Tuesday, October 25, 2005
A Bridge too far?
This is a preview of the Chelsea versus Charlton Carling Cup 3rd round tie taking place at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, but I'm not too sure that anything I write will make sense or come true...
The official club preview is here , but that doesn't have too much positive to say for a change.
Who's going to be playing? Both teams have very large squads, and the match could be a chance for some "fringe" players to get an outing. But who knows - only the two managers really!
Let's start with Chelsea, unbeaten all season, top of the league, current Carling Cup holders, media dahhhhlings, World superstars all. Will it be Jose's team, or Hose B's team? Will Cudicini get another cup game (he played in the Champions league tie last week) or will Cech retain the goalies jersey? John Terry will undoubtedly play and captain the side (unless he's injured), but anyone of Huth, Carvalho (doubtful), Ferreira, and/or Del Horno could be in the back four with him. Gallas is being rested according to the official Chelsea site and Wayne Bridge is back in the squad. Midfield will be Lampard and Essien, but Makelele is also definitely being rested. I think that Gudjohnsen will get another run out, and Geremi may feature later on too. Out wide, SWP only played an hour at the weekend so he'll probably start, as could Robben, just back from injury. Joe Cole may be on the bench and Duff is injured still. Up front? Difficult call this. Drogba has a knock and may miss the game, which means it could be either Crespo or everybody's friend Carlton Cole. I reckon Cole may start, with Crespo on the bench.
So if this is the team that Jose picks - Cudicini, Ferreira, Terry, Huth, Del Horno, Lampard, Essien, Gudjohnsen, Robben, Wright-Phillips, Cole (C) - it is still pretty formidable. It may not have the strength in depth that the bench did when Charlton took on Chelsea at the Valley but is still a strong side. By my maths, I reckon it cost Roman over £100m, even with two academy players in the starting line up!
Who's going to play for Charlton then? We know that the side that played against Hartlepool in the last round rested a few of the first team, and that Smertin is not allowed to play. No new injuries were apparently picked up on Saturday. Curbs has said he will put a strong side out, and Chelsea are expecting that, but he could still spring a few surprises.
In goal, I expect Dean Kiely to return. Much as Anderson took Kiely's place the last time the teams met at Stamford Bridge, this time our Dane may be "rested" allowing the number two a game. Luke Young will play right back (and captain), but the rest of the defence (much like Chelsea's) could be anyone's guess. Sorondo and Spector played in this competitions early round, and our Yank will almost certainly get a game here. El Karkouri should be picked too, as he has looked in need of a game. Chris Powell will also be looking to get back into the first team equation but may not be sufficiently rested yet. Matt Holland and Bryan Hughes will want a midfield berth, and both may start. With Jerome Thomas still injured, Lloyd Sam comes back into the mix as a possible winger, and will Jay Bothroyd play with or instead of Darren Bent?
I would like to see Curbs go for a 4-4-2 start (with the option of closing things down later should the need arise) with this team:
Kiely, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidersson, Spector, Rommedahl, Holland, Hughes, Ambrose, Bent, Bothroyd. Subs from Myrhe, Perry, Powell, Kishishev, Sam, Murphy, Johansson, Lisbie. (NB: Cost of the starting eleven - £13m)
The game at The Valley saw Charlton unable to hold the ball up front when playing 4-5-1, with the pressure being returned swiftly onto the defence, so a switch to two up front may prove beneficial. Everton played with two forwards (Beattie and Ferguson) on Saturday and saw plenty of possession.
My one to watch in this match is Charlton's goalie (be it Deano or Stephan), as he will need to have a very good game for Charlton to win.
Pedro45's score prediction is tough; it could be a great night (we are capable of winning), or it could be embarrassing (if the defence gets it badly wrong, the goals could start flying in from anywhere). Head on the block time and I hope I'm wrong - I'll go for 1-0 to Chelsea and Charlton walking out with heads held high but no medals. Up the Addicks!
The official club preview is here , but that doesn't have too much positive to say for a change.
Who's going to be playing? Both teams have very large squads, and the match could be a chance for some "fringe" players to get an outing. But who knows - only the two managers really!
Let's start with Chelsea, unbeaten all season, top of the league, current Carling Cup holders, media dahhhhlings, World superstars all. Will it be Jose's team, or Hose B's team? Will Cudicini get another cup game (he played in the Champions league tie last week) or will Cech retain the goalies jersey? John Terry will undoubtedly play and captain the side (unless he's injured), but anyone of Huth, Carvalho (doubtful), Ferreira, and/or Del Horno could be in the back four with him. Gallas is being rested according to the official Chelsea site and Wayne Bridge is back in the squad. Midfield will be Lampard and Essien, but Makelele is also definitely being rested. I think that Gudjohnsen will get another run out, and Geremi may feature later on too. Out wide, SWP only played an hour at the weekend so he'll probably start, as could Robben, just back from injury. Joe Cole may be on the bench and Duff is injured still. Up front? Difficult call this. Drogba has a knock and may miss the game, which means it could be either Crespo or everybody's friend Carlton Cole. I reckon Cole may start, with Crespo on the bench.So if this is the team that Jose picks - Cudicini, Ferreira, Terry, Huth, Del Horno, Lampard, Essien, Gudjohnsen, Robben, Wright-Phillips, Cole (C) - it is still pretty formidable. It may not have the strength in depth that the bench did when Charlton took on Chelsea at the Valley but is still a strong side. By my maths, I reckon it cost Roman over £100m, even with two academy players in the starting line up!
Who's going to play for Charlton then? We know that the side that played against Hartlepool in the last round rested a few of the first team, and that Smertin is not allowed to play. No new injuries were apparently picked up on Saturday. Curbs has said he will put a strong side out, and Chelsea are expecting that, but he could still spring a few surprises.
In goal, I expect Dean Kiely to return. Much as Anderson took Kiely's place the last time the teams met at Stamford Bridge, this time our Dane may be "rested" allowing the number two a game. Luke Young will play right back (and captain), but the rest of the defence (much like Chelsea's) could be anyone's guess. Sorondo and Spector played in this competitions early round, and our Yank will almost certainly get a game here. El Karkouri should be picked too, as he has looked in need of a game. Chris Powell will also be looking to get back into the first team equation but may not be sufficiently rested yet. Matt Holland and Bryan Hughes will want a midfield berth, and both may start. With Jerome Thomas still injured, Lloyd Sam comes back into the mix as a possible winger, and will Jay Bothroyd play with or instead of Darren Bent?I would like to see Curbs go for a 4-4-2 start (with the option of closing things down later should the need arise) with this team:
Kiely, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidersson, Spector, Rommedahl, Holland, Hughes, Ambrose, Bent, Bothroyd. Subs from Myrhe, Perry, Powell, Kishishev, Sam, Murphy, Johansson, Lisbie. (NB: Cost of the starting eleven - £13m)
The game at The Valley saw Charlton unable to hold the ball up front when playing 4-5-1, with the pressure being returned swiftly onto the defence, so a switch to two up front may prove beneficial. Everton played with two forwards (Beattie and Ferguson) on Saturday and saw plenty of possession.
My one to watch in this match is Charlton's goalie (be it Deano or Stephan), as he will need to have a very good game for Charlton to win.Pedro45's score prediction is tough; it could be a great night (we are capable of winning), or it could be embarrassing (if the defence gets it badly wrong, the goals could start flying in from anywhere). Head on the block time and I hope I'm wrong - I'll go for 1-0 to Chelsea and Charlton walking out with heads held high but no medals. Up the Addicks!
