Manchester United fans have no reason to like John Obi Mikel, the man who forced a move to Chelsea in 2006. Even Chelsea fans are ambivalent about the Nigerian who seemingly does little but pass the ball to Michael Essien and Frank Lampard. However, Obi Mikel is as important to Chelsea as Jack Wilshere is to Arsenal.
Obi Mikel is the passer who takes the easy ball from defense and distributes it to players further up field. He might not have the twinkle toes of Wilshere but he is physically strong and has a better range of passing than the Englishman, which arguably makes the Chelsea midfielder better suited for the role.
Indeed, it is Obi Mikel’s brawn that allows Chelsea to play Essien not as a water carrier but as an all-action, box-to-box player alongside a creative midfielder such as Lampard in a very aggressive 4-3-3.
Obi Mikel’s role is made even more integral to the Blues given the uneasiness of Chelsea centre-backs on the ball, especially John Terry. By neutralising Obi Mikel, United can “break” Chelsea – without the Nigerian to link the defence and attack, Terry and Branislav Ivanovic will attempt fortuitous long balls.
However, the above analysis is rather simple considering that Chelsea’s first XI will most likely feature Ashley Cole and Paolo Ferreira – two excellent attacking full-backs who are comfortable carrying the ball forward. To combat the threat down the wings, Nani and Ji-Sung Park will likely be deployed on United’s flanks, ensuring direct markers to the opposition full-backs.
Furthermore, Ferguson will probably deploy Park on the right and Nani on the left. While Nani has shown this season that he is a capable defensive player, Park is in a class of his own in this respect and will be deployed to mark Cole. The England full-back, like Obi Mikel, is more important to the current Chelsea side than in the past because Chelsea’s centre-backs are not comfortable on the ball.
Chelsea’s reliance on full-backs and Obi Mikel to start their attacks was exploited brilliantly by Sunderland who defeated Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge this season. The Black Cats achieved the historic win by deploying a high-pressing 4-4-2. Danny Welbeck et al hassled the Chelsea defence all game, while Kieron Richardson man-marked Cole. Chelsea found it extremely difficult to connect passes and succumbed to the pace of Sunderland’s strikers on the counter.
It is unlikely that Javier Hernández will be risked given his inexperience. Meanwhile Dimitar Berbatov is far from lazy but the Bulgarian isn’t exactly mobile either and rarely hassles his opponents or make runs down the channel to create space. Given the personnel available, 4-4-2 remains a touch too risky and Sir Alex Ferguson will most likely choose a trusted variant on 4-5-1.
Last Monday, Sir Alex deployed 4-3-3 to mirror Arsenal’s formation and to ensure that each of the Londoners’ players had a direct opponent. Similarly, the Scot will go for 4-2-3-1 on Sunday – the usual back four supported by Edwin Van der Sar, with Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher holding and an attacking midfield trio of Nani, Anderson and Park, spearheaded by Wayne Rooney to mirror Chelsea’s 4-3-3.
The game will likely be livelier than the Arsenal fixture too. Pressing is key to defeating Chelsea as Sunderland has already shown this season. United will attempt to take the game to the home side. Chelsea forwards aren’t particularly fast and the Reds will gain an advantage by setting up a high line to facilitate the pressing game.
With Chelsea’s back-four shaky, Lampard just coming into the side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Didier Drogba et al having a poor season, United fans can realistically expect a first Reds’ victory at Stamford Bridge since 2002.
I’m slightly confused. You initially claim Mikel does little but pass to fellow midfielders, but go on to say that he has a better range of passing than Wilshere and is in fact the link between defense and attack.
You later say that united will line up 4-5-1, before saying they will line up 4-2-3-1.
I really don’t mean to be hyper-critical but this seems ill though out.
I wrote that Mikel “seemingly” does little and that SAF will choose “a trusted variant on 4-5-1.”
4-2-3-1 (and its variants) and 4-3-3 (and its variants) all fall under the tree of 4-5-1. Explaining why requires an article (or ten) of its own and I really don’t have the mental fortitude for that particular effort. Apologies if that particular bit confused you.
“Chelsea’s centre-backs are not comfortable on the ball.”???
You have to be joking. JT is the most skillful defender in the country if not the world. True he may not be the most speedy but if you believe in “the uneasiness of Chelsea centre-backs on the ball, especially John Terry” just watch. 2-0 to the mighty Blues
No you’re the joker.
“JT is the most skillful defender in the country if not the world”
is this you???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ18TEE-sD0
yeah?
Bloody hell… what a load of wank.
How bout this for a tactic?… try to score at least one more goal than the other guy.
ffs…
We lost Mikel I thought we lost Essien as well but thats maybe a lapse in my memory or the cider kicking in! lol
There is no point in taking a swipe at midfielders passing the ball side ways or backwards anyone for a Micheal Carrick shot of confidence other than a strong 2nd half performance against a weak Bursaspor in Turkey.
