Closed Stoke v Chelsea

[bushman 2,043]

with hazard-mata-willian we created a butt-load of chances in our 4-2-3-1 against a difficult sunderland who beat mancity. Maybe shurrle will come in for willian but i'll honestly go with the same trio or add shurrle unless mourinho decides to change formation

Personally, I would do the same.

HMW played very well. Why change something that worked flawlessly ? Just a little change for me. Mikel to start to add muscle into the midfield, see how it goes & maybe subbed Mikel for Frank, later.

Even your proposal of Schurrle is valuable.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Personally, I would do the same.

HMW played very well. Why change something that worked flawlessly ? Just a little change for me. Mikel to start to add muscle into the midfield, see how it goes & maybe subbed Mikel for Frank, later.

Even your proposal of Schurrle is valuable.

Exactly, mikel for lampard. We cant burn out lamps this Christmas and mikel's physique will be valuable against stoke

[bushman 2,043]

Exactly, mikel for lampard. We cant burn out lamps this Christmas and mikel's physique will be valuable against stoke

At Stoke, as we know, they are bunch of lumberjacks, playing rough football. Therefore, my proposal of Mikel.

I also, would love to see Essien, but the bison was shot in Madrid, I feel.

[Barbara 15,149]

We're coming off a match where I think the 3 AMs played the best collective match under Mourinho so far. I'd be disappointed if he doesn't keep those 3 in the lineup.

to be fair although Mata and Willian weren't bad, Hazard carried the attack all by himself. I guess anyone else replacing Mata and Willian wouldn't make us worse. They linked up, had a few passes - the best from the duo was that through ball from Willian to Mata inside the box still in the first half, but I guess Mata's shot or cross was blocked. I don't think Hazard's great match had anything to do with them. Hazard linked more with Lampard and Azpilicueta...

Regardless of that is about time Schürrle gets a start again (feels like forever). I'd have him exactly because while decent, Mata and Willian didn't do anything special.

[bushman 2,043]

to be fair although Mata and Willian weren't bad, Hazard carried the attack all by himself. I guess anyone else replacing Mata and Willian wouldn't make us worse. They linked up, had a few passes - the best from the duo was that through ball from Willian to Mata inside the box still in the first half, but I guess Mata's shot or cross was blocked. I don't think Hazard's great match had anything to do with them. Hazard linked more with Lampard and Azpilicueta...

Regardless of that is about time Schürrle gets a start again (feels like forever). I'd have him exactly because while decent, Mata and Willian didn't do anything special.

Somehow, you missed HMW the new dynamic trio ?

Mata & Willian helped a lot in the last game. Of course, you did not see it ?

[Wfisheruk 22]

and yet you dont want Ivanovic to start???

I just think dave has played better then Ivan the last few games my opinion

[Barbara 15,149]

Somehow, you missed HMW the new dynamic trio ?

Mata & Willian helped a lot in the last game. Of course, you did not see it ?

I saw it and I said they had decent presentations and even mentioned one of their linkup together what I mean, if YOU didn't see in my post is that they weren't anything special to the point Schurrle can't replace either of them. Just look at the vid yuvala posted with all hazard touches in the match and you'll see that he linked up with Lampard 2-3 times, with Mata a couple of them, but most time he received the ball near the midfield line and found his way through the attacking field, receiving many of those passes from Azpili who was the closest behind him. If you replace Mata or Willian for Schurrle and Hazard keeps his level, the quality will still be there.

The same way people are generalizing our defense issues - we don't have a problem defending set-pieces, we had a problem defending set-pieces last match; they're generalizing the attacking midfield in my opinion. Mata and Willian weren't even part of the top three players in the match, Hazard and Lampard were the best duo by a mile, and Azpili is a third for me, but I feel like Ramires had a better match than Mata or Willian. But as Hazard killed it and we were indeed very creative, the credit goes to the whole attacking bunch when the most creative players were Hazard and Lampard, not Hazard and Mata or Willian. Also I'm only asking Schurrle to play, I don't see how that would detract anything...

[WilsonMay 12]

Mata helped a lot in the last game as he is creative and dynamic while attacking and passing, but one problem for him that cannot be denied was he tend to reacted to losing possession of the ball easily.

[bushman 2,043]

I saw it and I said they had decent presentations and even mentioned one of their linkup together what I mean, if YOU didn't see in my post is that they weren't anything special to the point Schurrle can't replace either of them. Just look at the vid yuvala posted with all hazard touches in the match and you'll see that he linked up with Lampard 2-3 times, with Mata a couple of them, but most time he received the ball near the midfield line and found his way through the attacking field, receiving many of those passes from Azpili who was the closest behind him. If you replace Mata or Willian for Schurrle and Hazard keeps his level, the quality will still be there.

