Crouch - ideal for Keane's Kickers?

[Fox]

No doubt Sunderland away will be like Sheff Utd away last season.

He will tell his boys to put it up us early on.

They will defend in numbers to avoid defeat after a trouncing at ****ty Wigan, so the aerial route from quality crosses will be a good outlet for us.

Especially a good idea if big Pete has a good game Wednesday, confidence high (that was not a gag by the way )

[Shaggy]

Agreed. Crouch deserves a start, Kuyt needs a rest. I'd leave Dirk and Xabi at home and have Voronin on the bench with Momo.

Reina

Finnan
Carra
Agger
Arbeloa

Pennant
Gerrard
Mascherano
Babel

Crouch
Torres

Subs: Charlie, Sami, Sissoko, Benayoun, Voronin

[fred_plasticine]

i doubt gerrard will play against sunderland due to his foot injury.

[Shaggy]

i doubt gerrard will play against sunderland due to his foot injury.

Of course.

In that case I'd go Mascherano/Alonso in midfield - let Xabi play further up the park and absolve him of some defensive responsibilities.

Too early for Lucas.

[Marky]

Agreed. Crouch deserves a start, Kuyt needs a rest. I'd leave Dirk and Xabi at home and have Voronin on the bench with Momo.

Reina

Finnan
Carra
Agger
Arbeloa

Pennant
Gerrard
Mascherano
Babel

Crouch
Torres

Subs: Charlie, Sami, Sissoko, Benayoun, Voronin

I agree shaggs with all that although i have a feel Benayoun may start this game but i wouldn't be unhappy to see Babel start. Been quite lively the lad when he's took to the field although i would still keep him on the bench and bring him on last 20/25 mins for the time being.
Decisions, decisions.

[Joe King]

Of course.

In that case I'd go Mascherano/Alonso in midfield - let Xabi play further up the park and absolve him of some defensive responsibilities.

Too early for Lucas.

May not be a bad game for Lucas- we know he can break up the game and has great energy and stamina. I think he would be a better option than Xabi if we need an attacking midfielder

[fred_plasticine]

fecking hard these days to predict the team altough i reckon much will depend on how long some players will play midweek.

[Shaggy]

May not be a bad game for Lucas- we know he can break up the game and has great energy and stamina. I think he would be a better option than Xabi if we need an attacking midfielder

Well they say he's similar to SG and has that same driving quality, so if he's ready I'd love to see him given a go.

You know what'll happen though? It'll be Masher holding and Sissoko in the roving 'attacking' role.

[Joe King]

Well they say he's similar to SG and has that same driving quality, so if he's ready I'd love to see him given a go.

You know what'll happen though? It'll be Masher holding and Sissoko in the roving 'attacking' role.

Sissoko is horrid in that position. He doesn't have the passing ability or the composer to do anything creative. He gets into great positions and then panics. Just look at his goal record even though he plays a holding role, he should be getting one or two goals a season

[Marky]

fecking hard these days to predict the team altough i reckon much will depend on how long some players will play midweek.

It is indeed mate but i'm confident in Rafa's judgement.
The media and fans alike easily forget that Rafa/Paco and co sees these players nearly every day in training so i think they have a better idea as to the condition the players are in physically than ourselves and the media.

[Imy]

On the flip side Sunderland will play the rough house stuff so Momo maybe a good addition, Lucas will have the crap kicked out of him.

[Imy]

how about Kuyt in the centre? he plays there anyway!

[Joe King]

Pennant wont play against them. I think the wife beater will want them to target him and kick the crap out of him. Babel on the right and Riise on the left

[fred_plasticine]

how about Kuyt in the centre? he plays there anyway!

no he's a defensive striker

[Joe King]

no he's a defensive striker