How would you manage the current situation?

[stroey 2,525]

The defeat of yesterday ruined my weekend. Last week we were 8 points clear of City and now just 3, plus we have Stoke, Soton and Spurs (a) waiting for us the coming games.

Since our recent 2 away games weren't that good, (sunderland, newcastle) I think Mou have something to think about.

No need to panic since we still have everything in our own hands but we can't afford to make many more mistakes.

How would you manage the current situation if you were Mou?

e.g:

- what would you say to the players to motivate them? Or stimulate them?

- will you drop anyone for Luis?

- when everyone is fit again, including Ramires, would you give him a starting spot?

- how to replace Cesc for the Hull game?

- which players would you give more minutes? (e.g Remy, Schurrle, Salah)

- try another formation in away games (4-3-3)

- do you want to see other players in the starting line up instead of others?

- no changes, keep the same team.

Just want to hear ideas of other members. How would you manage the current situation as I think this is a crucial and interesting moment in the season. Last season Mou dropped Cole for Azpi after the defeat at Newcastle, (if im correct) and that worked well.

What would you do?

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

I don't think the lack of rotation was the biggest problem.

What has become obvious is that the defensive failure of Cahill which has until then been covered by Matic's sheer physicality has been revealed, and now every team knows exactly how to beat us; quick counter attacking and packing the penalty box.

This year the defence has been pushed up a bit due to the more offensive nature of Cesc, which John Terry has had no problems with, but Cahill always seems to have a look of despair on his face whenever anybody runs at him.

However, this isn't just a Let's-bash-Cahill-and-use-him-as-a-scapegoat, I just think he needs to be rested and improve his mental stength a little and then I think he will be up and at 'em again after a few games' absence - also gives him the chance to shake of any minor head trauma he got from clashes in the last few games. Zouma can easily fill his shoes and the experience will probably be great for his mentality.

I think that in Matic's absence we should definitely play a 4-3-3 either until our defence is reinforced or indefinitely, with Ake or Rambo - Mikel - Cesc in the middle, and Willian/Schurrle - striker - Hazard for AMs.

Rotation is 1 thing I must criticise Jose for. We could have played Azpi as an RB and Luis as an LB and had no defensive defecit due to it, maybe even with Iva in the middle to test it in our next DR CL game.

We also can't risk burning out Cesc and Oscar, who are both players we can rotate quite happily with Rambo and Schurrle, or even Remy, respectively. Having said that though, Hazard is pretty much irreplaceable at this point in time... I suppose we could run Salah in the smaller games.

This is going to be criticised but I think in the games like Sunderland and Newcastle we would actually be better off running Drogba due to his aerial capability, especially in set pieces - that is where we are going to get the goals in those kinds of matches.

Finally, I think Mikel actually did quite well. He isn't Matic, but, eh, he was good enough for a bench warmer.

[Styles 9,790]

I think I would start by giving other players a chance instead of playing the same group to death. And perhaps I'd even drop underperforming players. I know, crazy stuff.

[Heisenberg 1,824]

I dont change a team that wins, and this team is winning.I'd rotate Willian with Ramires in the away games but thats it, confidence wins you games, and I believe this starting eleven, will win us the league if we continue to believe in them, rather than change when bad matches arrives.Its all in the approach, and Newcastle away was a predictable loss.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Drop Cahill.

Ivanovic and Terry as CBs, Luis and Azpilicueta as FBs.

Matic and Fabregas as the first choice pivot but Ramires should get significant game time especially in big games.

Hazard and Willian on the wings and Oscar as #10, but I would have them interchange more as all of them can play #10, RW and LW.

Costa is the clear starter at ST with 11 goals, but if he suffers a clear dip in form, Remy should be starter with Drogba still as the supersub.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I don't see any crisis, it is our bad luck we have to face double away to Sunderland and Newcastle, plus they are up on to it, plus some of our players under perform. No need to worry about City, they also can't win all their remaining matches, especially if Aguero out or if they play on Thursday night in Europa League.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

I'd definitely freshen the squad up. Not at Sporting though, if he drops players in that match they'll think it's a rest because it's a dead-rubber. I'd drop players for our next PL game.

Zouma in for Cahill

Luis in for Ivanovic (switch flanks)

Drogba & Costa up front (drop Willian)

[chelseafc9010 224]

Drop Cahill completely. Good defender but never been what we required. With Mouriniho and DI Mateo we didn't have these problems with Cahill because of how deep we played and Cahill has always had Terry and Ivan to cover his ass, but when it comes down to it he isn't good enough, the only reason he is in the team is because he is English.

I have wanted Luis and Azpi as fullbacks for a long time now, it's too good to resist; better width, ball retention, link up, energy, speed.

Also we need to rotate. Sporting is a game that isn't important but we still want to win. Take out Eden who has played too much recently, Cesc and Diego out too. Give Shurrle, Ramires and Remy a chance (Jose will use Drogba obviously).

[coolhead23 1,146]

Wouldnt want to tinker much with a winning combination however the number of games we are playing would like to do the following ...

