***The Derby build up thread**

[marcus50bucks]

He isn't ready IMO.

And imo. However with Agger still injured, I can't see Hyypia playing four games in such a short space of time. If I remember correctly didn't Hyypia himself say that he finds it difficult to play two games in such a short period?

[dww]

And imo. However with Agger still injured, I can't see Hyypia playing four games in such a short space of time. If I remember correctly didn't Hyypia himself say that he finds sit difficult to play two games in such a short period?

I think it is the right game to give him a run out. If the midfield functions properly he should have little to do. I also think playing games is the only way to get him ready (if he is ever to be an LFC player).

I'd play something along these lines:

-----------Reina
Finnan-Hobbs-Carra-Riise
Benayoun-Mascher-Gerrard-Babel
------Torres-Voronin

I'd think hard about whether Alonso or Lucas would be more appropriate in the Mascherano position and if he was ready for a full 90 I'd probably put Aurelio in at leftback.

I think over the Christmas period you have to compromise between picking your first choice team and getting a good and fit team out for each match. Hopefully against Derby we will be able to make changes in the second half to keep Torres and Gerrard fit to play all the games over this period.

[Howard_lfc]

I think it is the right game to give him a run out. If the midfield functions properly he should have little to do. I also think playing games is the only way to get him ready (if he is ever to be an LFC player).

I'd play something along these lines:

-----------Reina
Finnan-Hobbs-Carra-Riise
Benayoun-Mascher-Gerrard-Babel
------Torres-Voronin

I'd think hard about whether Alonso or Lucas would be more appropriate in the Mascherano position and if he was ready for a full 90 I'd probably put Aurelio in at leftback.

I think over the Christmas period you have to compromise between picking your first choice team and getting a good and fit team out for each match. Hopefully against Derby we will be able to make changes in the second half to keep Torres and Gerrard fit to play all the games over this period.

Understand your theory with Hobbs but I'd prefer to blood him in home games - against piss poor opposition. Bring him on for a second half if we're 3-0 up for example.
Steve Howard and Kenny Miller is not a bad combination up front and could cause us problems. I'd be wary of putting Hobbs in tomorrow.

[dww]

Understand your theory with Hobbs but I'd prefer to blood him in home games - against piss poor opposition. Bring him on for a second half if we're 3-0 up for example.
Steve Howard and Kenny Miller is not a bad combination up front and could cause us problems. I'd be wary of putting Hobbs in tomorrow.

So you'd rest Sami for Wigan at home then I take it? I can see your point of view but I really think that Howard is one of the least threatening forwards in the division and Miller requires good service so Derby to me seem at least as attractive an opportunity. I guess the Wigan game comes at a good time for us and I can see Rafa siding with you on this one (especially if he rotates elsewhere).

[marcus50bucks]

I think it is the right game to give him a run out. If the midfield functions properly he should have little to do. I also think playing games is the only way to get him ready (if he is ever to be an LFC player).

I'd play something along these lines:

-----------Reina
Finnan-Hobbs-Carra-Riise
Benayoun-Mascher-Gerrard-Babel
------Torres-Voronin

I'd think hard about whether Alonso or Lucas would be more appropriate in the Mascherano position and if he was ready for a full 90 I'd probably put Aurelio in at leftback.

I think over the Christmas period you have to compromise between picking your first choice team and getting a good and fit team out for each match. Hopefully against Derby we will be able to make changes in the second half to keep Torres and Gerrard fit to play all the games over this period.

Good points but I do have reservations regarding Hobbs. He struggled against Reading and I fear the same will happen again if he plays on Wednesday.

[Alpha]

He struggled against Reading and I fear the same will happen again if he plays on Wednesday.

I thought Hobbs was the least of our worries against Reading.

[marcus50bucks]

I thought Hobbs was the least of our worries against Reading.

Maybe it was my poor analysis then.

[REDSCOUSER]

Maybe it was my poor analysis then.

as usual mate

[Craig_H]

Less of the over-confidence it makes us sound like idiot manc fans from london.

Although we should get 3 points its no forgone conclusion the game wont be easy. The fact is we are playing a team fighting to avoid relegation - away from home.

Blah blah.

They're utter gash. We'll batter them.

Stick that in your waffle pipe and smoke it.

[Chris]

its no forgone conclusion

Yes it is. We've won, start thinking about City. Lets be honest they are one of the worst teams thats ever been in the top flight, we'll win there, Man Utd will win there and Arsenal will win there. It's not a Birmingham where they can sometimes put in a really solid game or a Reading who can sometimes get a result against the top teams, it's Derby who are ****ing abysmal.. 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, who knows but we'll win and it'll be comfortable.

[Armchairkopite]

It should be.

[Matt]

He isn't ready IMO.

Fair enough, I'm not 100% convinced myself yet but I thought he did okay against Chelsea and wouldn't hesistate to play him against Derby.

I think we'll all agree that Hyypia is a must for Citeh and so Hobbs will probably play against Derby or Wigan. Personally I'd play Hobbs at Pride Park but it could go either way.

Think theres a good chance of seeing Hobbs against Luton on the 6th anyway so by then with a bit of luck we'll have a well-rested Sami and Agger on the comeback trail.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Less of the over-confidence it makes us sound like idiot manc fans from london.

Although we should get 3 points its no forgone conclusion the game wont be easy. The fact is we are playing a team fighting to avoid relegation - away from home.

Oh come off it mate.

We should beat these. I didn't say it would be easy did I?

[marcus50bucks]

as usual mate

[desertscouser]

Less of the over-confidence it makes us sound like idiot manc fans from london.

Although we should get 3 points its no forgone conclusion the game wont be easy. The fact is we are playing a team fighting to avoid relegation - away from home.

Mate, if we don't beat Derby it would be a disgrace. I doubt we'll underestimate Derby but they are gash and are easily the worst side in the premiership.