St Chalet Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Interesting game to read. Chelsea's best opportunities for silverware this year fall either side of our fixture. Koeman has had a decent record against them with 2 draws and a win. Going for another 1-1. Might be tempted to start Mane as a second striker for this one.
Batman Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 My team FF VvD Fonte Bertrand Cedric Targett Rom Clasie Davis Long Austin Stek, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, Mane, Pelle, Juanmi
Roger Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 My team FF VvD Fonte Bertrand Cedric Targett Rom Clasie Davis Long Austin Stek, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, Mane, Pelle, Juanmi Same team other than mane for long. Last game vs Chelsea mane killed them and they will be scared of him.
Roger Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 My team FF VvD Fonte Bertrand Cedric Targett Rom Clasie Davis Long Austin Stek, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, Mane, Pelle, Juanmi Same team other than mane for long. Last game vs Chelsea mane killed them and they will be scared of him.
SuperSAINT Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Will be very tough. They are unbeaten in 10 games. (4 wins, 6 draws) & they are starting to score goals and hitting their groove. Will miss Big Vic too. Would def play Mané as they hate playing against him.
austsaint Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Mane has to start - hopefully tucked in behind $Long and Charlie A.
Tom28 Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Forster VVD Fonte Bertrand Cedric Targett Romeu Clasie Davis Long Mane Subs: Stek, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, Juanmi, Pelle, Austin
Pilchards Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Why are some people desperate to drop Long? Chelsea have a slow defence and the thought of Mane and Long running at pace will **** them no doubt.
trousers Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 I'd be tempted to revert to a traditional back 4 for this one in order to free up a place further up the field to enable us to accommodate Long, Austin and Mane is the same starting line up. So, something like this: Forster Cedric VvD Fonte Bertrand Clasie Davis Romeu Mane Long Austin Subs: Stek, Targett, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, Juanmi, Pelle We can always revert to 5 at the back after we go in 2-0 up at half time
DuncanRG Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Forster Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand, Targett Clasie, Davis, Romeu Mane, Long Much as I'm eager to see Austin getting minutes we can't shoehorn him in. We've always killed Chelsea with pace, and especially with Mane.
eelpie Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Why are some people desperate to drop Long? Chelsea have a slow defence and the thought of Mane and Long running at pace will **** them no doubt. Because despite Long being our top scorer, some people are stupid?
eelpie Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 I do think that with our strong defence batting out Chelsea' powerful, in-form strikers, speed in counter-attack is going to be an important asset against a suspect visitor's defence. So top-scorer Long and Mane can turn the game to our advantage. And Mane is due a goal or two.
Maggie May Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Saints have to get something from this game. We went on that terrible losing streak the last time we went six unbeaten this season. And in this topsy turvey season you'd hate for it to happen again.
Maggie May Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Pelle will start "Its the LAW" Pelle was brilliant against Chelsea in October, tbf.
simo Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Said on the other Chelsea themed thread , I'd take a nil nil all day long !
Pamplemousse Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 A win would be a brilliant result but I'd be happy with a draw in all honesty.
Roger Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Pelle was brilliant against Chelsea in October, tbf. Yea he was awesome .
trousers Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Anyone know what our players will be doing over the next 2 weeks? Training as per usual or will they get time off? I see that Leicester players have been given a full week off. Half expected the club to have arranged a few days away at a team building event in foreign climes, like we've done before when not involved in the FA cup at this stage of the season.
captainchris Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Same team other than mane for long. Last game vs Chelsea mane killed them and they will be scared of him. Mane for Long!!!!!!!!! Lol what evidence do you bring to the table to back up that illogical opinion?
Manuel Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Forster Cedric, VvD, Fonte, Bertrand, Targett Mane, Romeo, Clasie Long, Austin I'd like to see this. Spoiled for choice though with Pelle, Tadic, Davis on the bench.