I am not say he should be sold, but he has lost what it means to be a United midfielder forward cutting passes with meaning.
The battle will be won at the Bridge on the flanks.United will play five across the middle to make it sticky and congested.Just remember Dogbreathe as scored once against United(In The Epl) the offside last season.
I suggest a draw.With my head, not my heart, I need more Cider! lol
What’s the point in this article
Most United fans know exactly what the tactics are gonna be; 451, don’t lose. That’s all that needs saying.
So what’s everyone having for tea
I think to get everyone excited and thinking about the match and the formations and playing the match through in our heads. Its harmless and meant to be fun.
As for Tea .I had mines ages ago, Haggis freshly caught naturally, Neeps Tatties.Followed bye Porridge.
Yourself on the Menu?
Cmon United lets show yourselfs and a vintage performance like the Blackburn thumping, fast cutting and up and at em.
I had a pattie buttie from chip shop. Not enough salt n vinegar for my liking though.
The Hull pattie has its own Wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattie_(fried_potato_dish) top stuff, more interesting
Brilliant, Merci.Is it Agonay recomended.I think it wont be in Deliahs Xmas best seller.
I think Sidders is taking the piss but one just never knows!
Like i need more Diet of shite.I already read too much!
what the fuck are you talking about
You keep posting, need to say more?
whots Up “lEWIS” lost yer unfunny oneliners?
Goodnight. Cmon United we can do this.Hit them on the flanks.I hope Nani can draw Cole down the wing, and then we will get in behind them.
Remember your defensive duties Patrice(Ohh we miss Valencia).
Its in the bag, well a draw.Ancelloti and the Ruskie have the bigger pot in their imagination.Like most Chelsay supporters when they close down their playstations.
Cmon United Believe.
Is this the match thread or is Ed going to do another article ahead of the game?
I don’t understand why we can’t just have one thread labelled match thread with Ed’s article in it.
It’s all too confusing for my booze-addled mind…
John Obi Mikel has not lived up to his potential and I think United got the better of the deal when Chelsea settled his contract by giving us 13 mill for him.
Chelsea’s problem hasn’t been their defence; it’s been their toothless attack which has got them just 4 goals in 7 Premier League games. It’s probably down to injuries and God knows, we’re the best motivation they could have for this match.
If you look at the stats then Chelsea cannot afford to loose this game; this is United’s opportunity; be brave; play a bold formation and take some chances; a draw won’t kill Chelsea off; but a win (including the Berb) will kill their title challenge stone dead!
Any team that goes to Chelsea and tries to contain them usually ends up losing; a positive attacking formation could win us this game; and maybe win us the League!
‘iewis’?
you’re a fucking lunatic, rants too narrow for you an danni
Paolo Ferreira – an excellent attacking full-back??
I agree that closing down Mikel fast can reap benefits – it was exactly the same with Makelele. I also agree that SAF may well switch Park and Nani. Park can look after Cole and Nani can run at the dodgy Ferreira.
I think it is likely that United will start just as they did against Arsenal – but isn’t it about 170 games since we did that? I’m sure Fergie will throw a surprise in – as long as he’s not Irish, we’ll be fine!
Ferreira isn’t the player he used to be but he still can do some damage. Just last season he had a very good game against us at Old Trafford. Switching the flanks really makes sense for the game. Park has silenced Cole on many occasions and Nani whose defensive game has come on leaps this season will do a job on less potent Ferreira. Nani will also have better luck trying his usual bag of tricks against the Portuguese too – Fergie used to do the exact same thing when Ronaldo was at United.
Fergie named a same side twice in a row earlier this season actually. It’s 3 am where I live so I might just be recalling fake facts in which case I apologize but I am pretty sure United lined up the exact same way against Liverpool and Bolton. I do know for sure that Scholes and Giggs were played twice in a row which I found extremely peculiar at the time..
I really can’t see United lining up any differently. The actual formation will differ as I say in the piece, 4-3-3 against Arsenal but 4-2-3-1 against Chelsea. I can may be see Giggs coming in at the expense of Park or (more likely) Nani… it’ll take too long to fully suss out the thought behind that particular logic but wouldn’t surprise me if Fergie does pull that particular trick
The run on no unchanged team is for consecutive games. Between Liverpool and Bolton was the Scunny CC game.
Ah.
Still, Sir Alex didn’t bother with the match so I say we don’t count it!
I like these articles on tactics from Jay. It must be said though that Wilshere and Mikel aren’t the key players in either Arsenal’s or Chelsea’s line ups.
I know its interesting and important to seek science in football. However having been involved in coaching/playing several sports to a reasonable standard and having a sports based degree there are other sports were the science is clearer and coaches apply that science appropriately.
They might not be key players in that there are players who can come in and do their job as well as, if not better than them but their roles are key to the systems that these teams play. It is not so much the players that require close attention but what they have been trusted to do.
