Can't afford not to get something from this game if we are to get 4th this season. After watching how easy Miller moved into goal scoring positions I'd seriously consider spearing to do a defensive role for us. Both sides will be buzzing after the weekend games just hope 120mins and midweek games doesnt catch up on us. Agger will be a big miss but always feel a rested Cara always performs well on his return. .......................Reina Kelly........Skrtel.......Cara.......Enrquie ..........................Spearing .................. Gerrard........Adam Bellamy...............Suarez............Downing Won't happen as Carroll will start and it will be 442 (which I still think doesn't suit our squad ) Kenny has a lot to consider from 120mins carling cup final and midweek internationals. But do hope it's 3 in the middle ?
I'd rather we didn't play 442 also. I've given up trying to guess the team for us though. We simply have to win this to have a chance of fourth. I think it would be a mistake not to play spearing. If Henderson starts on the right hand side again,I'll pull my hair out. He offers nothing in that position. Id leave Carroll out for this one,no matter what formation we play. Imo a mobile interchangeable attack is the way to go.
442 never fills me with confidence just feel we're better as 4231/433 only winger 442 suits is Downing IMO every other winger we have better in 4231/433. As for Henderson 442 on the wing doesn't work , hard call for Kenny as IMO better in the middle bit still left wanting in the tackle at times in the center but just inexperience . Carroll is improving but personally feel we're more mobile without him. Still have faith in Carroll but have to be honest in saying we're better not playing 442 and Carroll on the bench for now.
Agree that 4-4-2 doesnt suit our players. Still think we can play an asymmetrical 4-3-3 with Carroll as the focal point and Suarez as a wide forward. Also would have Spearing in midfield – dont think he’s ideal to play a sitting role as he tends to let players move off him very easily but anything would be better than the space we leave in front of the centre backs when Adam/Gerrard play in a 2 man cm. Looking forward to this one – 2 games in a week is a bit of a rarity for me.
Cant be sure but I'm almost sure Carroll was at his best in a 442 at Newcastle but did they play 451 as well with Carroll ? With Gerrard in the side and Suarez hopefully we will see the Carroll that was at Newcastle , still feel we're to static and slow with our passing in the middle and hope Gerrard been back will speed our attack up and make it more direct and start supporting Carroll and Suarez . Wouldnt have Spearing in a pure sitting defensive role either but as part of a mobile 3 in the middle as don't see any of our cm as defensive mids but then Lucas has done a great job for us. Would like another defensive mid in the side but more a box to box who can do a dm role and sit if required .
what I'd like to see: ---------------Reina-- Glen(kelly)----Skrtel---carra---Enrique--- ----------Spearing----henderson-------- ----------------Gerrard --------Suarez----------Downing----- ---------------Carroll---------- In my oppinion Kenny is ruining Henderson's confidence by playing him out wide, he is not a right winger. Either play him CM or dont play him. He played well when in CM for a few games around December but hasnt been great since he's been stuck out wide again.
Open to corrcetion but think (in the PL at least) they mainly played a 4-5-1 with Nolan supporting Andy. Certainly played that role in some of the ‘big’ games i.e. Arsenal away where he held the ball up, ran the channels etc. I think his role could be like Pogrebnyak in that great Zenit team a few years back. He was never a mobile player but was an outlet, won aerial duals, held up the ball and got on the end of moves whilst not hampering the movement of Arshavin, Denisov etc. Bit of a random comparison I know.
451 would be my natural thought on Andy at Newcastle at his best. But when I think of Newcastle 442 springs to mind. Finding it hard to see we're we can get the best from Andy without taking from the way we play best. Andy is quick enough and decent with the ball at his feet just feel us and Andy not clicking yet , need to support him a lot more for sure and keep him upfront and let him win the aerial balls but also play it into his feet and quickly support him from the middle and for me Adam needs to get the ball out from his feet quicker and to our front line as just giving defenders time to crowd our front 2 out , not just Adam most the midfield .
I understand why people want a defensive midfielder in the side but Spearing is not the man imo. He is too limited in his range of passing and is prone to mistakes and we can't afford to give the ball back to Arsenal or they will punish us. I think Stevie has to be the one to take one for the team and drop deep. With Lucas out he is the only layer we have capable of doing that job. I know it would be great to see him push on and get forward like under Rafa but without Mash or Lucas that ain't possible.
Id start Carroll. He had a brilliant game for Newcastle against Arsenal at the Emirates last season that stood out and I thought he was a menace in the league game at Highbury earlier in the season. 3 points would put us right in the mix for top 4 but defeat will leave us with to much to do in my opinion. Have a horrible feeling this will be a draw.
This IS a MUST WIN After both London teams winning last weekend we are now 7 points behind albet with a game in hand, remember games in hand are not points on the board, so a loss would IMO knock us out of the running for CL football. 1-0 LFC P.S I'd start Andy, he has been in great form last couple of weeks.
God we need to beat Arsenal and Saturday, and hopefully West Brom & Sunderland can do us favours by taking points off Newcastle & Chelsea. Personally, i would go with an attacking team. The reason is because i watched Arsenal away to Milan and their 4 midfielders just sat back and invited Milan on.. Reina Johnson Skrtel Carragher (provided Agger is injured) Enrique Bellamy Adam Gerrard Downing Suarez Carroll
Don't think we can afford to play 4 4 2 in this game. Arsenal midfield will get beyond our midfield too easily. I think Spearing will have to play here or else alocate the defensive midfield role to someone. Would love to see something similar to: Reina Johnson Carra Skrtel Enrique Spearing Stevie Adam Suarez Downing/Bellamy Carroll Agreed tho we could see absolutely anything from 4 4 2 to 3 5 2 to the team named above. The win is vital for 4th none the less.
Reckon KK might rest one or two lads. Agger out, Glen injured I hear, bellamy and kuyt must start after Sunday, maxi and Jay deserve a run out and in my view don't weaken the team. Downing, Carroll, hendo, Adam to get a rest. ....................reina................... Kelly....Skrtel.....carra.....enrique ..................spearing.............. Bellamy.......gerrard...........maxi ...........kuyt......Suarez.............
That's not a bad team on paper But like I said above Andy is playing well now so why shatter his confidence play him along Suarez and put Kuyt on the right and Bellers on the left
I'd go along with that Frank, given the damage Andy has caused Arsenal defenders in the past. Think maxi could cause problems for them too though, just got to be ready to change things if we aren't getting anywhere. Goals written all over this game sat, just hope we get the majority of them...
The way I see it is that we should just go for it in every league game. 4-1-3-1-1 Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Spearing, Kuyt, Gerrard, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll