Team vs PSV

[SouthAfricaRed]

the key to winning away games in europe is to keep the ball well and take your chances, i feel with the midfield we put out we will struggle to keep the ball

The key to Qualifying from your Group is to deny your strongest opposition 3 pts at home. We'll win this one. PSV are a shadow of the side they used to be

[kurtangle01]

We'll see, let's remain positive as we still have a decent team out there which played very well in the Charity shield.

i'm afraid that CL league match is just a bit more prestigious and important than the community shield. these are the games where we should put our best 11 out on the pitch especially as it's our toughest game in the group.

[kurtangle01]

The key to Qualifying from your Group is to deny your strongest opposition 3 pts at home. We'll win this one. PSV are a shadow of the side they used to be

i'm sure they are but PSV are still a good side.

bollox you changed it!

[leftpeg]

Time to look ahead again, and PSV are next.
Here`s my team:

Reina
Finnan Carra Agger Aurelio
Pennant Momo Zenden Gonzo
Kuyt Bellamy

And here Is the reasons behind it:
-Hyppia are being saved as he need a break.
-Aurelio is the only option on LB (If Warnock are fit he plays)
-Pennant on the right as Gerrard are rested, but on the bench.
-Momo is boss and aloows Zenden to play further up the field, his best position.
-Gonzo on left as he probably offers a little more support to Aurelio than Garcia does.
-The two strikers are given after Saturday.

Well done. Except for Warnock coming back from injury, allowing Aurelio to push up on the wing. Are you Rafa in disguise?

[Guest]

i'm afraid that CL league match is just a bit more prestigious and important than the community shield. these are the games where we should put our best 11 out on the pitch especially as it's our toughest game in the group.

As i said, Rafa is looking at the big picture. He can't do any other way to be honest, with the amount of matches these players have been playing since the start of the season. They hardly ever got a decent rest and Stevie and the lads having played in the world cup are behind the others fitness wise ... The players starting tonight are probably, as a whole, ahead in terms of fitness than the world cup lads. It's a risk playing Stevie and Xabi in so many matches when they're not fully fit... Anyway, that's just my take on things, i may be wrong.

[SouthAfricaRed]

the subs will be

Gerrard for Zenden
Crouch for Kuijt
Garcia for Aurelio

[kurtangle01]

As i said, Rafa is looking at the big picture. He can't do any other way to be honest, with the amount of matches these players have been playing since the start of the season. They hardly ever got a decent rest and Stevie and the lads having played in the world cup are behind the others fitness wise ... The players starting tonight are probably, as a whole, ahead in terms of fitness than the world cup lads. It's a risk playing Stevie and Xabi in so many matches when they're not fully fit... Anyway, that's just my take on things, i may be wrong.

no you're not wrong fredo you just have a different opinion. that's what we come on here for afterall.

i hope you're right mate, really i do!!!

i want to put the memory of saturday well and truely behind me and to do that we need to win tonight or a depressing few days will become a depressing week!

[Los Rojos]

PSV:

Gomes
Kromkamp
Alex
Reiziger
Salcido
Simons
Mendez
Afellay
Arouna Kone
Culina
Farfan

I hear that Kromkamp fella is a decent player at home.

[kurtangle01]

the subs will be

Gerrard for Zenden
Crouch for Kuijt
Garcia for Aurelio

gonzo for aurelio

[SouthAfricaRed]

gonzo for aurelio

Could also be, but it would be Garcia's 100th game for us

[kurtangle01]

Could also be, but it would be Garcia's 100th game for us

100?! cool!

[bazza76]

Im really left scrathcing my head at this team selection, I dont mind dropping either say one of Gerrard or Alonso to the bench, but leaving both on the bench when we need a win is very ambitious and it really plays down the oppositions strength. I just hope this doesnt backfire. I guess if I want inspiration, i'll have to look at the fact that Rafa played a similar team selection (with different players) away to Betis last season and it worked a treat. I guess Rafa is hoping PSV have been doing all of the preparation thinking that Gerrard and Alonso are deffinate starters.

[kurtangle01]

on a side note. when you look at the team tonight and see bolo in the middle with momo don't you wish didi was still here? he'd have been ideal in the middle with momo tonight IMHO.

[bazza76]

on a side note. when you look at the team tonight and see bolo in the middle with momo don't you wish didi was still here? he'd have been ideal in the middle with momo tonight IMHO.

Yes, I have been thinking that all weekend. I have always thought he was undervalued by Rafa. Maybe Rafa couldnt have guarinteed him mnore football, but i think he would have been happy getting the ammount of games Zenden is getting in the middle of the park.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Yes, I have been thinking that all weekend. I have always thought he was undervalued by Rafa. Maybe Rafa couldnt have guarinteed him mnore football, but i think he would have been happy getting the ammount of games Zenden is getting in the middle of the park.

Especially since he hasn't played for City yet