Alex Ferguson strangled the life out of Arsenal by playing 5 midfielders and a single striker. As a result, Arsenal’s pretty passing game broke down. They were denied space and a stout defense cut-off the sharp penetrating passes that set men free.
Sound familiar?
It’s the recipe some teams have used to bedevil Chelsea over the last month, Marseille being the latest. Pack the midfield and deny Chelsea space. The result has been sloppy passing and a complete breakdown of the attack.
So we know that tactic works against Chelsea. And yet, the suspicion lingers that attack-minded Ferguson will change things at the Bridge on Sunday.
He may sense vulnerability in Chelsea’s backline. He could deploy Berbatov alongside Rooney. Rooney looks like a new man, nimble and quick and intelligent. And Berbatov scored 5 against Blackburn a couple of weeks ago.
In the end, it may be that the only thing we learned from Monday’s match is that Manchester United are playing with enormous confidence. That their early-seasons stumbles seem to be over. And that whatever tactics they bring to bear on Chelsea, they’ll be executing them with a lot of conviction.
What’ver tacticts Fergi n his boys 1nt 2 use on Sunday,dey will surely slump n fall big tyme God’s willing
Just to let you know
Frank Lampard a.k.a the greatest box-to-box midfielder and goalscoring midfielder in English Premier League history is fit and full of confidence. He is also known as Terry in midfield and we all know who Terry is.
Manchester United haven’t won at Stamford Bridge in 8 years.
Chelsea’s poor run of form is over and you will agree if you watched our match against Tottenham a.k.a one of our most difficult away matches
Fergie’s team has drawn more than they have one
The 4-5-1 employed by most of the teams that have run us over is the same one Manchester United used yesterday to exterminate the little children and old man that run Arsenal F.C.
The 4-4-2 that excludes Mikel is by far more effective if you look at what the 4-3-3 has done recently.
We will need a defence ripping striker up front a.k.a Drogba.
We will need Essien and Lampard working at their box-to-box best so we can help our back four.
We need a fit Bosingwa as Ferreira doesn’t have the pace to go against Nani. This can be backed up as we needed help from Essien, Ramires and Terry to contain Bale. Bosingwa alone can take care of Messi, even on a position he is unfamiliar with.
Our potential line up
4-4-2 (left to right)
Cech
A Cole Ivanovic Terry Ferreira (Bosingwa if fit but only for about 45-60 mins)
Ramires Essien Lampard Malouda
Drogba (Sturridge/Anelka) depending on tactic being used, both have pace but they are different.
4-3-3(left to right)
Cech
A Cole Ivanovic Terry Ferreira (Bosingwa if fit but only for about 45-60 mins)
Essien Mikel Lampard
Malouda Drogba Anelka
DO NOT AND I REAPEAT DO NOT SUB RAMIRES. USE MCEACHRAN INSTEAD!
This is because it is proven that it takes a foreigner 3-4 years to match their potential in the EPL. McEachran is more used to the English game as he has lived in England for 17 years and played I assume for about atleast 5.
Mikel must go back to his attacking self. Do not repeat the Mourhino vs Fulham game and make Man Utd play wide leaving Mikel defenseless to their wingers. We need to have not 2 btb and 1 dlp but 3 btb’s spreading wide and not narrow. Let the CB’s take care of the narrow play. Sort of like intersection play.
Our confidence is back and we will win these 2 other title defining games!
Chelsea2:1 manU
Hi Tremayne,
Interesting choices. I believe that a midfield of Essien/Lampard/Mikel/Malouda represents the “old firm”, if you will. The old stable, successful Chelsea. Two brutes in Mikel and Essien for possession and two gifted attackers in Lampard and Malouda.
Your 4-3-3 is exciting! I’d love to see that, but not until everyone is healthy on the backline and maybe we add a better defensive right back. I can see conceding a lot of goals with that formation.
As the season progresses, I’m intrigued by what Lampard could do with Ramires. We saw hints in the 2nd half against Spurs. Might Frank bring out the best in the Brazilian? Sure would be nice.
Hi Tremayne,
” The 4-5-1 employed by most of the teams that have run us over is the same one Manchester United used yesterday to exterminate the little children and old man that run Arsenal F.C.”
I loved it
it would be joy to inflict manu first league defeat of the season
One more point from my side: Bring Kalou on at 60-70 minutes, he will do wonders!
Very neat write up by WXWAX, kudos to u..
Spot on with packing the midfield to constraint our midfield..
Could somebody please let Carlo read this post…LOL
I hope we do not start with Kalou and Ramires.
[quote comment="86889"]I hope we do not start with Kalou and Ramires.[/quote]
We should play our 4-3-3 with the team
Cech
A Cole Ivanovic Terry Ferreira (Bosingwa if fit but only for about 45-60 mins)
Essien Mikel Lampard
Malouda Drogba Anelka
our strength is the attack and we should not think about their defensive approaches. We need to attack with quality. we are not quick on the counters and hence i expect that we attack and win the game. an early goal is a must to settle the nerves.
[quote comment="86892"]
We should play our 4-3-3 with the team
Cech
A Cole Ivanovic Terry Ferreira (Bosingwa if fit but only for about 45-60 mins)
Essien Mikel Lampard
Malouda Drogba Anelka
our strength is the attack and we should not think about their defensive approaches. We need to attack with quality. we are not quick on the counters and hence i expect that we attack and win the game. an early goal is a must to settle the nerves.[/quote]
Myself, I think you’ve nailed the starters for Sunday. But I think Malouda plays midfield, not upfront.
It’s true that he’s an indifferent defender. But still, against a club with attacking flair like United, you’d expect the Italian to be a bit cautious. A 4-man midfield makes it easier for the center line to help the back line.