I've already posted this in the other thread but I'll put it here as well. My team for this weekend: Migs Manquillo Toure (if not fit, then Skrtel) Sakho Moreno Can (DM) Allen Henderson Coutinho Sterling Markovic Now I know it's not a popular choice but hear me out. With regards to the defence, it probably isn't the best game to put Sakho into but there is no way I'm having a Lovren/Skrtel partnership ever again. It does not work. I hope Toure is fit and he can guide Sakho who will develop under further. Sakho will not learn anything from Skrtel. Moreno and Manquillo are our best full backs at the club. Manquillo has been the best defender all season IMO - very consistent. Moreno is not as good defensively but he has the pace to carry the ball. Can as the DM could be an inspired choice. Not his best position but he can certainly play there - he has the legs to cover the ground and the technical ability to pass it. More importantly, he can carry the ball 20-30 yards and drive the team forward. His inclusion is at the expense of Lucas or Allen. If Allen is to play, then he can rotate with Can for the DM spot i.e. Can drives forward, Allen covers. Coutinho as the number 10 - it's not his best position. His best position is central midfield but I rather we have some battlers in the middle to control the game. However, I would never leave Coutinho out because he is the source of our creativity, and with 2 fast players in front of him, we can begin to see those clever throughballs. Now the controversial bit - Sterling and Markovic up front. As I've mentioned before, we do not create anything with Lambert in the side. There is such a lack of movement, mobility and overall quality in that area of the pitch. People will be screaming at the thought of not playing a recognised striker - but tell me, have Lambert, Mario and Borini been pivotal to our attack? No - they've been useless, and because of that, we are unable to create clear cut chances. I think we're one of the teams with the lowest shots on target and chances created this season. So it's not a case of us being unlucky when it comes to not scoring - we're simply not attacking well enough. At least with Sterling and Markovic, we will have pace and movement. This Man United defence is shocking so we need to exploit that - Lambert and Gerrard cannot do that. All in all - we can start with Lambert/Borini/Gerrard and create next to nothing in the hope of a set piece of a flukey goal. Or we can play the 2 youngsters and actually attack their defence and create chances. They'll probably the miss chances - but at least they're in a position to miss. Rodgers has to do something drastically. If we set up the same way he has all season, picking the same sh*t players - then I' want him out. Man United is his last chance for me, and we have to show improvement or at least signs of him willing to change things and take risks.
^ Jimmy, it doesn't matter how many times you post it, he's never going to pick a side that even remotely resembles that one, and you know it. Mignolet Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno Gerrard, Lucas Sterling, Lallana, Henderson Lambert There you go mate.
I've got TBH honest, I can see the idea for the Man Utd game. They aren't great defensively but they'll be more than capable of dealing with Lambert, especially a knackered Lambert! This team would throw a curve ball at them, would they be able to cope with the pace and movement (not convinced on Markovic's movement though, he waits for the ball)...? Tobes is right though, never going to happen.
Have to pretty much agree with Tobes Jimmy. Rodgers won't start putting in the players he probably should have now in a game as big as this. I think it will be as Tobes says or: Migs Johnson, Skrts, Lovren, Moreno Lucas, Allen Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling Lambert There are plenty of areas where he could tinker. Moreno for Jose, Toure for Skrts or Lovren. Front 3 behind Lambert could change position, or drop Gerrard next to Lucas and play Coutinho. I would play: Migs Johnson-Skrts-Toure-Moreno Lucas-Allen Henderson-Gerrard-Lallana Sterling I'm far from happy with the team and could pick plenty of holes in it, but it would give us plenty of pace up top. As much as I don't like Johnson, this is a game where a bit of experience could help.
Oh yeah I agree - I posted this more in hope than expectation. Markovic has good movement. At the moment, Rodgers is playing him out in a fixed winger role which isn't suited to him. The 15 mins against Basel showed him coming deep, moving centrally, running up the flanks as well. He has to be starting.
He's not shown it yet, not even in his fifteen minute cameo the other night. He looks like a player that likes the ball to feet but then likes to run at opponents, he doesn't seem keen on chasing the ball or opponents IMO. I'd like to see him play some part but I doubt he'll start the game. I'll predict Rodgers will go with: Migs Johnson - Skrtel - Lovren - Enrique Lucas - Allen Hendo - Gerrard - Sterling Lambert
And if we pick that team - that's when I completely lose faith in Rodgers and want him out. Worst thing is, you just know he's going to do it.
I wouldn't mind if Jose got a start. He was one of the few who came out of the Bile match with credit.
