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Chelsea Pre-Match Talk
Topic Started: Aug 3 2007, 06:50 PM (2,758 Views)
bluenosedave
Bob Hatton
[ *  *  *  * ]
4-4-1-1.

Doyle
Kelly Parnaby Ridgewell Quedrue

Larson Muamba Nafti © Mcsheffrey

Kapo

O'Connor


Subs


Taylor (Maik)
Jaidi
De Ridder
Forsell
Jerome

De Ridder might replace McSheffrey if he fails to produce (hasn't looked at it pre-season).

With the substitutes available we would be able to revert to 4-4-2 easily or even go 4-5-1 if we had to.

Taking into account we're playing Chelsea, we're the new guys in the prem and the 'top club' bias of the prem refs we'll probably find ourselves down to 10 men with the first 20 minutes anyway so bang goes all the plans.

I'd still like to see us sign another decent CH though, just a bit dubious that Jaidi and Taylor can cope with the pace of prem strikers.

If you read Ron's appraisal of the players at Sheff Wed

http://z4.invisionfree.com/BLUES_FORUM/ind...pic=32884&st=25

then that more or less ties in with the formation and the teamsheet.
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jersey lester
Geoff Horsfield
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
----------------------------------------DOYLE-------------------------------------------

---------------------KELLY------PARNABY----------RIDGEWELL---QUEDRUE/LARS/SAD


-------------------LARSSON------MUAMBA--------NAFTI------------MCSHEFF---------------


-----------------------------------------KAPO-----------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------FORSELL-------------------------------------------------


SUBS
OCONNOR
JEROME
JAHDI
DE RIDDER
TAYLOR
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bcfc-boy
Martin Grainger
[ *  *  * ]
--------------------------------------DOYLE----------------------------------------------

KELLY---------------JAIDI--------------------RIDGEWELL------------------QUADREW

----------------------------MUAMBA-------------NAFTI-----------------------------------

LARSSON/DE RIDDER------------------KAPO-------------------------------MC SHEFF

--------------------------------------JEROME/O'CONNER-------------------------------




then bring forssell on later in game because he cant play up front on his own...
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87dominguez
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Frank Worthington
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Why dont we just go for it? Why are we so scared of these teams? Alright we'll probably lose but lets just have a go instead of just putting 10 men behind the ball and trying to hold on to a 0-0 draw, it's so negative in my opinion.

My team.

---------------------------------Doyle--------------------------------------

------Kelly------------Jaidi--------------Ridgewell-----------------Queudrue--------

----De Ridder----------Nafti-------------Kapo-----------------McSheffery------------

----------------------Forssell--------------------Jerome-------------------------------

Subs:
Maik Taylor
Martin Taylor
Larsson
O'Connor
Muamba
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Mattioso
Member Avatar
Mattioso
[ *  *  * ]
GK Doyle
RB - Kelly
CB - Jaidi
CB - Ridgewell
LB - Quedrue
RM - De Ridder
MID - Muamba
MID - Kapo
LM - McSheffery
STR- Forssell
STR - Jerome

Subs
Maik Taylor
Larson
O'Connor
Nafti
Sadler
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Harborne Blue
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Peter Enckelman
[ *  *  * ]
Picks itself if you think about it...

________________________DOYLE

KELLY______________RIDGEWELL or TINY*________JAIDI or TINY*__________QUEDRUE


LARSSON__________MUAMBA____________KAPO_____________________MCSHEFF

__________________FORSS_____________JEROME

Bench:
=====
Tailor
De Ridder
O'Connor
A Defender
Parnaby or Nafti

The only confusion I can see is at the back. IMHO the captains armband will go to Tiny as it did last year. It's then heart vs. head for who else get the CB start or the bench.
I fully expect an attacking team to go to Chelski plus a holding player for the CM role if needed. Might as well go for it and try and give them a scare!
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scottjordansj
David Langan
[ * ]
doyle
parnaby
jaidi
ridgewell
kelly
de ridder
muamba
kapo
mcsheffrey
jerome
forsell

subes: taylor
queadrue
larsson
o'conner
taylor
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SimonBCFC
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Mike Skinner
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
---------------------------------Doyle--------------------------------------

