With El Jefecito out

[El Jefecito]

against the blue****e and then some. How are we going to cover for him?

We can go back to a 442 and play SG and Xabi, or we could stick Lucas in and have Xabi play in Mascher's role.

I think I'd stick w/4231 it seems to get more out of Torres than 442 and SG looks better in the advanced role.

[Matt]

Lucas all the way. We were **** against Utd but it doesn't mean the 4231 is fatally flawed all of a sudden.

[the rev leeroy brown]

rafa will stick lucas in and keep the 4-2-3-1 - only other change(s) i reckon he'll make is riise for aurelio and maybe one of babel/kyut for benni.

[andyinswinton]

Mascherano out, Lucas in.

The formation by and large works and Lucas is a more than able replacement.

[Lee]

Agree with this above.

Lucas needs more playing time. He's been left out in the cold recently but a recall against Everton - who he was sublime against last time - would be a good match to bring him back into.

[El Jefecito]

Does no-one want to make a case for crouch

[the rev leeroy brown]

Does no-one want to make a case for crouch

eh........no!

[Joe King]

eh........no!

No need to change the system. I think he will be on the bench.

[El Jefecito]

rafa will stick lucas in and keep the 4-2-3-1 - only other change(s) i reckon he'll make is riise for aurelio and maybe one of babel/kyut for benni.

I don't see a case for Riise. Fabio has played well the last few games and was probably our only decent player against Manure.

Like you I wouldn't mind seeing how Benni / Pennant perform in this new formation.

[AFII]

Just replace him with Lucas. I would also play Benayoun from the start instead of Kuyt.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I don't see a case for Riise. Fabio has played well the last few games and was probably our only decent player against Manure.

Like you I wouldn't mind seeing how Benni / Pennant perform in this new formation.

i myself dont really want to see riise in in-place of aurelio either. HOWEVER, god knows what rafa will be thinking and what with riise moaning to the norwegian press about not playing enough games, i reckon riise will get a game here.

hopefully benni comes in inplace of kyut but i cant see it.

[Joe King]

Just replace him with Lucas. I would also play Benayoun from the start instead of Kuyt.

Don't see that happening considering Kuyt will be 'fresh'

[AFII]

Don't see that happening considering Kuyt will be 'fresh'

I know, but that is what I would do. We need quick movement to break them down.

[El Jefecito]

I'm assuming Xabi would hold. Has Lucas played the holding role before? I seem to remember him playing with SG once, can only imagine he held there. Anyone know?

[MrMichael]

I think he has for us.... the Newcastle away game possibly?

Lucas in for Mascher and then I'd stick with the team as is, for me Benni wouldn't be any more effective than Kuyt in such an advanced role in the Derby. Aurelio deserves to keep his place imo ahead of Riise.