The Derby (a) Match Thread

[Red Banjo]

So the first one is nearly upon us. Unlike some, i can't wait for it. Everton haven't got out of 2nd gear yet, and whilst we are hardly tearing up trees - nothing gets the blood pumping more than a chance to shove it up the bitters in their own wooden hole.

 

So what do we think? Gerrard from the start? Kuyt or Bellamy have to start this as were going to need experienced heads amongst all the young lads.

 

I'd keep Carroll in, he nearly got the monkey off his back yesterday - and he's gonna need a run of games to get full match sharpness and to appease the media and fans who have already made up their minds about him - scoring the winner at Woodison wouldn't be a bad way to kick-start his season.

 

Think we'll have 'em 1-2.

 

Edit : I appreciate it might be a bit early for a match thread... but meh. Its the derby and i dont care

[Guest simon]

Unchanged side I reckon.

[manwiththestick]

I'd like to see Bellamy and Suarez starting and running at their defence. Kuyt has to play for me as he usually does well in the "big" games. I have dirk on the right and Downing on the left hopefully giving Hibbert the run around. Gerrard will be desperate to start and personally i'd have him in from the off alongside Lucas. 0-2.

[Red Banjo]

Unchanged side I reckon.

 

I doubt that Si. The last away game with Lucas, Adam, Downing and Henderson in midfield didn't really go to plan did it? Granted Spurs are much better than Everton, but Kenny will be very aware how much they raise their game against us.

 

Im fucking delighted we won't have to play against Arteta this year mind, i still wince when i see his stupid fucking lego head celebrating the winner last year. This is the perfect game for Gerrard to signal his return to the first team. He has to start.

[Iantn]

Given the seriously limited playing time Gerrard has had, I'd be stunned if he started this one.

 

Personally, I'd bring in Kuyt, Bellamy and Spearing for Henderson, Carroll and Adam. What we will do, however, I ain't a fuckin' clue on. Can't wait for it though. These are what it's all about.

[stevienando]

Carroll should start here, he looked much improved against Wolves. I think Kenny will try to throw as many Scousers in as possible, so Bellamy (not a Scouser but a childhood fan), Gerrard, Carragher, Kelly, Spearing should all start.

[kalasoma]

Definitely want Kuyt to start in this one. I think we'll have to keep the same back four as started against Wolves. Carroll is getting closer to scoring, I just know it. The derby would be a great morale booster for him if he does. If not, then Bellamy. I can't remember the last derby he was in. Suarez obviously. Not sure I'd start with Gerrard?

[moof]

Imagine the state of this place if we lose.

[Jose Jones]

Win this and we're all happy bunnies.

I'd go Downing Suarez Kuyt

Adam, Lucas, Spearing

same back 4

 

Maybe Carroll instead of Downing.

Gerrard to come on for Adam or Speo in the second half

Bellamy can come on for the last fifteen and notch the 4th.

[Guest simon]

 

I doubt that Si. The last away game with Lucas, Adam, Downing and Henderson in midfield didn't really go to plan did it? Granted Spurs are much better than Everton, but Kenny will be very aware how much they raise their game against us.

 

Im fucking delighted we won't have to play against Arteta this year mind, i still wince when i see his stupid fucking lego head celebrating the winner last year. This is the perfect game for Gerrard to signal his return to the first team. He has to start.

 

Kenny seems stubourn enough to do that I mean stubborn as sticking to his guns.

[WaltonRed]

Stevie to start i reckon

[Mathewbet1]

This is a line up id like to see:

 

...............Reina.....................

Kelly Carra Coates Enrique

Downing Gerrard Lucas Bellamy

...............Suarez...................

...............Carroll..................

[Liquid football]

Imagine the state of this place if we lose.

 

I think you're flattering some of our more temperamental fans massively there. A draw or an unconvincing one nil victory is easily enough to get people embarrasing themselves.

[Iceman]

This is a line up id like to see:

 

...............Reina.....................

Kelly Carra Coates Enrique

Downing Gerrard Lucas Bellamy

...............Suarez...................

...............Carroll..................

 

That's the team right there, but can Gerrard handle these intense games yet?

[nickjt]

This is a line up id like to see:

 

...............Reina.....................

Kelly Carra Coates Enrique

Downing Gerrard Lucas Bellamy

...............Suarez...................

...............Carroll..................

 

Great team that. Maybe not for this game but I'd like to see us try the 3 at the back that we did well with when used last year.

 

-----------pepe---------

---- Coates Agger Kelly----

 

Lucas Adam

 

Downing. Bellamy

Gerrard Suarez

Carroll

 

Nothing against Enrique, Spearing, Kuyt, Carra who I'm really annoyed I can't get into the team, which shows how much improved the squad has become so quickly.

 

Back to thread: We'll twat the blue shite whatever team we pick.

[Joso]

To me Gerrard is not a CM, he cannot play CM alongside Lucas, he will be the link between midfield and the attacking options be it Carroll, Suarez or Downing.

[Unrighteous]

Against the shite?

 

Pepe in goal

Backline of Kelly, Carra, Skrtel, and Enrique

Midfield trio of Spearing, Adam, and Lucas

Front trio of Downing, Carroll, and Suarez.

 

Bench: Doni, Coates, Bellamy, Kuyt, Henderson, Gerrard, Flanagan

[Barzini]

Kuyt has to start in this one. I'm worried about our right hand side and if we go with an unchanged side I'll have to anaesthetise myself with a few whiskys beforehand. Imagine Baines and possibly Drenthe having a run at Henderson and Kelly, stuff of nightmares that. That's not to say Kelly is a bad player but he needs protection in front of him and Henderson is not up to the job, at least for now.

 

I'd love to see Gerrard back but I suppose the doctors will have the last word on that. Whatever team we put out I can see this being a bit of a feisty one. Bellamy, Carroll, Suarez, none of them are the shy, retiring type and it could get a bit tasty. Hopefully the ref is up to the job.

 

Last years debacle still haunts me, let's batter these twats. Please.

[Scott_M]

Kuyt must start.

[silverlining]

Kuyt will obviously start.

 

I'd also be tempted to let Bellamy loose from the start aswell.

It would be fabulous to see Gerrard too, but I think it's possibly too soon.

 

AS for strikers, well I think Carroll did OK against Wolves, so maybe he will keep his place.

[billypilgrimnz]

September 2011 and we are still begging for Kuyt to start on the right. This disappoints me.

[silverlining]

September 2011 and we are still begging for Kuyt to start on the right. This disappoints me.

 

Well, we should have bought some better players than him then, shouldn't we?

[billypilgrimnz]

Well, we should have bought some better players than him then, shouldn't we?

 

Well, that would be my point, yes.

[jon lad]

Carroll to score the opener and we go on to trounce them 4-1. Same team as for wolves but with dirk in for henderson.

[BenR_]

September 2011 and we are still begging for Kuyt to start on the right. This disappoints me.

 

Well, that's not entirely accurate, is it?

I want Kuyt to start this one, wouldn't matter if we signed Hazard, I'd still want Kuyt to play in games like the derby and against the Mancs, he's priceless in those matches, he scores important goals and works his socks off.

 

But he isn't in my ideal XI right now, Downing and Bellamy are both better than him out wide for most matches.