The way to beat Chelsea on Sunday

[Ripley]

rafa.tactics@melwood.co.uk

Not acceptable. It's a fax number we want

[Rich Gobey]

Formation similiar, personnel different and more adapt for the game. In Lampard they have a player who isn't up for a fight (as they now have Ballack who is the same as well. They have no width at the moment so will get acres attacking their full backs. Push the full backs back and theirs bags of room to play football in.

 

Obviously the personnel are different, more adept to the game? Chelsea won two titles playing that way and we haven't played with that formation yet so i'm not sure you can say that.

 

I do think it's a good way to play though, especially away from home as its basically a quick counter attacking system that is equally good for soaking up pressure defensively.

[Gravy]

Obviously the personnel are different, more adept to the game? Chelsea won two titles playing that way and we haven't played with that formation yet so i'm not sure you can say that.

 

I do think it's a good way to play though, especially away from home as its basically a quick counter attacking system that is equally good for soaking up pressure defensively.

 

Take your point about them winning the title with that system, but they've never really played anyone in the PL who has been able to counter them with as good as players in most positions.

 

I really think we'll get a result Sunday as they are not as good as they think they are. Speed and strength are the key and a solid back line.

[Romario]

Take your point about them winning the title with that system, but they've never really played anyone in the PL who has been able to counter them with as good as players in most positions.

 

I really think we'll get a result Sunday as they are not as good as they think they are. Speed and strength are the key and a solid back line.

 

I hope we go for them like the league cup game. He were brilliant in that game from the off. They didn't know what hit them. If we go looking for a draw I'll be really peed

off as we're better than that.

 

I thought Dirk played really deep last night because he didn't have the likes of Gerrard and Alonso behind him feeding him. Hopefully he won't need to track back as much on Sunday. Also looking forward to Bellamy getting in a few rucks with the likes of Terry, Cole and whoever else.

[Guest Phil C]

The only way....

[Alonso]

Back 4, three in the middle to dominate Chelsea's midfield - Sissoko, Gerrard, Alonso, 2 very quick wide players - Pennant and Bellamy/Gonzalez and a target man to bring in the midfieldres - Crouch/Kuyt.

 

Play a quick game and get their full backs going backwards. Our mifield 3 will dominate their midfield 2 1/2 (They have Lampard whio is the half) as in fast quick battling games he is nowhere as he can't tackle or run.

 

Obviously our back 4 have be solid and have an excellent game.

 

It worked for Fulham when I told their management staff how to beat Chelsea last season (ask Murph ) and it'll work on Sunday.

 

Of that I am sure.

Spot on altho I'd go for Pennant/Bellamy and definitely play Gonzalez, altho I think Rafa may stick with Aurelio.

[Bootle Buck]

Keep it tight and go at their full backs. I would like to see Bellamy play wider with Crouch upfront. I think Kuyt will not get much out of Terry and Carvalho.

[Lee W]

I've just read the official report that we will work off on Sunday.

 

In short - don't give up the waltzer, Gravy.

 

Are we targeting Glen Johnson again ?

[Guest AnfieldGrass]

Keep it tight and go at their full backs. I would like to see Bellamy play wider with Crouch upfront. I think Kuyt will not get much out of Terry and Carvalho.

 

Agreed. Crouch should be able to annoy that little shirt-pulling t*** Carvanhio enough to force him to concede a penalty. One that is given for a change.

[Bootle Buck]

But Crouch is a goal machine against those two?

 

He'll cause them problems and Carvalho will resort to his normal rugby tackles in the box.

[Gravy]

Chelsea have been playing a different system in the league this season. I don't know that I've quite read it right:

 

On paper the line up has been a 4-4-2. But in paractice it has sometimes looked more like a 3-5-2. On the right SWP has played as a genuine winger. Behind him at RB Boularouz has virtually never crossed halfway. On the left there has been no winger, but Bridge or Ashley Cole have had a great deal of freedom to get forward and attack. When Chelsea have been in possesion they've sometimes played virtually as wingers.

 

So sometimes maybe a back three of Terry Carvalho and Boularouz, a midfield five with Bridge or Cole wide left and SWP wide right, and the two strikers. Both a threat and an opportunity.

 

SWP has hardly played this season. Their preferred team, as it has been in the majority of games, is with Drogba and Chavshenko up front, with Ballack, fat boy, Essien and Makelele behind.

 

That'll do me. Round pegs, square holes. That's why we need width on Sunday, because they won't have any.

[Bigal]

SWP has hardly played this season. Their preferred team, as it has been in the majority of games, is with Drogba and Chavshenko up front, with Ballack, fat boy, Essien and Makelele behind.

 

That'll do me. Round pegs, square holes. That's why we need width on Sunday, because they won't have any.

 

Not being daft, but isnt that what we did against them in the FA cup semi final? They played the narrow diamond and we used the width? Therefore thats our tactics, and not fulhams?

[Leo No.8]

Watching United last night, I couldn't help but think they looked extremely susceptible to the ball crossed in from wide areas.

 

Ferdinand and Brown have a real tendency to 'ball watch' and switch off to the player they are marking when the ball is played into the area from the wings and full-backs.

 

Celtic didn't make the most of it - we could. I'd play both Kuyt and Crouch against them, and get Finnan and Aurelio pushed up to deliver diagonal balls into the box as both have real quality.

 

Chelsea are a different proposition entirely - they don't have any weaknesses really, but I do think we need to be aggressive and take the game to them. Playing one up front hasn't worked at Stamford Bridge in the league at all - I can hardly remember us having a shot on goal in either game.

[Gravy]

Not being daft, but isnt that what we did against them in the FA cup semi final? They played the narrow diamond and we used the width? Therefore thats our tactics, and not fulhams?

 

I didn't say it was Fulham's. I just informed the Fulham coach of the way to beat Chelsea, and sure enough, they exactly that. It was obviously taken from the blueprint of Rafa.

[Taipan]

SWP has hardly played this season. Their preferred team, as it has been in the majority of games, is with Drogba and Chavshenko up front, with Ballack, fat boy, Essien and Makelele behind.

 

That'll do me. Round pegs, square holes. That's why we need width on Sunday, because they won't have any.

No. In every game in the league so far this season Chelsea have played a genuine winger. SWP and Kalou have so far shared that role - each with two starts.

 

The diamond was roled out against Bremen in the CL. Lined up exactly as you said. SWP not even on the bench.

[Gravy]

No. In every game in the league so far this season Chelsea have played a genuine winger. SWP and Kalou have so far shared that role - each with two starts.

 

The diamond was roled out against Bremen in the CL. Lined up exactly as you said. SWP not even on the bench.

 

Makelele's fit now. That's how I expect him to line-up as his first choice team.