Barry Kewell...

[einar]

Kewell looked like a new signing today and did really well. I´m sure he´ll be on the bench in Athens.

By the way, is he not a life long supporter?

[dww]

Thats what was said when he joined and I have no reason to doubt it.

[CAD]

So many Scum players didn`t turn up for that game,If SG is on his game he`ll rise those around him.It all balances on SG`s performance.

...and most notably: Fergie didn't turn up for that game!

Im lying in bed with a fewer sweating like a pig. Not a pretty sight. I'm also ****ing bored. So I will ramble on for a while.

The 07 Milan side is not even close to 2005. The only thing improved about it is Kaka who migth be slightly better. In 2005 they played a 4-3-1-2 with shevy and Crespo on top. These days they field a 4-3-2-1 with Inzaghi on top.

Most obvious differences in the Milan 07 edition:

Pace.
Rarely have I seen a topside with so little pace, if we take Kaka (and Oddo) out of the equation. Schevy and Crespo might not be the fastest alive but compared to Inzaghi they were simply bullits. I'm absolutely certain that we will have much less trouble defensively, than in 2005.

System.
With the 4-3-2-1 they can't apply the same pressure and tempo like they did in 2005. We will have more time on the ball and more control over the game. We will have a chance to dictate the game. Something I feel it's safe to say we didn't do in 05.

Passing.
Remember the Kaka pass to Crespo in 2005? They don't have that kind of cut through passing in their game these days. They pass sideways and are indirect in their approach to the game. Again, Kaka is a oneman show. Anything can happen when he's on the ball.

My nose is running....


It's there for the taking!

[einar]

I dont understand all that talk about him in Istanbul.

For me it is much harder in a game like this to accept that you are injured and cant go on then to try as you can for to long and risk doing more harm then good.

We won that game for gods sake, and we dont know what would have happened had he stayed on.

[einar]

...and most notably: Fergie didn't turn up for that game!

Im lying in bed with a fewer sweating like a pig. Not a pretty sight. I'm also ****ing bored. So I will ramble on for a while.

The 07 Milan side is not even close to 2005. The only thing improved about it is Kaka who migth be slightly better. In 2005 they played a 4-3-1-2 with shevy and Crespo on top. These days they field a 4-3-2-1 with Inzaghi on top.

Most obvious differences in the Milan 07 edition:

Pace.
Rarely have I seen a topside with so little pace, if we take Kaka (and Oddo) out of the equation. Schevy and Crespo might not be the fastest alive but compared to Inzaghi they were simply bullits. I'm absolutely certain that we will have much less trouble defensively, than in 2005.

System.
With the 4-3-2-1 they can't apply the same pressure and tempo like they did in 2005. We will have more time on the ball and more control over the game. We will have a chance to dictate the game. Something I feel it's safe to say we didn't do in 05.

Passing.
Remember the Kaka pass to Crespo in 2005? They don't have that kind of cut through passing in their game these days. They pass sideways and are indirect in their approach to the game. Again, Kaka is a oneman show. Anything can happen when he's on the ball.

My nose is running....


It's there for the taking!

The key player for us in Athens is IMO Agger. We have seen Hyypia make Inzaghi look like a crap player and now it will be up to Agger. I´m sure they will target him in this game.
It is up to the midfield to take care of Kaka, and I´m sure it will be the job of Alonso and Masher to do that.
I also would not be surprised to see Zenden on the left and Crouch and Bellamy up front as they will be a great handful for a slow aging defence.

I think you are right, we must stop them playing and try to keep the ball as much as we can. I´m am a bit worried that Momo is injured because if Masher plays like he did today he has no business in that game. Plus Milan have not played against Momo and I think Gattuso the kitten would be in for quite a surprise.

[dww]

The thing is though that despite having almost every flaw a striker at a big club could possibly have Inzaghi scores a lot of goals. I have come to the conclusion that he has supernatural powers, originating from the fact he was born offside.

They have some lovely passers and exceptional movement. It could well be a very tense night.

Hope you get better soon CAD.

[redlancer]

I recon If HK shows enuff fitness over the next week he'll start.

Was listening to Rafa's PC comming back from the match and was on the lines off he didn't think Kewell could play 90 minutes but 60 minutes was a possibility.

60minutes of today could put us in a good position.

[Mattshark]

I think HK is exactly what we have needed since Garcia has been out, creativity and a real midfield threat.

[Red_Polo]

I don't see why people are so afraid of playing Zenden. I think he is ideal for the first half in Athens. We need to keep the ball and play our way into the game. I thought that he did very well against Chelsea in the CL. He brings a clamness to the team which I think will be vital in the opening stages against Milan.

I'm made up that Harry is coming good and would be a great option to bring on. Realistically does anyone think he can give us 90 minutes against a top quality side?

I'm not sure. The thing is, I fear us bringing him on after say 60 mins and then he gets injured. What do you do then? Would be two subs wasted at best. Or what if it goes to extra time and he runs out of steam? It's a tough call but I think if you start him you get whatever you can and then make the change when needs be.

[rushscored4]

Harry certainly looked fit today (not in a peachy bum sort of way, though) and hungry to play. I know it was only half an hour but he looked like the player we signed from Leeds who has been missing for the last three years...

[lfcruleus]

I was actually excited by HK today, he was the only thing that excited me mind, diabolical standard in the game, tbf to Bent he worked our first choice back four harder than anyone else at Home this season.

[The Glove]

I'll be honest, I havent been arsed reading this thread but I will say this, he did more today in half hour than every other **** has done on the left all season.

[Spudo2]

Zenden offers virtually nothing as a winger (CM is his best position) so I'd start with Riise at LM (his best position IMO) and Arbeloa at LB.

It would be crazy to start Kewell IMO given the length of time he's been out. Besides, he'd have more of an impact in the last half-hour when the geriatrics in Milan's defence are tiring.

[EST_1892]

He was brilliant today ... changed the game .. he looks very lean and was on form. I would start him

I'm taking a quote from early in the thread here, but yeah. He was the Harry of Leeds Yesteryear today. If he could play like that for 90mins in the final then there would be no doubt i would want him to start.

Just like Michael Owen owes Newcastle <giggle>, Harry owes us too!

If his injuries are now long gone has he leads us to believe, then he would certainly be the best choice to play a major part in the final. One swallow doesn't make a sumer and all that but he seemed a new player today.

[AFII]

Harry showed that Rafa did the right thing and waited on him.

I said all the time that I believe Kewell will get back to full fitness and show us how good he is.

If he can stay fit then we will have a player almost as good as Ronaldo and Kewell is a better team player than the Scum diver.