Closed Man City vs Chelsea

[Jase 43,479]

Cech fires warning to Tottenham

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes his team-mates' experience of the Champions League will help tilt the balance in their favour in the battle for fourth place in the Premier League table.

"We seem to cope with the difficult situations quite well so, hopefully, this experience we've got throughout the years will help us reach our targets. We are approaching these next two games with confidence now."

http://www.espn.co.u...tml?CMP=OTC-RSS

Don't quite like when players come out and starting talking things like that. Always backfire more often than not!

[Badboy 1,526]

Can't see us winning.

I know what you mean Tom. They're going to have the crowd behind them shouting for them to push for the league and its very hard to beat a side with that type of need. We really need to get a CL place but that is not as great an incentive as a League title for a City side that are in their prime years like we were in 2004-2005 2005-2006. This is a weak Chelsea side that has had some fantastic results recently but they will probably lose this one. I just hope we don't get fucked 4-0 because that will really hurt.

[Liquidator 5,176]

park the bus with 5 at the back

[CHOULO19 24,332]

^^

Or pass them to oblivion like Swansea did.

[Wavy Crockett 190]

we're going to have to gamble to win this one, or even draw

if we put out the same team we played against Napoli they'll not only have to play just as well as they did then (which I dont really see happening anyway) but much better

yeah City's recent results are not impressing but they showed in the 2nd half against Sporting that they haven't lost it completely

of course there's not many ways we can "gamble" in regards to lineup, formation et cet. but I dont no.. I'm sure this will be our toughest match yet this season so something has to be done

[francozola 2,040]

I'm not as optimistic as some of you lol. Like Blionheart mentioned on the previous page, we've won four games in a row, yeah, but two were two championship sides, one was a 10-man team and also a game where the old guard took matters into their own hands, similar to the Newcastle-Valencia-City games in December.

Obviously the players are much happier now that AVB is gone and the mood is better, but the lack of quality is still evident. Our defense is still as shaky as it was previously, etc. Of course, there are more positives now as compared to two weeks ago, but let's not get carried away.

I'm not saying we shouldn't support the team. I'll cheer the lads on, as always. And I'm not saying that we'll definitely lose 5-0. We certainly have a chance of winning, but it's going to be tough. City are under a lot of pressure after a terrible few weeks.

[TomCFC 357]

How many times have we all said this then we came out with the result.

True - as I said before Napoli, I'd love to be proved wrong. I didn't think we'd beat City in December, so it's possible, but I'd take a point. That's all.

[Kezza 1,965]

Cant wait for this game!

My nails are just growing back from last week, i have a feeling they will be gone again in the next 48 hours!

[Sheva. 5,373]

I'm not as optimistic as some of you lol. Like Blionheart mentioned on the previous page, we've won four games in a row, yeah, but two were two championship sides, one was a 10-man team and also a game where the old guard took matters into their own hands, similar to the Newcastle-Valencia-City games in December.

Obviously the players are much happier now that AVB is gone and the mood is better, but the lack of quality is still evident. Our defense is still as shaky as it was previously, etc. Of course, there are more positives now as compared to two weeks ago, but let's not get carried away.

I'm not saying we shouldn't support the team. I'll cheer the lads on, as always. And I'm not saying that we'll definitely lose 5-0. We certainly have a chance of winning, but it's going to be tough. City are under a lot of pressure after a terrible few weeks.

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..

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

----------Ivanovic----------Luiz----------Terry-------------Cole-------

--------------------Essien-----------------Lampard-----------------------

---Sturridge--------------------Mata-----------------------Ramires---

---------------------------------Drogba-------------------------------------

This is a very good team that is Capable of Causing Citeh problems. Although RDM may go for a more defensive lineup which no-one can really blame him for conisdering we're playing away from home. Torres should come on as a sub maybe in the last 10-15 mins. I'll be optimistic and predict a win for us, 3-2

[kingofchelseadom 41]

Pretenders. All glory and no guts. We can beat them!!

[tmessy 139]

GOT to start Torres.

Maybe,,,

i know he needs at least 30 mins in this game... and against napoli, the DD and torres combo worked, so maybe we might see that again...

who knows, we just need a win and im not trying to sound like a "fanboy" but torres needs substantial minutes, his link up play has been superb, will be the X factor for this game...

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

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

[Hysteria 159]

Im optimistic. We win.

[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 711]

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 1,131]

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.