Browniee
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Has anything been said about Di Maria and why he hobbled off last night?
Took a knee to the thigh so was a bit of a dead leg but he should be fine.Has anything been said about Di Maria and why he hobbled off last night?
I honestly think this is our best option, ample protection and ability to hit them on pace with the counter. Hopefully Luis is not yet adjusted to the game and we can catch him off guard.
What are Chelsea likely to play ?
-------------------Courtois
--Ivanovic------Terry-----Cahill-----Luis
-------------Matic------Fabregas
--Schurrle--------Oscar-----------Willian--
------------------Remy
I know I am coming across as a real bitch in this thread, but am I the only thinking how counter-productive that was? He decided to gamble with a formation with an eye on next week and lost points; to prepare for a game in which the probability of us getting anything is very low.I think Van Gaal picked the starting XI and formation against West Brom that he intended to play against Chelsea. There might be a few changes that he'd be tempted to make in the wake of the West Brom game:
- Will he start Falcao ahead of the off colour Van Persie?
- Is Mata at risk of being dropped yet again, with Fellaini riding high after his last game?
- Will he drop Jones for Smalling (or even McNair!) after his rash decision contributed to Berahino's goal?
- Will he opt for experienced Valencia over an unimpressive Januzaj? (or even perhaps Young!)
I suspect he will stick with RVP, drop Mata, stick with Jones, and I'm gonna predict a surprise start for Young..
I think Falcao's a cert to start next weekend, same with Van Persie though. Maybe he planned on using a similar system, but I don't think that he ever intended on using the same starting 11. Falcao simply flew over to north america during the international break, played 2 games and came back 2 days after our other striker. It may not seem like a big deal, but we have to remember he is still recovering from his ACL surgery. Most normal people don't go back to sports until a year after surgery at least, but athletes is 6-9 months. It's just about been 10 months so it's not like he's 100% yet, so no point risking over playing him.I think Van Gaal picked the starting XI and formation against West Brom that he intended to play against Chelsea. There might be a few changes that he'd be tempted to make in the wake of the West Brom game:
- Will he start Falcao ahead of the off colour Van Persie?
- Is Mata at risk of being dropped yet again, with Fellaini riding high after his last game?
- Will he drop Jones for Smalling (or even McNair!) after his rash decision contributed to Berahino's goal?
- Will he opt for experienced Valencia over an unimpressive Januzaj? (or even perhaps Young!)
I suspect he will stick with RVP, drop Mata, stick with Jones, and I'm gonna predict a surprise start for Young..
Either way, Valencia is twice the player when he has got Rafael on his side - I like this setup!I am not a big fan of his but really want Valencia to play against Chelsea, think we will need to be solid and he has had some good performances against Chelsea in the past.
--------------------------De Gea-----------------------------
Rafael ---------Jones --------------Rojo--------------Shaw
----------------Blind -----------Herrera---------------------
Valencia----------------Mata/Fellaini---------------Di Maria
-----------------------RVP/Falcao
Agreed, that would be my preference but not sure it is wise throwing Carrick straight into it, he hasn't played a competitive match for 5 months. Had he played against WBA I would be all for that though.Either way, Valencia is twice the player when he has got Rafael on his side - I like this setup!
Would consider Carrick in the Herrara-spot, and then Herrera in the Mata-spot.
But a bit risky with a Carrick-comeback in a Chelsea-game
It seems we have an agreement, good Sir!Agreed, that would be my preference but not sure it is wise throwing Carrick straight into it, he hasn't played a competitive match for 5 months. Had he played against WBA I would be all for that though.
I know that Mata is a ghost on the field, but we can't play with 12 players on the pitch-------------------------DDG------------------
-------Rafa -------Jones-----Rojo-----Shaw
------------------Carrick------Blind----------
---------Herrera-------------------Di Maria
-----------------------Mata----------------
-------------Falcao------------RVP-----------
It sure looked good, though!I know that Mata is a ghost on the field, but we can't play with 12 players on the pitch
He'd be perfect for the second half. Put him to work on Fabregas and hopefully Jones can concentrate on defending.Just because Fellaini scored doesn't mean he should start. The goal didn't diminish that he has many flaws. At best an impact sub.
And SmithWhat happened the last time Joses Chelsea rolled up to yours with a 10 point lead? Start Fletcher!
I would like to see this. Valencia would help Rafael to defend against Hazard.-------------DeGea-----------
--Rafael-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw---
----------Carrick-Blind-----------
Valencia----------------Di Maria
-------------Herrera------------
--------------Falcao------------
Dunno if all these are ready, but it would be the most optimal having a hard working team out and hope Di Maria and Falcao can create some magic together.
Or start our new fitter better equivalent of him, Herrera.What happened the last time Joses Chelsea rolled up to yours with a 10 point lead? Start Fletcher!
Has anything been said about Di Maria and why he hobbled off last night?
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This expect I would put Carrick in for Herrera and give him a rest. No doubt we need to be more defensive for this game.----------------De Gea------------------
Rafael------Jones------Rojo---------Shaw
-------------Blind----Herrera-------------
-----Valencia----Fellaini------Di Maria-----
-----------------Falcao------------------
Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Carrick, Fletcher, Young, Mata, Van Persie.
An arrow to the knee? Is that still a thing? We need Di Maria, I don't care what kind of voodoo we use but he needs to play. He is a big game player.Took a knee to the thigh so was a bit of a dead leg but he should be fine.
Schurrle wouldn't start this game besides he's injured at the moment. Willian will start.We really do have to pack the midfield and make sure we have numbers centrally and protection on the flanks to subdue Hazard and Schurrle due to how dangerous they are in transition.
I'm thinking along the same lines. Have never enjoyed the thought of using Fellaini in the role he enjoyed such success in at Everton, but at least having Blind and Carrick behind him minimizes his weaknesses in midfield while giving him license to get in a few faces a rattle a few cages in the Chelsea midfield. In any case, with Herrera injured and the likes of Mata and Van Persie so flat lately, I'm not really bothered by the prospect of a more direct game based around, let's face it, Fellaini's chest control. Worked wonders for Everton at times.----------------De Gea----------------
Rafael-------Jones----Rojo--------Shaw
-------------Carrick---Blind------------
-----------------Fellaini----------------
---Valencia-----------------Di Maria---
----------------Falcao---------------
Phil Dowd