Team for Pompey

[BobTheCharmer]

Reina

Darby
Carragher
Agger
Insu (Back Yet? If not Aurelio)

El Zhar
Alonso
Spearing
Reira

Benni

Babel

Lets go for it with players that are hungry for the shirt. Ok top two maybe don't meet this criteria but given lack of options we should give it a go.

Benni would be much better suited playing off a front man since he drifts infield all day anyway.

[PTP]

I'd like to see this


-------------Reina----------------

Arbeloa-----Agger---Hyypia-------Aurelio

Babel-------Alonso-----Mascherano-----Riera

-----------Kuyt--------Torres----------


But guessing what rafa will go with? i haven't got a clue, probably

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

Arbeloa------Carra----Hyypia------Aurelio

------------Alonso-------MAscherano------

Kuyt-------------Benayoun-----------Riera

------------------torres----------------

[dww]

I'd like to see this


-------------Reina----------------

Arbeloa-----Agger---Hyypia-------Aurelio

Babel-------Alonso-----Mascherano-----Riera

-----------Kuyt--------Torres----------


But guessing what rafa will go with? i haven't got a clue, probably

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

Arbeloa------Carra----Hyypia------Aurelio

------------Alonso-------MAscherano------

Kuyt-------------Benayoun-----------Riera

------------------torres----------------

I'm thinking it will be your first team but with Benayoun in for Babel. Benayoun has earned a starting place - Babel looked decent when he came on against Everton but should be made to follow Yossi's example and fight his way into the team.

Personally I'd go 4-3-3:

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio

Alonso Lucas Mascherano

Kuyt Torres Benayoun

[SB]

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

Arbeloa------Agger----Hyypia------Aurelio

------------Alonso-------Mascherano------

Kuyt-------------Benayoun-----------Riera

------------------Babel----------------


Torres & Carra on the bench with whoever else !

[PTP]

I'm thinking it will be your first team but with Benayoun in for Babel. Benayoun has earned a starting place - Babel looked decent when he came on against Everton but should be made to follow Yossi's example and fight his way into the team.

Personally I'd go 4-3-3:

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio

Alonso Lucas Mascherano

Kuyt Torres Benayoun

aye good point, at least then with babel on the bench, he will be rafa's 62nd minute subsitiute for either riera or torres.

[Kenneth]

Has Rafa ever played Yossi in 'the hole' from the start of a game?

[SB]

aye good point, at least then with babel on the bench, he will be rafa's 62nd minute subsitiute for either riera or torres.

I'd prefer to see Babel start as he is very fresh and torres is looking jaded IMO and could be better coming on against tired legs.

[Kenneth]

I'm thinking it will be your first team but with Benayoun in for Babel. Benayoun has earned a starting place - Babel looked decent when he came on against Everton but should be made to follow Yossi's example and fight his way into the team.

Personally I'd go 4-3-3:

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio

Alonso Lucas Mascherano

Kuyt Torres Benayoun

**** me, if we lost, how much **** would Rafa get for playing essentially 3 defensive midfielders?

[tommyg]

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

Arbeloa------Agger----Hyypia------Aurelio

------------Alonso-------Mascherano------

Kuyt-------------Benayoun-----------Riera

------------------Babel----------------


Torres & Carra on the bench with whoever else !

looks good to me. although im not sure agger will get the nod if Crouchy plays...Rafa will look to use 2 center backs who are strong in the air...probably Skrtel and Carragher imo

[SB]

looks good to me. although im not sure agger will get the nod if Crouchy plays...Rafa will look to use 2 center backs who are strong in the air...probably Skrtel and Carragher imo

By adding both Agger and Sami we increase our chances of scoring from set pieces if nothing else. No other defender offers a goal threat plus both can bring the ball out of defence. Stuff Crouchy , I'd rather we went out and attacked them rather than worry about what they might do.

[dww]

**** me, if we lost, how much **** would Rafa get for playing essentially 3 defensive midfielders?

Yeah and no one will blink an eye lid if we lost otherwise

[dww]

By adding both Agger and Sami we increase our chances of scoring from set pieces if nothing else. No other defender offers a goal threat plus both can bring the ball out of defence. Stuff Crouchy , I'd rather we went out and attacked them rather than worry about what they might do.

I think so long as we have Sami that is fine re: Crouch. I think that it is important from an attacking point of view that you don't give them an easy out ball to him which takes the pressure off. We have played our best when we have pressured teams and broken them down to attack high up the pitch but of late have allowed teams too many opportunities to counter.

[BobTheCharmer]

I hope Crouch scores. I'd take a 2-1 Win.

[SB]

We have no need to fear Liverpool


Pompey assistant boss John Metgod (Lucky John hey )


By Neil Allen
John Metgod fired the Pompey battle cry and told Liverpool: We don't fear you.
The Blues take on Rafa Benitez's title challengers tomorrow at Fratton Park as the fight against relegation steps up.

It promises to be a massive ask for Tony Adams' side, who have picked up just two points from the previous 24 available.

Despite missing the injured Steven Gerrard and the suspended Lucas Leiva, title-chasing Liverpool represent daunting opposition.

But Metgod believes the Blues can upset the odds at Fratton.

And the first-team coach is convinced Pompey have every chance of pulling off a positive result.

He said: 'They have got everything to lose and we have got everything to win.

'It's a game they have to win to try to stay with Manchester United fighting for the championship.

'As for us, it's just a very good opportunity to maybe get a result nobody thinks you can get.

'Football is football and even though they might have a very good team and a very good squad, you have always got the chance of winning.

'Look at Burnley. They beat West Brom in the FA Cup in the week. West Brom are Premier League and Burnley are eighth in the Championship and you know it's going to be difficult but in football anything can happen.

'Liverpool played against Chelsea on Sunday, Everton on Wednesday night and now they've got to play us tomorrow.

'We will go out there and have a real good go at them and we'll see how it finishes off.

'The only thing you have to do is give it 100 per cent.'

[southern red]

Lucas is suspended for this game, I'd love to see Spearing given a chance, but knowing Rafa, there's no chance of that happening