The really early build up to the Newcastle game

[Howard_lfc]

Never mind England tomorrer. Let's think about the big game at the weekend.

With Arsenal and ManU not looking like they're gonna drop points anytime soon it's a must that we get 3 points. I'm pretty confident of the win - so long as we play 2 men up front; Torres and A.N.Other. I hope Rafa doesn't deploy SG in that withdrawn striker role where he's less effective.

The Toon fans are gonna be pretty edgy after recent performances so I'd be tempted to play possession football, as opposed to sitting back drawing them on to us.

Plus we owe them after last years defeat.

[FT9]

As long as mascher or Momo halves Barton in first half and Torres scores 4 and Fat Sam gets sacked afterwards I'll be happy

[Joe King]

I hope Fat Sam gets another arsehole. The ****ing amateur, big headed ********

[Shanks65]

I reckon it's going to be a much harder game than many people think. That fat **** house Allardyce will have been working overtime on the training field after some awful performances recently. Also Allardyce has been working with a decent chunk of his squad while our squad has been all over the world.

I expect to see a few of the international players who have played 2 games for their country left out, such as SG.

Owen is out, but Martins will be back to prove a point. His pace can cause anyone problems. Hope Sami can continue to improve on recent games.

Hopefully Torres will prove the difference though.

[Ataturk]

will agger not be back?

[Maestro]

will agger not be back?

Let's hope so. Rafa was making positive noises about his comeback, but he hasn't even played a reserve match, so I'd say he'll probably be on the bench.

[Skillz]

starting team

------------------Reina----------------
Finnan------Carra-------Hyypia--Arbeloa
--------------Masher---Sissoko--------
Babel--------------Stevie--------Kewell
----------------Torres------------------

Easily slips into 4-4-1-1

[jonesie]

Not sure Agger will be thrown straight back in, but Sami's got a big game in Portugal tomorrow night so I suppose it depends on how he comes through that.

I think thats the key here to be honest. Where, when and for how long our internationals play.

Kuyt and Babel away in Belarus. If either of them play more than a half there they won't be involved.
Voronin in the Ukraine playing France. He won't play.
Riise in Malta. Probably won't play (to the relief of many).
Mascherano somewhere in South America tonight (i think). Might have a chance depending on when he gets back.

Which all points to Torres and Crouch upfront and a battering for those annoying, deluded Geordie *******s and their fat arsehole of manager.

[bigfooty]

Perhaps something like:

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Sami-Riise
Gerrard-Momo-Lucas-Kewell
Crouch-Torres

[blacky]

I think Agger will start along with Kewell.

Pepe

Arbeloa
Agger
Carra
Aurelio

Kewell
Masch
Lucas
Gerrard

Torres
Babel

[Marky]

COLLYMORE CLOSING INNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!

[AFII]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa-----Carra----Hyypia-----Aurelio
----------Masch----Gerrard-----------
------Babel-----Benny---Kewell--------
----------------Torres----------------

[Le Chacal]

-----------Reina----------
Finnan--Carra-Agger--Arbeloa

Benayoun--Mascher--Kewell
----------Gerrard
-------Crouch-Torres

[the rev leeroy brown]

------------------reina----------------
-----hyypia-------agger-------carra---
--------mascherano----lucas-----------
arbeloa----------gerard-------------kewell
-----------torres--------voronin---------

i know i've got arbeloa as right midfielder ahead of babel, bennayoun or whoever, but he has been amazing this season going forward from full back and even at right midfield he would give cover defensively........was going to put aurelio in a left midfield but that would be more like 5-3-2 not the 3-5-2 i tried to show here.....same formation we used against newcastle last year (2 years ago????) also put voronin ahead of crouch as voronin suits this formation better than crouch does.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

No ****in Riise, Kuyt or Sissoko.

Are Agger and Alonso fit for this one?

Would be tempted to play Kewell if he's fit.

We'll do them. No problem.