Build up for the theatre of prawns

[red g]

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.

nobody is expectin us to dominate but we habe to be careful in possesion and not give it away cheaply. one of the reasons i am dreading the carra/skrtel at the back combo

[-V-]

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

A home win is almost a banker.

This is a never a home banker. No way. There is a huge possibility of a draw here because Man Utd are not playing very well. Rooney is struggling and they have just lost Valencia too. With Gerrard, Torres, Cole, Mereiles etc we are capable of getting 1 goal and that would probably be enough for a draw

[red g]

on a side note can you bet on specific players to give away penalties in all these in play markets.

I want a few quid o skrtel for Red card or giving away a pelanty

[red g]

This is a never a home banker. No way. There is a huge possibility of a draw here because Man Utd are not playing very well. Rooney is struggling and they have just lost Valencia too. With Gerrard, Torres, Cole, Mereiles etc we are capable of getting 1 goal and that would probably be enough for a draw

If we were better I would really fancy our chances as they have done **** all this year.

[Craig_H]

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.

Balls to that, you dont buy a player for £12m thinking he cant play a big game for his debut. Some will succeed, some not, but i wouldnt be leaving out a player of his calibre on the notion that he *might* get overrun.

He's a damn sight better than Lucas and Poulsen put together, and should play without any shadow of a doubt.

[Dessy]

Reina

Carra – Skyrtle – Agger

Johnson Konchesky

Gerrard – Meireles – Lucas

Cole

Torres

**** formatting but 3-5-2, Johnson and Konc as WB's, bored with 4411,442 etc

[DannyMan2006]

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

I don't think he needs to play if I'm being honest.

I think we need one of Lucas or Poulsen at DM to sit. We then need one of Gerrard or Meireles alongside them to get attacks going and to bring a bit of fluidity. Then ahead of them we need one of Gerrard, Meireles or Cole to play off Torres and try and bring a spark.

As Cole and Gerrard have the Premier League experience I'd start both of them ahead of Meireles. Of course, we could gamble a bit and put Cole left and therefore find space for Meireles. But I don't see the real need for an away game at Old Trafford.

Jovanovic aint cultured but he's a strong boy, will work hard and will get back and defend. It may not be a game where we need offensive wingers. If Roy wanted to create United problems he could always put Babel on the left and let him have a run at Gary Neville.

After the United game I want to see Meireles starting games for us, I just think this one may have come too soon for him.

[Craig_H]

If we were better I would really fancy our chances as they have done **** all this year.

If you were a Man Utd fan, that comment would be equally valid.

[Craig_H]

I don't think he needs to play if I'm being honest.

I think we need one of Lucas or Poulsen at DM to sit. We then need one of Gerrard or Meireles alongside them to get attacks going and to bring a bit of fluidity. Then ahead of them we need one of Gerrard, Meireles or Cole to play off Torres and try and bring a spark.

As Cole and Gerrard have the Premier League experience I'd start both of them ahead of Meireles. Of course, we could gamble a bit and put Cole left and therefore find space for Meireles. But I don't see the real need for an away game at Old Trafford.

Jovanovic aint cultured but he's a strong boy, will work hard and will get back and defend. It may not be a game where we need offensive wingers. If Roy wanted to create United problems he could always put Babel on the left and let him have a run at Gary Neville.

After the United game I want to see Meireles starting games for us, I just think this one may have come too soon for him.

Sorry Danny mate, you usually speak sense, but i find this post to be nonsensical at best. Too soon for what? Has he just come off a long injury layoff? Is he a kid? Has he not played against teams from different countries before?

He's fully fit, he's established and experienced, he has footballing nous, he's strong and rugged, and he wants to play football. As for 'dont think he needs to play' - wtf? Lucas and Poulsen are the worst DM pairing i've ever seen play for us and never mind that Meireles MIGHT get overrun, Lucas and Poulsen more than likely WILL.

They're average at best, and as a pairing, they offer almost absolutely nothing. One of them to protect and do the donkey work is fine, but you put him next to a proper football - not another 'watercarrier' who offers virtually nothing other than the sheer basics.

[DannyMan2006]

Balls to that, you dont buy a player for £12m thinking he cant play a big game for his debut. Some will succeed, some not, but i wouldnt be leaving out a player of his calibre on the notion that he *might* get overrun.

He's a damn sight better than Lucas and Poulsen put together, and should play without any shadow of a doubt.