Roger Posted 14 February, 2016 Posted 14 February, 2016 Mane for Long!!!!!!!!! Lol what evidence do you bring to the table to back up that illogical opinion? Last Match vs Chelsea mane was superb and I think he's a better player. Long has improved a lot but still missed a sitter yesterday.
striker Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 My team FF VvD Fonte Bertrand Cedric Targett Rom Clasie Davis Long Austin Stek, Yoshida, JWP, Tadic, Mane, Pelle, Juanmi I agree with this too. I wouldn't mess with the 3 in the back because of our recent success. Want to see Austin in for Pelle, I really want to see Long and Austin together. In their short times together we have generated a number of chances. Its time for CA.
eddie Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 why would we go 3 at the back (5 defenders) when they have 1 striker, costa..? this game will be won and lost in the midfield. I'd go with either: 1) a standard back 4 (VVD/Fonte/Bertrand/Cedric), tight midfield 3 of romeu/clasie/davis , and then a front 3 of mane right to keep azpiliqueta pinned back, tadic on the left to terrorise ivanovich like last time, and austin in the middle. or 2) same back 4, same midfield, but with pelle as a target man to lay off the ball to long/mane. tadic on the bench.
JRM Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 why would we go 3 at the back (5 defenders) when they have 1 striker, costa..? this game will be won and lost in the midfield. I'd go with either: 1) a standard back 4 (VVD/Fonte/Bertrand/Cedric), tight midfield 3 of romeu/clasie/davis , and then a front 3 of mane right to keep azpiliqueta pinned back, tadic on the left to terrorise ivanovich like last time, and austin in the middle. or 2) same back 4, same midfield, but with pelle as a target man to lay off the ball to long/mane. tadic on the bench. I think you miss the point that a 5-3-2 can very easily become a 3-5-2 with Cedric and Targett playing in advanced positions giving us a strong presence across the midfield. I trust Clasie and Romeu to battle well for us in the middle of the park, Romeu looks like a great buy to me and he'll be keen to show Chelsea what they could have had, I do worry if he picks up an early booking though. Difficult game, I'd be happy with a draw - hope Chelsea go all in for the FA Cup and Champions League and take their eye off our game.
Mr Biscuits Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 Win please with a John Terry own goal for good measure Frankly if we could I'd put Long, Mane and Austin up front because all three of them can cause havoc for a slow defence Really could have done with Vic in midfield for this one tbh - purely for his ability to boss players about. However I'm expecting Romeu to fill that role with Clasie keeping the pressure on. Draw would be OK, but three points brilliant
eddie Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 I think you miss the point that a 5-3-2 can very easily become a 3-5-2 with Cedric and Targett playing in advanced positions giving us a strong presence across the midfield. I trust Clasie and Romeu to battle well for us in the middle of the park, Romeu looks like a great buy to me and he'll be keen to show Chelsea what they could have had, I do worry if he picks up an early booking though. Difficult game, I'd be happy with a draw - hope Chelsea go all in for the FA Cup and Champions League and take their eye off our game. sorry - yes totally I agree. that's why ron has gone with a back 3/5, because it allows him to include targett and cedric as defensive minded midfielders. they aren't sufficient to play in a back 4 (maybe cedric, depending on opponent), but with this system he gets their defensive cover and has 3 solid defenders back all the time. my point wasn't about midfield cover, but about marking. you just do not need 3 'CBs' playing against 1 striker. Koeman himself says he likes a back 3 against 2 centre forwards, because it allows 2 to mark and one to receive the ball/be in open space. when you only have costa, I'd rather have people in the centre of the park than hanging out at the back. the key people we need to track are people like fabregas, I'd rather have back 4 and the 5th person in midfield such as davis/clasie to stick to fabregas, or any other stand out player
Saint Garrett Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 Forster Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand, Targett Clasie, Davis, Romeu Mane, Long Much as I'm eager to see Austin getting minutes we can't shoehorn him in. We've always killed Chelsea with pace, and especially with Mane. Exactly this...
Chris27687 Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 This will be hard they haven't lost in their last 12 games and are starting to play as you would expect them to. Mane/Long up top Rom/Clasie/Davis Standard Back 5 Would take a draw now - if we win it's massive the next games after this are all winnable.
Matthew Le God Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 Same team other than mane for long. Last game vs Chelsea mane killed them and they will be scared of him. Mane for Long!!!!!!!!! Lol what evidence do you bring to the table to back up that illogical opinion? Sadio Mane's pace, dribbling and movement has given the Chelsea defence nightmares on more than one occasion. John Terry put him in his team of the year last season after the difficulty he had dealing with him. I'd go with Mane and Long for this game, with Pelle and Austin on the bench if needed... nice to have such good options for Koeman to mull over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqSpp_3ZQ8Y
John B Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 We never seem to do well after a two week break hope we can do so in this game
Manuel Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 The best bit of that video is Tadic at 3:10.
