Arsenal away build up

[DannyMan2006]

I'd say Sktrel or Spearing would be the only hopes for captain. Voronin absolutely no chance.

Voronin is a senior player who plays for the Ukraine and has vast experience. I'd be happier if Spearing got it, but more suprised.

Voronin isn't really good enough for Liverpool, never mind be captain, but experience counts when it comes to picking captain in my eyes, unless a player is an exceptional leader.

[Exiled_red]

Possible captains?

1. Skrtel
2. Kyrgiakos
3. Dossena
4. Voronin

Ousider for captain?

1. Spearing
2. Cavalieri

No ****ing chance of being captain?

1. Eccleston
2. Babel
3. Degen
4. Plessis
5. N'Gog

It has to be Skrtel surely, Kyrgiakos I would say a distant second, Spearing third otherwise:

[DannyMan2006]

Presumably those three are just coming back from injuries so their level of performance will depend on their fitness.

The areas of that worry me most are the full backs, the game we lost 6-3 to arsenal we got torn apart in these areas. Although he's only played a couple of games (and it may be harsh to judge him on) Degen strikes me as being very suspect defensively, and Dossena doesn't inspire much more confidence.

Also I'm a little concerned about a midfield pairing of Spearing and Plessis, as both have only featured in the first team about four times, I personally think the best way to blood these kids in the first team is to have an experienced player "babysit" them through the game, unfortunately we don't really have anyone to play that role, and I believe that is a large part of the reason Spearing took so much critisism after his last game for us.

Agree totally.

I think Degen will be fine and is better than most make out. I think he is a much more confident player since clearing up his injuries and he was very good against Leeds. Dossena on the other hand continues to let me down. But this is the type of game and competition that he should be playing in. It could yet re ignite his Liverpool career if he put in a very solid display.

Got to worry about Kyrgiakos too. I think he's decent back up but he is only coming back from injury and his primary strength is dealing with high balls, with their likely to be none. Still, his and Skrtels strength should easily cope with Bendtner strength wise, as well as obviously Eduardo.

But as Arsenal will likely pass it on the deck they could cause a less than 100% defender problems.

[Chris]

Indeed, full back is what worries me most aswell, I still have nightmares of Dossena and Degen at Spurs. We just about got away with Dossena against Leeds, Degen did well but this is a whole different ball game. Add to that an out of form Skrtel and the other CB just had an injury its not exactly going to be stable.

Players up top like Babel and Voronin who arent exactly known for their work rate, a dodgy looking central midfield and its got hammering written all over it.

[RedReet]

Voronin is a senior player who plays for the Ukraine and has vast experience. I'd be happier if Spearing got it, but more suprised.

Voronin isn't really good enough for Liverpool, never mind be captain, but experience counts when it comes to picking captain in my eyes, unless a player is an exceptional leader.

Judging by his apathy when we scored against United, I just can’t see how he can be a candidate. I’m sure this is also apparent in training, which is why his slipping down the pecking order.

The more I think about the team though, although there is no need for mind games in the CC, I just can’t see Rafa going with that team.

[Chris]

The more I think about the team though, although there is no need for mind games in the CC, I just can’t see Rafa going with that team.

It would make a mockery of Carra, Masch etc playing against Leeds if we then go and do this against Arsenal. I know we have loads of injuries now mind but still.

I want us to take this seriously, we can put Arsenal out tomorrow then if you're lucky and get someone like Pompey or Blackburn at home next up we are nearly in the semi's.

[Exiled_red]

Agree totally.

I think Degen will be fine and is better than most make out. I think he is a much more confident player since clearing up his injuries and he was very good against Leeds. Dossena on the other hand continues to let me down. But this is the type of game and competition that he should be playing in. It could yet re ignite his Liverpool career if he put in a very solid display.

Got to worry about Kyrgiakos too. I think he's decent back up but he is only coming back from injury and his primary strength is dealing with high balls, with their likely to be none. Still, his and Skrtels strength should easily cope with Bendtner strength wise, as well as obviously Eduardo.

But as Arsenal will likely pass it on the deck they could cause a less than 100% defender problems.

I'd like to believe that and I'd mentioned it might be harsh to judge him on the performances he's put in previously but they're all I've seen, and he's one of those players that I watch and feel he's always about to make a mistake. Hopefully he can put in some decent performances and I can get rid of that feeling!

[DannyMan2006]

Indeed, full back is what worries me most aswell, I still have nightmares of Dossena and Degen at Spurs. We just about got away with Dossena against Leeds, Degen did well but this is a whole different ball game. Add to that an out of form Skrtel and the other CB just had an injury its not exactly going to be stable.

