Closed Derby v Chelsea

[Cosmin 2,484]

I do agree to rest players, but Kalas ? Who is he, I have not seen him around. LOL.

This is the type of match which is perfect for players like Kalas. If there are CBs who need resting, then why not give the lad a chance?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I expect them to rest a few key players. They have Leicester on Friday which is probably a bigger/more important game for them.

That's on Friday? What horrible planning that it. Good for us though.

EDIT - yeah, Friday, 7.45pm kick-off. Then we play them at 2.15pm on the Sunday. They'll have about 40 hours to recover from the most high-intensity game of their season! Crazy.

EDIT 2 - ignore me. Brainfart.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Alex

[bushman 2,043]

This is the type of match which is perfect for players like Kalas. If there are CBs who need resting, then why not give the lad a chance?

It´s very simple. Kalas has not played, Jose wants to win, players will play their next game on January 11th. Therefore, plenty of rest after Derby.

[zyzz 711]

That's on Friday? What horrible planning that it. Good for us though.

EDIT - yeah, Friday, 7.45pm kick-off. Then we play them at 2.15pm on the Sunday. They'll have about 40 hours to recover from the most high-intensity game of their season! Crazy.

They play leicester on friday the 10th

[BlueLion. 21,491]

They play leicester on friday the 10th

That makes a lot more sense

[didierforever 7,349]

I do agree to rest players, but Kalas ? Who is he, I have not seen him around. LOL.

we have 7 "regular" defenders out of which iva is injured. JT, GC, azpi have played 90 mins of 4 matches in 9 days. cole has played 2 and a half matches. so that leaves us with DL and bertrand only. dont think we can play just 2/3 defenders.

[bushman 2,043]

Mo matter when Derby plays their next game. I honestly do not believe Jose is going to play the likes of Kalas, Ake Treore as mentioned here. Why not go out storm the pitch, score 3 & rest the players, then ?

[We Hate Scouse 10,326]

That's on Friday? What horrible planning that it. Good for us though.

EDIT - yeah, Friday, 7.45pm kick-off. Then we play them at 2.15pm on the Sunday. They'll have about 40 hours to recover from the most high-intensity game of their season! Crazy.

EDIT 2 - ignore me. Brainfart.

Idiot.

You making the short trip?

[edetarod 2,155]

i love the FA cup

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Idiot.

You making the short trip?

Unfortunately not mate. Missed the ticket sales

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Schwarzer

Essien - Kalas - Cahill - Bertrand

Mikel - McEachran

Traore - Mata - De Bruyne

Ba

[The only place to be 11,313]

A really tough one to predict. You'd like to see some young players given the chance but Derby away is not going to be an easy game and the last thing we want is to lose (the second to last thing is a replay - need to win on the day). Schwarzer needs a start, Luiz is coming back from suspension and our midfield options are already limited so I'd expect Essien to get a run out (maybe even in a 433). Up front I'd assume it would be Ba, but there is the possibility of not wanting to cup-tie him or simply wanting to give one of the other guys a run out considering they're in half-decent form. Hazard on the bench, along with Oscar and maybe even Traore? Plus maybe a young'un to make up the numbers in midfield (Baker sat against Swindon, seems to be first in line unless McEachran returns and goes straight in).

I'm just confusing myself here. Between not wanting to cup-tie players who might be on their way out (Bertrand, Ba), not wanting to lose the match and wanting to keep the good form going, anyone could be selected but here goes.

Schwarzer

Kalas Luiz Cahill Azpi

Essien Ramires

De Bruyne Willian Schurrle

Torres