Away from home, even when Jol selects an offensive team (at least on paper) his tactics tend to be defensive, namely playing deep and isolating the sole striker. In the two games when he started more with defense in mind we did surprisingly well - away to Arsenal and Chelsea. The format in both games was 4-2-3-1 allowing us to compete in midfield (the Chelsea game was of course the first time Dembele played deeper with Murphy; Ethu did the job against Arsenal). In both games Ruiz played what must be his best this season so far. Against ManU I suspect Jol will go for much the same. So, Murphy will start and the only other change will be Hughes for Kelly.
I would go with this GK: Schwarzer RB: Baird CB: Hughes CB: Hangeland LB: Riise CM: Etuhu (If Murphy isn't fit) CM: Dembele RM: Duff LM: Dempsey AM: Ruiz CF: Pogrebnyak Jol will however go with GK: Schwarzer RB: Kelly CB: Hangeland CB: Hughes LB: Riise CM: Murphy CM: Diarra RM: Ruiz/Johnson LM: Dempsey AM: Dembele CF: Pogrebnyak
GK: Schwarzer RB: Davies CB: Hughes CB: Hangeland LB: Riise CM: Murphy CM: Dembele RM: Frei LM: Dempsey AM: Ruiz CF: Pogrebnyak
GK: Schwarzer RB: Davies CB: Hughes CB: Hangeland LB: Riise DM: Baird/Senderos CM: Murphy CM: Dembele AM: Dempsey AM: Ruiz CF: Pogrebnyak Glad I'm not the only one who thinks Davies could do a job at right-back
We played 4-2-3-1 against Man Utd at home and got slaughtered, so I'd go for more of a 4-4-1-1: Schwarzer - Kelly Hangeland Hughes Riise - Duff Murphy Dembele Frei - Dempsey - Pogrebnyak. For all his faults, Kelly has more pace than any of the other options at RB, while Duff gives better protection on the right than Ruiz. It means moving Dempsey in behind Pog, but I'd take a gamble on Frei at Old Trafford. He's capable of running 50-60 yards with the ball to take the pressure off when we're having to defend for long periods.
We have nothing to lose, so I'm with you Fulhamish. It's a matter of getting a bit of luck, and giving Pogrebnyak and Dempsey some freedom. Danny and Moussa in the centre of midfield could be critical. Old Trafford is not the place to play Diarra (until he's got used to the PL) nor Ruiz. We have to play Kelly and Riise, but restrict the latter from roaming forward too much. I'd pair Hangeland with Hughes, but suspect MJ will keep with Senderos. Anyhow - Glass Half-Full - C O Y W !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ruiz would be useful in a withdrawn role behind the striker. Against United you need players capable of those magic moments. Frei, Dembele and Dempsey with Pog up top. 4-2-3-1 but with more pace in it and more of an outlet with Frei. That has a lot of potential in it.
I'd love to see MJ giving Frei 90 min. We are save and aren't in a position to threaten for a PL Europa spot so why not give him the minutes. I hope he gives him more time on the pitch over between now and the end of the season.
Likewise Bidley. Unfortunately he's been sent to Coventry There's no Link Bandit. It's common knowledge that Kasami has been sidelined by Jol. Following the Carling Cup penalty affair, his agent flirting with stories about Real Madrid and so on. he has quite simply been benched.
Wasn't it Juventus? In any case, he looked good at the beginning of the season, I hope he gets another chance.
