so then...team for Saturday - Villa (a)

[vonk]

I'm almost with looprevil but I dont think Babel will start. It'll be a defensive formation. Mascher has had too few games and will come on later with Babel.

----------Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Riise

---------Momo Xabi

Pennant------------Kewell
----------Gerrard

----------Torres

[vonk]

... not when his new mate Heinze is playing at Anfield. Mascher will be first choice, he's ahead of Alonso and Momo in Rafa's eyes I think. For me it would be Xabi every time. He'd be a bigger loss.

[peekay]

----------Reina

Finnan Carra Agger Riise

---------Mascher Xabi

Gerrard-------------------Yossi
----------Torres

----------Kuyt

Subs: The Crow,Crouch,Hyypia,Charles,Babel

[SB]

I'm not sure about who's going to play on the wings & up front, but as a guess I would say the team will be;

Reina
Finnan Carragher Agger Riise
Pennant Gerrard Alonso Kewell
Kuyt Torres

Subs;
Keeper
Hyypia
Babel
Crouch
Benayoun
Voronin

****in hell, that still leaves out Sissoko, Mascherano, Arbeloa, Leiva etc... yeeesh, we have some squad!

Well said that man

[friedk]

I think we have two teams capable of beating Villa.

Loved Rafa's statement that in his first season when he looked at his bench all he saw were lads, now he sees players who are capable of changing a game.

For what it's worth I think Reina, Finnan, Carra, Agger, Riise, Gerrard and Torres will play most league games this season, with the other 4 positions up for grabs.

Although of all our players, the one I am expecting the most from is Alonso, I feel he can be the creative heartbeat of the team. He is a player with the ability to be one of the great midfielders.

[Joe King]

Reina,
Finnan, Carra, Agger, Riise
Gerrard, Momo, Xabi, Babel
Kuyt, Torres

[alunevans]

Judging by the teams people have picked, the striking feature is how few of the new signings you've selected.

For most of you its the same as last year but add Torres.

Do you all think that the summer spending spree is so uninspiring as to have such a minimal impact on our first eleven?

[Joe King]

I really dont think Gerrard will play in the middle in this game. If Rafa does decide to play Crouch, expect both Kewell and Pennant to play so we can bombard crosses but for this game because it seems a wee bit tricky, I expect Gerrard with two holding midfielders and a left winger whether that be Babel, Benayoun or Kewell

[stevie_gerrard_8]

Im still not sure whether Torres will start. I can see Rafa doing what he did with Kuyt and easing him in. The only problem is that there isn't much time to ease him in as we have Chelsea next week.

[Milan_Milan]

Judging by the teams people have picked, the striking feature is how few of the new signings you've selected.

For most of you its the same as last year but add Torres.

Do you all think that the summer spending spree is so uninspiring as to have such a minimal impact on our first eleven?

I've said that before and been pilloried for it! But I agree.

My team BTW:

-------------Reina
Finnan---Carra---Agger---Riise
Benayoun-Gerrard-Alonso-Kewell
---------Crouch---Torres

Subs:
Itandje
Arbeloa
Masher
Voronin
Babel

Squad is certainly strong though, no Momo, Kuyt, Leiva, Pennant etc!

[red g]

I think we have two teams capable of beating Villa.

Loved Rafa's statement that in his first season when he looked at his bench all he saw were lads, now he sees players who are capable of changing a game.

For what it's worth I think Reina, Finnan, Carra, Agger, Riise, Gerrard and Torres will play most league games this season, with the other 4 positions up for grabs.

Although of all our players, the one I am expecting the most from is Alonso, I feel he can be the creative heartbeat of the team. He is a player with the ability to be one of the great midfielders.

i am hoping torres and beni will bring the best out of gerrard and alonso

[Frank Leroux]

What would be a refreshing indication of intent for this season would be:

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Riise
Pennent Gerrard Mash Babbel
Benayoun
Torres

What I suspect he'll go with is:

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Riise
Gerrard Alonso Mash Kewell
Kuyt Torres


...which would be a pity....

Frank.

[Imy]

The team i would choose:

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Riise
Mascherano Alonso
Pennant Gerrard Babel
Torres

[5aq1b]

Is the game streamed anywhere?

[Diego]

i want to see

----------reina-------------
Finnan---carra--agger---riise
pennats-gerrarda-lonso-kewel
------voronin-torres--------

Charles
hyypia
Mascherano
Babel
Croch

i dont want kuyt to start this one, i think he has to prove himself to me before i think he can warrant a start in our first game...