Team for Man City

[captainfog]

So he'll not play Gerrard against Man City but save him for Wigan?Now that really would be madness.

ha, yes, sorry, that will be his team for Wigan ha ha ha

Masher and Gerrard in the middle.

[AFII]

------------------Reina
Arbeloa------Carra-------Hobbs------Riise
------------Masch-------Gerrard---------
----Benny---------Kuyt---------Kewell---
-------------------Torres----------------

[blacky]

---------------Pepe---------------
Finnan---Agger----Carra---Arbeloa
----------Masch--Alonso----------
Benni--------Gerrard-------Kewell
-------------Torres--------------

[Svennis]

My team and hopefully Rafa's team too.

---------------------Torres------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
--Kewell-------------Gerrard---------------Yossi---
------------Alonso-------------Masch--------------
---Fabio--------------------------------Arbeloa----
--------------Agger---------Carra------------------
---------------------Reina-------------------------

If Agger or Hyypiä cant play then Arbeloa at cb and Finnan at rb.

Bench: Itandje, Finnan, Lucas, Babel, Kuyt

[Jaymo]

Reina
Finnan Carragher Hobbs Riise
Babel Alonso Gerrard Kewell
Torres Crouch

[tomasjj]

Reina
Finnan Carra Arbeloa Aurelio
Gerrard Masch Alonso Kewell
Torres Kuyt

[Joe King]

-----------Reina------------
Arbeloa, Carra, Hobbs, Aurelio,
-----Gerrard Mascherano----
Benayoun-------------Kewell
----------Kuyt-------------
------------Torres----------

[Alpha]

--------------Reina
----Arbeloa---Carra---Hobbs
---------Masher--Alonso
Finnan-------Gerrard-------Kewell
---------Crouch--Torres

[Joe King]

--------------Reina
----Arbeloa---Carra---Hobbs
---------Masher--Alonso
Finnan-------Gerrard-------Kewell
---------Crouch--Torres

Crouch is still suspended. I am not sure about the three at the back, they play with a sort of five in midfield (including Elano) who will bombard us down the wings especially Petrov

[Alpha]

Crouch is still suspended. I am not sure about the three at the back, they play with a sort of five in midfield (including Elano) who will bombard us down the wings especially Petrov

Kuyt for Crouch then, unfortunately.

The 3 at the back is specifically to counter the threat from the wings.

There are no orthodox full-backs to get caught out of position and Masher can do a job on Elano.

[Joe King]

Kuyt for Crouch then, unfortunately.

The 3 at the back is specifically to counter the threat from the wings.

There are no orthodox full-backs to get caught out of position and Masher can do a job on Elano.

In that case, you would want someone more defensive minded than Kewell on the left, maybe Aurelio or Riise. I vote for Aurelio. This could mean at times, it would be a 5-3-2 system which would still mean they would double up on us down the wings. I would think it would be very risky adopting a system away from home who are the best team at home. Sven, for all his 'failures' with England is a very astute manager in terms of tactics and it will be very interesting to see how they line up today and how he battles with Rafa in the battle of the tacticians on Sunday.

[Alpha]

In that case, you would want someone more defensive minded than Kewell on the left, maybe Aurelio or Riise. I vote for Aurelio. This could mean at times, it would be a 5-3-2 system which would still mean they would double up on us down the wings. I would think it would be very risky adopting a system away from home who are the best team at home. Sven, for all his 'failures' with England is a very astute manager in terms of tactics and it will be very interesting to see how they line up today and how he battles with Rafa in the battle of the tacticians on Sunday.

I think we've got enough cover in Mascherano and Alonso to protect the centre-backs without the need for two orthodox fullbacks as well.

Carra, Hobbs and Aurelio can be switched if necessary. City are a lot stronger down the left than the right.

Also, we could move Arbeloa to left back and revert to a 4-4-2.

[Joe King]

I think we've got enough cover in Mascherano and Alonso to protect the centre-backs without the need for two orthodox fullbacks as well.

Carra, Hobbs and Aurelio can be switched if necessary. City are a lot stronger down the left than the right.

Also, we could move Arbeloa to left back and revert to a 4-4-2.

Thats something Rafa would find puzzling explaining to his players. This season, I can vouch for everyone when I say we have played best when we play with 4-4-2. The best performances, the more goals, less goals conceded. The team understand each other. When the system is not broke, dont fix it.

[Alpha]

Thats something Rafa would find puzzling explaining to his players. This season, I can vouch for everyone when I say we have played best when we play with 4-4-2. The best performances, the more goals, less goals conceded. The team understand each other. When the system is not broke, dont fix it.

Rafa has done plenty of things that his players would find puzzling.

I just think City would struggle against a 3-man defence, that's all.

Blackburn's 4-4-2 doesn't seem to be any match for them.

[bazza76]

Anyone watching the City V Blackburn game on Sky, Petrov is terrorising Blackburn.