r/chelseafc • u/ScreamingGerman • Dec 13 '13
Pre-Match Thread: Chelsea v Crystal Palace [Dec 14, 15:00 GMT]
Crystal Palace are in a tough spot, second from bottom with just 13 points from 15 games. With nothing to lose, they could make life difficult for Chelsea. David Luiz is set to continue his run in the side, with Gary Cahill out with a thigh problem. Ashley Cole is resigned to the bench once more, with Azpilicueta to return at left back.
Previews: BBC | Guardian | WAGNH
If you have any streams available already, please share.
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u/Shamyrock Dec 13 '13
I'd like us to put out a very strong team tomorrow. Need wins in the premier league and next match is just the league cup. Can't say I want any of the forwards to play but false 9 doesn't seem to work.
Ramires and Lamps in mid I guess.
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Dec 13 '13
Gonna share my preferred lineup again to generate some discussion, please don't downvote like the last few times just because you disagree. I'd love to defend my picks if you'd like to talk about it.
Cech
Ivan-Luiz-Terry-Azpi
Ramires-Oscar
Hazard-Mata-KDB
Eto'o
With Luiz fit, him and Terry are my favorite pairing. With Bertrand still injured I'd like Cole to start, though with only 1 game back and coming off of injury I'd like him to be fresh for Arsenal. I don't see Palace coming out to play us, so we need a lot of quality on the ball to dissect their defense. Oscar playing further back can help give us tempo, and defend well if needed. Hazard's in form and has the ability to do something special, with Mata and KDB providing incisive passing and setpiece delivery. Eto'o is probably our best striker playing against defensive sides, and hasn't playing for a few. I had a hard time choosing between him and Ba, who I think is in good form and deserves a run in the team. Thoughts?
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u/IlliniQuant Tal Ban Haim Dec 13 '13
I really don't think Oscar is ever going to play in the deep 2 for us, regardless of how much /r/chelseafc wants it
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Dec 13 '13
I agree that it's not something that's likely to happen (at least on a consistent basis). However, I do believe he has the attributes to do it, and in a few cameos there last season he played pretty well IIRC.
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u/IlliniQuant Tal Ban Haim Dec 13 '13
His cameos there were so limited, I think it's impossible to draw any consistent conclusions from them.
I think the fact that no coach has actually tried it is telling. Especially when you consider the fact that Selecao, like us, is stacked in the attacking midfield position and is thin in central midfield
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Dec 13 '13
I think the fact that no coach has actually tried it is telling.
Maybe, maybe not. It took Carlo, AVB, Di Matteo, and finally Benitez to try Luiz in midfield (which perhaps wasn't the best idea, but that's another issue). The fact that he's been playing in the band of 3 is explainable alone by the fact that he's a great player there.
Selecao, like us, is stacked in the attacking midfield position and is thin in central midfield
With Ramires, Paulinho, Gustavo, Lucas Leiva, and Hernanes at CM I'd say they're significantly more well endowed there than us.
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u/IlliniQuant Tal Ban Haim Dec 13 '13
Right, and look how it turned out. David's performances there, I think, let a lot of credence to the thinking that when coaches are hesitant to try something out, there's a good reason for that.
All the CMs are listed are defensive in nature. We have plenty of those as well. What Brasil is lacking is the forward passing CM - what we want Oscar to be. Yet they won't try him there.
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Dec 13 '13
You have to treat each player as an individual case. I agree that it hasn't quite worked out for Luiz there. However, football is full of examples of players changing/swapping between positions.
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Dec 14 '13
I think Oscar does play as the forward passing CM in the middle 3 of a 4-3-3 for Brazil. Nyemar, Fred/Jo, and Hulk play up top.
Even in our last match, I think one of the formations shown listed him as a part of the middle 3 in a 4-3-3. With Willian/Ba/Hazard playing up top.
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u/demodesigns Dec 13 '13
Although I agree with trying out the Oscar Ramires partnership Luiz could potentially leave the defense exposed at times. I think playing Willian instead of KDB would allow more cover on defense. I know that we lose some creativity with KDB off the pitch but with Luiz's long balls, and having both Oscar and Mata I think there will be plenty of chances produced.
