I just can't talk about another woeful display any more and like the last 11 games I want to forget and move on. I am just wondering where the next good performance is coming from and will we be rewarded with a result? Well no better place to start than at Goodison Park? Sounds like a sentence used a lot in the last load of weeks. Now Rafa has no excuse for taking his eye off the PL and protecting players for Europe! He played a weakened team in the Carling Cup and we bowed out of that aswell so maybe we need to start playing our best 11 every week! Now lets get going against Everton and play the big guns. I gree that we need to play two holding midfielders against Everton but believe we should slip aqilani into the starting line up IF FIT!!! and play Kuyt and Gerrard off him with Torres up front IF FIT!!! Kuyt should be dropped on recent performances but his work rate should see him get a start against everton. Aquilani needs a central role and Gerrard down the right, swapping Kuyt to the left. It's getting to the stage now were we just need to fit in all our best players wherever? I see no change in the formation and would be happy to see a back four of Aurelio LB, Carra CB, Agger CB, Johnson RB in front of Reina. Mascherano and Lucas in the holding midfield with Gerrard RM, Aquilani CM and Kuyt LM with Torres up front. The problem we have had is scoring goals when we are on top and that has lacked simply because of a lack of quality up front. Ngog will never be good enough and Riera, babel, Aurelio just don't do it down the left. hopefully we can muster some passion and a performance for this one?
Would like to see the following but of course Aquilani won't even play even know match practise has been good for last following weeks got another 30 seconds tonight aswell. Hopefully Torres be fit it not Stick DNog up there did well tonight, and same with Riera unsure what the story is about his fitness, obviously I am leaving Kuyt out which will never happen when Rafa is picking the team, expect to see Kuyt,Lucas and Insua involved as always ----------Reina--------- -Johnson--Carra--Agger--Aurelio --Benayoun--Mascherano---Aquilani--Riera -------------------Gerrard-------------- --------------------Torres--------------
Aurelio has to start left back. Agger and Carra at CB. Would love to see Aquilani in there from the start, although Lucas and Masherano are certain to start. If Nando starts, then I think they will be scared. If not, I can see it being a struggle to get chances put away. Roll on Sunday
That would be my first choice team also but as mentioned Dirk will always start + that traffic cone Lucas too!!I think he should start Aquaman rather than bringing him on and if he tires then bring Lucas on to replace him.Its the only way he will get fit.
I agree with your comment about aqulani but I think he's still not comfortable enough and rafa doesn't want to risk him getting a set back, that would be a disaster!!! I also think Lucas has stood up and been counted in our big games this year, Im not saying he's good enough to be in our team but can't fault the lad for his hard work this year and his improvement from last year...
Thats a super team... fully agree with this one... just thinking could a swap in positions be made with Gerrard and Aquilani. I know Gerrard is world class in behind Torres...but I think Aquilani could fit in that roll also and move Gerrard a little deeper which would give us grit and flare in mid field?
If Aquilani is on the bench he is fit to play otherwise he shouldnt be there so there is no excuse whatsoever for not playing him now. Start with him and see how he goes and take him off if he gets tired. Im dreading this game against the bitters they are in an even worse run of form and injuries than us so anything less than 3 points against them is unthinkable yet I can see it happening.
Lads,starting Aquilani at Goodison would be absolute madness-the ****s would kick lumps out of him and he doesnt have the match sharpness for lasting so long in a game of that tempo.
I have to agree with Ninja on this one... It would be like fecking him into the fires of hell.... if he was not give a run agains the minnos last night wer he would have had time and space on the ball he has no chance of getting a run aginst the blues.... it will be a kicking match... might actuall suit Machs and Lucas to get stuck in! am going over to see it so hope its the match our season turns round on!
If they win tonight, can go above us Sunday But they're are sh1te, so are we I can hear in the background, nar not as bad as these MONGS. Now, are any Irish koppites out for the game and where.
Give you odds off 33/1 that he will start Aquilani perfect game was the Birmingham game I thought and then last night again a team off Debrecen standard how can he not play at least 30 minutes. He has been in full training now for a month and played 15 mins in resevers around a month ago and month on still now ready, How's 30 seconds on a pitch going to help
Time to take the shackles off, The Prem MUST be our priority for the rest of the season. Reina Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio Mash Gerrard Yossi ...... Aquilani ...... Riera Torres I'd love to see this starting line-up against the bitters, we almost have our full team ready to play again, and there are some players who deserve to be dropped, Kuyt, Insua, Skrtel... all 3 have been awful this term. If Aquaman was to start, which is highly unlikely, but if he was to start, I'd play him in the hole in place of Gerrard. Lucas has little or no creativity, and playing him with Mash, while playing gerrard in an advanced role is not getting the best from our team right now. Drop SG back into the engine room where he can put his foot on the ball, and ditcate play, he's as good a passer of the ball as anyone and should have no problem there. Yossi on the right, as I think he'd hold width more as he's right footed, when he's on the left he tends to cut in alot, which over the course of 90 minutes gets easy for a defender to defend against, it makes the play narrow. Also, if ya watch Yossi, he tends to do his best work on the right side of the pitch, having being started from the left. Riera on the left... The jury is still out, he's either very good or very bad imo, but he can do a whole sight better than Kuyt on the wing at this moment. If Nando is fit and raring to go, I can only see him thriving off the midfield 5... But will they take to the pitch together??? Thats the question. With the recent bad form, and being knocked outta comps recently, it wont surprise alot of us if Rafa goes defensive again, hoping to catch the bitters on the break.. I for one, want us to take the game to them Sunday. Rafa may well play the 3 that need a rest, and Aquaman may get 45 seconds if he's lucky... Its away, granted, but its a must-win, simple as. Play the best team available and take the game to them, let them worry about us.
Have to agree with your selection. Kyut and Insua have seriously underperformed for most of the season and don't deserve to start imo. Hope Aqua gets the nod to start but I won't hold my breath. Is Torres defo going to start??