Chelsea v city

With the news that Kompany is out tomorrow clearly that porous looking back line is the biggest problem for Pellegrini to address.
In many ways both sides will likely play into each other's hands with Chelsea preferring to play on the counter and City looking to dominate possession and it's set up to be a much better game than last years corresponding fixture when Rafa spoilt the game with his mustn't lose ethos.
Be interesting to see who comes out on top of Fernandinho and Ramires for the watching Brazilian coach as both look to show their World Cup credentials.After a slow start Fernandinho is really finding his feet and his partnership with Yaya is getting better by the game,they will be crucial tomorrow in shielding the back 4 from the impressive Chelsea midfield.

If Garcia is persevered with at centre back then Richards and Milner,who I expect to start on the right, need to be very aware to cover his lack of pace and I suspect it's an area that mourinho will be keen to target.Whoever gets the nod there,be it a very left footed Lescott & Nastasic partnership or Demichellis/Richards with zabaleta at right back it's going to be far less secure than it would've been with Vinnie there.

Considering all the plaudits that Arsenal have received this season so far,it's actually Chelsea who have impressed me more,mourinho appears to have whetted Torres appetite and they look like they are ticking now.
Would take a draw without question
On the virgin train at 10-30 to Euston in the morning,anyone else heading to the. bridge?
Preferred line up
Hart
Zabaleta Richards Nastasic Clichy
Milner yaya Fernandinho 
Aguero Silva
Negredo

Totally agree. That teams the same as the one I thought he'd play. Dawg reckons we live in fantasy land to think MP will play Micah at CB.

I think he could a good job there, keeping an eye on Torres. Micah/Garcia? Micah/Garcia? Micah/Garcia?......nope, doesn't matter how many times I say it.....it's still Micah.

Milner is a must for me.

Also, as you said, if the Brazil coach is there or watching - Ramires vs Fernando will be a good tussle.

blue it depends if pellegrini goes against his word with ref to micah @centre back. He has already stated he sees him as a right back not centre back. If that is the case then I would hope he plays lezza & Nastasic.

Well as long as it isn't Garcia....

They have some big players and at set pieces, we need to ensure we compete with them. Garcia doesn't win many headers when defending, he gets turned far too easily and isn't the quickest.

Against the likes of Oscar and Hazard, Torres and Ramires, i fear that if he plays at CB.....he's an accident waiting to happen against top quality players.

Against 'so-so' players on Wednesday, he got turned far too easily and couldn't get back.

I don't want to keep beating him up, but we've all seen it.

As for Lezza, I just don't think MP trusts him. I'm not sure why as he hasn't made any glaring mistakes when he's played, though doesn't look comfortable with the ball at his feet...but still has decent pace and strength.

After Weds.....who knows....I've given up second guessing MP, but as long as the results keep coming, then how can we complain?

I think the result all hinges on one player selection.  If we play with Garcia, we'll have to work hard to get anything.  If we don't, we stand a better chance of edging the game.

Just don't pick Garcia, Manny.  Please!

Never lost at home in the prem under mourinho
Records are there to be broken,hope we really go at them,best form of defence

Up until last year, we hadn't won an away league game against Arsenal for 27 years.  Like you say, records are there to be broken.

I haven't said I wouldn't like Richards at CB, just that I can't see MP picking him there.

Topdawg wrote:I haven't said I wouldn't like Richards at CB, just that I can't see MP picking him there.

I never said you wouldn't.....re-read.

And I still think you like in fantasy land!

Lose today and we are only 2 points ahead of Utd. and they've been shit this season...