I don’t know what you are referring to when you are talking about science. The term in and of itself is extremely ambiguous – it could mean anything from the science of nutrition and human physiology, the application of which is prevalent in most sports, to the scientific method being applying to tactics and the general set up.
Football, unlike sports like baseball, has too much variables to truly rigorously analyze mathematically or even statistically.
I know that there’s a group at the University of Chicago that’s trying to analyze football as Markov processes – and if researchers from one of great universities of the world can’t figure it out…
I would argue though thinking “scientifically” about tactics is extremely important and helpful. While I have no experience in coaching, I do know from examinations of primary sources on managers (published diaries and autobiographies) that managers do indeed go through processes quite “scientific” as they set up their teams
Great examples can be found in Guus Hiddink’s diary that was published immediately after he took South Korea to the World Cup semi – I think it’s only available in Korean and Dutch though.
More relevant book is Sir Alex’s diary of 1996/97 season. I think it’s called “a desire to win” or something and hopefully it is still in publication. That book has taught me more about tactics than most coaching manuals that i have read.
PS
That picture of Obi Mikel should make every Utd fan to a very strong dislike to him!! Ando – celebrate that new contract and put it a good old fashioned 80s freebie tackle early on 🙂
GAME POSTPONED.
Balls.
Boring!! This could play into Chelsea’s hands with them in poor form. Probably will be re-scheduled for the end of the season and a title decider.
7th May United vs. Chelsea, they will probably try to get it back to back!
Yeah Sunday would have been the best time to meet Chelsea… you never know though, Sir Alex could actually spend some of that supposedly massive transfer kitty available during winter.
How does the re-scheduling work? Surely it can be done midweek? United dont play till next Sunday and Chelsea till next Monday
Who knows, but if Blackpool game has been postponed until January, it seems likely that the Chelsea fixture will go the same way.
I agree that this postponement will probably work in Chelsea’s favour. I was really looking forward to that.
Soft London wankers.
It’s ridiculous…
They’re supposed to be a world class team, and they’ve bailed a day early????
Bollocks… they’ve shit themselves… this is a pissy little scheme to get back some form before a key game.
And “ForeverBlue”???… don’t be ridiculous… Terry is a fantastic pure defender… but “skillful defender in the country if not the world”???… he’s not even the best on your shitty little team, nevermind country, or world.
Surely London clubs should be able to manage the adverse weather better than everyone else?
I would imagine that most fans will be taking the Tube/other public transport to get to the game so they wouldn’t have as many issues re travelling by motorway to get there. Surely it can’t be too much of an ask to grit the areas surrounding the stadium?
‘Safety conerns relating to surrounding areas’.
I hate this nonsense of an excuse. Shopping centres across the country will be teeming this weekend, irrespective of how bad the weather is.
We are a nation of soft cunts.
Yep this is like amateur football! Oh we are missing a few, lets get it postponed ha ha ha 🙂 You’d like to think it wasn’t like this, but you never know!!!
It’s not softness Sheeshy… football fans would have shown up, no problem… and The Mad Cossack knows a thing or two about snow… this is just Chumpski grasping an opportunity to pospone a game that they’re not ready for, until a later date, when they reckon they’d have a better chance.
Pathetic small time cunts.
They belong in the Championship with the other half-assed clubs and their half-assed stadium.
Stamford Bridge closed due to bad weather… pfft…
What a pitiful outfit.
you know that’s nonsense alf
99% of london is snowed under and tubes and buses have been cancelled due to the weather – so i guess it is putting the fan’s safety first since i’m sure the pitch would have been ok; also i don’t agree with chelski wanting desperately to postpone this fixture due to their form at the moment as the best way to get your form back is to play games not sit at home by the fire watching dvds of mourinhos glory days
The world has regressed I think! In the 80s the game would have been played 🙂 I thought technology was supposed to progress things. Its like going to the moon, we did in the 60s and 70s so why aren’t we doing it now!!! Conspiracy!!!
Blackpool now Chelsea
We’ve finally got a winter break
I don’t subscribe to the theory that Chelski have had this game conviniently postponed due to recent form. I reckon they would be pumped to get out of their rut at on with it. Still, United would have mauled them of course 🙂
I must say it’s rather daft to be postponing these games. I’m from Norway and no stranger to snow. We have busses, trains and cars. We still manage to keep the country going despite a few inches of snow (or in our case a lot more).
Maybe it’s just the fact that I for once have a weekend off and would be able to sit in my couch and enjoy these games, but this annoys me!
im sorry but mikel has got to be one of the most pointless players in the premiership. in nigeria they moan about how boring he is. yes he defends but you dont see chelsea crying when hes not there
funny thing. Florentino Perez thought the same thing about makalele, and a side that won a CL and 2 La Liga’s in the previous 3 years, didnt win a thing for the next 3