Crouch for Babbel

[JohnBull]

And Riise for Fabio if he isn't fit. Save Babbel for the 2nd half, he seems to do much better as a sub anyway. Everything else remains the same and we are going to rip them a new arsehole in London next week.

We will not be denied!!

[stig]

I thought Babel was very effective in the first half. Think I read on the match report about Dave saying Dirk was more of the threat, but Babel certainly gave Ferreira the round a round. He is starting to beat defenders much easier now.

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by JohnBull

And Riise for Fabio if he isn't fit. Save Babbel for the 2nd half, he seems to do much better as a sub anyway. Everything else remains the same and we are going to rip them a new arsehole in London next week.

We will not be denied!!

I know where you are coming from with the point of having Babel on the bench, but Ferreira is their weak link at RB & Babel had the beating of him more often than not. I would start with Babel on the left and also get Torres to drift out to the left as well on occasions as that area is their achilles heal.

[bobhorse]

i would have babel on the bench to be honest i think against a tired full back he is twice the player he is from the start at this point of his career i would start with JAR in that role or Yossi if it was 4-2-3-1 but i would be really tempted to start 4-4-2 before changing to that formation

[G Richards]

It is possible they will deploy Essien at right back to counter the Babel threat. Something else to bear in mind.

[StevieH]

Originally Posted by G Richards

It is possible they will deploy Essien at right back to counter the Babel threat. Something else to bear in mind.

You could be right and I hope that is the case. He is far more of an influence in central midfield. Alonso and Mascherano totally dominated the midfield battle yesterday and if Essien isn't deployed in a midfield role then that will play into our hands as we know we can control the midfield up agaisnt Lampard, Makelele and Ballack.

[Richie T]

whatever happenes between now and then there is no one id rather thinking up the tactics to beat them but our rafa. Rarely gets it wrong.