28 Aug 2014 16:59:54
Does anyone think that Lukaku could drop into Barkley's position behind the striker for the Chelsea game?

In my opinion, it could be a good tactical decision. Lukaku is at his best when he runs at the defense. due to his immense power, dribbling ability and speed. He'd be able to match Nemanja Matic's strength, who I think could really bully the likes of Naismith/Mirralas/McGeady out of the game. With Lukaku playing as CAM, we could put Naismith, Mirralas or even Eto'o up front to use their pace and movement to pull the centre backs out of position.

What are you're opinions? Good idea or not?

1.) 28 Aug 2014
Ideally the number 10 role shop be a good passer, agile and technically gifted, I'd say there his weakest attributes specially that first touch at times

2.) 28 Aug 2014
Eto . pace? Haha am just jesting :)

3.) 29 Aug 2014
29 Aug 2014 01:03:12
My team for chelsea. Howard, coleman, stones, distan, baines, besic, mccarthy, barry, mirallas, lukaku, pienaar. I'd play all 3 centre mids deep lying, but allow one of the three to venture forwards when in attack. Although costa is out, chelsea are still a formidable team and we are going to be on the back foot for a lot of the game. Counter attacking them with pace on the wings is going to be vital, as is lukaku's role up top to not only gather the ball and play others in, but act as the first line of defense stopping chelsea being able to play the ball out from the back. I'm hoping for a 1-0 victory with mirallas our goalscorer. As good as naismith has been this and last season, I think he could be wasted playing this game as he could struggle to make an impact as he has the last few games, where as the player brought in for him will not only provide extra cover infront of our defense, but could help going forwards. Besic to man mark fibreglass, barry to spray the ball between the wings as baines and coleman get forward and keep the chelsea wingers worried about defending rather than attacking. Drogba is likely to play so distan is the obvious choice to mark him leaving stones to sweep up and carry the ball out from our defense. That leaves oscar who I think would be a fairly simple job for our own superman jimmy mac to mark. Barry similarly to stones would be the over player sweeping, gathering up the loose ball and getting us on the attack.

4.) 29 Aug 2014
Great post Craig. I'd accept that formation and prediction. Spot on, but with Eto'o coming off the bench second half and scoring the winner.

5.) 29 Aug 2014
Id keep it as we are. Naismith is on form, so why drop him. If things aren't going right i'd put Lukaku on the right and bring Eto'o on through the middle

6.) 29 Aug 2014
Pienaar is out of the Chelski game, I think the team that started against Arsenal with either McAidey or Osman replacing Pienaar, Gibson to come on to the bench for 1 of them and Eto on to the bench for Astu as he can't play against his parent side. Would be very surprised if where to be anything different.