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Team for Chelsea
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If Arsenal win tonight then it doesn't matter too much as they will be 12 points clear with 5 games left.
If Liverpool beat them then we have to have a go at Chelsea. We will be shattered, but they have important games coming up too (albeit with a superior squad). It's clutching at straws, but if we peg Arsenal back to 6 points and they have to play Utd & Chelsea, then who knows?
Anyway, some players will be more shagged than others. My best guess of the team, based on what I think Moyes will do and what I think he should do, is as follows:
Howard;
Jacobsen Lescott Yobo Baines
Pienaar Neville Rodwell Fellaini
Vaughan Jo
Subs: Nash, Jags, Nuno Valente, Cahill, Saha, Gosling, Agard.
Alan Kirwin, Posted 21/04/2009 at 16:57:37
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Players I think we should use.
Since half the players buggered..
Howard
Jacobsen, Yobo, Jagielka, Baines
Castillo, Neville, Rodwell, Fellaini
Cahill
Jo
Since half the players buggered..
Howard
Jacobsen, Yobo, Jagielka, Baines
Castillo, Neville, Rodwell, Fellaini
Cahill
Jo
Vaughan from start? Do you guys WANT him injured again?
I can’t see in a million years that Moyes will opt for Vaughany to start as long as both Saha and Jo are available.
I can’t see in a million years that Moyes will opt for Vaughany to start as long as both Saha and Jo are available.
Gentleman
Mind my ignorance but can you tell me why the FA Cup final is on 30th may this year? Hasn't it traditionally been a week after the seasons end follwoed by the Champs League final.... and then playoffs follow the FA Cup final. Is the fa trying to make the cup final the VERY LAST game of the season to give it more kudos??
Suits I guess though if Chelski make it to the Champs League final ? they will be fucked!!!
Mind my ignorance but can you tell me why the FA Cup final is on 30th may this year? Hasn't it traditionally been a week after the seasons end follwoed by the Champs League final.... and then playoffs follow the FA Cup final. Is the fa trying to make the cup final the VERY LAST game of the season to give it more kudos??
Suits I guess though if Chelski make it to the Champs League final ? they will be fucked!!!
Why not Hibbert??
Jimmy, I admire Hibbert?s work ethic and commitment. Defensively he?s normally good but IMHO he?s been well off form in the last couple of games. I think Jacobsen should be given a run as he looks technically good to me and also meets the fresh pair of legs criteria.
As we know now, Arsenal drew last night and are 10 pts ahead of us (7 if we win). Big ask maybe but there is the issue of who finishes 5th. Personally, I?d like to pip Villa for the kudos, money and impetus it brings.
I agree with Ciaran. Jacobsen should be given a run. I think the last few games Hibbo has shown that he just isn’t good enough. His distribution is poor, going forward is non existent and everytime he goes to tackle Icringe that he is going to get sent off. Jacobsen desrves a chance to show that he is technically better than Hibbo and should be the RB for the Final. How many chances has Hibbo had???
I can’t see Vaughan starting this one... or Saha for that matter. Jo is ineligible for the City game so i think Vaughan and Saha will be saved for that one, with Fellaini or Cahill suporting Jo.
For me, Osman and Hibbert looked shattered in extra time, and i would like to see Jacobsen come in. It’s probably more likely, however, that Yobo will come in with Jags being pushed to rightback - Chelsea have a lot of big men for set pieces and we’ll need to counter that.
Is Fellaini on 13 bookings now? Is that another ban if he gets to 15? How many games will that be?
For me, Osman and Hibbert looked shattered in extra time, and i would like to see Jacobsen come in. It’s probably more likely, however, that Yobo will come in with Jags being pushed to rightback - Chelsea have a lot of big men for set pieces and we’ll need to counter that.
Is Fellaini on 13 bookings now? Is that another ban if he gets to 15? How many games will that be?
If Fellaini gets another two bookings he will get a 3 match ban that can be carried over till next season - As he has had so many, the amnesty is null and void for him. Maybe a case of getting him booked in the next 2 games and then he will be available for the final and the start of next season?