• Rotation is a must ... And it is not that we dont have the personal .. we have very good players at most of the positions. Rotations also keep the competition going and keep everyone fresh ...
• Against lower end team who like to defend ... will play 2 strikers up front ... case and point yesterday game ... Costa was getting marked out of the game, the moment Drogs was introduced the defence was spilt between them ... With all 3 strikers firing it would provide us more options up front
• Have being crying it out for a long time, let Brana move into the CB position, he is a much better CB .. Luis into LB and Azpi to RB ... Brana has being very good at RB but I guess it is time to get him back into CB .. Cahill needs some time out.

[Nike 373]

EASY.

Sign Thiago. haha

[Moustradamus 60]

Drop Cahill.

YES!!!

Ask yourselves this question: Would Cahill be a starter for Real Madrid or Bayern?

Of course not. I rest my case.

If he wasn't homegrown his ass be warming the bench by now. The only reason he's still starting is because he's English.

As soon as saw Cahill on the lineup I knew wouldn't take long for him to screw things up. Ruined my weekend. He's good for a team like Everton or Swansea, just not good enough for us.

End rant/

[Stats 7,054]

I don't think the lack of rotation was the biggest problem.

What has become obvious is that the defensive failure of Cahill which has until then been covered by Matic's sheer physicality has been revealed, and now every team knows exactly how to beat us; quick counter attacking and packing the penalty box.

This year the defence has been pushed up a bit due to the more offensive nature of Cesc, which John Terry has had no problems with, but Cahill always seems to have a look of despair on his face whenever anybody runs at him.

However, this isn't just a Let's-bash-Cahill-and-use-him-as-a-scapegoat, I just think he needs to be rested and improve his mental stength a little and then I think he will be up and at 'em again after a few games' absence - also gives him the chance to shake of any minor head trauma he got from clashes in the last few games. Zouma can easily fill his shoes and the experience will probably be great for his mentality.

I think that in Matic's absence we should definitely play a 4-3-3 either until our defence is reinforced or indefinitely, with Ake or Rambo - Mikel - Cesc in the middle, and Willian/Schurrle - striker - Hazard for AMs.

Rotation is 1 thing I must criticise Jose for. We could have played Azpi as an RB and Luis as an LB and had no defensive defecit due to it, maybe even with Iva in the middle to test it in our next DR CL game.

We also can't risk burning out Cesc and Oscar, who are both players we can rotate quite happily with Rambo and Schurrle, or even Remy, respectively. Having said that though, Hazard is pretty much irreplaceable at this point in time... I suppose we could run Salah in the smaller games.

This is going to be criticised but I think in the games like Sunderland and Newcastle we would actually be better off running Drogba due to his aerial capability, especially in set pieces - that is where we are going to get the goals in those kinds of matches.

Finally, I think Mikel actually did quite well. He isn't Matic, but, eh, he was good enough for a bench warmer.

Easier said than done. He has not really been tested yet. Play him for a few games and you may easily see flaws. It is not simple as that, to drop an experienced CB and put a 19 year old who is still quite raw, in place of him.

[iseah100 5,612]

Bench some players that have been underperforming to let them know no ones spot is secure. Besides Hazard, Cesc, Matic, and Costa. Play Luis more AND FUCKING ROTATION

[cosmicway 1,323]

Tottenham almost went ahead at the bridge last Saturday - Newcastle were more lucky.

I liked the way we went after the equaliser against Newcastle -and we did pull one back.

Before the 0-1, I just think our approach was too girly: Little flicks, itchy bitchy teenie winnie stuff - the other teams don't suck all that much !
The players should know better. Work, or it's AC Milan (*) - Qatar - Kazakhstan next for you.

(*) post Berlusconi as well

[bethos1 802]

Play Luis more AND FUCKING ROTATION

This please, we have a world class LB in Luis why does he barely start? I really want to see Luis and Azpi playing together.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I want to see Luis Terry Ivan and Azpi playing at the same time, at least once in my life. It is still too much to ask...

[quickpassnmove 924]

Drop Cahill.

Ivanovic and Terry as CBs, Luis and Azpilicueta as FBs.

Matic and Fabregas as the first choice pivot but Ramires should get significant game time especially in big games.

Hazard and Willian on the wings and Oscar as #10, but I would have them interchange more as all of them can play #10, RW and LW.

Costa is the clear starter at ST with 11 goals, but if he suffers a clear dip in form, Remy should be starter with Drogba still as the supersub.

I'll just add that even though I'm not much of a Mikel fan, I don't see any problem with rotating him in more; it's the forwards that need to produce more (aside from Costa and Hazard). I'm still in favor of getting another winger/wide attacking mid if Schuerrle just won't settle with Costa and the rest of the starters. Willian just seems to need a little something (mental?) that he's lacking at the moment.

Overall, Chelsea just aren't over this "hump" yet that began sometime back in 2007 and reached its peak with January of 2011 and many months thereafter. Or, to put it less kindly, Chelsea are lucky that Aguero is injured again.

[Mustafa 885]

Well fuck me eh?? Here's me thinking Gary Cahill is our best CB and has been so reliable for us since he's got here. Granted he hasn't been great this season... but MAN are we putting him to the sword after this Newcastle defeat. Yes he did screw up and probably should be out of action for a couple games due to his poor performances of late. But people on here are acting like he's never been a good defender and that he is complete and utter wank. Every single player in the world goes through rough patches. We can't just verbally abuse the fuck out of him and retract all support we had for him because he f'd up.

I'm shocked...