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 We never seem to do well after a two week break hope we can do so in this game I was a bit worried about our last 10 day break before the Arsenal game but we did well in that.
SaintTex Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 they have 2 tough games while we rest and then a tough game after. Guess there is two trains of thought on this. 01) We will be fit and rested; they will be exhausted (physically and mentally). 02) They will be well-honed, playing against competition that by most standards is better than us; We will be rusty.
badgerx16 Posted 15 February, 2016 Posted 15 February, 2016 Yes they are unbeaten in however many matches, but we're unbeaten in 6, with 5 wins and no goals conceded - including wins against WHU and Man Utd, and a draw at Arsenal. We have beaten them this season, we can beat them again, and I'm sure that's what RK will drill into the squad.
Charlie Wayman Posted 16 February, 2016 Posted 16 February, 2016 Mane will start and Tadic on for Davis or Targett for the last twenty. Pelle won't get on this week especially if Terry is out.
kitch Posted 16 February, 2016 Posted 16 February, 2016 I'd want to start Austin this time, but I really don't think you can drop Long at the moment. Mane scared the crap out of them last time, but he's out of form. Could be the kick starter he needs? At the same time, I really rate Davis' contribution to the team, and JWP's assist stats only continue to increase. It's great that we're struggling to pick a side because so many players are in form! I'd give Mane the benefit of the doubt as he and Long can work well together, and they both have pace against a generally slow Chelsea defence: Forster Targett, Bertrand, Fonte, VVD, Cedric Romeu, Clasie, Davis Mane, Long Subs: Stek, Yoshida, JWP, Pelle, Juanmi, Tadic, Austin Assess later how game's going, and look to bring JWP/Tadic and Austin on later in the 2nd half if/where needed. Just keen to get Austin up and running ASAP as I'm worried we're going to drop off in the next few games, so I'd be keen to get him some game-time.
Maggie May Posted 16 February, 2016 Posted 16 February, 2016 The best bit of that video is Tadic at 3:10. Ha! A video of more than six minutes on one player and the best bit of it isn't even about him!
Pass the Dutchie Posted 16 February, 2016 Posted 16 February, 2016 Chelsea look strong again tonight. My 2-0 prediction may have been too optimistic. 0-0 or 1-1 will do fine for me.
the saint in winchester Posted 16 February, 2016 Posted 16 February, 2016 2-1 defeat for Chelsea tonight means they have to play a strong side vs PSG. The tie is still alive. Has to be good news for us that they may rest one or two.
Saint Charlie Posted 16 February, 2016 Posted 16 February, 2016 2-1 defeat for Chelsea tonight means they have to play a strong side vs PSG. The tie is still alive. Has to be good news for us that they may rest one or two. The second leg is ten days and two other PL games after we play them.
Evil Monkey Posted 19 February, 2016 Posted 19 February, 2016 Looking for a couple of tickets if anyone is selling.
Chez Posted 19 February, 2016 Posted 19 February, 2016 Will Terry be fit? If not their defence isn't as slow. I was impressed with Baba the other night at PSG and Azpilicueta looked far more comfortable at right back. With Ivanovic moved inside they looked more balanced. That's annoying, as no matter how much confidence they have regained going forward their back four always looked they could concede. For me the big question is whether Mane gets selected. Nothing he has tried has come off in weeks, leading to him giving away possession time after time. No matter what threat he offers you have to retain the ball otherwise you put your defence under pressure. I thought him being dropped was the right decision, but now how to get him back to his best?
niceandfriendly Posted 20 February, 2016 Posted 20 February, 2016 (edited) That song on the Mane video though... Beep, beep beeeep harry, beep, beep beep beep daddy, daddy, beep beep, beep. Who else is dancin'? Edited 20 February, 2016 by niceandfriendly
Saint Charlie Posted 21 February, 2016 Posted 21 February, 2016 Chelsea's attacking play looking decent versus City. Unsuprising given the individuals they have but if we stop them scoring then we will have had a stormer.
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 21 February, 2016 Posted 21 February, 2016 Chelsea's attacking play looking decent versus City. Unsuprising given the individuals they have but if we stop them scoring then we will have had a stormer. True but city aren't exactly giving them much opposition are they?
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