Problem in central midfield

[friedk]

Our three players who did the most travelling during the internationals were Stevie, Masch and Momo. With Xabi still probably injured and another early kick off, it's a worry.

Is this game too big for Lucas?

[Shanks65]

I reckon its too much to ask for Lucas to come into this game. If he has a shocker it could well put him back a fair bit in terms of confidence.

Would be great if Alonso is fit in time. If he`s medically fit enough then he has to play on Sat. I get the impression Alonso is a naturally `fit` player, so missing a few games shouldn`t have rusted him up too much. And he had last summer off, so if his foot is ok, then stick him in.

Mascher had a long summer, and he may be feeling the burn slightly after the internationals, but he has to play too. Ideal kind of player for a derby game, and he`s playing well too, which is novel for one of our current stars. He`s got to play.

Stick SG on the right.

That combo, even allowing for a bit of rustiness on Alonso`s part, should be equipped to pass those ****s to death at Goodison, as well as being able to mix it with their midfielders.

If Alonso doesnt make it, then Momo could well play. But I`d defo prefer Alonso and Mascher in the centre, with SG on the right.


PS - Don`t be surprised to see Kewell make an appearance*










*Wild speculation

[fowlen]

Stevie's been way off the boil for a while, and i think we should actually give him some time off playing if he does not rediscover his form soon.

JM has not played all the time this season and neither has momo, so they should be fine (but hopefully Momo is not selected).

If there was ever a game for Stevie to rediscover his form it is the derby, so he'll be up for it and hopefully perform.

I would not play Lucas.... but would be happy to see Kewell and Xabi get a few minutes if they're fit.

[Fan65]

Stick SG on the right.



PS - Don`t be surprised to see Kewell make an appearance*



*Wild speculation

Pennant should start on the right ..He's putting in some excellent performances there.

There are four regular midfielders pick the two fittest of them to play, they are all worth a place. Sissoko needs a game to prove himself. Use Leiva as sub to blood him into a big premiership game.

Kewell ? another comeback... I hope he does well but I think he's had his chance.

[Aus_LFC]

Pennant on the right would be ideal, and even riise or fabio on the left - would love to see Kewell play, but that is beginning to sound like a complete urban myth (him being fit) !

What about if we went for a 3 - 5 - 2 and put Stevie, Xabi and Masher in the midfield. Then we could have Finnan, Carra, and Arbeloa at the back. Sami is just too slow for the likes of Andy Johnson.

I know Rafa loves his 4-4-2 but we are missing some key players at the back and it would be just like him to try something different..... so the pundits can have a whinge about it next week

Either way a win is a must - we have Arsenal (Anfield) and Blackburn (Elwood) coming up so a win here is critical to get the ball rolling.

[shadow]

Johnson is crocked I believe, the diving, cheating little ****head

Still Anichebe, could rather embarass Sami in a foot race though

[AFII]

Pennant should start on the right ..He's putting in some excellent performances there.

Pennant has had his chance and not delivered so if you think Kewell has had his chance then so has Pennant.

Kewell ? another comeback... I hope he does well but I think he's had his chance.

Well, he is at least better than Pennant, even on the right.

[dww]

Pennant has had his chance and not delivered so if you think Kewell has had his chance then so has Pennant.



Well, he is at least better than Pennant, even on the right.

I think Pennant played well at the start of the season and the end of last. He has had some poor games lately but that is an accusation none of teh squad can get away from (if they have played).

Kewell hasn't even proven his fitness let alone his match fitness. I don't think his chance has gone but he has a lot of work to do before he is even in contention for a starting berth.

I think your opinion is not based on the current facts but your preconceived eas of players.

[AFII]

I think Pennant played well at the start of the season and the end of last. He has had some poor games lately but that is an accusation none of teh squad can get away from (if they have played).

Kewell hasn't even proven his fitness let alone his match fitness. I don't think his chance has gone but he has a lot of work to do before he is even in contention for a starting berth.

I think your opinion is not based on the current facts but your preconceived eas of players.

Pennant has played in a lot of games and you really can't say that he has delivered. I won't judge Kewell before he has played in some games after his injury. No one knows how fit he is. He looked almost back to his best in the pre-season games he played for us but that was pre-season. We will see how he copes being back in the PL.

If he can't deliver, then sell him. The same goes for any player in the squad.

[dww]

Pennant has played in a lot of games and you really can't say that he has delivered. I won't judge Kewell before he has played in some games after his injury. No one knows how fit he is. He looked almost back to his best in the pre-season games he played for us but that was pre-season. We will see how he copes being back in the PL.

If he can't deliver, then sell him. The same goes for any player in the squad.

I thought he delivered last season and early in this. I'm not convinced he is the long term first team solution but he has certainly shown himself to be a capable squad player.

I know that Kewell hasn't been fit enough to play until now and thus can't possibly be match fit. He is also prone to breakdown if played too much before he is ready. At most he has to be considered a bench option.

[tomasjj]

I thought he delivered last season and early in this. I'm not convinced he is the long term first team solution but he has certainly shown himself to be a capable squad player.

I can agree with that.
Sound assessment.

[bazza76]

Pennant has had his chance and not delivered so if you think Kewell has had his chance then so has Pennant.



Well, he is at least better than Pennant, even on the right.

No he isn't, Pennant has been very influential on alot of occasions on the right for us. I can't remember Kewell ever being very effective on the right.

[AFII]

Well, one assist in 30+ league games isn't much of a delivery when you consider that he is an attacking player and only one goal for us in the league so far.

Our opposition don't even consider him a threat so they close us down in the middle and leaves open space on the wings that our wing players isn't good enough to use.

If you look at our next games then you will see what I mean.

[bazza76]

Well, one assist in 30+ league games isn't much of a delivery when you consider that he is an attacking player and only one goal for us in the league so far.

Our opposition don't even consider him a threat so they close us down in the middle and leaves open space on the wings that our wing players isn't good enough to use.

If you look at our next games then you will see what I mean.

I know what Kewell is capable of, also know what Pennant is capable of, and with the exception of stevie of the right, IMO Pennant is the best option we have there. Kewell on the right would be mainly restricted to coming inside and playing infield anyway as he is a left footer.

[AFII]

No he isn't, Pennant has been very influential on alot of occasions on the right for us. I can't remember Kewell ever being very effective on the right.

Rafa switches sides between the two wingers a lot during the games so he plays both on the left and right and he delivered more than Pennant before his injuries.