Birmingham vs Chelsea

[True_Blue 469]

If we're still top after December then we can be proud of our team!

I will run butt naked through the streets if we remain top after December

[teignman 441]

I have a bit of trepidation about this game and our upcoming fixtures, but I am curious to see how/if our youngsters perform. I don't see any way around putting in Bruma. Though his game against Newcastle in the CC was rather poor, we need to give him a chance as Ferreira was awful at CB against the Mackems.

[Laylabelle 9,359]

The last time we had injuries this bad (06/07) it cost us the title. I don't think the same will happen. Whoever wins the title this season will be the team who is literally the least shit out of us, Arsenal, United and City. I say that because this league is so god-damn competitive at the minute! I can see us losing again this weekend.

True and even that we still did a double so hopfully...

Yeh not that optmistic for this game and this was before the injuries.Tough tough fixture,draw or a loss can see...

Horrible dodgy period starts early it seems :S

[vishalmarathe82 0]

Post removed because I'm an ignorant cunt.

[Jose M 140]

Have To seriously play a 4-4-2 for this game, We haven't been able to dominate the Mid field lately therefore our front three are getting some horrible service.

Cech

Cole-Bruma-Ivanovic-Bosingwa

Malouda-Obi Mikel-Ramires-Zhirkov

Drogba-Sturridge

( Sturridge been in good Reserve from deserves a start)

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

Alex postponing surgery and will be featured in the Chelsea side.

[Jose M 140]

Alex postponing surgery and will be featured in the Chelsea side.

Source?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Cech

******** - Ivanovic - Alex - Cole

Mikel

Ramires - Malouda

Kalou - Drogba - Anelka

So finally we see Malouda in the midfield, the one time Zhirkov can't play. Carlo's contemplating putting Ferreira at right back because Bos played 90mins vs Spain mid-week. Zhirkov has a minor hamstring problem.

I hope Bosingwa is the chosen right-back. Will be a very good squad if he is.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Source?

ChelseaFC

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2225277,00.html

[Kostas 1,468]

Great to have Alex back in the middle but I think we're playing too many half-fit players in Drogba, Alex, Malouda and Ash. Our midfield will function (slightly) better with Malouda but from what Carlo said it sounded like he'd have played Zhirkov had he been available, can't be happy about that.

Kalou - Drogba - Anelka

Surely it's the other way around?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Surely it's the other way around?

Yeah probably. I just hope Malouda doesn't shift out left leaving a gap in the middle.

[Jose M 140]

WHY WHY WHY? doesnt Carlo give Sturridge a start?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

@Jose M - I imagine he'll start against MSK on Tuesday.

[Drogba11CFC 108]

Here we go, from Andy Townsend's column:

Cech

Bosingwa Ivanovic Alex Cole

Mikel

Ramires Malouda

Anelka Drogba Kalou

[zolayes 14,489]

feeling a little more confident now that Alex is back..like malouda in midfield.

[NattyBlue 44]

I'm glad having Malouda in midfield, hope he just restores shape and presence a bit.

Bosingwa better play at RB, rather him than Paolo. Carr will be a threat though and the other guy I can't say his name

ANY WIN WILL DO, 3 POINTS. Would be great

I had a dream where we threw away a 3 - 1 lead though...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

BBC say Ferreira has been given the nod over Bosingwa.

Bench doesn't look very strong either: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Van Aanholt, Bruma, McEachran, Sturridge & Kakuta.

[NattyBlue 44]

FML Paolo starts...ah well, Rambo and Mikel will lock down the right hand side

Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey, Jerome, Zigic. Subs: Doyle, Phillips, Derbyshire, Michel, Hleb, Beausejour, Jiranek.Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba, Kalou. Subs: Turnbull, Bosingwa, Sturridge, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)