Unirea build up

[SB]

We go to City just 3 days later, in one of our most crucial games of the season. Risking any important players for the europa tinpot, would be lunacy.

As for Unirea, they smashed Rangers and also beat Sevilla. They missed out on qualifying for the knockout phase of the CL by 1 point.

They're certainly not mugs and anyone expecting us to just smash them with our eyes closed, might be in for a surprise.

I'm certainly not suggesting that Craig. I don't think we should play a lone striker at home though ( unless it's Feeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrnando of course)

[Scratch]

I can see some key players being rested...Carra, Agger, Gerrard, Mascherano and maybe even Kuyt.

Reina

Darby
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Insu

Lucas
Aquilani

Babel
Pacheco
Riera

N'gog

[Craig_H]

I can see some key players being rested...Carra, Agger, Gerrard, Mascherano and maybe even Kuyt.

Reina

Darby
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Insu

Lucas
Aquilani

Babel
Pacheco
Riera

N'gog

I like this team. Except i'd play Degen at right mid and Babel up front.

[SB]

I really hope Rafa starts Pacheco from the off. Give him a good hour to see what he's capable of.

[SB]

I can see some key players being rested...Carra, Agger, Gerrard, Mascherano and maybe even Kuyt.

Reina

Darby
Skrtel
Kyrgiakos
Insu

Lucas
Aquilani

Babel
Pacheco
Riera

N'gog

Why two holding mids? Surely this home match is screaming out for a 4 4 2 formation? I would expect Rafa to go with your suggested formation away from home to protect an adavantage ( if needed) ?

[Scratch]

Why two holding mids? Surely this home match is screaming out for a 4 4 2 formation? I would expect Rafa to go with your suggested formation away from home to protect an adavantage ( if needed) ?

Cos i don't see Aquilani or Lucas as holding midfielders, but more attack minded, especially Aquilani. Lucas i see playing the box-to-box role, while Aquilani will be more advanced for more of the game.


Craig, i did think about Degen on the right, with Babel up front, but i wasn't sure if he was fit, so i went for Babel an N'Gog instead.

[saj]

I always read that as Urine

[PTP]

i some how find myself going to this game tomorrow - not really sure what to expect - it feels like a pre-season game haha

anyway

as craig mentioned, city on sunday is massive - so for me, i'd certainly rest gerrard and prob one or two others.

I'd like too see


cavalieri

degen
agger/skrtel
the greek
aurelio

maxi - (needs the game time)
lucas
aquilani (needs the game time)
reira - (again needs the game time)

Kuyt (c)
Pacheco

I'd quite looking forward to seeing that starting XI, it would make the game a tad more exciting to go to than it is - quite attacking and trying to not underestimate Unirea, i would like to think it should be strong enough.


With babel, insua, ngog, gerrard, carragher, mascherano, reina, on the bench - the players in bold are vital/have to be fit for for City on sunday cause i'd expect them all to start


I'd imagine though - we will see something more like this

cavalieri

degen
carragher
agger
insua

mascherano
lucas

kuyt
gerrard
maxi

ngog

[souliv]

The game is on 3E for all Irish Reds

[Craig_H]

cavalieri

degen
carragher
agger
insua

mascherano
lucas

kuyt
gerrard
maxi

ngog

That's more or less a first choice side and i'll be furious if we go with that.

[lickedlollipop]

dunno why to rest them, they rested enough.

[Scratch]

dunno why to rest them, they rested enough.

I use the term loosely...i mean it more as to keep them from getting injury in a game they really shouldn't be needed for, allowing fringe players some match time.

[red g]

We go to City just 3 days later, in one of our most crucial games of the season. Risking any important players for the europa tinpot, would be lunacy.

As for Unirea, they smashed Rangers and also beat Sevilla. They missed out on qualifying for the knockout phase of the CL by 1 point.

They're certainly not mugs and anyone expecting us to just smash them with our eyes closed, might be in for a surprise.

Petruscu has left them now though hasnt he? not sure how there new manager is getting on

[PTP]

That's more or less a first choice side and i'll be furious if we go with that.

- you just no that's how rafa works though. This game is screaming for the likes of Degen, Aqualini, Maxi and Riera to be given some more game time (in our squad, lacking any really attacking threat in the absence of torres, benayoun and bizarrly our right back Johnson, at the moment, we need to get this guys match fit) and also give pacheco a ****ing chance -from the start.

As i said, if the first team i posted was our starting side, i'd be quite looking forward to the game. But rafa always makes a decision that seems to baffle everyone haha

[Scratch]

- you just no that's how rafa works though. This game is screaming for the likes of Degen, Aqualini, Maxi and Riera to be given some more game time (in our squad, lacking any really attacking threat in the absence of torres, benayoun and bizarrly our right back Johnson, at the moment, we need to get this guys match fit) and also give pacheco a ****ing chance -from the start.

As i said, if the first team i posted was our starting side, i'd be quite looking forward to the game. But rafa always makes a decision that seems to baffle everyone haha

If we fielded Maxi, we'd be in serious trouble i think??