Closed Derby v Chelsea

[bushman 2,043]

Amazing when one reads these speculations. Lol.

How can anyone think, Jose will play people who hardly ever played in this season ?

I thought most of you hold this FA Cup in high esteem or not anymore ?

[Reddish-Blue 2,489]

As long as JT & Hazard get a breather, don't really care who's in the lineup

[Reddish-Blue 2,489]

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

Cup-tying players is your concern? I'd feel much safer with Azpi at RB and Bertrand at LB....with Kalas coming off the bench for a 25-30 minute cameo...

[ManchesterMatt 52]

I assume there will be a lot of changes considering we've just had the busy Christmas schedule. We've also got the Man Utd match coming up in a couple of weeks so having a week off would be of a big help ahead of that match.

Schwarzer

Azpi Kalas DL Bertrand

Essien Ramires

Schurrle Mata Willian

Eto'o

For some reason I doubt KDB will play.

[Bacika 188]

Long rest for hazard and terry and azpi I hope. My assupmtion:

Shwarzer,

Kalas, cahil luiz cole,

Essien, ramires

kevin, mata, schurle

Ba

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

1983- fuck me 30 years ago !

[The only place to be 11,313]

Cup-tying players is your concern? I'd feel much safer with Azpi at RB and Bertrand at LB....with Kalas coming off the bench for a 25-30 minute cameo...

I'm not worried about cup-tying them, but it hurts their value if they are. Really we're probably only talking about Bertrand in that regard and he hasn't been fancied by Jose for much of the season. I'd rather see Azpi at left-back and Kalas at right-back simply because Kalas has a future at this club.

[Liquidator 5,176]

We can't underestimate them. Even if that smarmy dodgy car-dealer lookalike berk who cost England a place at Euro 2008 is in charge. They are in with a very good shout of promotion.

I'd give a few players a rest (although we don't have a midweek game this coming week) and bring in a few, but not play so few first teamers that we look vulnerable.

Schwarzer

Kalas Luiz Terry Cole

Essien Mikel

Willian Oscar De Bruyne

Eto'o

Subs: Cech, Ake, Schurrle, Cahill, Ramires, Torres, Clifford

[bushman 2,043]

How many of you chaps were ripping those seats, then ?

[The Skipper 20,609]

Play the youngsters. I'd love to see someone like Boga or RLC get a game here.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Start kalas. Period. The lad deserves it.

[Billy. 2,742]

all these youth im seeing is not a good idea, they are flying high atm in the Championship, so us coming to them is only going to get them buzzing even more.

Aussie, Dave, DL, Cahill, Cole, Rambo, Essien, Schurrle, Mata, KDB, Torres