Match Day Tottenham v Chelsea, Sunday 20th August 16:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[Pagnell]

Neutral venue, Chelsea with more experience playing there.

1-2

 

[Stevencc]

I've gone for Spurs.

 

[Super_horns]

Shame there are going to be 20k empty seats due to local council restrictions.

 

[SALTIRE]

These two don't get along so you could understand the restrictions I suppose.

 

[Dave]

Lloris
Dier Alderweireld Vertonghen
Trippier Wanyama Dembele Davies
Eriksen Dele
Kane

Morata
Willian
Alonso Bakayoko Kante Moses
Rudiger Christensen Luiz Azpilicueta
Courtois​

Not really sure how Chelsea are lining up! I think they have 6 defenders, 2 CDMs + Willian and Morata starting?

Tottenham 0-3 Chelsea

 

[Dave]

These two don't get along so you could understand the restrictions I suppose.

We've had 2 cup games at Wembley against them recentlyish and they've not been restricted.

 

[Stevencc]

Incredibly defensive lineup from Conte, I hope Spurs batter them.

 

[JimJams]

Its a 3-4-3, the same lineup he uses every game. Only difference is Azp at wingback instead of moses, who is playing on the wing.
Its no more defensive than usual really, just missing the better players up top.

 

[Stevencc]

Its a 3-4-3, the same lineup he uses every game. Only difference is Azp at wingback instead of moses, who is playing on the wing.
Its no more defensive than usual really, just missing the better players up top.

Look at the personnel, there's two attackers in the eleven - Moses is a bonafide wingback these days.

I get that they have squad depth issues and some injuries at the moment but this is outrageous. Conte is more than likely sending a message to the board with this selection.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Lloris
Dier Alderweireld Vertonghen
Trippier Wanyama Dembele Davies
Eriksen Dele
Kane

Morata
Willian
Alonso Bakayoko Kante Moses
Rudiger Christensen Luiz Azpilicueta
Courtois​

Not really sure how Chelsea are lining up! I think they have 6 defenders, 2 CDMs + Willian and Morata starting?

Tottenham 0-3 Chelsea

I'm not sure either, although it may perhaps be Alonso and Azpi occupying the WB positions with Moses playing AM. Trouble is the starting line up pretty much picks itself. The only other usable squad players we have are Pedro (returning from injury), Bats, Hazard (injured), Cahill (suspended), Fabregas (suspended). Even Bakayoko, who makes the starting lineup, isn't fully fit. Reckon we're gonna get smashed tbh.

 

[JimJams]

Thats how teams set up the 3-4-3. When Arsenal do it (even when fully fit) you've got 3cbs, 2 wbs, Xhaka and Coq/Elneny/Ramsey, then 3 attackers.
Moses has played 1 season at wingback and the rest of his career as a winger. Its fair to say thats not too overly defensive. Pedro on the bench is the only other real option. Too early for Musonda.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Look at the personnel, there's two attackers in the eleven - Moses is a bonafide wingback these days.

I get that they have squad depth issues and some injuries at the moment but this is outrageous. Conte is more than likely sending a message to the board with this selection.

Tbh I think this is genuinely all he can cobble together, at least without making wholesale changes in terms of formation or tactics. He must be absolutely livid with the board though.

 

[JimJams]

Conte is more than likely sending a message to the board with this selection.

He probably is, but not by design. As PP says the 11 picks itself. Other than start Pedro who as said is coming back from injury, the only other possible changes would be to start 2 strikers. But thats literally it. With no striker on the bench.

 

[Stevencc]

Conte's a tactical genius, surely he can cobble something together that might involve Batshuayi and/or Pedro. I know Pedro is back from injury but the squad is in such a state, desperate times and desperate measures.

If they manage to nick a goal on the counter and win it it won't matter in the slightest but it won't be pretty.

 

[JimJams]

To be fair, look at the Spurs lineup. Kane, Alli, Eriksen. 3 cbs, 2 wbs, 2 defensive mids. Exactly the same and theyre at home.

 

[Stevencc]

Moses is firmly in the Valencia, I'm now a defender category. Spurs haven't got a defender in an attacking position. Azpilicueta is basically a centre back, too. Definitely a "wingback" in the mould of a Monreal or a Darmian. So that is effectively four centre backs, two defensive-minded midfielders, two wing backs, a winger and a striker.

Chelsea might even be playing a 433, according to the pre-match punditry.

 

[Relentless]

There been reports preseason we wanted to go 352 instead so I'm half expecting either Luiz or Christensen in midfield. Dave, Rudiger and whichever of Luiz and Christensen aren't in midfield at CB and Willian and Morata upfront.

 

[Stevencc]

Yeah, Matt Law reckons a 3-5-1-1 with Willian tucked behind Morata, that makes a bit more sense.

Still, what a lineup. Conte must be seething at Fabregas.

 

[JimJams]

If thats the case that makes less sense than playing Batshuayi

Courtouis
Azp Luiz Rudiger
Moses Kante Bakayoko Alonso
Willian
Morata Batshuayi

Better?​

 

[Stevencc]

If thats the case that makes less sense than playing Batshuayi

Courtouis
Azp Luiz Rudiger
Moses Kante Bakayoko Alonso
Willian
Morata Batshuayi

Better?​

Absolutely.

You've got larger testicles than Conte, as I always suspected.

 

[Relentless]

Think he wants to beat the midfield press of Spurs which dicked us over before.

 

[JimJams]

Well I've put in for the job for when Conte is inevitably sacked. Haven't got much experience but I'm going to use my forum posts here as a kind of reference.
Its nailed on I reckon.

 

[Stevencc]

Now he's playing a heroin addict at centre back, I'm fucking done.

 

[JimJams]

Whats with the traditional kick off? They know they dont need to do that yeah?

 

[JimJams]

Wtf Morata?

 

[Stevencc]

Jesus Morata, even August Harry Kane would have buried that.

 

[JimJams]

Quick question, black armbands, why?

 

[Stevencc]

Terror attacks in Spain.

 

[JimJams]

Terror attacks in Spain.

Stupid question really.