He's a different mind set to Lucas and Poulsen. In 30 out of 38 games him being a bit more attack minded than Poulsen and Lucas is fine, but away at Old Trafford you need someone who will sit all game and not bother going forward.

United counter very quickly and have plenty of pace. When they hoof the ball up it is sticking to Berba this season and if you don't have someone sitting deep in front of the back 4 you can be made to pay.

Gerrard can provide the spark in midfield that we have missed and Cole can take his place off Torres. That is why I don't think it is essential that Meireles starts. We can always bring him on if we need a goal.

And in all fairness, I think out of him and Spearing last night, Jay had the better game. I think Meireles just needs a little more time in the group before being thrust into the starting XI of a game of this magnitude.

[Craig_H]

He's a different mind set to Lucas and Poulsen. In 30 out of 38 games him being a bit more attack minded than Poulsen and Lucas is fine, but away at Old Trafford you need someone who will sit all game and not bother going forward.

United counter very quickly and have plenty of pace. When they hoof the ball up it is sticking to Berba this season and if you don't have someone sitting deep in front of the back 4 you can be made to pay.

Gerrard can provide the spark in midfield that we have missed and Cole can take his place off Torres. That is why I don't think it is essential that Meireles starts. We can always bring him on if we need a goal.

And in all fairness, I think out of him and Spearing last night, Jay had the better game. I think Meireles just needs a little more time in the group before being thrust into the starting XI of a game of this magnitude.

So you're saying we shouldnt play Raul M in the holding role, because he'd go forward to much - and then you're saying we should play SG in the holding role instead? Is that right?

If so, bit of a contradiction.

[Fernandinho]

Does anyone else want to see Meireles and Gerrard play in the midfield together vs **** teams at anfield? I think it would be a joy to see them both there with cole behind torres and any of the other guys out wide. we would dominate and score goals a plenty I would think

[wildman]

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.

State the obvious why not, of course not all players settle straight away in fact probably very few do but at least Mireles has shown what ability he's got in the little time he has played Morientes didn't and thats why mireles will/should play as we need him to to have any chance of getting a result. We are to static with Lucas and Poulsen although I hope the latter doesn't play on sunday, i think the game will pass him by.

[DannyMan2006]

Sorry Danny mate, you usually speak sense, but i find this post to be nonsensical at best. Too soon for what? Has he just come off a long injury layoff? Is he a kid? Has he not played against teams from different countries before?

He's fully fit, he's established and experienced, he has footballing nous, he's strong and rugged, and he wants to play football. As for 'dont think he needs to play' - wtf? Lucas and Poulsen are the worst DM pairing i've ever seen play for us and never mind that Meireles MIGHT get overrun, Lucas and Poulsen more than likely WILL.

They're average at best, and as a pairing, they offer almost absolutely nothing. One of them to protect and do the donkey work is fine, but you put him next to a proper football - not another 'watercarrier' who offers virtually nothing other than the sheer basics.

I don't like Lucas and Poulsen as a pairing but individually they are of the right mindset to play against United. They have big experience themselves and are more than happy to sit and protect the back four. They wont go forwards and they wont bring anything to the table attacking wise.

Put put one of them alongside Gerrard and they are not needed to be creative. Just sit there and let Gerrard join the attack. They can make all the sideways passes they like then.

Liverpools long time problem since the sale of Alonso has been two like minded players alongside eachother. This has shown Lucas up on occasion and made him look worse than he is, the same for Poulsen this year. They can do the job of protecting.

The importance this season is that we only play one of them at any time and put Gerrad or Meireles next to them. I'm happy enough to play Gerrard next to them in this game.

[Gaz]

This is a never a home banker. No way. There is a huge possibility of a draw here because Man Utd are not playing very well. Rooney is struggling and they have just lost Valencia too. With Gerrard, Torres, Cole, Mereiles etc we are capable of getting 1 goal and that would probably be enough for a draw

I'm not sure the loss of Valencia will affect them at all to be honest, Nani can slot in there quite easily and this is just the kind of game for Rooney to find some form in

Balls to that, you dont buy a player for £12m thinking he cant play a big game for his debut. Some will succeed, some not, but i wouldnt be leaving out a player of his calibre on the notion that he *might* get overrun.

He's a damn sight better than Lucas and Poulsen put together, and should play without any shadow of a doubt.

I was just about to post exactly the same thing, Meireles starting is a no-brainer for me