With El Jefecito out

[Joe King]

Saying that, I do expect Everton to come for a draw. They would feel we are concentrating on the Champions League and bound to drop points. Two man up top wouldn't be so bad after all.

[Joe King]

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?

Bolton at home, Newcastle away

[El Jefecito]

Bolton at home, Newcastle away

Just watched the newcastle game again and I'm more than happy for lucas to play that role. His distribution was a bit off, but his positioning was first class. He can't tackle like El Jefecito, but he closes down so quickly that he forces errors on a fair number of occasions.

Who will he be up against against the blue****e? Carsley and Arteta? Are they playing 442 or 451 these days?

[saveferris]

Although unlikely, playing Crouch could be a good move considering Everton are quite big at the back. That would mean a change in system.

We might see sami at the back as he hasnt played for a while but this depends on whether andy johnson plays. If johnson is out i expect to see sami in.

[Dutte]

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.

Riise played an absolute shocker for Norway against the mighty Montenegro yesterday, and I also think that Aurelio's form lately has been very good. One of our few decent players against the mancs.

[Alpha]

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

I don't see Benayoun getting anything out of Lescott.

I don't see Kuyt getting anything out of him either but then Kuyt rarely gets anything out of anyone. At least he'll give Lescott a good run.

In a physical, high-tempo derby match, Kuyt's energy beats Yossi's craft.

[BFG]

I think Kuyt deserves his place at the minute and I would always favour him playing ahead of Arbeloa in this formation as he tracks back well and makes the full backs job easier than if Yossi was playing there. If Finnan was fit or Carra was moved across again I would consider Yossi then.

Mascher for Lucas for me too. He's done well when he's played and is reliable enough to slot in rather than changing the whole system.

[Resu]

Although unlikely, playing Crouch could be a good move considering Everton are quite big at the back. That would mean a change in system.

We might see sami at the back as he hasnt played for a while but this depends on whether andy johnson plays. If johnson is out i expect to see sami in.

I would tend to think the opposite way. If they have big players at the back you play with pacey players of front. Our style isn`t based on crosses from the wings, so players with quick feet would a bigger problem for them. We should attack their weak points, not to try to match their strong ones.

[sitoca]

I personally feel Pennant/Benayoun will replace Kuyt and he in turn will take over SG position. Our captain will take over Masch role.

[AFII]

I would tend to think the opposite way. If they have big players at the back you play with pacey players of front. Our style isn`t based on crosses from the wings, so players with quick feet would a bigger problem for them. We should attack their weak points, not to try to match their strong ones.

[Kenneth]

Saying that, I do expect Everton to come for a draw. They would feel we are concentrating on the Champions League and bound to drop points. Two man up top wouldn't be so bad after all.

Agree. 4-4-2 for me.

[Rafa_el_Gafa]

Moyes will be expecting a 4-2-3-1

This is why I would revert to the following


reina

arbeola hyypia carra riise

pennant alonso gerrard benayoun

torres crouch

[Resu]

Moyes will be expecting a 4-2-3-1

This is why I would revert to the following


reina

arbeola hyypia carra riise

pennant alonso gerrard benayoun

torres crouch

I`d swap Pennant with Babel and have Benny on the right, if I was to use 4-4-2. And after seeing Riise for Norway i`d use Aurelio.

[Alpha]

I would tend to think the opposite way. If they have big players at the back you play with pacey players of front. Our style isn`t based on crosses from the wings, so players with quick feet would a bigger problem for them. We should attack their weak points, not to try to match their strong ones.

I think we should be looking to pull their defence out of shape. That means forcing their centre-backs outside and their fullbacks inside.

Torres, Babel and Pennant are our best runners so:

------------Reina
Arbeloa--Carra--Hyypia--Aurelio
--------Alonso--Lucas
Pennant----Gerrard----Babel
------------Torres

[el matador]

we may not need mascherano against everton because Cahill is injured and there wont be many runners from midfield that alonso sometimes struggles to keep up with.

If xabi sits in front of the back four with Lucas, we may have enough protection.

Alternatively, we could use carra at defensive mid. He's played there before, he is a decent footballer and certainly would provide enough defensive cover for skrtel and sami.

Anybody got any news on Finnan ? Im not totally convinced by arbeloa.