Sunderland Vs. Liverpool

[Malarkey]

Right, iIm rather fucking sick of this Chelsea saga carrying on and on and to be honest, let's look to the next game ahead. I think Rafa will start with Crouchinho up top against Blunderland and i think we'll win, heavily. I think the team will be:

 

----------------------------Reina----------------------------

 

----Finnan----------Carra------------Hyypia--------------Riise

 

----Babel-----------Xabi-------------Momo---------------Yossi

 

------------------Crouch------------Voro---------------------

 

Found it pretty hard to pick a team on the basis of: Gerrard being injured, and Rafa's rotational policy.

[Sweeney287]

----------------------------Reina----------------------------

 

----Albert----------Carra------------Agger--------------Riise

 

----Babel-----------Xabi-------------Masch---------------Yossi

 

------------------Crouch------------Voro---------------------

 

That's what I'm gonna put down for my fantasy Rafa team anyway

[Paul]

I don't know enough about Sunderland to say where their threat will come from. However, regardless of that, we should pick a strong side and just twat them. Is The Chief still being rested because of his international commitments over the summer? If so, I'd go with this side:

 

Pepe

 

Finnan Carra Danny Boy Albert

 

Yossi Big Mo Xabi Babel

 

Crouchinho El Nino

 

I'd really like to see the same defence in order to get into a clean sheets rhythm. After that, it's all about the attack. I've picked the new boys onthe flanks simply because I want to see more of them in the league.

[silverlining]

Playing Sissoko in games that we reckon "might be a bit physical" is always a disaster. Look at last season's evidence (esp Everton and Bolton).

 

He's only useful when the opposition deffo aren't "a bit physical" and don't really expect a six foot tall wrecking ball chasing them all over the pitch booting them into the air (cf Barcelona).

 

I think Sunderland should be taken on with our best, most technically gifted players, not just slightly better versions of their cloggers.

 

Alonso's no pansy, and Gerrard/ Masher love a scrap anyway.

 

Plus they'll be well used to playing slow, tall strikers in the Championship. They won't be so used to taking on quicksilver superstars.

 

-----------------------------Reina----------------------------

 

Finnan--------Carragher------------------Agger-----------Riise

 

 

Tennants------Gerrard-------------------Alonso----------Babel

 

---------------Kuyt---------------------Torres-------------

[silverlining]

I don't know enough about Sunderland to say where their threat will come from. However, regardless of that, we should pick a strong side and just twat them. Is The Chief still being rested because of his international commitments over the summer? If so, I'd go with this side:

 

Pepe

 

Finnan Carra Danny Boy Albert

 

Yossi Big Mo Xabi Babel

 

Crouchinho El Nino

 

I'd really like to see the same defence in order to get into a clean sheets rhythm. After that, it's all about the attack. I've picked the new boys onthe flanks simply because I want to see more of them in the league.

 

 

Benayoun? Away to Sunderland?

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

I bet he does play and all.

 

PS if he picks that team, I can see us getting beat.

[hamstrung]

Is Gerrard definately out?

[Paul]

Benayoun? Away to Sunderland?

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

I bet he does play and all.

 

PS if he picks that team, I can see us getting beat.

 

Why? First choice defence and at least one defensive midfielder. As I said, I don't know much about Sunderland, but I'd be very surprised if they've got enough talent to really trouble us. They'll certainly have plenty of spirit, but that won't be enough.

[Paul]

Is Gerrard definately out?

 

I don't think so, but we'd be daft to risk him when CL qualification isn't yet assured.

[hamstrung]

 

-----------------------------Reina----------------------------

 

Finnan--------Carragher------------------Agger-----------Riise

 

Tennants------Gerrard-------------------Alonso----------Babel

 

---------------Kuyt---------------------Torres-------------

 

That's not funny, you know.

 

Is lurch a sub?

 

I don't think so, but we'd be daft to risk him when CL qualification isn't yet assured.

 

I'd be more confident of beating Tolouse at home without him than Sunderland away.

[Malarkey]

Playing Sissoko in games that we reckon "might be a bit physical" is always a disaster. Look at last season's evidence (esp Everton and Bolton).

 

He's only useful when the opposition deffo aren't "a bit physical" and don't really expect a six foot tall wrecking ball chasing them all over the pitch booting them into the air (cf Barcelona).

 

I think Sunderland should be taken on with our best, most technically gifted players, not just slightly better versions of their cloggers.

 

Alonso's no pansy, and Gerrard/ Masher love a scrap anyway.

 

Plus they'll be well used to playing slow, tall strikers in the Championship. They won't be so used to taking on quicksilver superstars.

 

-----------------------------Reina----------------------------

 

Finnan--------Carragher------------------Agger-----------Riise

 

 

Tennants------Gerrard-------------------Alonso----------Babel

 

---------------Kuyt---------------------Torres-------------

 

Silverlining, Gerrard is being rested mate.

[silverlining]

Silverlining, Gerrard is being rested mate.

 

OK, oh well...

