Starting XI for Sheff Utd?

[El Jefecito]

Given it's an away game and that weds will sitback, I think we try and maximize our pace and creativy up front. I'd like to see:

-----------Crouch
Gonzales---Fowler---Bellamy
--------Alonso--Gerrard
Riise---Hyypia--Carra---Finnan
------------Reina

[univofchicago]

Given it's an away game and that weds will sitback, I think we try and maximize our pace and creativy up front. I'd like to see:

-----------Crouch
Gonzales---Fowler---Bellamy
--------Alonso--Gerrard
Riise---Hyypia--Carra---Finnan
------------Reina

Highly unlikely that Benitez would start with three forwards in an away game.

[anfieldanfield]

Highly unlikely that Benitez would start with three forwards in an away game.

Agreed.

[Morse]

I can't see Zenden starting ahead of Kewell & Gonzalez Morsey.

Zenden was originally brought in to fill in one of the attacking midfield roles, but now that we have Gerrard, Gonzalez, Alves (hopefully) & Bellamy, Zenden has become a redundant figure. That is why Benitez has experimented with moving him to the centre.

As for Aurelio, I think that Riise will get the nod. Riise has been very good the last two seasons and I don't see why Benitez would want to replace him. I believe that Aurelio was brought in as cover because Rafa, understandably so, wasn't happy with his back-ups (Traore & Warnock).

On reflection you may be right there...I'll go Riise left wing then.

[univofchicago]

On reflection you may be right there...I'll go Riise left wing then.

Um...interesting again...

Riise on the left wing instead of Gonzalez/Kewell?

[G_Man]

Like Brendan, I've never been so unsure (or rather clueless) about a "likely starting XI" in my life. .

I was clueless all last season which is why I was languishing so low in REDSCOUSER'S prediction leagues.

However, I might as well throw my hat into ring-

Pepe

Back 3 - Carra, Hyypia, Aurelio

Wingbacks - Finnan, Gonzo

Defensive Midfield - Xabi, Momo

attacking midfield - Gerrard

Strikers - Crouch and Bellamy.

Sub - Fowler to replace Crouch after 60 mins

[G_Man]

Um...interesting again...

Riise on the left wing instead of Gonzalez/Kewell?

Isn't Kewell out injured?

[univofchicago]

Back 3 - Carra, Hyypia, Aurelio

Aurelio as a centre-back??

[univofchicago]

Isn't Kewell out injured?

Oh yeah. He is.

But still, wouldn't you put Gonzalez ahead of Riise in the left-wing slot?

Not saying Riise is a bad alternative, just don't see the logic of playing Riise at left wing when we already have a natural left-winger in Mark 'speedy' Gonzalez.

[G_Man]

Aurelio as a centre-back??

I think he's played there before for Valencia. Aurelio LCB, Sami CB, Carra RCB.

It's just I'm loathed to stick Stevie G on the right

[univofchicago]

It's just I'm loathed to stick Stevie G on the right

Oh ok. That explains it.

But still, wouldn't you put someone like Paletta instead of Aurelio at centre-back. Paletta has really impressed me this pre-season, looks like the real deal. I reckon he will be our wild card this season.

[El Jefecito]

Highly unlikely that Benitez would start with three forwards in an away game.

He did it a few times last season though. So it's maybe not as unlikely as you would think.

He did try out Bellamy on the right, FSP up front and potter in the hole against Crewe. So personell aside, I think it's a formation he has in mind.

That's my thinking anyway. The only doubt I do have is whether he thinks we can win the midfied battle without Momo. Maybe the upcoming friendlies will give us a better idea of what he has in mind, especially now that the world cup players are back.

[G_Man]

Oh ok. That explains it.

But still, wouldn't you put someone like Paletta instead of Aurelio at centre-back. Paletta has really impressed me this pre-season, looks like the real deal. I reckon he will be our wild card this season.

I'd be happy with that

The way I see it is, Rafa has to find a way of playing Momo, Xabi and Gerrard in his first choice XI. These 3 really dominate the midfield when they play together.
If we sign Alves then Gerrard won't be on the right, which I agree with. I think he's wasted on the right.
So if we take it as read that there will be 5 midfielders then we either have 4 defenders and 1 striker or 3 defenders and 2 strikers. I like to see 2 strikers.

Anyway, don't listen to me, I'm rubbish at this kind of stuff

[El Jefecito]

Oh ok. That explains it.

But still, wouldn't you put someone like Paletta instead of Aurelio at centre-back. Paletta has really impressed me this pre-season, looks like the real deal. I reckon he will be our wild card this season.

I really liked what I saw of Agger last season too. we definitely have the depth to play 3 at the back now. Hopefully, Agger can get past these nagging injuries so we get a chance to see how much he has progressed. The idea of a ball playing center back just excites me.

[univofchicago]

He did it a few times last season though. So it's maybe not as unlikely as you would think.

Maybe.

What this shows, I think, is that with the arrival of Bellamy, Gonzalez, Alves (hopefully), Paletta and Aurelio, Benitez can afford to be a lot more flexible in his team selection and formation. As Benitez likes to say, we'll have a lot more "possibilities" to work with next season.