would you start babel on wednesday?

[robslappa]

I'd start him on the bench with Pennant on the left. I think some of Pennant's better performances have come when he's played on the left and Babel has in the most part been more effective as a substitute and it could be worth bringing him on for the last 20-25 minutes.

[Mikey Boy]

Originally Posted by StevieH

I'd consider starting with Kuyt and Pennant on the flanks and allow them to swap flanks during the game. I like Babel, but he is still a bit raw and may be more effective coming on from the bench as he did against Arsenal with devastating effect.

Yeah i agree, i mean his pace causes problems anyway but imagine what he could do coming off the bench and playing against tired chelsea players....

EDIT:lol sorry didnt realise someone posted that just above me :S

[Ged B]

Originally Posted by zigackly

Do you? I expect them to sit back and kick lumps out of Torres. They'll probably only come out of their shell when we score, and then it will be worth bringing Babel on to finish them off.

I think that's what most people expect which is why I think Grant will have them come out and go for an early goal, and whatever way you look at it they are a formidable team at stamford bridge and will most likely have quite a bit of possesion.
I'm also thinking back to the first leg and also both Arsenal games in which the opposition started the brightest against us, and it took us about twenty minutes to settle down and get a foot hole in the game. Which will be fine by me as long as we don't concede in that twenty minutes and can start to get on top in the game as we did in the others.

[BRAP]

Bench him they have no pace at the back,he will destroy them in extra time

[westderbian]

Really don't know.

I'd love to have him come off the bench and repeat his Arsenal heroics, but I don't know who's got enough about them to start in his place - even if Ryan does his usual and plays poorly from the start, as he's still a quick, powerful presence who'll put them on the backfoot. I'm gonna crap out and delay my vote.

[Lofts]

i just cant think of anyone else to play there

[Stephen Adams]

Do you reckon Essien will play right back for them if Lampard starts?
I'd say Ballack and Makelele are guaranteed the other 2 spots in midfield.
If Essien plays right back, Babel's pace won't have as big an effect as it would against that tit Ferreira.
Not being a natural right back, Essien might fall asleep and let Dirk creep in to put away a Pennant cross.
Bish bash bosh. Bounce.

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by Stephen Adams

Do you reckon Essien will play right back for them if Lampard starts?
I'd say Ballack and Makelele are guaranteed the other 2 spots in midfield.
If Essien plays right back, Babel's pace won't have as big an effect as it would against that tit Ferreira.
Not being a natural right back, Essien might fall asleep and let Dirk creep in to put away a Pennant cross.
Bish bash bosh. Bounce.

If Essie plays at RB then that is a major plus in my opinion as we bossed the game in central midfield in his absence in the 1st leg.

[Unrighteous]

I think we have to put pressure on Chelsea from the start.

An early goal and they will break.

[Richie T]

We need to score early so go 4-4-2 same as against arsenal and if it goes tits up bring on as against arsenal and he can turn the game on its head as against arsenal and

as against arsenal we will go through but i think it could be late drama.

[Paul]

I want to see a Juve-esque blitz on their goal in the first 20 minutes. Shock and awe. So, yes.

[Karl]

I was really torn by this but I went for no.

I think we need to go at them from the off but Babel was so effective against Arsenal that I think he could be again. The debate then is who comes in for him, Crouch or Pennant. If Crouch I'd put Nando left and the big man down the middle, this might also allow Torres a bit more room to run at Chelsea's centre backs. If it's Pennant I'd put Dirk left to start, who was it he played there against in a previous round, Inter?

[dalglish2rush]

id start with pennant,then bring on babel with 25mins to go if we need to.

[sleonard0]

Id start with Pennant on the right. Let him tear apart cole like he has done on numberous occasions, and then with 20 mins left, get babel on, if needed.

I doubt cole would like to face babel with his speed and trickry at that stage of the game..

Im goin for 2-2

[Section_31]

From the start, he's one of only a half dozen players in our squad with genuine world class talent and is capable of anything - plus the alternatives are shit.

[hamstrung]

Yes, because he can butt fuck whoever they play at right back.

Originally Posted by StevieH

If Essie plays at RB then that is a major plus in my opinion as we bossed the game in central midfield in his absence in the 1st leg.

That last N is a doozy

[Ian Sea]

I'd play our strongest 11 and in my opinion Babel would be in that so I'd start him from the off. As Paul says, we should go at them as we did against Juve. We're at our best when playing like that and Chelsea won't be expecting it.