I would definitely start with Cahill, Pienaar, Fellaini and Lescott on the bench: -
Howard
Jacobsen-Jags-Yobo-Baines
Ossie-Pip-Castillo-Rodwell-Gosling
Jo
I know that it’s not a good side, but it’s defensive, if we can hold them then we can adjust it at half-time if needs be.
I think Moyes either needs to go all out and ask his best XI for one last all-or-nothing game, before resting players for the ’easier’ games. But I’d be tempted to play the odds, say fuck it, we’ll field a weakened team vs Chelsea and rest 6 or 7 first choice players for the run-in.
We’d be unlikely to get much from this game without an extra-time killer 3 days before. I guess the question is, do we really believe that 4th is still possible, or do we want to protect our best players for the remaining 5 games, all of which are winnable with a fit first XI. Bearing in mind that any little niggles from Sunday could cause injury and potentially rule out a vital player for the final. We’re as good as qualified for Europe, so the Final takes precedence over all other games now.
Also, the silver lining on not winning tonight would be Chelsea catching the shite
It’s a tough choice.
Howard
Jacobsen-Jags-Yobo-Baines
Ossie-Pip-Castillo-Rodwell-Gosling
Jo
I know that it’s not a good side, but it’s defensive, if we can hold them then we can adjust it at half-time if needs be.
I think Moyes either needs to go all out and ask his best XI for one last all-or-nothing game, before resting players for the ’easier’ games. But I’d be tempted to play the odds, say fuck it, we’ll field a weakened team vs Chelsea and rest 6 or 7 first choice players for the run-in.
We’d be unlikely to get much from this game without an extra-time killer 3 days before. I guess the question is, do we really believe that 4th is still possible, or do we want to protect our best players for the remaining 5 games, all of which are winnable with a fit first XI. Bearing in mind that any little niggles from Sunday could cause injury and potentially rule out a vital player for the final. We’re as good as qualified for Europe, so the Final takes precedence over all other games now.
Also, the silver lining on not winning tonight would be Chelsea catching the shite
It’s a tough choice.
Hibbert was returning after a spell on the sidelines at Villa, you know, the spell that saw us lose at Pompey and put in some desperate performances against Blackburn and Newcastle, he was rusty and booked early at Villa so Moyse took him off.
No one got past Tony on Sunday - again - he has only had one and a half games since his injury so he neeeds games, not rest
Jacobsen was exposed at Pompey and both goals could be directly attributed to him. Hibbert is our best option at RB by a country mile, he must play tonight
If catching Arsenal is a possibility come the last couple of games of the season, great, but beating Chelsea would send our guys into the cup final in the certain knowledge that they can beat the best
No one got past Tony on Sunday - again - he has only had one and a half games since his injury so he neeeds games, not rest
Jacobsen was exposed at Pompey and both goals could be directly attributed to him. Hibbert is our best option at RB by a country mile, he must play tonight
If catching Arsenal is a possibility come the last couple of games of the season, great, but beating Chelsea would send our guys into the cup final in the certain knowledge that they can beat the best
We should start saha if hes not unwell because we need him to get match fit for that final!
Guus Hiddink has never managed a team against Everton before so it would be kind of silly for Moyes to play all his big guns and give the Chelsea boss a heads up before the FA Cup Final.
It would make more sense for Moyes to use some fringe players (AVDM, Jacobsen, Gosling, Rodwell, Castillo) and keep Hiddink in the dark over Everton?s better players.
Oddly we will actually be confirmed for European football next season if Chelsea beat us so Moyes really has nothing to lose from this game.
Hiddink is a very smart manager and I would rather he gets his first chance to defeat Everton?s strongest team in the final.
It would make more sense for Moyes to use some fringe players (AVDM, Jacobsen, Gosling, Rodwell, Castillo) and keep Hiddink in the dark over Everton?s better players.
Oddly we will actually be confirmed for European football next season if Chelsea beat us so Moyes really has nothing to lose from this game.
Hiddink is a very smart manager and I would rather he gets his first chance to defeat Everton?s strongest team in the final.
ditto for Vaughan !!!
