Closed Chelsea v Swansea

[Jase 43,479]

Michael Laudrup has rested quite a few of his first team players against Arsenal today. Here's the starting XI:

Swansea team v Arsenal: Vorm, Tiendalli, Chico, Bartley, Davies, Britton, De Guzman, Ki, Routledge, Dyer, Graham

Michu is on the bench.

[Muzchap 8,966]

Michael Laudrup has rested quite a few of his first team players against Arsenal today. Here's the starting XI:

Swansea team v Arsenal: Vorm, Tiendalli, Chico, Bartley, Davies, Britton, De Guzman, Ki, Routledge, Dyer, Graham

Michu is on the bench.

Yup, realistically for Swansea this a huge chance to win a trophy!!!

We CANNOT underestimate how much they will want this and need to be on our game I know you already made that point, just backing it up

[Sheva. 5,373]

We can't rest too many players like against QPR. I would expect Mata to start and Hazard on the bench since he played full 90 yesterday. And maybe Torres instead of Ba.

Oscar to replace Hazard, Marin or Ramires to replace Moses (or a surprise start for Piazon!)

[Spike 12,049]

Arsenal and Swansea should be a great match.

[Corner 456]

Michael Laudrup has rested quite a few of his first team players against Arsenal today. Here's the starting XI:

Swansea team v Arsenal: Vorm, Tiendalli, Chico, Bartley, Davies, Britton, De Guzman, Ki, Routledge, Dyer, Graham

Michu is on the bench.

Britton, De Guzman, Ki, Routledge, Dyer, Graham

Still a lot of creative players there. Capable of beating Arsenal I think.

[The only place to be 11,313]

We can't rest too many players like against QPR.

Honestly, if we need to rest players then I'd do it in this match. We've got three big league games coming up which we need to be at full strength for and the second leg comes before a six day break before the next game.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Honestly, if we need to rest players then I'd do it in this match. We've got three big league games coming up which we need to be at full strength for and the second leg comes before a six day break before the next game.

If it was any other round i would agree, but this is the semi's - now this competition means something. Swansea will play a full strength team, and we need to able to field a team that can compete with them.

[Jase 43,479]

According to Michael Laudrup on ESPN, he said Michu is having a slight back problem. That is why he's on the bench against Arsenal. Said he will be ready to come on in the 2nd half though.

[The only place to be 11,313]

If it was any other round i would agree, but this is the semi's - now this competition means something. Swansea will play a full strength team, and we need to able to field a team that can compete with them.

It's still the League Cup - right now the priority has to be the league. Look what happened after the United game when we played our most important players and then struggled against Swansea.

[HNKS 508]

Is the Arse - Swan game on any channel in the UK?

[NiclasCFC 2,582]

Guys this is our biggest chance for a trophy this season, full team for this match please!

[Jase 43,479]

Honestly, if we need to rest players then I'd do it in this match. We've got three big league games coming up which we need to be at full strength for and the second leg comes before a six day break before the next game.

We actually don't really have a week break till like end of February.

9th Jan - Swansea(H)

12th Jan - Stoke(A)

16th Jan - Southampton(H)

20th Jan - Arsenal(H)

23rd Jan - Swansea(A)

26/27th Jan - FA Cup 4th Round Tie

29th Jan - Reading(A)

2nd Feb - Newcastle(A)

5/6th Feb - International Friendlies(not many though it seems)

9th Feb - Wigan(H)

14th Feb - Sparta Prague(A)

16/17th Feb - FA Cup 5th Round Tie(if we get there)

21st Feb - Sparta Prague(H)

24th Feb - Man City(A)

2nd Mar - West Brom(H)

[The only place to be 11,313]

Guys this is our biggest chance for a trophy this season, full team for this match please!

We're still in the FA Cup and Europa League, plus we need to finish top four. Those need to be the priorities, not the Coca-Cola Cup.

We actually don't really have a week break till like end of February.

9th Jan - Swansea(H)

12th Jan - Stoke(A)

16th Jan - Southampton(H)

20th Jan - Arsenal(H)

23rd Jan - Swansea(A)

26/27th Jan - FA Cup 4th Round Tie

29th Jan - Reading(A)

2nd Feb - Newcastle(A)

5/6th Feb - International Friendlies(not many though it seems)

9th Feb - Wigan(H)

14th Feb - Sparta Prague(A)

16/17th Feb - FA Cup 5th Round Tie(if we get there)

21st Feb - Sparta Prague(H)

24th Feb - Man City(A)

2nd Mar - West Brom(H)

Forgot about the FA Cup 4th round. Hopefully a non-league team at home.

[Corner 456]

Is the Arse - Swan game on any channel in the UK?

ESPN

[Liquidator 5,176]

Turnbull

Azpi Luiz Ivan Bertrand

Lampard Ramires

Marin Mata Oscar

Ba

Hopefully that team will be good enough to beat Swansea. It is important that we try to get a good result in the home leg but also keep an eye on the Stoke away game on Saturday which will be very difficult. Give Hazard a rest because i think he has played some part in every game this season, Cahill can also have a night off IMO so he is fresh for Stoke on Saturday, same for Cole

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Blondie will, no doubt, start. We'll just have to deal with it.

[Corner 456]

Blondie will, no doubt, start. We'll just have to deal with it.

If that means Ba starting against Stoke, I can live with that.

I'm pretty sure we can beat Swansea even with Torres on the field, but I don't think we can beat Stoke with Torres playing instead of Ba.

[Laylabelle 9,535]

Funny. That's what most people said against QPR and look what happened.

Lets not forget that Swansea went to the Emirates not too long ago where they outplayed Arsenal and won 2-0. And though they didn't create much in away games against Man City and Spurs, they only lost 1-0 in both games. Heck, they even won 3-1 against Liverpool at Anfield in the League Cup earlier this season. So, we cannot underestimate them one bit!

Exactly and even if we win 1-0...its only half time still another 90 minutes to go afters.We've already drawn against them this season

With the away goal rules..clean sheet be a bloody great help!

[Stats 7,142]

There is no way Ba will start both Swansea and Stoke so for that reason will like to see Torres start this match. I reckon, having not played any part against Southampton, he should be a rejuvinated striker and when we beat Swansea 4-1 last season we cannot deny he scored a brilliant goal and looked good until he got S/O. So I will like to see Torres start this and no doubt Ba has to start against Stoke.

[Jype 6,398]

According to Michael Laudrup on ESPN, he said Michu is having a slight back problem. That is why he's on the bench against Arsenal. Said he will be ready to come on in the 2nd half though.

That's what you get when you carry the whole team on your back for a prolonged period of time. If he keeps on playing his back will be seriously fucked up soon.