Team for Spurs

[dww]

I dunno, Cole has been a defensive liabilty all his life, but as an overlapping fullback he's Englands best hope, same with johnson on the right i feel.

I really don't think that is true.

[Elvis]

I watched the match and it seemed that Ferdinand fancies himself as some sort of libero, bringing the ball out of defence - he rarely passed to Johnson - but his own distribution was pants. The whole defence looked jittery (mainly due to Dirk's non-stop harrying) and some of Barry's lack of technique was apparent. Johnson did look a little lost in the 2nd half but I think he was told to stay back and defend. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to home and away games for us - very different scenarios.

[Assassin]

Skrtel will play sunday. Here he is training yesterday or riding a pretend motorcycle , piccy from the offal site

[greenbloodred]

Skrtel will play sunday. Here he is training yesterday or riding a pretend motorcycle , piccy from the offal site

Looks like he's about to have a highside!

[Shanks]

Let's hope Stevie is fit for this one.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...90813-1429.htm

Rafa Benitez is hopeful of having centre-back pair Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel fit for the Barclays Premier League opener on Sunday
though Steven Gerrard faces a race against time to face Tottenham.

[Shaggy]

Ashley Cole? He's an excellent defender.

I really don't think that is true.

Bizarre remark.

[BigChief]

Learning how to defend and hold your position is not a 'talent' or 'skill'. Its a drilled-in routine that you have to get yourself used to. And its not that difficult to attain a certain level. Its obvious Johnson hasn't been taught how to yet.

Shimmying past players, dribbling comfortably and finding the killer pass near the box is not something you can learn if your make-up is not geared for it. Its instinctive and thus you must already possess this ability. This is what makes the Alves and Bosingwas of this world more expensive than the Arbeloas, even though they're more error prone.

Even if Johnson costs us a few, hopefully unimportant, goals his overall play should see us win some crucial points this season.

[Los Rojos]

I don't like it when Benni boy plays on the left. I'd go with the same as above except stick in Riera instead. I'd even consider Babel as he has done well in pre-season

I'd play Riera as well.

[SB]

Originally Posted by Marky
---------------------- Reina -------------------------

--- Johnson --- Carragher --- (whoever's fit) -- Insua

------------- Mascherano ---------- Lucas --------------

----- Kuyt ------------ Gerrard ----------------- Reira

--------------------- Torres -------------------------------

Assuming this is close to the starting sideand Skittles playes with Carra.

Who will be on the bench ?

Benny and Babel for midfield ?
Agger for CB & the Italian stallion for the left side ?
Voronin or Ngog up front ?

Help me out here !

[The_weatherman]

Assuming this is close to the starting sideand Skittles playes with Carra.

Who will be on the bench ?

Benny and Babel for midfield ?
Agger for CB & the Italian stallion for the left side ?
Voronin or Ngog up front ?

Help me out here !

I think you may be close to it, if Agger isn't fit then maybe Kelly or San Jose, Cavalieri of course and Plessis should stake a claim.

[dww]

How has Plessis done in preseason? I noticed that when asked about midfielders in the squad recently Rafa mentioned him but not Spearing.

[Guest]

I think Plessis is more 'advanced' in his development, or blooding in the first team, than Spearing so that sets him as upper in the pecking order of things.

[The_weatherman]

I think I read something about him doing well in preseason, haven't seen anything though. I expect him on the bench as central midfield cover in the next games.

[DannyMan2006]

How has Plessis done in preseason? I noticed that recently when asked about midfielders in the squad recently Rafa mentioned him but not Spearing.

He did well enough in the DM position. He's more developed physichally so that helps him out, much in the same way it gives N'gog the edge over Nemeth. In time I suspect Nemeth and Spearing will get a chance. From what I hear Rafa say he rates both very highly.

[SB]

I think you may be close to it, if Agger isn't fit then maybe Kelly or San Jose, Cavalieri of course and Plessis should stake a claim.

Good call. I'd nearlly forgotten him !