Birmingham Away Build Up

[Pablo]

I'd start:

Reina

Johnson Carra Agger Konk

Maxi Poulson Meireles Babel

Gerrard

Torres


Jovanovic has been poor and I would drop him. Babel deserves a start. Surely he have to pick Maxi for the right now. CM is a tricky one, I would be tempted to have Lucas in there just so it's not a completely new CM and I'm also not sure how defensive-minded Meireles is yet.

[PTP]

konk - i like it - can we chant - "put a Konk on it" when we want him to get rid.

[-V-]

Yeah I think Babel will start. He got a run out in the testimonial, he's fresh and not had international duty and seems in a positive mood. I would be surprised if he doesn't start this game

[Scratch]

Think Babel is gonna be used soley as a striker this season, at least that's what Roy appeared to imply when he spoke about Babel?

So my midfield would probably be (same back line and keeper)

Poulsen Mereiles
Maxi Gerrard Aurelio

With Torres keeping their CB's honest.

Got a feeling that we might see Lucas start tho, with Meireles coming on later.
Torres

[PTP]

------------------reina----------------

johnson------carra-----agger------konk

--------------lucas-----miereles-------

maxi--------------gerrard-----------babel

--------------------torres--------------


I agree about jovanovic - i'd be willing to give babel a run out. - maxi in for kuyt straight swap.....midfield i'm unsure on - i think it will actual be poulsen and lucas, but i would like to see miereles - i can't see roy playing both the new boys though.

[Alex]

I'd start:

Reina

Johnson Carra Agger Konk

Maxi Poulson Meireles Babel

Gerrard

Torres


Jovanovic has been poor and I would drop him. Babel deserves a start. Surely he have to pick Maxi for the right now. CM is a tricky one, I would be tempted to have Lucas in there just so it's not a completely new CM and I'm also not sure how defensive-minded Meireles is yet.

I have a feeling that Roy will play Gerrard wide right and have Ngog up front too. He likes the 4-4-2 vibe dosent he.

I would much prefer what your suggesting. But to be honest Ngog has been playing pretty well latly so deserves a run out.

[Fredo]

Ngog and Torres upfront is an accident waiting to happen. Well the accident happened, doesn't mean Roy won't tempt fate again!

[Shaggy]

------------------reina----------------

johnson------carra-----agger------konk

--------------lucas-----miereles-------

maxi--------------gerrard-----------babel

--------------------torres--------------


I agree about jovanovic - i'd be willing to give babel a run out. - maxi in for kuyt straight swap.....midfield i'm unsure on - i think it will actual be poulsen and lucas, but i would like to see miereles - i can't see roy playing both the new boys though.

Totally agree with the side. Aurelio's out with an achilles injury FFS

[Pablo]

A good win here will be a huge relief. I have some concerns about Roy's tactics away from home. His record with Fulham away from home wasn't good!

[RedReet]

------------------reina----------------

johnson------carra-----agger------konk

--------------lucas-----miereles-------

maxi--------------gerrard-----------babel

--------------------torres--------------


I agree about jovanovic - i'd be willing to give babel a run out. - maxi in for kuyt straight swap.....midfield i'm unsure on - i think it will actual be poulsen and lucas, but i would like to see miereles - i can't see roy playing both the new boys though.

I'd be happy enough with that team, and would imagine there is a fair chance we could see it.

Hate playing Birmingham though and dreading this match.

[Craig_H]

ANY win here will be a huge relief. I have some concerns about Roy's tactics away from home. His record with Fulham away from home wasn't good!

Fixed that one for you, Pabs.

[Slinky Skills]

A good win here will be a huge relief. I have some concerns about Roy's tactics away from home. His record with Fulham away from home wasn't good!

He's not with Fulham anymore so don't worry about it.

I'm confident of a win on Sunday, really looking forward to it should be a good game.

[dww]

------------------reina----------------

johnson------carra-----agger------konk

--------------lucas-----miereles-------

maxi--------------gerrard-----------babel

--------------------torres--------------


I agree about jovanovic - i'd be willing to give babel a run out. - maxi in for kuyt straight swap.....midfield i'm unsure on - i think it will actual be poulsen and lucas, but i would like to see miereles - i can't see roy playing both the new boys though.

I think in the absence of the seemingly similar styled Kuyt that we might get more out of Jovanovic. Maxi is more of a natural wide player and I think that balance might help him and I'd persevere with him. I also think Babel would make a better impact sub.

I agree it is unlikely that with such little time with either that Roy would be looking at playing Poulsen and Miereles. That said his inclination so far this season has been to have Gerrard in the middle so he might well stick with that. Not sure who if anyone is a good choice to partner Torres in our squad when Kuyt is out though.

[Shaggy]

Never feel confident going to Birmingham.

[Exiled_red]

I have a feeling that Roy will play Gerrard wide right and have Ngog up front too. He likes the 4-4-2 vibe dosent he.

I would much prefer what your suggesting. But to be honest Ngog has been playing pretty well latly so deserves a run out.

I really hope Roy has learnt his lesson about 442 away from home