So the board has been inundated with articles about Barcelona and who we should play. Today's performance was poor but I'll take the points and there are some insights as to what does and doesn't work which are relevant to the forthcoming Barcelona game.
GK
Cech, likely to be MVP.
Defence
Cahill shouldn't start, he looked a bit lost a number of times today and didn't pick up his man, if he can't cope with Wigan's movement he has no chance vs. Barca.
We need Luiz's pace and interception skills. Bosingwa shouldn't be on the plane.
Ivan-Luiz-Terry (please be fit)- Cole (Bertrand was okay today, but we need the CL experience and motivation after our last CL meeting.
Midfield
Mereiles shouldn't start, he's too careless with possession and we can't afford to give the ball away carelessly.
Despite a lacklustre performance vs Benfica, Mikel came on and played well again today, I think we need his stability in midfield.
Essien still looks a shadow of himself but we need his strength in the midfield. Mata is a must, I don't need to go into that.
Essien Mikel
Mata
Forwards
Sturridge has caught the form bug, very poor today. I like having his pace in the team, but I think it should be coming on as a second half substitute, he often looks like he doesn't know what to do with the ball apart from shoot, and he doesn't play the simple pass often enough.
Rammo offers us a threat on the counter so he should play, despite his technical shortcomings, it's a risk we need to take, without pace on the coutner we don't stand a chance.
Drogba was poor today, that said, he linked up with Torres occassionally and his aerial threat will pose the Barca CBs a problem. He should also be fired up, ridiculous that I need to talk about players being motivated for matches, but it's true.
Torres, ah what to do with you, I'd play him LW. Offers pace, a bit of excitement and he can deliver a cross. I'd much rather have him whipping balls into Drog because at least we'll have some quality coming in from the limited dangerous positions we'll be in. He is also good on the counter, let's be honest that's where we're going to be dangerous. Was surprised Pato didn't start for AC, I think he's overrated but he is lightning quick and would have been dangerous for Puyol/Pique.
Ram- Torres
Drogba
Bench: Turnbull (penalty saving keeper), Romeu (not enough game time recently), Ferreira (ABBos), Cahill, Kalou, Sturridge, Lampard (2nd half sub)
Thoughts?
Options vs Barcelon
posted on 7/4/12
Cahill looks nervous in CL games, espiecally in the Napoli first leg he was alot less composed than normal.
I'd play:
Cech
Ivan Luiz Terry Cole
Mikel Romeu
Sturridge Mata Torres
Drogba
There are some drawbacks to this team, won't lie. Other than Mata there is no leadership in the midfield, no one who can take the game by the scruff of the neck. That also ties in with it noe being experienced. However, someone like Lampard playing would mean we can't play 4231 and taht's our best formation as a team, and Mikel and Romeu are better than Essien, and they're also the two best passers and defenders out of our midfielders.
Drogba has to start up front, no other option, we'll need his experience and leadership and he can still play with little service, plus he'll be very motivated. Torres and Sturridge wide, provide pace, trickery and goal threats
posted on 7/4/12
BK > I see what you mean. Torres on the wing is not ideal but it might work.
We´ll need to do something a bit radical to beat this Barca side. I still think we´ll need Lampard in midfield somewhere.
posted on 7/4/12
I had Ramires there originally but Torres is a better footballer and nearly as fast. Not ideal, but espiecally against Barce the more good footballers the better
posted on 7/4/12
I stopped reading when you said "MVP"
posted on 7/4/12
Torres has played vs Barca 10 times and has scored 7 goals
posted on 7/4/12
Cech
Ivan Luiz Terry Cole
Mikel Romeu
Sturridge Mata Torres
Drogba
I would go with that but with Ramires in place of Sturridge who has franky been crap recently. Ramires is also better at tracking back.
posted on 7/4/12
Cech
Ivanovic Luiz Terry Cole
Romeu/Mikel Lampard
Torres Mata Ramires
Drogba
posted on 7/4/12
I stopped reading when you said "MVP"
---------------------
Care to elaborate?
Cech was our player of the season last year. His form has kept us in the race for Top 4 and a top class performance from him is required if we're to stand a chance against a Barca team that will get in behind our defence at some point....
I really like Romeu and he has been one of our stand out midfielders this season. However, he hasn't started for a long time and was going off the boil in the last game he started. I don't think he'll start unless he gets a chance vs Fulham/Spu-ds and is back to his 100% best.
posted on 7/4/12
What does MVP stand for?