------Kelly------------Jaidi©--------------Ridgewell-----------------Queudrue--------

------Larsson--------Muamba-------------Kapo-----------------McSheffery-----------

----------------------Forssell--------------------O'Connor-------------------------------

Subs:
Maik Taylor
Martin Taylor
Jerome
Nafti
De Ridder
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KasimBlues4Life
Member Avatar
Olivier Tebily
[ *  *  * ]
i want bruce to go with:

------------------------------------------------Doyle--------------------------------------------------


Parnaby--------------------------Jaidi--------------------------Ridgewell-----------------Queudrue



-------------------------------------Nafti-----------------------Muamba--------------------------------


Larsson----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------McSheffrey


------------------------------------------------Kapo--------------------------------------------------------


-----------------------------------------------O'Connor-----------------------------------------------------

I like Kelly but I think Bruce will go for Parnaby because Parnaby is better in the air and is physically stronger.

Nafti has looked very good during pre-season, and because of his experience IMO he should be starting, especially now the Ghaly deal has collapsed.

Larsson very good last season, can he cut it in the Prem? De Ridder by the sounds of things great against Sheffield Wednesday, but IMO Larsson should start and we should bring De Ridder in when he has gelled with the lads.

McSheffrey great at the beginning of last season, since January hasn't really shown much imo, hasn't impressed me in pre-season either, but he deserves a chance, and hes our only natural left midfielder.

O'Connor over Forse because I think Forse should be brought back to the Prem slowly, I really don't want us rushing him back and him getting major injuries all over again. O'Connor over Jerome because I think O'Connor will be better holding the ball up and will chase everything.

KRO

Subs:

Taylor
Taylor
De Ridder
Larsson
Jerome
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luke_collins
Jose Dominguez
[ *  *  * ]
--------------------------Doyle----------------------

-kelly ©------jaidi--------Ridgewell-------Queudrue

-larsson------Muamba-------Kapo---------Mcsheffrey

-------------------O'connor-------Forssell------------

Subs
Taylor
Tiny/Parnaby/Sadler
Jerome
De Ridder
Nafti/Kilkenny
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Blooboy
Unregistered

luke_collins
Aug 7 2007, 05:16 PM
--------------------------Doyle----------------------

-kelly ©------jaidi--------Ridgewell-------Queudrue

-larsson------Muamba-------Kapo---------Mcsheffrey

-------------------O'connor-------Forssell------------

Subs
Taylor
Tiny/Parnaby
Jerome
De Ridder
Nafti/Kilkenny

Luke i think you have it spot on there **thumbup
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Dukesy06
Kenny Burns
[ *  *  *  * ]
Where the hell is Tebily in these team's?
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scout
Member Avatar
Geoff Horsfield
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
Talking to a Birmingham Blue!


On the eve of our first Premiership game of the season we took time out to talk to Kym, the Vital Birmingham editor.

1.Were you wishing for an easier start to life in the Premier League instead of a trip to Stamford Bridge where Chelsea have not lost for 63 Premiership games?

Well, yes! Something a bit more winnable like Wigan at home would have been very welcome, but the season's 38 games long and we have to somehow get through the fixtures that we know are going to be stinkers as well as the ones we have a chance of picking up points from. That said, in the past we have been good at grabbing the big games by the scruff of the neck. Beating Liverpool's home games record is going to be very dear to Chelsea though and despite their injury problems, they will be out to start the season in the way they mean to continue.


2. How do you think Birmingham will do this season?

I would hope that we have enough to stay up and with a bit of luck make sure we are out of the danger zone in time to be able to enjoy the end of the season. We have bought in a lot of new players and have retained some decent ones from the Championship campaign as well. Obviously, anything higher than 17th is acceptable but it would be good to see us survive comfortably.


3. You have had several ex-Chelsea players passing through St Andrews in recent years - Jesper Gronkjaer, Mario Melchiot and Mikel Forssell, what are your thoughts on them?