The same way people are generalizing our defense issues - we don't have a problem defending set-pieces, we had a problem defending set-pieces last match; they're generalizing the attacking midfield in my opinion. Mata and Willian weren't even part of the top three players in the match, Hazard and Lampard were the best duo by a mile, and Azpili is a third for me, but I feel like Ramires had a better match than Mata or Willian. But as Hazard killed it and we were indeed very creative, the credit goes to the whole attacking bunch when the most creative players were Hazard and Lampard, not Hazard and Mata or Willian. Also I'm only asking Schurrle to play, I don't see how that would detract anything...

Once again, you posted so much, but....

Let me simplify it. Hazard had his best game for Chelsea, so far. Better than all the others. Mata & Willian played well, linking up, passing...contributed to the team admirably. If Willian is replaced by Schurrle, that´s fine with me. Certainly, Mata & Hazard ought to start, in my opinion. I hope, I have helped you here.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I wonder if Jose will use the same tactics he did against West Ham. On one side, this season has proved that using Frank twice in three days is just looking for trouble, and on the other, I think 4-3-3 would work well against Stoke..

On any account, Stoke are not the side they were a couple of seasons ago. They actually play football now, but they are still physical and tough to break down.

[mac.bo 48]

Now why should they do that ?

Sparkie has been at this club when you probably weren't even supporting it; and has helped us in one of the most brilliant come backs I've seen from a Chelsea side.

Mate that game was probly the best Chelsea game in my life,seriously 2-0 down at half-time and what a second half would have loved to been at it,was up at my bro's watching it went ape shit bust afew vases jumping up n down his dog thought i was attacking him while celebrating and tried to bite me lol . But agree super Mark Hughes think he is a Chelsea supporter ,1 time thought he was coming to da bridge to manage.Atb m8.

[bushman 2,043]

I wonder if Jose will use the same tactics he did against West Ham. On one side, this season has proved that using Frank twice in three days is just looking for trouble, and on the other, I think 4-3-3 would work well against Stoke..

On any account, Stoke are not the side they were a couple of seasons ago. They actually play football now, but they are still physical and tough to break down.

Stoke might not be as physical as two years ago, but still rough enough to play hard, I feel.

As for Frank, I thought when he came on, he played rather well, then.

Perhaps, not as a starter, but at 60th minute or so ?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Stoke might not be as physical as two years ago, but still rough enough to play hard, I feel.

As for Frank, I thought when he came on, he played rather well, then.

Perhaps, not as a starter, but at 60th minute or so ?

No doubt, Stoke are still pretty physical, especially if they have to defend deep in the half. As for Frank, he has a good scoring record against Stoke IIRC and I feel he will start, but I would personally rather have him come on in around the 60th minute as you suggested.

[bushman 2,043]

No doubt, Stoke are still pretty physical, especially if they have to defend deep in the half. As for Frank, he has a good scoring record against Stoke IIRC and I feel he will start, but I would personally rather have him come on in around the 60th minute as you suggested.

Right on 19. You & I see it clearly. The same radio station is on.

[yuvala 2,167]

I have the feeling that we would go with 4-3-3, Mata out, Oscar in (if he's fit), Schurrle in Willian out.

[Strike 7,250]

don't think we've lost to stoke since they came up although we've drawn few games and left few others very very late.

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea FC ‏@chelseafc 1m

Mourinho confirms that Luiz is out of tomorrow's game, Eto'o is back, and Oscar is better but he's not sure whether he will play.

[Barbara 15,149]

Mourinho confirms that Luiz is out of tomorrow's game, Eto'o is back, and Oscar is better but he's not sure whether he will play. #CFC

Mourinho on @stokecity : 'They have very good players, a very physical team'. #CFC

Mourinho: 'This week is a hard week, especially playing on a Sunday, and then finishing playing again on a Saturday.

Mourinho: 'The players will have Sunday off, as it's important for them to rest.' #CFC

Mourinho on the Sunderland game: 'It's a good feeling when you are in trouble and you survive.' #CFC

'Take a look at the teams that compete from Saturday to Sunday and the ones who compete from Sunday to Saturday. It must be a big coincidence that the same teams have this schedule'

'Cole is playing tomorrow or Wednesday for sure'