Team for Pompey

[SB]

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.

TBH Dave, I'm more worried about scoring goals against a ****e side like them. 2 from a possible 24 point says to me, lets go at em early and blow them away. The longer the game goes goal-less the better they'll like their chances. The 5 man midfield I chose should keep them on the back foot and hopefully Babel can re find some form.

[SB]

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

Bring him on when we are 4-5 up That to me is when you blood youngsters, when the game is wrapped up

[Kenneth]

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

In reality, doesn't that leave Xabi and Mascherano in the middle, which is what it should have been anyway. Someone like Spearing or Plessis will make the bench o'd think. Hopefully Spearing because I don't rate Plessis.

[Kenneth]

Bring him on when we are 4-5 up That to me is when you blood youngsters, when the game is wrapped up

he'll never play for us.

[SB]

he'll never play for us.

We are due to batter someone soon IMO. We do it every year and I feel this is it



COME ON LADS , DO IT FOR JAY

[FatTony]

This isn't going to be a walk over.

They'll have 11 men behind the ball and we'll struggle to break them down as we do against the majority of teams like this. At least when Harry was there they'd have a go.

Benny has to be a starter for me in a game like this, you need someone with his technical ability to take people on and draw the fouls. I don't see that this is the sort of game for Babel though to be honest, I think he'll strugle to have any impact. Torres looked dead on his feet the other night so I'll be surprised if he starts.

[SB]

This isn't going to be a walk over.

They'll have 11 men behind the ball and we'll struggle to break them down as we do against the majority of teams like this. At least when Harry was there they'd have a go.

Benny has to be a starter for me in a game like this, you need someone with his technical ability to take people on and draw the fouls. I don't see that this is the sort of game for Babel though to be honest, I think he'll strugle to have any impact. Torres looked dead on his feet the other night so I'll be surprised if he starts.

So who would you start up front? Kuyt or Ngog?

As you say, they will prob have 11 behind the ball which is all the more reason to start with Sami & Agger as they are our only goal threats from set pieces.

[dww]

TBH Dave, I'm more worried about scoring goals against a ****e side like them. 2 from a possible 24 point says to me, lets go at em early and blow them away. The longer the game goes goal-less the better they'll like their chances. The 5 man midfield I chose should keep them on the back foot and hopefully Babel can re find some form.

I think thats fine - I do however think that is valid to think of building attacks from the back and how best to maximise the amount of ball we have. For me that means Sami has to play. that is a bit of a problem as Carragher has been excellent and I see no reason to drop him but would rather a/ a ball playing CB and b/ a more attack minded fullback.

[FatTony]

So who would you start up front? Kuyt or Ngog?

As you say, they will prob have 11 behind the ball which is all the more reason to start with Sami & Agger as they are our only goal threats from set pieces.

It has to be Kuyt really, Ngog hasn't got the experience and is completely unproven. When I say I wouldn't play Babel, I mean on the wing. If Torres is out, it may be worth trying him up front with support from Riera and Benny, but then this is going to be a physical one so perhaps Kuyt has to get the nod.

Spot on about Agger and Hyypia.

[Shaggy]

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

Yeah, Arsenal away last season. And he played really well, off Crouch...combining with the big man who scored a ****ing brilliant goal.

I'd play him there tomorrow. 2nd striker should be the last position Kuyt plays. You need craft and guile there. Inspiration rather than perspiration. I couldn't believe it the other night when SG went off and Rafa shunted Deadly up front with Yossi on the right...although he switched them later...when it was too late.

For me the team picks itself.

Pepe

Arbeloa
Skrtel
Carra
Aurelio

Alonso
Mascherano

Kuyt
Benayoun
Riera

Torres

[PTP]

Yeah, Arsenal away last season. And he played really well, off Crouch...combining with the big man who scored a ****ing brilliant goal.

I'd play him there tomorrow. 2nd striker should be the last position Kuyt plays. You need craft and guile there. Inspiration rather than perspiration. I couldn't believe it the other night when SG went off and Rafa shunted Deadly up front with Yossi on the right...although he switched them later...when it was too late.

For me the team picks itself.

Pepe

Arbeloa
Skrtel
Carra
Aurelio

Alonso
Mascherano

Kuyt
Benayoun
Riera

Torres

craft......rather than graft

[FatTony]

Yeah, Arsenal away last season. And he played really well, off Crouch...combining with the big man who scored a ****ing brilliant goal.

I'd play him there tomorrow. 2nd striker should be the last position Kuyt plays. You need craft and guile there. Inspiration rather than perspiration. I couldn't believe it the other night when SG went off and Rafa shunted Deadly up front with Yossi on the right...although he switched them later...when it was too late.

For me the team picks itself.

Pepe

Arbeloa
Skrtel
Carra
Aurelio

Alonso
Mascherano

Kuyt
Benayoun
Riera

Torres

Do you think Torres will be fit?

I'd swap Skrtel for Hyypia or possibly Agger. I'm not a great fan of his TBH.

[Matt]

Not trying to be a doom merchant but I think this has got 0-0 written all over it...

I think Agger has to come back in for this one - a bit of drive from the back might be key.

A quick word about the next couple of games - with the majority of our midfield unavailable it's a perfect opportunity for someone like Spearing and if he can't get in the reckoning especially against City then what's the point of him being here?

[BobTheCharmer]

A quick word about the next couple of games - with the majority of our midfield unavailable it's a perfect opportunity for someone like Spearing and if he can't get in the reckoning especially against City then what's the point of him being here?

Amen. Has to be given a go. I think back to pre season and that delightful ball through he played for ponycrow. We'll only ever kknow if he's up to the grade by playing him. There's only so long you can get motivated for reserve games. I still reckon we should have kept Guthrie. Certainly as good as Lucas although thats not saying a lot, he wouldn't have cost us £5M.

[Icon]

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

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

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

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

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