Chelsea Opposition Views

Hello. How’s everyone doing? I’m not entirely sure that this topic belongs here; if it does not, my apologies to the admins.

I’m the Chelsea fan who registered here back in January for our match at the bridge. I’d very much appreciate your help if you could take the time to participate in something we have over at TalkChelsea.net called “Opposition Views”. Basically, it’s just an article we put on the main site before every match that has answers by opposition fans to a few short questions. Here they are:

1) Let’s start with the relegation battle. You’re currently four points clear but still very much in the mix. How do you rate your chances of survival?
2) Some tough and other crucial fixtures in the remaining eight matches you have. How many points do you reckon you should get to stay up?
3) What was your take on the sacking of Adkins and the hiring of Pochettino?
4) The Saints have been in a weird form lately beating Man City and Liverpool but losing to QPR and Newcastle. Why do you think that is?
5) The reserve fixture at the Bridge was a crazy affair in which you managed to snatch a point you probably deserved. What did you make of that match?
6) With your reputation of beating the big boys and the point you got at the bridge, will you be fancying your chances on Saturday?
7) Luke Shaw has been making some headlines with his performances this season. But who do you think has been your best player?
8) If you could have one player from Chelsea at Southampton, who would it be and why?
9) What line-up and formation will you likely use on Saturday?
10) Finally, please predict the result.

Thank you in advance for your help and good luck on Saturday

Hi, sorry things are rather quiet on here these days....but i'll have a go for you.

1. Until it is mathematically safe I always worry although I believe we should be safe. When we did this early this year I suggested QPR, Wigan and West Ham for the drop; my views haven't changed too much since then except I fear Reading are more likely to go down (sorry Nigel)......so its QPR, Reading and West Ham.

2. I've a feeling the target needs to be high this year. I'd feel safer on 43 points.

3. There are two ways of looking at this: 1. Nigel had been doing a good job (although maybe some team substitutions were a little weird) and he did not deserve to lose his job. 2. Maybe it was doubtful whether Nigel was capable of lifting the team to be a regular top-half side. I hope Tino may prove to be capable of this. Overall maybe a replacement made sense, but the timing was wrong and it would have been fairer to wait till the end of the season.

4. I don't think our form has changed much between the games. Tino's 'in-your-face' tactics cause more problems for teams that like to play possession-based passing football than those who prefer to take a more direct approach.

5. Our boys kept plugging away while Chelsea, maybe, sat back thinking the game was won. Unfortunately I think it is unlikely to happen again.

6. I expect Saints to have a real go at it and I think it may be close. But, realistically, I think we will lose what could be quite a high scoring game, maybe 2-3. Saints fans will also know that historically we are unlikely to be able to pull off back-to-back wins against two high-riding teams like Liverpool and Chelsea!!

7. I think a lot of our better results have been due to Cork and Schneiderlin in midfield. As he has also started to become dangerous in attack in recent games, I nominate Morgan Schneiderlin.

8. I didn't know the answer to this last time you asked and I still don't know. There are so many who, on their day, are more than capable of winning a match against the best sides.

9. Probably a flexible 4-4-2. Not too sure if there are any injury problems but maybe.......
Artur Boruc in goal...Clyne, Maya, Fonte and Shaw (if fit) at the back.......Jack Cork and Schneiderlin central midfield......Lallana and Ramirez wide....Rodriguez and Lambert up front. Puncheon might replace Ramirez or Rodriguez at some time. And I don't know whether Tino might decide this is the right match to let Forren, our so-far untried January signing, show what he can do for our defence.

10. Oops, sorry, already done this in answer 6.

Hope these may be of some interest.....and hope you will have cause to ask us similar questions before games between our teams for many seasons to come.
Thanks for wishing us good luck.......I wish you good luck ON MONDAY!!

Thanks a lot Mike; much appreciated. Here's the final article if you want to view it: http://www.talkchelsea.net/_/opposition-views/southampton-opposition-views-r224

I didn't realize how repetitive the questions were from last time my apologies.

Goof luck for the rest of the season. I'll be back next season when we meet in the PL ;)

Sorry if a bit rushed lots to do before the game today!

Reasonably good so long as we win at least 2 of our home games (Chelsea, WHam, WBA,Stoke) Think will be QPR, Reading and Sunderland who go down, they are on a bad run and will be lucky to pick up 2 points from next 4 games, Wigan are capable of winning games and think they will sneak out. I think 39 points will be enough.

Disappointed with Adkins sacking and the timing, should have been given the chance to complete the season and think would have been same end result. Cortese could then have sacked him if keen to move on then. Pochettino seems a decent manager to soon to tell, does have a bit more fire than Nigel and has rollicked the players a couple of times, no bad thing, nigel was to nice at times.

Newcastle was a bit unlucky with some decisions, played well, QPR were bullied out of the game, kicked of the park and Webb was useless, so far up "arrys a*** was embarassing! When we play the high intensity game hard for others to get their game going. Works best against teams that play football from the back, QPR were hoof it.

Have a mate who is a chelsea fan and said so typical chelsea, as soon as they conceded the nerves got to them not helped by suppoters hatred of Rafa

I think will be a draw, Rafa will rest a couple for your cup game but that shouldnt detract to much, though I wouldnt be suprised at all if we win.

Similar to Mike, schneiderlin and Cork have been immense in midfield and would have them as the 2 best players as they complement each other.

Torres, no just having a laugh Mata or Hazard

If all fit same starting line up against Liverpool, Lambert and Rodrigues up front, midfield 4 of Lallana , Ramerez, Cork and Schneiderlin. Quite attacking formation which may leav us open to counter attack. He does have option of starting davis in midfield to be tighter but tends to bring him on, Ramerez cannot play more than 60 minutes, must be tough being a professional footballer!

1 - 1

Thanks Matt. Unfortunately I saw your reply too late to post it as an article. Sorry. Appreciate your reply nonetheless.

Regarding the match, let me start by congratulating you all, it was a much deserved win. I actually had a feeling we would drop points today because we had two good games before the international break and were due a bad one. That's how much we've been consistently inconsistent under Benitez. The absence of Mata and Hazard is no excuse for me; almost every Chelsea players individual performance was below average. But take nothing away from your guys who were better all over the pitch. So, congrats again and I hope those points help you stay up.

PS: It is absolutely criminal that Lambert has not been called up to the England squad yet.

Thanks CHOULO!!

It was good to get another 3 points in the locker, our League position looks much healthier although we are still much too close to the relegation zone to relax.

Good luck to you on Monday.....and for the rest of the season, especially for your matches with Sunderland and Villa!

Thanks Choulo and like Mike hope you do well for rest of season, especailly against Sunderland and Villa.

To many of your squad players simply are not good enough for a title chasing side. Terry and lampard have been good servants but does look like age is catching up on them as they were to slow. Moses, Maurin, Bertrand, Mikel and a few other okay premiership players but that is all.

Just don't know what Rafa is thinking at times. Torres up front on his own was okay to start but couldnt believe he didnt change it around. Ba has a good track record against us so very grateful he kept him on the bench and couldnt believe our luck when he took off Oscar and brought on Benyoun, at that point we knew we would win. Also Moses had given our young full back Shaw a bit of a battering first half, thankfully his final ball is awful! Then Rafa moved him to the other side second half and Cline had him in his pocket and Shaw improved.

Lot of work for the special one when he arrives and hope your chairman has his cheque book reaady! Mind you Cork was outstanding yesterday, we bought him from you for £750k, what a steal.