Wigan- Build Up

[Shaggy]

Problem is Keane's done nothing to warrant being in the starting XI. I suspect if he was picked for the majority of the remaining games we'd see more of the same invisible performances laced with the odd missed sitter from 6 yards. If only Crouch would've stayed...

[dww]

I think that the characterisation of Keane as a complete failure thus far is unfair. He has contributed in a number of games, although obviously not enough. I do think he can offer something but only if he forms better links with other players. In the Everton game in particular it was obvious that Torres did not instinctively know where he was and hesitated too often before passing to him (which didn't help either of them).

I think Keane would be better off coming into a team already playing well than us struggling to accommodating and trying to improve with him in the line up. I can see that the opposite point of view also has logic though.

I do think that if we win the title then it will be due to either Keane or Kuyt finding their goal scoring boots again (unless we make a shock signing).

Looking at Rafa's comments in the news section about some players needing a rest I wonder who he means. Certainly opens the door for Keane I would think.

I might be tempted by Kuyt/Torres up top, Gerrard/Mascher in the middle and Babel right side actually. I get the impression that Wigan are a side who you can get at if you are positive after the loss of Palacios who was a key player for them but we need to play the game high up the pitch. While I would naturally prefer an Alonso - Lucas partnership to do this I am in a minority of one and I suspect that Alonso might be due a rest. After Stoke I wouldn't want another go at Lucas - Mascher unless we could rely on Babel which might give us some pace from deep (which I don't think we can).

[PTP]

for those interested I heard a rumour late last night that there is away tickets available don't know how true it is as I can't afford it so haven't looked into it

[Skillz]

Problem is Keane's done nothing to warrant being in the starting XI. I suspect if he was picked for the majority of the remaining games we'd see more of the same invisible performances laced with the odd missed sitter from 6 yards. If only Crouch would've stayed...

Agree with all of that.

I think we will make a bit of a statement ourselves tonight. 4-0.

[slimbimjim]

We need to win. End of.

Palacios and Heskey gone, great goal from Torres/Gerrard recently and improved performances. Let's ****ing nail 'em!

[the rev leeroy brown]

reina

agger
carra
skrtel

masher
alonso

babel
gerard
riera

keane
torres

3-5-2 for me. carra can cover the right side, agger the left side and skrtel can cover the centre. alonso and masher can have a slightly more advanced role as a dominant 2 central midfeilder not as defensvie ones. gerard can play behind the front men, babel on the right and reira on the left giving width and keane and torres upfront as a pair. gotta go for an attacking line up tonight. i'd drop kyut for this game to not only give him a rest but i want to see babel on the right for a change.

[BigChief]

With Valencia maurauding down the our left, there's no way we can afford to play with no dedicated fullback.

[Baldemort]

I don't really give a **** what formation we play now. As long as we stick with it and the same players most of the time so that we can get the players to really get some form of genuine understanding. 442 or 4231. Whatever.

[slimbimjim]

I want to wake up tomorrow and see a win for us. I don't care if the game was 1-0 or 34-33. 3 points is all that matter.

[Scratch]

7-0 would do just fine, help negate the goal difference!!

[-V-]

We are going to turn on the style tonight. The players know its time to kick into gear now and stop ****ing about, we dominated the game on sunday but didn't show enough power. Tonight wigan will suffer because we are high score and players know whats at stake

[Joe King]

Steve Bruce, in the league, hasn't lost at home to Rafael Benitez. FACT.

[-V-]

He will lose at home tonight

[RaviAlonso]

Steve Bruce, in the league, hasn't lost at home to Rafael Benitez. FACT.

Was he not in charge when Yossi scored last season? We won 0-1 at the JJB??

[Fierce]

Was he not in charge when Yossi scored last season? We won 0-1 at the JJB??

No idea, but your username is great