I felt desperately sorry for Gronkjaer; there were a section of our fans who didn't give him a chance and I think he had an unnecessarily hard time in the three months that he was at St Andrew's. Melchiot had a very good first season and then went decidedly off the boil in his second season, although he did form a very good playing partnership with Jermaine Pennant. Mikael Forssell is a real Blues hero amongst a lot of our fans. His loan season was fabulous; he scored some stunning goals and if I remember rightly, was Chelsea's top scorer without kicking a ball for them! He's had some terrible problems with injuries and we all feared the worst. He was on the verge of leaving, but has had an excellent pre-season and really looks like the player he used to be. I'm one of the fans that never lost faith in him and it will be a dream come true if he comes good for us again.


4. Which of your players should we watch out for on Sunday?

On pre-season form; Forssell. Cameron Jerome has great pace; Gary McSheffrey was statistically the Championship's top player last season and must be gagging for a crack at the Premiership. Newbies Kapo and de Ridder are also worth a look.

5. Which of our players worry you?

A lot of your worrying players are injured at the moment! Drogba is utterly fearsome; big, fast and strong, he is a defender's nightmare. However, of the ones likely to be playing at the moment, Joe Cole can make a goal out of nothing and Essien has the absolute knack of being in the right place at the right time. Will Lampard be unsettled by all the talk of a move to Spain? I don't know, but his long-range strikes are always a sight to behold.

6. Purely for fun, pick a combined Birmingham and Chelsea side, six from
one, five from the other.


Cech, Ridgewell, Terry, Djourou, Essien, McSheffrey, Lampard, Muamba, De Ridder, Drogba, Forssell

7. Your thoughts on Chelsea and our extravagant spending in recent years?

I think most of us outside Chelsea's own fans have sat and watched open-mouthed at some of the sums that have been spent on players. But... just buying the players isn't the only part of the deal; they have to be turned into a team and Mourinho has worked incredibly hard to do that. Also, spending a lot of money on a player doesn't necessarily mean they will fit into a team or stay injury free.

8. Finally, a prediction for Sunday?

0-0 would be fantastic and I would take that now. However, I'm sure that Chelsea will find a way through our defence and get at least one past us. There's always the return fixture for revenge..... maybe....

Our thanks go to Kym at Vital Birmingham for taking the time out to speak to us.



http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=77634


Posted Image
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Paul Tait's Tee-Shirt
Paul Tait's Tee Shirt
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
scout
Aug 10 2007, 10:14 PM

I felt desperately sorry for Gronkjaer

I was more concerned for the poor guy who was sent onto the roof of the Main Stand to retrieve all the lost balls following his attempts at crossing :whistle:
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The Blue Bear
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Mikael Forssell
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
.......................................Doyle.............................................

......Kelly.............Djourou.............Ridgewell.........Quedrue.......

......Larsson............Kapo.............Muamba..........Mcsheffrey.....

............................Forssell........Jerome...................................


Subs

M Tayor
Parnaby
De Ridder
Nafti
O'Connor
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scout
Member Avatar
Geoff Horsfield
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
.......................................Doyle.............................................

......Kelly.............Djourou.............Ridgewell.........Quedrue.......

......De Ridder............Kapo.............Muamba..........McSheffrey.....

............................Forssell........O'Connor...................................



Subs

M Taylor
Jaidi
Larsson
Nafti
Jerome
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TJDIXI
Member Avatar
Trevor Francis
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
I can't see Steve going out with an attacking formation like 442 or with three attacking midfielders. It's my guess that he'll look at the Chelsea game as an opportunity to grab a point at most even with the injuries that they have at the moment. If we go out all guns blazing the likelihood is we'll be shot down and stuffed and that might have an effect on the Wednesday night performance, if the players get beaten, when 3 points the goal.

My guess is that we'll want to beat the teams in our league and get whatever we can from the top four but also protect our goal difference-which in this league is almost as important as a draw.

