I wouldnt play him, although he has started excellently, and I think though Im not 100% BR wont either. I think BR will want energy, and if DS is fit heres hopin, we look a lot better side going forward when he plays, if DS starts I think Henderson will play, he really has done an excellent job at left midfield but tucked in,and when we have the ball picking up the ball in between the lines. Henderson last 2 months has been excellent. Coutinho is more likely to create you a goal, but I think Hendos overall game impact is better.Think Coutinho is a player for the bottom half of the League at this stage, hes only started 2 games and still is only 20,and is possibly even more lightweight than Sterling If DS isnt fit , I think we will play 433 with Countinho n Allen, if DS is fit Henderson will play in a 442 How about you what your 11 be, will you rest players v Inter
like someone else said earlier (or in another thread) i can see us sort of going with a false 9, with Bale as the most striker-like. Ade picked up a knock and was pants vs Arse and Defoe is just back from a lay off (will be on bench). At home i would be disappointed with such a line up, but away against a form side i think it may work. I doubt we'll play for a draw but getting one wouldn't be a bad result. We've got a few knocks we don't really know the extent of (Ade/Dembele) so its hard to pick a team. I would say: Lloris Walker Dawson Verts Benny Parker Dembele Lennon Holtby Sig Bale I doubt we will see Dembele at Inter. One of both the CBs will be switched too i imagine and possibly Walker rested too. Friedel will likely be in goal for Inter. We're a bit threadbare so i'd expect the rest to feature in both.
"we don't really know the extent of (Ade/Dembele)" On SSN this morning they said good news, not serious, just knocks, should be available for Thursday.
From what I understand, Dembele was surprised to be subbed-off at the end of the Arsenal game and it seems like there was confusion over the change. If he was fit enough to continue yesterday, I'm sure he'll also be fine for Thursday and Sunday.
Sometimes the players don't know best. I believe Mabbutt tried to get back on with a broken leg in what turned out to be his last game(?)
do they ever know best! must have been the adrenaline rush, but he was desperately trying to get back on the pitch.
Agreed about prioritising the Liverpool game, not only for the reasons stated, but because the first half of a two match tie is indecisive more often than not. I'm not sure I'd make all the subs you would, but it would be an interesting team, and I've been thinking Carroll deserves more minutes. Caulker's an easy choice for his threat from set pieces.
Excellent, posted on the LFC board too, great match thread. Can't call this one, what will BR do to deal with Bale, what will AVB do to deal with Suarez. Wigan good win but never a contest, got slightly bored at 3 0. This one is a edge of the seat one, lookng forward to it, I'd take 3 points from a 1 0 Luis Suarez flying handball in this one, if only to give HIAG an aneurism Just kidding HIAG.
At least if we beat you, we could try and increase the pressure on Arsenal and look to overtake them. If we win that is.
I can't see this. Bale is great through the middle when counterattacking but you need a centre forward to make the runs across the Liverpool back four, to move defenders about, create space and to hold the ball up. That is not Bale. If Adebayor isn't fit, then Defoe is best able to play that role. Failing that anyone but Bale IMHO.
Not sure I see the logic in that re: Arsenal. For now they are chasing Chelsea, not Spurs. Chelsea are the immediate target. Spurs lose then that's great for them but their game in hand is the small matter of Everton at home. Huge pressure will be on Arsenal regardless. I can't imagine having lost a NLD to Spurs and then losing in Munich and exiting the CL the Arsenal players will be thinking to themselves "Well, we've lost 2 massive games but Spurs lost to Liverpool so everything is alright again, I'm feeling much more confident about my own level of performance now". Before Arsenal can even begin to worry about others dropping points, they have to get their own house in order. AVB should take both games seriously, important for the team the momentum is kept.
