Starting XI for Sheff Utd?

[brendan]

I don't think I have ever been less sure about an opening fixture starting line-up in my entire life.

Only Reina, Carragher and Gerrard are *certain* starters, I think. Oh, I know Alonso is a marvellous footballer, but it's what happens at RM (if anything) that makes me wonder.

Then we've got to add Aurelio, Gonzalez and Bellamy to the mix. A fit Fowler.
Dear oh dear, where to start?

This isn't going to be right, but this is what I would play:

------------------Reina-----------------

Finnan-----Hyypia-------Carragher-----Riise

-----------Alonso-------Sissoko-----------

------Gerrard-----Garcia---------Gonzalez

------------------Bellamy-------------------

Or possibly:

---------------------Reina------------------

Finnan--------Carra---------Hyypia---------Riise

Garcia--------Alonso---------Gerrard-------Gonzo

--------------Bellamy---------Fowler------------


Oh, I dunno.

[anfieldanfield]

I would say Rafa's got to think about the first leg of our Champions league qualifying round and the Charity shield match against Chelsea, before Sheff Utd away, but, hey...

Assuming we get Pennant/Alves, this would be my team...

-----------Crouch
Gonzales---Gerrard---Alves/Pennant
--------Alonso--Sissoko
Riise---Hyypia--Carra---Finnan
------------Reina

A nice, poweful, compact, organised team for a potentially tricky first game.

We can start experimenting with Aurelio, Fowler, Bellamy and co in the next few games at Anfield.

[dww]

I think Alonso is a genuine certainty to start. He has adapted with increasing accomplishment to being the holding player. We need someone to do that job and now Didi has gone we have no other realistic alternative, even if Alonso wasn't the key player for us I believe he is.

I really don't like Garcia on the wing. I think we will also play Crouch up front.

I would go for you first team with Crouch in for Garcia. I would say in that formation Crouch and Bellamy would swap as the furthest man forward.

[brendan]

Jamo, how many times do we have to tell you?

Lurch CANNOT play as the lone striker!

He isn't quick enough, mobile enough, strong enough, aggresive enough, or talented enough. He also doesn't score enough goals.

I'll be GUTTED if he plays Lurch on the opening day, never mind as the lone striker.

And where's Bellamy?
Dear oh dear.

PS we're not getting Alves.

[LFCman]

He can play as a lone striker with Gerrard roaming behind him.

However, with Rafa it is impossible to predict.

[Rich]

Sheff United will be looking for a fight on that opening day - they aren't going to beat us by skill that is for sure, we need to fight fire with fire. therefore.

--------------Reina---------------------
Finnan------Carragher-----Hyypia-----Riise
-------Sissoko---------Alonso------------
Gerrard-------Bellamy--------Gonzalez
-----------Crouch------------

Basically playing Bellamy just behind Crouch, we can then switch between 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 at ease.

[anfieldanfield]

Jamo, how many times do we have to tell you?

Lurch CANNOT play as the lone striker!

He isn't quick enough, mobile enough, strong enough, aggresive enough, or talented enough. He also doesn't score enough goals.

I'll be GUTTED if he plays Lurch on the opening day, never mind as the lone striker.

And where's Bellamy?
Dear oh dear.

PS we're not getting Alves.

It's simplistic to look at that formation as say Crouch is a 'lone' striker.

Gonzales, Stevie and our new right winger, be it Pennant/Alves or a cheap unkown (probably crap) alternative from La Liga, will hopefully support Crouchy both from the flanks and through the center, during our attacks.

As for Bellamy, (assuming he's not behind bars ), he'll be on the bench ready to come on with 20 to play either to chase that elusive goal, or to hit them on the break as Sheff Utd push for a leveller, leaving space open at the back.

[univofchicago]

Are you the real Brendan???

(assuming that Alves signs for Liverpool)

Reina
Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise
Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard
Gonzalez, Bellamy, Crouch

SUBS: Fowler, Alves, Kewell, Aurelio, Dudek

[anfieldanfield]

Are you the real Brendan???
(assuming that Alves signs for Liverpool)

Reina
Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise
Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard
Gonzalez, Bellamy, Crouch

SUBS: Fowler, Alves, Kewell, Aurelio, Dudek

I have my doubts.

[Morse]

---------------------------Reina
Finnan---------Carragher.............Hyypia..................Aure lio....
Gerrard............Alonso................Sissoko.. ...............Zenden
......................Crouch.................Bella my....

[univofchicago]

I have my doubts.

I have my doubts too...

Is there anyone who knows for sure who this brendan fella really is?

[univofchicago]

---------------------------Reina
Finnan---------Carragher.............Hyypia..................Aure lio....
Gerrard............Alonso................Sissoko.. ...............Zenden
......................Crouch.................Bella my....

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).

[Shaggy]

Like Brendan, I've never been so unsure (or rather clueless) about a "likely starting XI" in my life. So many possibilities...which I guess is Rafa's idea of heaven.

Breaking it down, I'd say there are seven guaranteed starters (which is surprising); Reina, Finnan, Carra, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard and, given Kewell's fitness doubts, Gonzalez.

I'll just nod and agree with whatever side Rafa goes with.

[DannyMan2006]

My xi

Reina

Finnan Hyypia Carragher Riise

Gerrard Alonso Sissoko Aurelio

Bellamy Crouch

[univofchicago]

My xi

Reina

Finnan Hyypia Carragher Riise

Gerrard Alonso Sissoko Aurelio

Bellamy Crouch

Aurelio at left wing?!?

Ahead of Gonzalez, Kewell and Riise?

Strange.