Man City Carling Cup semi final

[RobbieOR]

Carra in midfield? Im sorry, but he didnt really excel there when he actually had some pace. He either plays at centre half or doesnt play.

[Iceman]

You know what the funny thing is. Andy Carroll is so shit right now, and so unlikely to score, especially with us having to change our style of play to accommodate him, him never getting in the box, falling over etc, etc, etc. Anyway, the point being, that as unlikely and amazing as it sounds, chaos theory states that Carroll is due to score and will bag an improbable and unlikely brace tonight. I know, I know, it's wild and crazy, but it's on. Tonight, Carroll finds his Higgs Boson.

[Dirk]

Andy Carroll is to football what Stephen Hawking is to air hockey. Air shots all over the show.

[thisisanfield]

Carra in midfield? Im sorry, but he didnt really excel there when he actually had some pace. He either plays at centre half or doesnt play.

 

This.

[Thants]

[Paco]

Phil Dowds the ref.

 

doesn't matter who plays he will make himself the star of the show.

[zigackly]

 

[Dirk]

[TheHowieLama]

two hinders

 

so these two hinders walk into a bar....

[Captain]

Balotelli is out, Man C did not appeal.

[Dirk]

Team. Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Gerrard, Henderson, Kuyt, Downing, Adam, Skrtel, Bellamy. Subs Carroll, Maxi, Coates, Carragher, Doni, Shelvey, Kelly.

[fowler9]

I hate the fact that I feel impending doom when I see Kuyt on the teamsheet these days, I want the good version back

 

 

think we're gonna get bummed, prove me wrong please reds!

[DooooodekNo5]

Like to of seen Shelvey , glad Carrolls out we cant be doing with his pantomine donkey act tonight.

[redfromtubebar]

Hope to God I'm wrong but I see the lack of a specialist holding player really costing us tonight. Either Gerrard or Henderson are going to have show real discipline tonight.

[Phoenix]

4-5-1 and sitting deep by the looks of it

[Galactico]

I'm also concerned by the lack of a holding player. I hope to God we don't line up 4-4-2 - Hodgson did that at City last year and we got stuffed, it was the first sign he was out of his depth. Hopefully Henderson, Adam and Gerrard all central, with Downing and one of Bellamy/Kuyt wide. Slightly disappointed that Adam is playing on current form, he never looks the part without a holding player alongside him. Dropping Carroll is correct decision, we need to be able to keep the ball tonight.

 

It's difficult going in to a home leg in the lead against a team who are capable of turning it around. Sit too deep and you hand them the initiative - one goal levels it up - go at them and you may get hit on the break. I think the atmosphere will compel us to attack and I think the players will be up for it - I totally disagree with the idea we should park the bus - do that at Anfield and we will create a nervousness in the ground which will transmit to the players.

[Guest ShoePiss]

I don't really have any complaints about that line up, Carroll and Maxi hardly made a case for a start in the last game. I know everyone else was hardly any better (Bellamy aside) but I just struggle to see what else we could have done from an attacking point of view.

[18-5]

Counter attacking team by the looks of it. Looks like we have decided to hit them on the break. Think we will get through.

[Guest ShoePiss]

With Lucas and Spearing out we don't have anyone to play a holding role do we?

[fowler9]

I don't really have any complaints about that line up, Carroll and Maxi hardly made a case for a start in the last game. I know everyone else was hardly any better (Bellamy aside) but I just struggle to see what else we could have done from an attacking point of view.

 

I think the main problem is the only one infront of the back four who can tackle and break up opposition attacks should be much further forward as he is one of only 2 (Bellamy being the other) who can be expected to stand a chance of scoring

[Red '84]

european football has left a big whole.

 

nights like tonight can help to make up for that.

 

getting to and winning cup finals is boss.

 

many in that team owe a big performance after saturdays farce.

 

lets do this redmen!!!

[Heinze]

Adam will cost us goals.

[Guest LFD]

If we play high tempo Kuyt will be good.

 

Tempo is the key tonight.

[Guest ShoePiss]

Adam will cost us goals.

 

I wonder if he'll make a fucking stupid foul just outside of the box leading to a freekick which they'll score from?

 

I'd rather he just look tired all of the time than 'tackle' just outside the box.

[LFC 6 Times]

I'm so fucking nervous about this one, I really don't know if downing, Adam or Henderson have the character for these type of games, imagine having Luis Garcia, momo and xabi for this one.