 

I've never liked the look of Masher and Alonso that much. Bit pedestrian and no goal threat. But then maybe it's because they haven't played together that often, they're both quality so maybe I'm being a bit harsh?

 

Maybe Lucas?

 

Maybe not.

 

I dunno. We really have to batter the likes of Sunderland.

[RedBrian84]

It'll be a tough game, no doubt about that. Keane will have railroaded his team for their abject display against Wigan t'other day. Add to that the atmosphere of the fans up there (they have a good support, whatever your opinion of Sunderland), it'll make for a hard game. It'll be a good indicator of our willingness and ability to fight away from home this one.

 

I'd go for:

 

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa (no sense in changing a solid back line)

Pennant Xabi Mascherano Riise

Kuyt Torres

 

I think the team that played against Chelsea (obviously with the absence of Gerrard) should play this one; they got right under the skin of Chelsea and they proved they can rough it.

 

I think we'll win, but it'll be a hard fought one. Going for 1-0, and a welcome first prem clean sheet of the season.

[RedinSweden]

That's not funny, you know.

 

Is lurch a sub?

 

 

 

I'd be more confident of beating Tolouse at home without him than Sunderland away.

 

So you don't think we are going Toulouse without him in the side?

 

Has anyone done this yet?

[hamstrung]

So you don't think we are going Toulouse without him in the side?

 

Has anyone done this yet?

 

They hadn't. Thanks for doing so.

[silverlining]

Why? First choice defence and at least one defensive midfielder. As I said, I don't know much about Sunderland, but I'd be very surprised if they've got enough talent to really trouble us. They'll certainly have plenty of spirit, but that won't be enough.

 

We've said that plenty of times against plenty of teams over recent years.

[SoMuch4Gravity]

So you don't think we are going Toulouse without him in the side?

 

Has anyone done this yet?

 

that's my favorite joke.

 

Reina

same back line

pennant / masch / lucas / babel

Voro' / El Nino

 

We'll shit 'em

[hamstrung]

 

I'd go for:

 

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa (no sense in changing a solid back line)

Pennant Xabi Mascherano Riise

Kuyt Torres

 

.

 

If Gerrard's out that'd be what I'd go for.

 

Or maybe try Benayoun as a second striker for a bit more creativity in Gerrard's absence.

[Chocoholic]

Pepe

 

Finnan Carra D'Agger Arbeloa

 

Yossi Mascher Xabi Babel

 

Voro Torres

 

Subs:

 

Itandje

Sami

Pennant

Riise

Crouch

[Joe Strummer]

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Riise

 

Pennant Alonso Masch Babel

 

Crouch Torres

 

Subs

Charles

Hyypia

Benayoun

Sissoko

Voronin

[Paul]

We've said that plenty of times against plenty of teams over recent years.

 

I know, but I'm taking Rafa's promises of more aggressive attacking football at face value.

[G Richards]

I think it will be a tricky game. They just got whacked 3-0 by Wigan, and I suspect they will be a very different proposition at their place.

 

That said, there really should be no excuse for not getting all three points. We'll need to win the battle first, so I'd put Momo in the middle while Stevie rests his toe. Once it settles down a bit our superior quality should tell. I'd like to see us press on for a second/third assuming the first one goes in. Sunderland are no great shakes at the back (or midfield or up front for that matter). We should be able to score three if we are suitably up for it.

 

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Pennant Alonso Momo Riise

Kuyt Torres

 

Same team (apart from Stevie). Possibly Babel in place of Riise, since without Stevie in the side I think we could do with a bit more going forward. Babel offers that sort of threat.

[Malarkey]

I think it will be a tricky game. They just got whacked 3-0 by Wigan, and I suspect they will be a very different proposition at their place.

 

That said, there really should be no excuse for not getting all three points. We'll need to win the battle first, so I'd put Momo in the middle while Stevie rests his toe. Once it settles down a bit our superior quality should tell. I'd like to see us press on for a second/third assuming the first one goes in. Sunderland are no great shakes at the back (or midfield or up front for that matter). We should be able to score three if we are suitably up for it.

 

Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

Pennant Alonso Momo Riise

Kuyt Torres

 

Same team (apart from Stevie). Possibly Babel in place of Riise, since without Stevie in the side I think we could do with a bit more going forward. Babel offers that sort of threat.

 

I see it as being one of those games where if we get one the flood gates will open due to their confidence being battered.

 

I really think this will be a four nil-er.

[ScouseAndy]

Sunderland look awful but I would play the team from the weekend with exception of Gerrard if injured.

 

If we are gonna mess around with mass changes surely has to be at home.

 

Best side out on the road.

[silverlining]

I see it as being one of those games where if we get one the flood gates will open due to their confidence being battered.

 

I really think this will be a four nil-er.

 

 

I'd be very surprised if any Keane side conceded seven goals in two games.

Not because they're great or anything, just that they'd be too scared.

 

It's not the best time to play them really, they'll be up for it like loonies at The Stadium Of Light.

[Ted]

Since when did it become an early kick off? Fucking bastards. I'm in work.