I assume we'll play two formations this year depending on who were playing and where were playing them. My guess is that for the teams that we can beat we'll play the 442 and for the teams we need to defend against then it will be a 451 variation line-up

VS Chelsea 4411

-------------------------------Forsell---------------------------

--------------------------Kapo---------------------------------

McSheff------------------------------------------------Larsson

----------------------Muamba------Nafti-----------------------

Franck----------Ridgewell---------Johan/Jaidi?------Kelly/Parnaby

----------------------------Doyle--------------------------------


Vs Sunbedland 442

----------------------Forsell/O'conner/Jerome---------------- (2 of 3)

McSheff----------------Kapo-----Nafti/Muamba--------Larsson/De Ridder

Franck--------------Ridgewell---Jaidi/Johan------------Kelly/Parnaby

------------------------------Doyle------------------------------


I can't make my mind up as to who he will pick hen he has two similar options, but i guess that will be something that he'll know from training and looking at the attributes. I imagines Larsson will play away from home when were looking for a shutout as he strikes me more so than De Ridder as a player that will track back and can play a more complete role on the side. Larsson also has the bonus of being more akin with the premier league and is or should be up to it's pace from the off. Parnaby could go Centre Defence but i haven't seen him play for us or Middlesvilla much so i wouldn't know if he would suit it or not.

Our first two games are probably the best two games we could have had in measuring the squad as in the Chelsea game will gives us the yard stick for the distance we are away from the top and the sunbedland game will give us a clue as to how far we already have come.

Looking forward to both with equal measure.
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scout
Member Avatar
Geoff Horsfield
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
For a man who claims to have little interest in records, José Mourinho is acutely aware of his statistical achievements. Chelsea will pass Liverpool’s top-flight record of 63 home matches unbeaten if they avoid defeat by Birmingham City tomorrow, although the manager’s personal tally is even more impressive, stretching back 98 matches to Beira Mar’s 3-2 win over FC Porto five years ago.

Unsurprisingly, Mourinho can recall the events of February 23, 2002 as if they were yesterday and does so with the slightest trace of bitterness. Defeat does not become him.

“I remember,” he said, glaring. “We finished with nine players, [Ricardo] Carvalho and Deco red card, and we lost because we wanted to win. It was my first season at Porto. When I arrived we were sixth and trying to qualify for the Uefa Cup and Champions League, we were playing nine against 11, trying to win the game. In the last couple of minutes one guy called Fary, from Senegal . . . bang.”

Chelsea have not experienced a home league defeat since losing 2-1 to Arsenal in the dying days of Claudio Ranieri’s regime in February 2004, although Mourinho insists that a draw against Birmingham would feel like a defeat. Having led from the front on the two occasions that Chelsea have won the title, the Portuguese has told his players that they cannot afford to give Manchester United a lead, as they did last season, particularly given the exciting signings Sir Alex Ferguson has made this summer.

“If we draw I don’t think we should celebrate,” Mourinho said. “In spite of the draw giving us a historical record, we shouldn’t celebrate because we don’t play for records, we play for titles. One point against Birmingham is better than zero, but our target is not to beat the record, it is to win the game. I know my teams are very strong, especially at home, and I know how to build a strong team and a strong mentality at home, but nobody thought we could reach this moment. So I hope we can beat the record.”

Though Chelsea’s injury problems have thwarted Mourinho’s planning, Petr Cech at least has recovered from a sore hand to take his place in goal at Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba, the striker, was seen twisting and turning in a solo sprint session yesterday aimed at testing out his injured knee, but he is unlikely to be risked and will join John Terry, Michael Ballack, Arjen Robben, Andriy Shevchenko and Claude Makelele in the stands. Claudio Pizarro is expected to make his full Chelsea debut up front, with Florent Malouda and Joe Cole providing support from the wings.

“Cech had an injury from the Community Shield, but from Wednesday he has been training and been completely fit,” Mourinho said. “Last season we lost John Terry and didn’t have any other central defenders, but this year we have Ricardo and Tal Ben Haim fit to play and I still have [Michael] Essien. If have to play Essien as a central defender, I have [Lassana] Diarra, [Steve] Sidwell and [John Obi] Mikel to play in midfield. We are a bit more protected.”

