I think we are just hoping for a performance, there's a big difference between a good team struggling for consistency and a team who haven't lost yet this season.
I really don't know on Right back, I kind of discounted Naughton for Dier but they both come with their risks, that is our achilles heal, if you were the oppo, it's where you would go for and while I thought Fazio looked good on Sunday, I still think he's liable to get a red card, we have players who can easily fall in to the 'loose cannon' and 'inconsistent' labels.
I would not put Lamela on for this game as I can see him either putting in a petulant challenge or being muscled off the ball, he will get better but he's not the finished product, if we're in the last 15 and drawing then I would happily throw him on to add an attacking dimension. I do think Lennon had to be an option as added cover and I really think his pace still frightens teams.
The question of changing the midfield mix is an interesting one, I am not sure about Dembele, we still don't know where to use him in the current system. Capoue is an odd one too, somewhere in there is a deadly defensive midfielder but we haven't seen the best of him yet. I definitely think Chadli should have some kind of role in this game, probably as a sub, if we need to use a 5 man midfield then you have to have him in there.
On Soldado, while he looks much brighter, if we're playing 1 up front, I think it has to be Kane, he has the confidence, energy and sheer force of will to frighten defences and while I wouldn't want to hit Soldado's good form we have to play the right system because Chelsea will capitalise on any weakness.
Thinking about it, I really wouldn't mind if we parked the bus again!
I really don't know on Right back, I kind of discounted Naughton for Dier but they both come with their risks, that is our achilles heal, if you were the oppo, it's where you would go for and while I thought Fazio looked good on Sunday, I still think he's liable to get a red card, we have players who can easily fall in to the 'loose cannon' and 'inconsistent' labels.
I would not put Lamela on for this game as I can see him either putting in a petulant challenge or being muscled off the ball, he will get better but he's not the finished product, if we're in the last 15 and drawing then I would happily throw him on to add an attacking dimension. I do think Lennon had to be an option as added cover and I really think his pace still frightens teams.
The question of changing the midfield mix is an interesting one, I am not sure about Dembele, we still don't know where to use him in the current system. Capoue is an odd one too, somewhere in there is a deadly defensive midfielder but we haven't seen the best of him yet. I definitely think Chadli should have some kind of role in this game, probably as a sub, if we need to use a 5 man midfield then you have to have him in there.
On Soldado, while he looks much brighter, if we're playing 1 up front, I think it has to be Kane, he has the confidence, energy and sheer force of will to frighten defences and while I wouldn't want to hit Soldado's good form we have to play the right system because Chelsea will capitalise on any weakness.
Thinking about it, I really wouldn't mind if we parked the bus again!
ochfacepalm: