Fiorentina Build Up

[Reece]

he has allready said auiliani is starting

Didn't he say he would definitely "play a part"?

[Guest]

he has allready said auiliani is starting

No he hasn't. He has said, 'maybe it will be a good time to play him from the start'. Rafa never give certainties before games.

[Guest]

Didn't he say he would definitely "play a part"?

Something like that. He never ever said he was going to start.

[dww]

As someone who is trained to collect data from various sources what do you think of the reliability of physioroom.com?

It's usually decent for big players but it tends to base it's estimates on press/minimal investigation as far as I can tell. For youth/fringe players I have my doubts about it's accuracy.

[Marky]

Must win. Massive game for us.

[red g]

Was trying to think of an athlete from the olympics first, before i reaslised.....Going for Gold the super european quiz of the week was what you were speaking of, the quiz that proved every country in europe has boring civil servants with time on their hands who like taking part in tv quiz shows.

"Hi, my name is Thjordan Bjoring i'm from Sweden, my hobbies are stamp collecting and making homeade wine, i crush my own grapes you know, and look i've brought you a bottle made from grapes i crushed with my own feet, these feet, (shows feet), you like ?".

think i have seen that one !!!!

[DannyMan2006]

I would start Skrtel and Kyrgiakos, give Cavalieri a game. Play Riera and Aquilani for sure and probably Voronin as I would want to see N'Gog rested. If he was too tired for Blackburn I see no point in strating him in a needless game.

Would be nice to win the game, but it makes no odds in all reality. The Carling Cup game against Arsenla meant more than this one. So if w wanted a second string out in that game then the same should apply for this one.

I'd also start Spearing and look to play Darby if Kelly can't make it.

[ronanm]

I thought we get some extra cash if we win in the CL? Should go out for a win - think it'd help us get some momentum and realise we are better than the Viola. Aquilaini (or whatever) should be on from the start. Torres for a cameo.

[DannyMan2006]

I thought we get some extra cash if we win in the CL? Should go out for a win - think it'd help us get some momentum and realise we are better than the Viola. Aquilaini (or whatever) should be on from the start. Torres for a cameo.

I'd rather have a rested squad for Arsenal in what is always a very busy and hectic Xmas period. It can be tiring for the players so I think Rafa should take this opportunity to rest the first teamers such as Gerrard and Carra, plus the ones who have been playing through the pain such as Agger and Johnson.

I then look at the likes of Kuyt, Lucas and masch and think with all the running about they do, and will do against Arsenal, they could do with putting their feet up. Plus Insua could do with a rest.

Performances like the one against Blackburn are as a result of the squad not being fully fit, so to play them in a nothing game would be pointless IMO.

I see why people want a first XI out, but I think the bigger picture should be looked at.

[FatTony]

Fingers crossed Aquaman gets some game time, it'll be nice to see him on the pitch in a game against his fellow countrymen I wonder what the sin bin is like??

He'll be rested for the weekend if he plays midweek.

[DannyMan2006]

Cavalieri
Kelly/Darby
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Aurelio
Yossi
Aquilani
Spearing
Dossena
Riera
Voronin/Babel (if fit)

[dww]

I thought we get some extra cash if we win in the CL? Should go out for a win - think it'd help us get some momentum and realise we are better than the Viola. Aquilaini (or whatever) should be on from the start. Torres for a cameo.

I'd rather have a rested squad for Arsenal in what is always a very busy and hectic Xmas period. It can be tiring for the players so I think Rafa should take this opportunity to rest the first teamers such as Gerrard and Carra, plus the ones who have been playing through the pain such as Agger and Johnson.

I then look at the likes of Kuyt, Lucas and masch and think with all the running about they do, and will do against Arsenal, they could do with putting their feet up. Plus Insua could do with a rest.

Performances like the one against Blackburn are as a result of the squad not being fully fit, so to play them in a nothing game would be pointless IMO.

I see why people want a first XI out, but I think the bigger picture should be looked at.

I agree that the money is not enough to really worry about. I'm not sure that I like the idea of wholesale changes though from the point of view of the bigger picture.

The point about players playing through the pain is a good one though. I guess it depends on their exact state of fitness but defenders can do less running than players in other positions so in an ideal world I'd still like to put Agger and Johnson in the team to cement the unit. I would though be much more inclined to rest players like Gerrard. Perhaps a start for Spearing?

[andrewces38]

I would personaly like to see a full strength team with Aqualini in instead of Lucas or Macher and rest a few big names after 60 mins , It's better to get some momentum going into the xmas games and some confidence going into the Arsenal game , I just hope Rafa doesn't use Aqualini as a swap for Stevie and keep the 2 defensive midfielders, That would really piss me off

[Mike]

This is rafa we are on about - he is too stubborn to give players like Amoo and Pacheco a run out.

Expect a strong starting 11 with 1 or 2 exceptions.

[Chris]

This is rafa we are on about - he is too stubborn to give players like Amoo and Pacheco a run out.

How on earth do you work that out? He's given youngsters chances over the years and played them in nothing games aswell.

People are just making stuff up to criticise with now, ridiculous.