Tonight's Team & match thread

[leftpeg]

I meant Sami for Arbeloa

Arbeola's experience in Spain probably counts for something.

[AFII]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa---Carra-------Agger------Riise
---------Alonso-----Sissoko
Finnan---------Kuyt--------------Gerrard
---------------Bellamy

[nbryan1764]

we are going to dominate their midfield, motta is ****e

I love optimism and Motta may be ****e...Xavi and Deco arent though they are both quality

[nbryan1764]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa---Carra-------Agger------Riise
---------Alonso-----Sissoko
Finnan---------Kuyt--------------Gerrard
---------------Bellamy

I think that, if the formation is to be this then swap gerrard and kuyt. He is more likely to play Dirk on the left I think

[V-Man]

Have you guys forgot about the possibility of playing 4-5-1?

Arbeloa Carra Agger Riise
-----------Momo
Finnan Stevie Xabi Bellamy
-----------Kuyt

I think we'll revert to that A lot tonight personally

[Red Chilli]

Barca are crap in the air and Agger is better on the floor. Quite logical really.

I suppose so with Saviola up front

[Ron_Mexico]

Dominating their midfield will be very tough, Motta is underrated and good on the ball as well as defensively (stupid haircut though). Xavi is possibly the best central mid in the world, and Deco is very good as well.

Not too physical though, Momo could run riot!

motta is naive positionally and constantly gets caught out. xavi and deco are both brilliant little players, both favorites of mine, xavi has amazing vision. but they need space and time to operate and we will not give them that. when they are closed down they become very ineffective

[Cantankerous]

I suppose so with Saviola up front

that ****er better not get another handball goal against us though...

[Assassin]

Debut for Arbeloa, eh?

He knows how to "pocket" Jar Jar Binks

[Red Chilli]

that ****er better not get another handball goal against us though...

We need strong officiating tonight, it'd be nice for him to get red carded early on for deliberate handball

[leftpeg]

I think that, if the formation is to be this then swap gerrard and kuyt. He is more likely to play Dirk on the left I think

Greeny is saying Bellers on the left, but we really won't know until they get going.

[Flake]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa---Carra-------Agger------Riise
---------Alonso-----Sissoko
Finnan---------Gerrard--------------Bellamy
---------------Kuyt

[leftpeg]

I'm getting pretty excited. Come on you red men!

[Assassin]

Cool move by Rafa leaving Crouch on the bench, Barca would have planned their defence around stopping him in the air

[AFII]

I think that, if the formation is to be this then swap gerrard and kuyt. He is more likely to play Dirk on the left I think

I don't think Rafa will leave Riise alone on the left, he isn't good enough for that, and Kuyt isn't good enough in defense.