would you start babel on wednesday?

[spider-neil]

from the start or from the bench?

[bobhorse]

From the Bench for me but it is what Rafa decides that is important.

Him and the lads have got us this far so i would leave it to them

[Bourbon]

From the bench, we need to be grafting to stay/be in the game by the hour mark at least.

Then he can look at his options. Plus, he doesn't yet have a full game in him and his pavce could be a real bonus late doors.

[bobhorse]

rip the arse out of them in the first 5 mins score a goal and fuck them up big style

[TheViper]

Tricky, as if we go one down and they sit back then his pace will be ineffectual. I want to go at them from the start and score early. if we go one up then they know a second would finish them. I really think we should go for them, so from the start for me.

[spider-neil]

I'd start him if for no other reason to push back the chelsea right back, also he is due a goal.

[Faustus]

He's deffo an ace in the pack if it goes tits up.

As we've all seen this season, the lad starts flagging after 60 minutes. He's at his best coming in in the last 20 minutes or so when the game is stretched and more open as he can use his pace to better effect.

[woo-lfc]

On the bench, he proved what he can do late in the game against Arsenal.

But whatever rafa does, I'll have confidence in.

[JohnnyH]

The turnaround and our best performances have been with Torres up front supported by Gerrard behind and Kuyt and Babel right and left.

I'd play him and if it's not working, go 442 with Crounch alongside Torres.

[paulie walnuts]

From the bench for me, like the Arsenal game, come on and terrify them for the last 30minutes, as I think that we'll still be in the game then.

[PaddyBerger15]

Who do you play on the left instead of him?
Yossi is just as weak defensively and not as quick. These are the times when it helps that your senior, experienced, pro left winger is fit for more than 2 games per season. Kewell would have been ideal to start this game with Babel to come on with 25-30 minutes left.

[TheHitman]

I think he will play Pennant on the right as he seems to be in form and knows Cole very well id be very very surprised if he drops Kuyt so that may well mean Kuyt on the left with Babel on the bench.

I personally wouldn't play Kuyt on the left however cant see Babel starting as we may well need his strengths off the bench. Rafa hasn't been throwing too many surprises recently so i expect him to do so in this game.

[Tom R]

bench

[odris]

Why is he fucked after 60 minutes? he looks like a fit young footballer i don't get it.

[ATXRED]

I'd start with him on the bench, and bring him on in the second half, and watch him take the game over. I've seen him do exactly that a number of times this season.

As for who I'd start in his place, I think Pennant has earned himself the opportunity to start. His attitude has been impeccable, and his play is certainly looking better. Not to mention he always seems to play well against Cole. I am a bit worried about his tendency to cynically foul in dangerous positions, but it be a risk I'm willing to take. Move Dirk to the left, and I'd be less worried about Riise who's low on confidence right now, or move Arbeloa to the left as well, as he links well with Kuyt and bring Finnan back in on the right.

[StevieH]

I've got a feeling that Rafa may spring a surprise and play Pennant on the left.

[Red Nick]

Pennant & Kuyt for me

[woo-lfc]

Originally Posted by Baps

I'd be tempted to play Pennant, but he always freezes in games like this.

Like the two home games against chelsea last season?

oh an that cup final thing against milan.

[StevieH]

I'd consider starting with Kuyt and Pennant on the flanks and allow them to swap flanks during the game. I like Babel, but he is still a bit raw and may be more effective coming on from the bench as he did against Arsenal with devastating effect.

[Ged B]

Originally Posted by PaddyBerger15

Who do you play on the left instead of him?
Yossi is just as weak defensively and not as quick. These are the times when it helps that your senior, experienced, pro left winger is fit for more than 2 games per season. Kewell would have been ideal to start this game with Babel to come on with 25-30 minutes left.

Kewell's saving himself for the final.

[Ged B]

Originally Posted by woo-lfc

Like the two home games against chelsea last season?

oh an that cup final thing against milan.

you saved me the hassle of typing that out, nice one.

I'm a little undecided on the Babbel issue as he could obviously be a match winner coming of the bench late on. But I also expect Chelsea to be the more advanced team during the game, so his pace could be very usefull on the counter attack throughout.
If pressed i'd probably start him on the bench.

I'd start Pennant on the right to get at Cole as he always seem's to have a good game against him, and he should also be buzzing after saturday.
I'd probably switch Kuyt to the left as a result, which is not ideal but if he starts to struggle you could always get them to swith flanks.