Heron

10:40 now "Some time around 10:40" Tosspots.

Southampton, Brentford or Palace at home please.

This kid has come on quite a bit under Howe, nowt spectacular just simple and solid.

That leadership isn't to be sniffed at when Trippier isn't on the pitch, but other than that I agree re. The press etc.

Was a powerhouse again today. Little unlucky not to score at the start.

Ban this positivity.

People clambering over themselves to be negative love it. My nemisesseseseses

Another season, another cup quarter final.

Sandro Olè olè olè

10:30 supposedly. So 11:30.

They've spent millions and millions and millions for years. So whilst I agree - that take Palmer out and they're a bit "meh" it's not something I would consider using to disregard our performance. We too have started the game without "key" players.

I'm in favour of a 4 1 3 2 as it stands like. Longstaff as the 1 and push the existing 3 forward. Delay with he number 10 issue defensively and means Longstaff just needs to lay the ball off and do the defensive work. Without the ball Gordon can drop in to make up a 4 (4 1 4 1). Can put Willock in where required, etc.

What I will say is that it says something that they haven't brought Palmer on.

Chelsea's "Second String" means virtually nowt. They've got more strings than a harp these bastards.

Cheating.

Loved that like. We need more of that bastardery.

I think I'd be tempted to try 4132 with Longstaff as the 1. That way the usual 3 can play ball further up the pitch and we can stop the number 10 issue and can also apply pressure from the front with Isak and Gordon. Bruno would remain central of the 3.

Think it was cause Joelinton was looking to flatten the doyl who started on him.

Don't rise to it man. Still people whinging about him in this thread as well...

Who's our number 36? Looks a decent player.

Just feel aside from him today they posed nothing of real concern. I also think, if we do something slightly different and it works - it might crucify Chelsea somewhat as other teams might 'suss' them out. I don't feel they're any great shakes at present beyond Palmer. It may be something that then works whenever we come up against any side with a decent 10 that drops in the pockets. We certainly don't want Schar and Burn pressing into midfield with no cover like today (and Brighton).

It is very simplistic - I know, but I'd be inclined to have Palmer Man Marked in a 4-1-3-2 kind of formation with our "1" basically following him everywhere in this game. Ideally, our 1 would probably be Sean Longstaff, purely for his athleticism and I think giving him this role would see him "free" of other expectancies around his game and almost tailoring it to what I think Longstaff can be comfortable with. Defend, track, retrieve and lay it off short tk your ball players and carriers in Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton in a slightly more advanced position. Sit slightly deeper and do an almost half-court-press from basketball where they cannot utilise pace to catch us out. Hit them on the break with Isak and ideally Gordon and occasionally Tonali/Joelinton breaking through.