Defence against Stoke

[NattyBlue 44]

^ CJ has it right if Carv is fit that would be a good defence to put out

[sLOVEnian Blue 74]

LOVE LOVE LOVE that sig.

Tnx ... I hope it comes a reality in the summer

[Ollie 4,400]

If Carvalho is fit, he must play with alex and he has to play Ivo and Ash on each side. If Riccy aint fit, he should play Ferreira on the right, Ivo and Alex in the middle and Ash on the left.

Move Zhirkov into midfield where Ballack or Deco usually play because they are both uninspiring wank.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Under the high throw and intense pressure Stoke bring to the table, I would like to see Ivanovic moved into centre back to partner Alex. I cant see Ashley Cole starting this one, against a physical team like Stoke it would just be too risky. I wish there was another option at right back but at this crucial stage of the season Ancelotti wont play Bruma and Im not sure how Belletti is doing injury wise so I guess we mya have to endure Ferreira again.

[Henrique 9,133]

Alex and Ivanovic in the center of the defence, Zhirkov in the left and Hilário in the right-back...even him would have done better than PF agains Spurs.

[Markyc118 0]

for me it has to be:

ivanovic---alex---carvalho---cole

but thats if ricky and coley are 100% would bruma be too inexperienced concidering the whole delap throw scenario?

[Luke 60]

I dont think he'll risk Ash from the start.

Bruma wont start either.

It will either be:

Ivan - Alex - Riccy - Yuri

or

Paolo - Ivan - Alex - Yuri

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Alex and Ivanovic in the center of the defence, Zhirkov in the left and Hilário in the right-back...even him would have done better than PF agains Spurs.

Yeah, i've heard his crosses are deadly!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Branislav Ivanovic will revert to the centre of defence for this afternoon's clash against Stoke City, knowing nothing less than a win will do.

It will be only the eighth time this season the versatile Serb has started in the middle, with his 30 other appearances coming from right-back in the absence of Jose Bosingwa, missing since October with a knee injury.

For the first time in the Barclays Premier League this season, we will be without the leadership of John Terry, suspended after his red card at Tottenham last weekend, so it is Ivanovic who steps in to fill the vacancy.

'Who else can play there?' joked the 26-year-old, who has looked so comfortable on the right flank for most of the campaign. 'It is always difficult the first game when you change position but it doesn't matter, the first, most important and only thing is that we have to win this game.'

From the official website.