Portsmouth build-up thread

[Shaggy]

Our monumental result at Chelsea is barely out of the way but already I find myself thinking about managerless Portsmouth...the nature of being in a title challenge eh?!

Peter Crouch returns in a rich vein of form and it'll be great to see him at Anfield again. He's given Carra a real going over before - do we change anything to help cope with Crouch (i.e. bring in Sami)? Personally I think not - Agger (and Jamie, obv) was outstanding today.

Unless I'm mistaken Rafa seems to have a policy with the left-backs - Aurelio seems to play the very biggest games (United, Chelsea etc) with Dossena trying to find his feet in the other games. The Italian is obviously a very good left-back but needs time. I would play him on Wednesday and wrap Aurelio in cotton wool with the now difficult trip to Spurs next week in mind.

If Torres is fit he obviously comes back in - I'd leave Keane out and bring him back in to score his first league goal, inevitably, at White Hart Lane.

Reina

Arbeloa
Carra
Agger
Dossena

Kuyt
Alonso
Mascherano
Riera

Gerrard

Torres



Thoughts?

[Mike]

Give Keane an hour.

Reina

Arbeloa
Carra
Agger
Dossena

Kuyt
Gerrard
Alonso
Riera

Keane
Torres

[-V-]

We will comfortably beat Portsmouth purely because their midfield is completely ****. They have no midfield wheras we have one of the best in europe. We will dominate them so bad. I think Mascher looked a bit tired today so i wont be surprised if Lucas comes in for him.

Hopefully Torres will be able to start, that would be ace.

[wiw]

shags I know Gerrard was good today but he can't play 2 positions

[livvy145]

[Shaggy]

shags I know Gerrard was good today but he can't play 2 positions

Been boozing.

Corrected. Gerrard off Nando.

[Joe King]

Fair outlook Shaggy. I personally think if we play high up the pitch, we will inevitably catch Defoe offside at least 10 times in the game and Crouch doesn't have the pace to get in behind. The way to attack Pompey would be from the wings, they don't have natural wingers and I am not convinced with either Kaboul or Belhadj.

[wiw]

Fair outlook Shaggy. I personally think if we play high up the pitch, we will inevitably catch Defoe offside at least 10 times in the game and Crouch doesn't have the pace to get in behind. The way to attack Pompey would be from the wings, they don't have natural wingers and I am not convinced with either Kaboul or Belhadj.

and the rest

[Shaggy]

The few times I've seen that Belhadj for Pompey he's been very impressive going forward but suspect defensively. Dirk will have him nailed down anyway.

Crouch is on one of those streaks and he's the biggest worry, for me. I hope we tear into them from the off and show some authority.

[ukfootballfan101]

This is an unusual time to be playing Portsmouth, I expect they will have a new manager in by then, and that can always lift a team a bit...In some ways this is a bigger test than Chelsea, we need to prove we can build on these big results and go on long winning streaks.

Which players do people like in the Portsmouth team? I'm a fan of Diarra myself...

[Red_Polo]

Shags, I was all set to type an extensive, serious and insightful reply, then I pissed myself reading your signature

[Craig_H]

I'd keep Torres rested for this one, hamstrings are very dodgy injuries and i'd give him the few extra days rest before we go to Spurs.

[TheStig]

I'd keep Torres rested for this one, hamstrings are very dodgy injuries and i'd give him the few extra days rest before we go to Spurs.

[-V-]

I don't agree. If he is fit he should play. No need to be cocky and think we can win every match without him. Even if he can just play 60 mins and do the damage

[Craig_H]

I didnt mean it from that point of view V, it's not being cocky, quite the opposite - it's realising that if he isnt properly healed and gets injured again, losing him for a few more weeks would cause us problems.