Players up top like Babel and Voronin who arent exactly known for their work rate, a dodgy looking central midfield and its got hammering written all over it.

All are capable of putting in good performances though and it wouldn't suprise me if either player came away with an 8 out of 10 performance. What would suprise me is the whole team putting in a 7 out of 10, which is probably required to get a result!

I just think it's expecting too much to think the whole team will suddenly find their form and turn on the style. I'd have to see the rest of Arsenals team before predicting a hammering, I've gone for 4-2 Arsenal, but that was before seeing Traore and Wiltshere were out.

Eduardo and Bendtner will score if they get plenty of chances, but man for man I think our two international centre backs can cope with them.

Silvestre and Senderos at the back for them is hardly the dream team, and it's midfield where the battle will be won and lost. That Alexander-Wotte player is decent, but last season he was playing in the Youth cup final against Pepper and the like, not Plessis and Spearing.

So I'll have to see who starts on the wing before making a judgement.

[DannyMan2006]

It would make a mockery of Carra, Masch etc playing against Leeds if we then go and do this against Arsenal. I know we have loads of injuries now mind but still.

I want us to take this seriously, we can put Arsenal out tomorrow then if you're lucky and get someone like Pompey or Blackburn at home next up we are nearly in the semi's.

I think actually we had more injuries last time out, hence all them lot played.

[Exiled_red]

As much as I'd like us to win this trophy I'd be happy if we could just get some good performances out of certain players so that they can rediscover their form Skrtel, Babel, Voronin and Dossena, these are all players that have been on the fringes of the first team but (perhaps Skrtel aside) have never really shown their ability.

The first thing I think about when I look at the majority of that team is that they are players low on confidence and are desperately in need of a boost. Degen and Kyrgiakos need to show they are up to the job of playing for Liverpool as both have had very little time in a red shirt. The same is true of Cavalieri, he needs games to show he can come in if needed. Spearing and Plessis, need to show they are capable of developing into players good enough for the premier league and Liverpool. All these players for me have points to prove.

Ngog will hopefully be buzzing after the weekend, and Eccleston doesn't really have anything to lose, it's a great opportunity for him.

[DannyMan2006]

I'd like to believe that and I'd mentioned it might be harsh to judge him on the performances he's put in previously but they're all I've seen, and he's one of those players that I watch and feel he's always about to make a mistake. Hopefully he can put in some decent performances and I can get rid of that feeling!

Hopefully, yes.

Like I said he was good against Leeds, very good at getting forward and offered great support. He was also solid at the back. You'd think Arsenal would cause more problems than Leeds on the flanks, but we'll have to see.

[DannyMan2006]

As much as I'd like us to win this trophy I'd be happy if we could just get some good performances out of certain players so that they can rediscover their form Skrtel, Babel, Voronin and Dossena, these are all players that have been on the fringes of the first team but (perhaps Skrtel aside) have never really shown their ability.

The first thing I think about when I look at the majority of that team is that they are players low on confidence and are desperately in need of a boost. Degen and Kyrgiakos need to show they are up to the job of playing for Liverpool as both have had very little time in a red shirt. The same is true of Cavalieri, he needs games to show he can come in if needed. Spearing and Plessis, need to show they are capable of developing into players good enough for the premier league and Liverpool. All these players for me have points to prove.

Ngog will hopefully be buzzing after the weekend, and Eccleston doesn't really have anything to lose, it's a great opportunity for him.

Agree totally. I would say some of those players will be ear marked for the chop in January, so a good performance now will either help them get a better move, or give them a second chance with Rafa.

N'Gog batteled well against Leeds and has been rewarded with starts, so they know what has to be done.

Degen has it all to do just to get ahead of Kelly, never mind Johnson. Insua has not been amazing at LB this season so Dossena could give the manager food for thought.

Babel has a world cup dream and needs to play for the first team to realise that.

This cup is an ideal chance of a crack at redemption.

[cream]

Tomorrows team;

Cavialeri
Degen
Argos
Skrtel
Dossena

Ecclestone
Spearing
Plessis
Babel

Voronin
Ngog

[Shaggy]

Im usually ultra positive and moan if anyone criticises anything but ****ing hell, we are out if thats the team arent we?

Especially with Eduardo, Nasri, Bentdner playing for them, and no doubt a few other "kids" who are actually about 24.

[Jayesh87]

Tomorrows team;

Cavialeri
Degen
Argos
Skrtel
Dossena

Ecclestone
Spearing
Plessis
Babel

Voronin
Ngog

'Borrowed' from TaksimRakiClub on TLW