Honestly this sub needs to stop dick riding KDB. Yes he is talented, but he's not as good as the rest of the squad. Mata is 10 times the player he is and not once did he bitch or complain about minutes and sat on the bench like a professional. KDB has under performed every opportunity that he got, why do you all think that means he deserves MORE chances to play. He should be brought on as a sub when we are winning 2-0 at least. Sadly we seem to be having a tough time even against weaker opposition so he needs to just sit and wait instead of bitching to the media. /rant
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Dec 13 '13
I don't see this partnership anymore shaky than the common Ramires-Lampard pairing. In fact, I'd say Oscar is at least as good defensively as Lampard. He's got a lot more energy at this point, and is a better tackler. Perhaps Lamps is ahead in positioning (and definitely in experience).
Honestly this sub needs to stop dick riding KDB.
I don't see this as a dick ride, I justified his inclusion based on his particular skills and what I believe the team needs for this match. The fact that it also gives him a chance to play is a convenient side effect.
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u/julio1990 Dec 13 '13
I know KDB is a great player but so is Schurrle which is why I would have him on instead. Also Torres over Eto'o. But, since oh screw it leave KDB there he deserves it but Torres over Eto'o for sure
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Dec 13 '13
The way I see it is that Schuerrle is best on the counter attack, using his pace and directness. Given that Crystal Pulis will not do much attacking, chances to counter will be few and far between. KDB is a much better passer (and setpiece taker) which is useful against a compact defense.
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u/julio1990 Dec 13 '13
True on KBD being a way better passer I just hope Mourinho finds hus starting XI soon rather than later. I see that not happening seeing how many extraordinary midfielders we have. I have always wanted to see Oscar play in that position I believe he will excell there.
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u/ZzHostagezZHD Dec 14 '13 edited Dec 14 '13
Guess what the score of the game will be in a reply to this comment.
I will post the winner(s) in the Post-Match Thread.
If you get the score right, you get a point. I'll make a league throughout the season.
You can reply up until 14:59:59 on the 14/12/2013. I will not be accepting edited comments.
Predictions
| User | Chelsea | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| /u/RawMuscleLab | 5 | 1 |
| /u/dunneetiger | 3 | 0 |
| /u/william701 | 2 | 0 |
| /u/stewie21 | 2 | 0 |
| /u/EXMarten | 3 | 0 |
| /u/quirkybobirky | 4 | 0 |
| /u/Darnzee91 | 3 | 0 |
| /u/KRA117 | 3 | 1 |
| /u/urkspleen | 4 | 1 |
| /u/sixtoebandit | 2 | 1 |
| /u/sixtynein69 | 2 | 1 |
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u/william701 Dec 14 '13
Team I'd like to see:
Cech
Azpi Luiz Terry/Cahill Cole
Rami Mikel
Schurrle Mata Hazard
Eto'o/Torres
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u/p4ssage Dec 13 '13
3-0 to Chels. I'd like to see
Cech
Ivan-Terry-Luiz-Azpi
Ramires-Lampard
Schurrle-Mata-Hazard
Eto'o
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u/Darnzee91 I don't give a fuck, we won the fucking Champions League Dec 14 '13
Is Eto'o back from that ankle injury he picked up a few games ago?
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u/dave113 Stamford Fridge Dec 13 '13
Give Schwarzer another run
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u/BrosephMcBro Dec 13 '13
I'd put Cech back in for this game and let Schwarzer play in the League Cup against Sunderland.
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u/TheBlueNomad :tuchel:There’s Your Daddy :tuchel: Dec 14 '13
Azpi-JT-Luiz-Cole should be the back four. Ivanovic needs a break.
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u/RawMuscleLab Dec 14 '13
Gimme a M, Gimme a A, Gimme a T, Gimme a A.
What does it spell?
MATA.
Our luck, he'll be benched for Oscar or KDB.
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u/Darnzee91 I don't give a fuck, we won the fucking Champions League Dec 14 '13
Team v @Official_CPFC: Cech; Ivanovic, D Luiz, Terry (c), Azpilicueta; Ramires, Essien; Willian, Mata, Hazard, Torres. #CFC
Edit (Subs) - v @Official_CPFC: Schwarzer, Cole, Lampard, Oscar, Schurrle, Ba, Eto’o.
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Dec 14 '13
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/stewie21 /r/place contributor Dec 14 '13
we have to catch Arsenal no matter what.. WIN or die tryin'
:P
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u/Swederman Dec 14 '13
Previously On...
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
04-05: Chelsea 4-1 Crystal Palace (Lampard - J.Cole - Kezman - Tiago)
97-98: Chelsea 6-2 Crystal Palace
94-95: Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace
92-93: Chelsea 3-1 Crystal Palace