am thinkin' we will see Senor Tevez. I will be hella happy w/ a draw, but since AVB has left CFC has scored 12 goals in 4 matches & only given up 3. I am liking our chances TBH. Up The Chels!!!

[bluephoenix 1,126]

Hope RDM and team don't get too much carried away by the last 4 wins even though the last 2 thoroughly deserves all the praise... if we continue to play with the same intensity that we did in the last 2 matches a win is possible but draw is more realistic result and would be a tad bit disappointed if we lost.

[Ollie 4,400]

Unfortunately i think we're playing them at a bad time. I know we're confident atm winning 4/4 but this is a completely different test and seeing that city are now plying catch up and have been on a very bad run lately, i can see them getting the job done against us. Any slip up for City now given Utd's run in will be very costly so i'll go 2-0 city.

[Billy. 2,742]

gonna be a hard game of course im gonna go for a 1-1

[Steve 10,227]

For some reason i am extremely confident that we can go there and get the win! Come on lads.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

We need to play Sturridge and Torres up infront of Mata. The key to beat City is with fast counters and we need Torres/Sturridge's quickness and technique in the box. City defenders are big lads and wont keep up with them. If we play solid defensively and are quick to counter we WILL beat them.

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

Iva - Cahill - Terry - Cole

-----------Luiz----------------

Ramires--------Lampard

-----------Mata--------------

Sturridge---------Torres

I would LOVE to see that lineup. With Luiz as CDM we got a huge defensive advantage and along with him and Ramires we still got quickness and pace to go forward. We'll win by 3-1

[francozola 2,040]

Luiz at DM? No, no, no, no, no, no.

This is not the game to be experimenting in, jfc.

Anyway I think Luiz would be an absolute disaster at DM, but there is no proof to back this up yet. The stoke game should prove that fullback is not the role for him. Now he needs to play as a DM in a game to show us whether or not he can do it. But away at City is NOT the game to experiment!!!

[kiaretta985 131]

City have to prove they can win the title. we have to prove that our recent form is not just a spark. I think anything can happen.

[Ben. 57]

Gary should start over Luiz for this one, hands down without a doubt.

[zolayes 14,489]

City have to prove they can win the title. we have to prove that our recent form is not just a spark. I think anything can happen.

and probably will

[Sheva. 5,373]

Yeah absolutely. But what I meant was... If you look at the whole picture, It's not all that impressive. Sure, for us it's great. I mentioned in my post that it's obvious the players are happier etc. But based on those results you can't say that we're suddenly ready to beat the best teams in the world.

Again, not saying we can't win. I believe in the lads. But I'm also realistic enough to understand that we're nowhere near the powerhouse we once were so for us to win is not just a simple matter of us playing well. We haven't played consistently well in 20 over months.

Winning brings confidence, it's much better for us to be going into the games with City and Tottenham on the back of 4 straight "unimpressive" wins, than with stupid draws like we've been doing all season.

Look at Arsenal for example, during their current winning streak they have had games where they didn't play their best, and were lucky to win.

But the fact is they keep winning, and this is what we have been doing, and hopefully we can continue doing so.

[kiaretta985 131]

and probably will

yep, I expect a crazy game!

[Jase 43,479]

According to Mancini, Lescott is out and Kompany is a major doubt. IF Savic and Toure starts at CB, they most certainly can be gotten at if RDM gets it right. There's also been suggestion that Zabaletta might be deployed at RB with Richards moving to CB alongside Savic/Toure. Either way, as long as Savic starts, we need to target him!

Adding to that, Mancini also boasted that Man City WILL win the title. Hopefully, it backfires on them!

[francozola 2,040]

JT out of the game. Fuck.