Build up for the theatre of prawns

[Will]

*This line-up will not happen*

Reina
Kelly - Carragher - Agger - Konchesky
Merieles - Poulsen
Gerrard - Cole - Babel
Torres

Like to see this though

Reina
Carragher - Skrtel - Agger - Konchesky
Merieles - Gerrard
Johnson - Cole - Babel
Torres

[Mostar]

cause we dont want attacking direct players?? :

No because he once again didn't show up. Name one good thing he did all game long..

[the rev leeroy brown]

No because he once again didn't show up. Name one good thing he did all game long..

much improved first touch was clearly noticable last night. he received the ball and i cant remeber once when his first touch was heavy and the defense got it off him.

he had 3 good long range efforts in a gmae where the game plan early doors was to get in as many chances as possible due to the "world cup" ball moving in flight.

he made space by drifting from left to right to centre. always available for as pass and had a couple good crosses.

its so obviously stinks of a dislike for babel that causes you to critices him last night. he was one of the best players on the pitch for us and i feel bad for you if your blinded to see it pal.

[The_weatherman]

Not what I'd start, but what I expect to see.

Really hope he doesn't Skrtel and Jovanovic if it's at all avoidable but I fear that will be the case, bit torn on Maxi though as he can at least trap the ball and move it along.

[Mostar]

much improved first touch was clearly noticable last night. he received the ball and i cant remeber once when his first touch was heavy and the defense got it off him.

he had 3 good long range efforts in a game where the game plan early doors was to get in as many chances as possible due to the "world cup" ball moving in flight.

he made space by drifting from left to right to centre. always available for as pass and had a couple good crosses.

its so obviously stinks of a dislike for babel that causes you to critices him last night. he was one of the best players on the pitch for us and i feel bad for you if your blinded to see it pal.

You are truly delusional especially about the seeing him as one of the best players on the pitch last night. It was more the other way around.

What you called "much improved first touch" was poor once again (remember Spearing pass in second half?) and his shots from far out were absolutely not goal threating.

Unfortunately as many other posters concluded before he is a player lacking football intelligence and ball control and it was evident yet again last night.

He did very little the whole game and for the player desperately trying to convince the manager not to sell him in next transfer window he did not deliver and he was rightfully subbed.

On the note that I dislike him, not at all. It is just hard to watch how someone like him is throwing away a god-given talent.

[BigChief]

Pope Leeroy Brown's team is right. It picks itself, not sure why the discussion.

Babel should put a fragile Evra under immense pressure down the right (Maxi won't). Torres will hopefully give Vidic another nightmare. Cole on the left should occupy OShea and Gerrard just behind Torres should do the rest.

As far as proven long shot options we have:

Miereles / Babel / Gerrard / Torres / Agger and even Cole. So that should keep the manure midfield busy shutting us down outside the area, thus stop them pushing up.

[DannyMan2006]

Oh by the way, this is how I expect Roy to line up

Reina
Johnson Carra Skrtel Konchesky
Maxi Gerrard Poulsen Jovanovic
Cole
Torres

That is EXACTLY how I expect us to line up.

Ideally I'd like something like this though:

Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Konchesky
Gerrard Poulsen
Maxi Cole Babel
Torres

I like Meireles but I'm not sure a full debut in the premier league would be wise at Old Trafford. The pace of the game will be very high and I think a new comer to the league could get lost in it, particularly someone operating in midfield.

That said, he looks like a player who prefers to get the ball and pop it off quickly to a team mate, so maybe the pace of the game isn't a major issue for him. He doesn't look like they type who likes to hold onto the ball and want too much time on the ball.

[Craig_H]

****'s sake, he's an established international FFS, not a 17 year old rookie. There's **** all wrong with giving him his full debut at Old Toilet.

[pondus]

****'s sake, he's an established international FFS, not a 17 year old rookie. There's **** all wrong with giving him his full debut at Old Toilet.

Completely agree, he should play

[DannyMan2006]

****'s sake, he's an established international FFS, not a 17 year old rookie. There's **** all wrong with giving him his full debut at Old Toilet.

I've seen many established players get over ran in their premier league debuts. Morientes was as seasoned as they come and he never adapted. Bergkamp took a while as did Malouda. Veron never adapted. The list is endless tbh.

[Icon]

reina

johnson
carra
agger
konchesky

meireles
poulsen

babel
ste
cole

torres

[Arn]

For a betting man like me it's easy earned money

A home win is almost a banker. It will probably be Skrtel and Carra in the middle and everyone know what that means. Very few organized attacks and a lot of long balls for Torres to chase down.

I just hope Roy know how important it is that Agger play in the middle. As long as Carra and Skrtel play it won't really matter who plays as our defensive midfielders because they will see very little of the ball.

[DannyMan2006]

For a betting man like me it's easy earned money

A home win is almost a banker. It will probably be Skrtel and Carra in the middle and everyone know what that means. Very few organized attacks and a lot of long balls for Torres to chase down.

I just hope Roy know how important it is that Agger play in the middle. As long as Carra and Skrtel play it won't really matter who plays as our defensive midfielders because they will see very little of the ball.

If Gerrard is at DM he'll demand the ball off the CB's and we'll see a better display. We're playing one of the best teams in the league away from home so don't expect us to dominate, but we'll at least see more possession if Stevie starts there.

[-V-]

Im sure Merieles has played at Old Trafford before. He may not have a great debut but I think having him there would provide a bit of freshness and positivity to the team. There is no doubt that he should play

[red g]

I've seen many established players get over ran in their premier league debuts. Morientes was as seasoned as they come and he never adapted. Bergkamp took a while as did Malouda. Veron never adapted. The list is endless tbh.

I ahve seen many established players have fantastic debuts as well.......

I personally think the upside far outweighs the downs to be honest. He seems mobile, likes a tackle and not affraid to shoot and at OT we could do with that sort of presence on the park