Oh by the way i like omens and all that so, The last time Everton beat man u at wembley Sir Paul Rideout scored and then we beat them on sunday, and the last time We beat chelsea at stamford bridge Paul rideout scored and then we beat them tonight?!! that would be nice!! but id trade losing all our remaining games for a fa cup final win! I was 8 when we won in 95 so its blurry, this one will be clear forever!
I cant see Moyes making too many changes, its not his style and to be fair to him, it’s not like he has many options.
Most importantly I feel we should be trying to give Cahill and Fellaini a rest and get Saha match fit for 90 minutes. We should also try to improve Vaughans stamina before the final, although after missing the entire season, he couldn’t be more than an impact payer off the bench.
Going 442 whilst giving Rodwell & Gosling and maybe even Baxter more time on the field can only benefit us for next season.
Most importantly I feel we should be trying to give Cahill and Fellaini a rest and get Saha match fit for 90 minutes. We should also try to improve Vaughans stamina before the final, although after missing the entire season, he couldn’t be more than an impact payer off the bench.
Going 442 whilst giving Rodwell & Gosling and maybe even Baxter more time on the field can only benefit us for next season.
My Team for Tonight -
Howard
Jacobsen Lescott Yobo Neville
Gosling Castillo Rodwell Pienaar
Saha Fellaini
Pienaar subbed half time - Vaughan subbed on for a tired Fellaini/Saha
Gives the fresh lads a shot - Don't want injuries to Pienaar or Baines who must be shattered.
Howard
Jacobsen Lescott Yobo Neville
Gosling Castillo Rodwell Pienaar
Saha Fellaini
Pienaar subbed half time - Vaughan subbed on for a tired Fellaini/Saha
Gives the fresh lads a shot - Don't want injuries to Pienaar or Baines who must be shattered.
Moyes may also consider resting Fellaini to protect him from getting another yellow card. 15 yellow cards = automatic 3 match suspension, which could rule him out for the final.
Fellaini’s bookings have slowed down considerably recently though. With Sunday’s yellow, he only has 2 bookings in his last 13 games; his other one being in the West Brom game. I doubt he is rested due to yellow card accumulation, he’ll be rested because he’s playing with a cracked vertebra in his back.
We should rest as many as possible its much more important to beat City at the weekend and help stop them adding the lure of european football to their billions.
I agree with David, the Man City game at the weekend is much more important and we don’t want to play our full strength team tonight and then they are all knackered for Saturday. However, I would only make maybe 3 or 4 changes because the last thing we want is a hammering to shoot down the players confidence.
I would probably bring in players like Jo, Rodwell and Gosling and debatably Yobo, although I would still prefer to stick with our strongest back four.
I would probably bring in players like Jo, Rodwell and Gosling and debatably Yobo, although I would still prefer to stick with our strongest back four.
I would go as follows:
GK Howard -
RB Jacobsen
LB Lescott
CD Yobo
CD Jagielks
RM Van Der Meyde
LM Gosling
CM Neville
CM Rodwell
CF Fellani
CF Jo
subs 1 NAsh 2 Baines 3 Saha 4 Vaugahn 5 Cahill 6 Pienaar 7Osman
So only 4 players who played for 120 mins on sun are in (Howard Jagielka Lescott and Neville) I would drop the fullbacks because of the amount of running they did on sun for 120 mins. I think Neville is undroppable at the mo and ROdwell and Gosling would buzz at a chance like this with fresh legs to stake their own claim for a final place - I would gamble on vdm as he will be able to put some crosses in for the tall jo and fellaini befor osman or pienaar can complete the last 20 mins. If all gos to plan - Saha and vauhagn can replace the forwards for the last 15 mins to get more match fitness. I think we will come away from stamford bridge with at least a point
GK Howard -
RB Jacobsen
LB Lescott
CD Yobo
CD Jagielks
RM Van Der Meyde
LM Gosling
CM Neville
CM Rodwell
CF Fellani
CF Jo
subs 1 NAsh 2 Baines 3 Saha 4 Vaugahn 5 Cahill 6 Pienaar 7Osman
So only 4 players who played for 120 mins on sun are in (Howard Jagielka Lescott and Neville) I would drop the fullbacks because of the amount of running they did on sun for 120 mins. I think Neville is undroppable at the mo and ROdwell and Gosling would buzz at a chance like this with fresh legs to stake their own claim for a final place - I would gamble on vdm as he will be able to put some crosses in for the tall jo and fellaini befor osman or pienaar can complete the last 20 mins. If all gos to plan - Saha and vauhagn can replace the forwards for the last 15 mins to get more match fitness. I think we will come away from stamford bridge with at least a point
The Fellaini situation is huge, as he could be the difference between winning the cup and not.
