Yes, it is a "helluva" fixture.
Fulham is a hard team to beat, spurs is an emerging team and competing with chelsea for 4th placing.
Barca - no comment as there are the undispute European Champion last couple of years.
Arsenal - another tough nut to crack as they are improving in every match, last match even beat ManC.

If Chelsea plays like this in the CL against Barca, I think CFC is "dead meat".

IMHO, Chelsea will line-up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:

1 Petr Cech

2 Branislav Ivanovic 24 Gary Cahill26 John Terry 34 Ryan Bertrand

12 John Mikel Obi 8 Frank Lampard

7 Ramires16 Raul Meireles21 Salomon Kalou

9 Fernando Torres (or 11 D.Drogba)

Subs: 22 Ross Turnbull, 17 Jose Bosingwa, 6 Oriol Romeu, 15 Florent Malouda, 10 Juan Mata, 23 Daniel Sturridge, 11 Didier Drogba.


But, seriously, Chelsea should consider getting newer players and let players like Lampard, Terry etc go.

This post has been edited by pingpang: Apr 10 2012, 12:10 PM

That is a possibility also.
IMHO, if Sturridge and Ramires was off-form on that day, Chelsea will have a big problem trying to overwhelm their opponent. And di Matteo should substitute some of the tired players by the 65 - 70th minutes as most goals conceded since beginning of last month was it the last quarter of the second half period.

QUOTE :
"So, taking a look at all goals conceded by Chelsea since the beginning of March:
Since 3 March
West Bromwich – ‘82
Napoli – ‘55
Leicester – ‘77, ‘80
Manchester City – ‘78, ‘85
Aston Villa – ‘77, ‘80
Benfica – ‘85
Wigan – ‘82
Fulham – ‘82
The second-half apocalypse. Ten of the 11 goals we’ve conceded over that time period have come after 75 minutes. That lends creed to those that say we are tiring badly at the end of games. Old squad with lack of rejuvenation – we’ve heard that before. It also confirms that our approach is severely flawed. Why are we not killing teams off? This has been a problem for seasons now, and, frankly, it should be an easy fix. We used to batter teams, now we invite them to recover."

Yes, Arteta's was inspiring when he was at Everton. Now at Arsenal, beside RVP, Arteta is a hardworking workhorse.
Too bad he is out injured.

Saw the Reds thread, claiming the Blues are plasticky. But no worries, show the Reds what the Blues are made of in the FA Cup final.
(I may not be a true Blues fan (some blue, maybe as I am an Evertonian) but I hope the Blues will win the FA Cup)

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Added on April 17, 2012, 11:43 amYes, a good game against Spurs with the exception of one bad incident from the referee.
Good job Chelsea.

This post has been edited by pingpang: Apr 17 2012, 11:43 AM

Ugly to some people whe expected to see a fast flowing style of football like what Barcelona, Arsenal, MauU are doing. But to play this type of game against Barcelona, isIMO a suicidal plan. The defend and counter attack strategy is better against Barcelona inMO

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Added on April 20, 2012, 3:50 pmSo what about the negative talks?
The Blues still won right? That is the ultimate thrill!!
BArcelona has about 73% of posession, many shots on goal, but not a single goal.
The Blues relies on counter-attacking football, and they make full used of that.

This post has been edited by pingpang: Apr 20 2012, 03:50 PM

Torres goal was a classic example of counter-attacking football. When your opponent least expect it, with most of their players upfront attacking, then the lone striker Strikes!
Gud for Chelsea.
Wonder what tactics di Matteo will employ against Bayern?

Even if Chelsea win the UCL Cup, RA will still get a new manager for Chelsea. At this time, it seems Pep Guardiola is in the lead for this position. RDM, is a good stand in "gaffer" but RA will remove him at season end.
IMHO, RDM did a very good job so far, leading Chelsea and only losing 1 game in 15 total. He is a good tactician, but may not have good relationship with most "prima donna" in the Chelsea team.

No fear Chelsea fans.
In Matteo, Chelsea trusts!!
See what RDM did against the nighty Barcelona. Now RDM has to get the players and team strategy right to counter the Reds.

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Added on May 2, 2012, 11:23 amIt is only temporary, I think, as TM is running a promotion.
Will be back to ol Blues background, else Chelsea fans will have the Blues.

This post has been edited by pingpang: May 2 2012, 11:23 AM