Closed Newcastle v Chelsea

[edetarod 2,155]

It's our strongest narrowest line-up!

fixed

[Hutcho 8,443]

Lamps ain't what he used to be of course, but he seems to be getting very underrated atm.

[Term-X 7,891]

So here we have it, two central attackers on the WING!, why even bother signing guys with pace who can stretch out the play, or heck.. even this formation ffs..

[Term-X 7,891]

Oscar & Mata should NEVER play together.

[Barbara 15,149]

good to know I'm not the only one to think Mazacar is so last season

[DanishBlue 426]

We need width with this lineup.

[Stingray 9,441]

We will see how those guys together perform .... don't sell the skin of the bear before you shoot it.

[bushman 2,043]

Lamps ain't what he used to be of course, but he seems to be getting very underrated atm.

Frank´s role a bit different now. Still very valuable for the team. If I had my way, I would sign him for another year.

[bushman 2,043]

good to know I'm not the only one to think Mazacar is so last season

[mediator 2,026]

Put Willian on the wing and Oscar in the pivot, fixed

[manpe 10,857]

Oscar & Mata should NEVER play together.

Are we losing already?

[Rmpr 8,977]

Geeez, stop crying like a baby (all of you). Jose knows what he is doing and if we find ourselves needing width, there are two quality players on the bench to do so!

KTBFFH! :blue scalf:

[Sheva. 5,373]

Mata had to start, and Mourinho won't drop Oscar, hence Mazacar again.

[DanishBlue 426]

I really hope the team is going to prove we wrong but I fear that our lack of width will be a problem when we have to break down 11 Newcastle players on their own half.

[JackredandWhite 171]

Good luck lads - tear them a new arsehole

[nachikethas 1,149]

Fuk stuck in traffic,hopes will reach home in half an hour.

anyway lets go blues.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Mata had to start, and Mourinho won't drop Oscar, hence Mazacar again.

Why?

I'm not gonna criticise the lack of width because it might not be a factor. Maybe Jose thinks we don't need to counter-attack quite as much and will need to break down two lines of four instead, so he can afford to include them both.

Maybe he's just looking to see if Mata can do a job on the right-wing. Either way we all know he's not afraid to make changes if it isn't working, but I do feel sorry for Schurrle.

[Pizy 17,861]

The stats and the results simply don't back up that assertion.

He isn't scoring goals anymore. If we're okay with that, why not play Mikel or Essien who are natural DM's? Both Ramires and Lamps love to get forward and in turn can leave our defense exposed. It hasn't happened recently, but I'd feel safer with Mikel in there holding back.