West Ham United v Liverpool | Buildup

[DannyMan2006]

****ety ****.

Yep. But I'm not too down heartened. Lucas is likely to play and I think him and Mascherano have a very good record together. Lucas looks so much better when he's with Mascherano.

I guess we could also put Gerrard in midfield and Yossi behind Torres. We should be fine.

[Craig_H]

I'd leave Lucas on the bench, myself.

If you look at which pair is likely to have the biggest impact, it's Yossi and Stevie, not Lucas and Stevie.

[DannyMan2006]

I'd leave Lucas on the bench, myself.

If you look at which pair is likely to have the biggest impact, it's Yossi and Stevie, not Lucas and Stevie.

I'd do the same. But you have to think what would Rafa do?

Riera/Stevie/Yossi or Yossi/Lucas/Stevie?

I think he'll probably go with Yossi on the left and Lucas in the middle.

[Craig_H]

Yep i agree. And what Rafa 'would do' is part of why our home record isnt good enough for a title winner.

[Will]

I'd do the same. But you have to think what would Rafa do?

Riera/Stevie/Yossi or Yossi/Lucas/Stevie?

I think he'll probably go with Yossi on the left and Lucas in the middle.

I aggree with you i think he will start Lucas. Gerrard needs to be in the middle he can pick a pass he can see a pass like Xabi and to be honest most of the time i really dont know what Lucas sees and Masch aint the best passer.

[Neil Young]

Yep i agree. And what Rafa 'would do' is part of why our home record isnt good enough for a title winner.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Will]

Yep i agree. And what Rafa 'would do' is part of why our home record isnt good enough for a title winner.

I agree. In some games at home vs Stoke and so on Xabi and Stevi in the middle put masch on the bench be more positive play masch in the next away game but against stoke at least have to central midfielders who are forward thinking.

[Craig_H]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Truth hurts neil.

[SK]

as long as nandos back i have no doubts we'll win, regardless of who plays CM

[DannyMan2006]

Yep i agree. And what Rafa 'would do' is part of why our home record isnt good enough for a title winner.

I have to agree as the buck stops with the manager.

But if our players knew how to shoot properly we'd have had the title wrapped up a long time a go. But then I guess you'd have to look at who takes the training sessions for shooting - Which would also be Rafas fault........

[Neil Young]

Truth hurts neil.

Please stop glorifying your own opinions. The truth doesn't hurt - you boring us all in every thread with your theory is tiresome though.

[-V-]

I never expected Alonso to be fit. Its not like we cant manage without 1 player.

Gerrard, Mascher and Torres are all fit so im happy with that. Its a west ham team that have tons of injuries, we will do the job

[Will]

Well Lucas is verry calm and controlled on the ball isnt he? Hes suited to Serie "A" hes that slow. West Ham will be in his face all day harassing him hurrying him and he will become a liability.

[dww]

I aggree with you i think he will start Lucas. Gerrard needs to be in the middle he can pick a pass he can see a pass like Xabi and to be honest most of the time i really dont know what Lucas sees and Masch aint the best passer.

I'm not a big fan of Gerrard deep to be honest - he tries too hard to find long, low percentage balls and undervalues short passes and possession. The alternative of allowing him to push up compresses the space too much which tends to make us play too narrow and allows more easy counter attacks by the opposition in my opinion.

I'd like to see Gerrard, Benayoun and Kuyt in a relatively flexible three behind Torres (obviously Lucas in behind). I suspect that Rafa would want more pace or width than that might allow and hence Riera or Babel will probably play on the left.

[Craig_H]

Please stop glorifying your own opinions. The truth doesn't hurt - you boring us all in every thread with your theory is tiresome though.

So you dont think Rafa plays a part in our results?

I said what he does has played a part in our home form & points tally.

Are you suggesting a manager's actions are merely incidental then and dont play a part in the fortunes/results of a team?