Despite such options, Mourinho is hoping to add to his squad and confirmed that the club had made a bid, believed to be £20 million, for Daniel Alves, of Seville.

“Right back is a position we feel we can improve, but that is not easy,” Mourinho said. “We want a good player and Alves is a good player. I don’t know what the offer is as I don’t ask, but it will be a balanced offer and not a stupid one. If they don’t accept, they don’t accept.”

Mourinho gained further reinforcements yesterday when Alex passed a medical and signed a new three-year contract after spending three seasons on loan at PSV Eindhoven. (The Times)



Mourinho prepared to overlook record in favour of flying start ... :banghead:

:Blues:
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TJDIXI
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Trevor Francis
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
scout
Aug 11 2007, 12:00 AM
Quote:
 

“If we draw I don’t think we should celebrate,” Mourinho said. “In spite of the draw giving us a historical record, we shouldn’t celebrate because we don’t play for records, we play for titles.

I wish we had ended last season with that sort of attitude instead of giving away the championship.
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Tactix
Peter Enckelman
[ *  *  * ]
My suspiscions were that Bruce was going to go 4-2-3-1 this season, and with the players that have come in, it apperas very much so. For todays game, one wouldnt be suprised to see Djorou playing anchorman alongside Muamba, assuming Ridgewell and Jaidi are fit. That said, i over heard a murmur from the training ground that Jaidi's slower than ever and appears to have accelerated towards the Springfield retirement home. The purpose of today will be to compete against one of the premierships best defensive sides. Their offence will be weakened by the absence of centre-forward, and one can only hope that Pizarro doesnt patch the match-fitness test.

...As ever the midfield will be the all important area, upon which the battle will be won. Lampard-Essien-Obi is a formdibale trio, and if we afford them time and space, they'll butcher us. I think we have to go with numbers in the centre of the park. We cant concede numerical advantage to such quality players, and for that reason, i wouldnt be suprised to see Djorou deployed in a holding role, to add a little more combat and physique to our midfield.

...Up top, i'd go with the pace of Cameron Jerome. Remember the season before last? Chelsea-Wigan? Their defence was caused all sorts of problems by the pacey Latics forwards, and nothings changed, in that regard, Chelsea's backline remains very vulnerable to pace. Forsell would be easily marshalled by Carvalho and co, but the fleet-footed Jerome would be able to stretch them, and open space for McSheffrey and co.

...Its important that the boys believe in themselves, sunday could be the start of our ending, if we go out there thinking we're not good enough to compete against the premierhsips elites. The tactics must be spot on. Yes theres a gulf in quality, but Fulham have done it, Middlesboro too, so thats not an excuse Bruce, manage!
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STEVIE1B
Trevor Hockey
[ * ]
Well, hope my instincts are wrong - but I cant see us getting a result v chelski.
They hven't lost agame at hom,e since Moronho took over!
I've tried all week to imagine a scenario where we come out on top - but its just not happening.
This is going to be a tough year and we'll not get any points from the opener.
Come 5 o clock - you'll see this is not pessimism - just cold hard fact!
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Caveman49
Geoff Horsfield
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
We play tomorrow.
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Blooboy
Unregistered

STEVIE1B
Aug 11 2007, 11:55 AM
Well, hope my instincts are wrong - but I cant see us getting a result v chelski.
They hven't lost agame at hom,e since Moronho took over!
I've tried all week to imagine a scenario where we come out on top - but its just not happening.
This is going to be a tough year and we'll not get any points from the opener.
Come 5 o clock - you'll see this is not pessimism - just cold hard fact!

good first post, can see you making a lot of friends on here :LMAO:

just kidding.

i can see us getting something and maybe with all the new players we might be a surprise package. i cannot wait to see Mcsheffrey tear Chelsea apart tomorrow **thumbup
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STEVIE1B
Trevor Hockey
[ * ]
I've never hoped I'm more wrong!!
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STEVIE1B
Trevor Hockey
[ * ]
did I say otherwise?
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