Sakho/Valencia pace can undo Chelsea

Irons fans are looking ahead to the Boxing Day clash at Stamford Bridge with more optimism than they have done for several years – and justifiably so.

But this is a game which should throw up a big dilemma for manager Sam Allardyce according to several leaving messages on the ClaretandHugh forum.

It’s difficult to disagree with one – SillyolDuffer – who wrote this morning “Just watched the Stoke/Chelsea game. Peter Crouch was ineffective against the Chelski centre-backs.

I think we should play Valencia and Sakho for pace. If Carroll does get a start it should be with Zarate who can feed off him. Can see a few yellow cards in this one!!

Such has been the chorus of applause for Carroll’s last couple of performances that it’s all too easy to overlook the fact that our very best performances came earlier in the season when Diafra was partnered by Enner Valencia.

The pairing produced pace and power – stretching defenders and taking them where they really didn’t want to go whereas of late we have tended to go longer at times which may not be the best option against the former England captain and partner Gary Cahill.

As another forum contributor – West Ham Fan No 32 – comments, in agreeing with the first that Carroll should remain on the bench: ” I think Sam will still play Carroll.

“Lets hope Noble is fit and we can put our first team out. He has been missed around that midfield area and this will be a tough match, Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar… no room for passengers to keep them contained.”

The major point though is whether AC starts or we go with the Senegal and Ecuador internationals which is my personal preference having noted the slowing John Terry point and remembering that aerial balls are meat and drink to him.

We’d be interested to see your teams…here’s mine assuming Mark Noble is fit: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell; Song, Downing, Noble, Kouyate, Sakho, Valencia.