BIG EARS IN ALL HER GLORY

By dixon9
November 25 2008

Chelsea top the group but all is not as well as that sounds with just three points separating us from 4th placed Cluj. A win tomorrow would confirm our progress into the knockout stage – a draw is ok but that would mean an uncomfortable last match. So quite an important night for us away to Bordeaux tomorrow evening but the good news is that we should be boosted by the return of Drogba.

Drogba is eligible to play in Champions League matches given that his three-match ban is in the Premier League although it will be interesting to see if Scolari starts with the Ivorian or league top scorer Anelka – or perhaps uses both during the second half if we urgently need goals.

Drogba has come in for criticism since the coin-throwing incident against Burnley and has not had much opportunity to impress since last seasons Champions League final against Man Utd due to a niggling knee injury and now this current three-match suspension. 

“The Drog” is not a happy chappie and by all accounts is boiling over with frustration and it will also be interesting to see how the club handles the latest rumours about his supposed meeting with Inter suits in Fulham on Monday – Scolari apparently got irked by reporters questions in a pre-match interview this evening.

Team-mate Florent Malouda:

"Didier coming back will be a good thing for us because with what is happening now I think he will be angry and will want to show he has things to do for the team."

Still, for the moment what we really need to focus on is the match tomorrow. 

Terry:

"We owe ourselves an away win in Europe and we need three points to be certain of staying top of the group.

"Roma are a point behind us and could well win in Cluj. And with Bordeaux a point behind us as well and only one game left after Wednesday, victory would mean we qualify for certain and is the only way we remain favourites to win the group. Anything less will simply not be good enough."

Scolari:

"We need to qualify either tomorrow or against Cluj and reach the second round. We had a chance against Roma and now we have a second chance. Myself and the players cannot wait for more chances and tomorrow is the day."

"Look, what I know about Bordeaux is that they have very good players and the result in the first match (4-0 win to Chelsea) was not a normal result.

"I know they are in fifth or sixth in France and they didn't start the competition very well but they have played well since and we respect this team. They have six points and we have only seven so there is no difference."

"Myself and the players will not think about Arsenal until after the game tomorrow.  If we start thinking about Arsenal, we might lose tomorrow."

Deco is suspended so recently returned from injury Ballack should slot in to midfield.  Alex is 50/50 so I imagine Ivanovic, who played well against Newcastle, will partner Terry in the centre of defence.

Carvalho, Belletti, Essien and Di Santo have not travelled due to injury whilst youth product Stoch did board the plane and should be bright-eyed with hope of getting a few minutes should things go well tomorrow. 

A real worry is that we have little in the way of midfield options should any of the trio of Lampard, Ballack or Mikel get injured tomorrow.  Ferreira played midfield donkey’s years ago although there is also the option of dropping either Joe Cole or Malouda back and bringing on either Kalou or Stoch.

Bordeaux have recuperated hope in Group A after two straight wins have put them back in the reckoning so we can expect a very determined performance from them 

Jussiê,  Henri Saivet , Ulrich Ramé, Pierre Ducasse, Gabriel Obertan, Enrique and Matthieu Valverde are all doubtful and Matthieu Chalmé's next booking will incur a suspension.

 

Referee Frank De Bleeckere (BEL)

Assistant referees Peter Hermans (BEL), Danny Huens (BEL)

Bordeaux Away Preview: Return of the Drog?

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 25/11/2008 23:21

50 Years Over 100 Years
25/11/2008 23:21

Bordeaux Away Preview: Return of the Drog?

Reply Quote Report

Since 66
26/11/2008 00:28

Stoch is registered for Champions League, Scottie isn't.

Why not both?

I think we will have a really difficult night?!?!?

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 00:32

I also have a nagging feeling. It seems almost unbelievable that we are currently short of midfielders doesn´t it?!

We need a big night from Joe Cole tomorrow and hopefully Drogba will be full steam ahead.

Bordeaux have also recovered a bit of form recently which is worrying...

Still... fingers crossed!



.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 00:34

Quote:

Since 66
Stoch is registered for Champions League, Scottie isn't.
Why not both?

Sinclair could have been registered BUT he would have taken up an "any player you like" slot as he couldn´t be used in an acdemy slot because his loan periods away DON´T COUNT according to UEFA rules (!!!) as time served at the club!




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Since 66
26/11/2008 00:35

And Scolari admits that Bordeaux are a better team than the 4-0 at The Bridge.

Still we shall see

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

Reply Quote Report

Since 66
26/11/2008 00:36

Lets face it Stoch won't be used unless we are 10-0 up!!

Can't see that happening

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 00:37

Strange thing is, if we get 1 forward and 1 midfield injury Scolari will probably have no choice but to use Stoch.

I´d love him to get at least 15 mins.




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:26:00:41:08 by dixon9.

Reply Quote Report

Since 66
26/11/2008 00:39

I wanna see Scolari 'be brave' if he needs to be - not rely on the usual suspects.

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 00:40

Maybe the refs will help us out - they are Belgian and don´t like the French!







.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Since 66
26/11/2008 00:42

Their crowd's gonna show some passion - could be the lift Bordeaux need.

Tight group

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 00:49

Group A----Pts----GD

Chelsea------7------3

Roma---------6------2

Bordeaux----6----- -4

Cluj-----------4----- -1


A draw in both games might suit us as well (Cluj will be fighting for their lives against Roma).




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:26:04:51:34 by dixon9.

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 07:16

You know, the more I think about it I reckon Scolari may even start with 4-4-2.

Malouda as sub, drop Jole Cole back with Ballack, Mikel and Lampard and Drogba and Anelka up front.

That leaves us spares of Kalou and Stoch.



.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 15:32

Actually its the same if we start with 4-3-3 re subs!




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

guest
26/11/2008 16:00

3,1 bordeaux(Sm127)

the claret millions are down

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 16:14

So MAYBE 4-4-2 tonight?

LINK




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Since 66
26/11/2008 17:26

Scolari has always said he can play Anelka and Drogba together, once he has trained them together.

Aint been alot of that going on recently

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
26/11/2008 17:53

Quite right sir!

He´s said that he wants 2-3 different systems. Could tonight be the first time we see a different one?

He´ll probably start as normal though and then change it when we start to get desperate!

I´m still a bit worried about tonight....



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

guest
26/11/2008 17:55

u should be

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net