Our strongest XI?

[Shaggy]

Totally ****ing bored.

With the addition and early promise of Albert Riera, Ryan Babel becoming a monster and Robbie Keane surely set to come good sooner rather than later, our squad now looks very strong.

If we were playing in a Cup final tomorrow, what XI would you pick? In other words, what do you think is our strongest XI and in what formation?

Caveat: I realise there may no longer be any such thing as a ‘strongest XI’ – horses for courses etc – but please bear in mind I’m really bored.

Pick your hypothetical European Cup final team to win us number 6!

[dww]

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Masherano Alonso
Gerrard Kuyt Riera
Torres

I think Babel remains best from the bench. I like Keane but until he proves he can link up with Torres then he won't be getting into my first choice team. Dossena hasn't done anything yet to show he deserves a place ahead of Aurelio.

[Nicey]

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Masherano Alonso
Gerrard Kuyt Riera
Torres

I think Babel remains best from the bench. I like Keane but until he proves he can link up with Torres then he won't be getting into my first choice team. Dossena hasn't done anything yet to show he deserves a place ahead of Aurelio.

Yup

[BFG]

Totally ****ing bored.

With the addition and early promise of Albert Riera, Ryan Babel becoming a monster and Robbie Keane surely set to come good sooner rather than later, our squad now looks very strong.

If we were playing in a Cup final tomorrow, what XI would you pick? In other words, what do you think is our strongest XI and in what formation?

Caveat: I realise there may no longer be any such thing as a ‘strongest XI’ – horses for courses etc – but please bear in mind I’m really bored.

Pick your hypothetical European Cup final team to win us number 6!

Who are we playing against in the final, I'd need to know that before considering my options no?


Reina
Arbeloa Carra Skrtel Aurelio
Mascher Alonso
Kuyt Gerrard Babel
Torres

I'd also think seriously about Keane and Riera but as things stand I can't see past that 11 myself.

[Resu]

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Masherano Alonso
Gerrard Kuyt Riera
Torres

I think Babel remains best from the bench. I like Keane but until he proves he can link up with Torres then he won't be getting into my first choice team. Dossena hasn't done anything yet to show he deserves a place ahead of Aurelio.

I agree with this set-up. Maybe switch Kuyt and Gerrard, but with the ground they cover during a game they`ll end up switching places anyhow. If we really think about attacking I`d swap Kuyt with Babel.

[Dirk07]

Yup

would maybe swap gerrard and kuyt but agree as well

[PTP]

ok shaggy - i accept ur boredom challenge! for me - strongest XI to start 2moro in a game that we had to win to save my life or something would be this

I'd go with the 4-2-3-1 formation - i believe it's a our strongest formation, we played some great football last season using it and it's the most flexiable

line up

----------reina---------

arbeloa---JC---Skirtle------Aurelio

-------Mascher---Alonso-----

Kuyt-----Gerrard------Keane--

----------Torres------


thats our best team, strongest XI no arguements hands down!

[The_weatherman]

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Masherano Alonso
Gerrard Kuyt Riera
Torres

I think Babel remains best from the bench. I like Keane but until he proves he can link up with Torres then he won't be getting into my first choice team. Dossena hasn't done anything yet to show he deserves a place ahead of Aurelio.

If we take this team (which I agree with, the personel at least) for an example, it's doesn't look like we have improved the first team that much in the summer. The bench is getting better though:
Cavalieri
Babel
Keane
Lucas
Agger
Benayoun
Dossena
(Degen)
(Plessis)
(N'Gog)

[Resu]

ok shaggy - i accept ur boredom challenge! for me - strongest XI to start 2moro in a game that we had to win to save my life or something would be this

I'd go with the 4-2-3-1 formation - i believe it's a our strongest formation, we played some great football last season using it and it's the most flexiable

line up

----------reina---------

arbeloa---JC---Skirtle------Aurelio

-------Mascher---Alonso-----

Kuyt-----Gerrard------Keane--

----------Torres------


thats our best team, strongest XI no arguements hands down!

Don`t think keane has done enough to get ahead of Riera and Babel. He`s a class player and will come good, but right now he`s behind the two I mentioned IMO.

[Shaggy]

It's a quandary isn't it!

[PTP]

don`t think keane has done enough to get ahead of riera and babel. He`s a class player and will come good, but right now he`s behind the two i mentioned imo.

i said no arguements goddamit!!!!

[Resu]

i said no arguements goddamit!!!!

I know, but nobody listens to you.

[PTP]

Don`t think keane has done enough to get ahead of Riera and Babel. He`s a class player and will come good, but right now he`s behind the two I mentioned IMO.

I know, but nobody listens to you.

- well i thought about riera - but he has played what, 90mins? - he looks like a good buy but if i had to pick a team tomorrow for a final i'd go with keane, i think his start has been decent, not out of this world but he's played well - i think he has more experience and more ability than both riera and babel and his work rate his excellent.

if we were playing a major final or against acrrington stanley 2moro you can guarentee that keane would be giving 100% - ryan babel i'm unsure off i still have major doubts about babel, he worries me - and riera, who knows ok he has made a very good start to his career with a superb 65 mins against the mancs and an assured cameo for 25mins against marseille but i'd like to see more of him first before i threw him into a final to save my life!

[Chrono]

Reina
Arbeloa-Agger-Carragher-Skrtel-Aurelio
-- Masherano -- Alonso ---
------ Gerrard - Babel ---
---------- Torres --------

Just another alternative with wingbacks used heavily and Skertel and Agger both able to move the ball further up the pitch and operate almost of DM alongside Mascher.

[PTP]

thats a crazy formation - where is reina - right full back sweeper?