The chances are, against a team like Chelsea, he will get booked. Chelsea will dominate and most of our play will be direct long balls up to the him. So I say rest him for tonight's match, play him in games where we can play more football on the ground and he has less chance of getting booked.
Howard
Jacobsen, Yobo, Lescott, Baines
Pienaar, Neville, Castillo, Osman, Gosling
Jo
Barring injuries or other circumstances
Osman for Vaughan 60mins
Neville for Rodwell 70 mins
Saha for Pienaar 70mins.
The chances are, against a team like Chelsea, he will get booked. Chelsea will dominate and most of our play will be direct long balls up to the him. So I say rest him for tonight's match, play him in games where we can play more football on the ground and he has less chance of getting booked.
Howard
Jacobsen, Yobo, Lescott, Baines
Pienaar, Neville, Castillo, Osman, Gosling
Jo
Barring injuries or other circumstances
Osman for Vaughan 60mins
Neville for Rodwell 70 mins
Saha for Pienaar 70mins.
Fran you really think Moyes would go 4-3-3 against chelsea?
Do you forget about Cahill? Is it because he missed the penalty? You should remember how he had been one of the best player in the match and maybe our best for the whole season.
Actually, the idea would be Saha playing in midfield. He did so for Man Utd on a couple of occasions. He basically has a good level of skill, so might be able to keep possesion and make a pass for the forwards. I proposed this becasue
1, Saha is in serious need of match practice but not yet ready for 90mins. We want him firing on all cylinders for the Final. As we do with Vaughan. So I say 20-30 mins for next 3-4 games, then in final 2 games Start Both of them, whoever plays best (or doesnt get injured) gets the starting place in final.
2. We need to rest both Pienaar and Osman, not Jo, so Jo might as well play the full 90.
3. There is absolutely no-one else to play in that role of midfield! DO NOT SAY SHANDY ANDY
BUT also in answering your question, Moyes will probably not do this.
However, we cannot do an Aston Villa. A humiliating defeat could give us a familiar Everton seasons end, that would not bode well for the final (unless chelsea then got over-confident, but with Hiddink I couldn’t see that happening)
1, Saha is in serious need of match practice but not yet ready for 90mins. We want him firing on all cylinders for the Final. As we do with Vaughan. So I say 20-30 mins for next 3-4 games, then in final 2 games Start Both of them, whoever plays best (or doesnt get injured) gets the starting place in final.
2. We need to rest both Pienaar and Osman, not Jo, so Jo might as well play the full 90.
3. There is absolutely no-one else to play in that role of midfield! DO NOT SAY SHANDY ANDY
BUT also in answering your question, Moyes will probably not do this.
However, we cannot do an Aston Villa. A humiliating defeat could give us a familiar Everton seasons end, that would not bode well for the final (unless chelsea then got over-confident, but with Hiddink I couldn’t see that happening)
Well, I called Yobo, Jacobsen & Jo correctly. But confess to major surprise to see Castillo replacing Fellaini. Had Rodwell down as a cert. Moyes clearly thinks he has something up his sleeve. Old Segundo is a bit unpredictable and has a tasty shot.
Hmm.
Hmm.
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1 Posted 20/04/2009 at 20:40:00
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Howard, Jacobsen, Baines, Lescott, Yobo, Gosling, Neville, Rodwell, Pienaar, Vaughan, Saha,