Stoke

[Rudo]

In your next post you highlighted the issue of long throws but in this post you suggest Spearing?? Are you crazy.

Meireles is tall at least and can challenge unlike Spearing who is tiny. The whole game will be played above his head. As if Meireles doesn't get stuck in, its clear to see he is a commanding player and loves getting stuck in.

While on the point Meireles has a worrying habit of getting his studs up in tackles, nonetheless he is no powder puff player.

A player like Masch would relish this game and very few players in the world of his height are so effective in his postion, let alone some kid who probably won't make it at Liverpool, even now with our small and lacking squad.

[Kenneth]

No, even with Mehreles in centre mid, i'd still prefer Spearing for this match. You can't much more of battle than Stoke away on a cold Nov evening, i just think with Meireles being new to the English game and so far it doesn't look as if he's the type that relishes the physical stuff. Just think this one might be a bit much for him.

I say stick Raul on the bench and give Spearing a chance.

Probably won't happen but i don't think it's as crazy an idea as some are making it out to be.

[Fernandinho]

Giggs ****ting himself in the second photo

[Craig_H]

Rudo, you're either a massive WUM, or clueless mate.

You pick Spearing, over Meireles (for a game at Stoke, no less), and you expect people to take you seriously?

And then you laugh hysterically at someone rightly saying that Raul M is a commanding player.

Really do yourself no favours mate.

[Rudo]

I despair. I really do. Do we have Alonso and Mascherano still at the Club? No.
Has Poulsen come in and looked as if he can cope with a tricky away match like this? No. Are we short of a ball winner in midfield that is tenacious and knows the English game? Yes, hence why i suggested Spearing to start ahead of Meireles.

Furthermore Meireles was taken off at half-time at Wigan and replaced by an 18 year old so who's to say he isn't a little worn out?

[Craig_H]

Your first two words are truly apt.

Spearing over Meireles

[Kenneth]

I despair. I really do. Do we have Alonso and Mascherano still at the Club? No.
Has Poulsen come in and looked as if he can cope with a tricky away match like this? No. Are we short of a ball winner in midfield that is tenacious and knows the English game? Yes, hence why i suggested Spearing to start ahead of Meireles.

Furthermore Meireles was taken off at half-time at Wigan and replaced by an 18 year old so who's to say he isn't a little worn out?

But basically, considering how many problems our midfield being too deep has caused, you're saying we should set ourselve up to not lose against Stoke City. Are you Roy Hodgson?

[-V-]

Guys, he's entitled to his opinion let it go. Spearing isn't good enough but if Rudo thinks he is then let him have his opinion. No point harping on about how stupid he is for having that opinion

[_92]

Rudo clearly should not be entitled to an opinion. Ignore his posts.

Reina
Carra Soto Skrtel Konch
Lucas Meireles
Kuyt Gerrard Maxi
Torres

Simples! 0-2 Liverpool, Torres 2x

[Icon]

Keep the faith guys!

We'll only get slightly rogered....2-0 or 3-1...

[Fernandinho]

I don't think we should write ourselves off too quickly simply off the back of the game vs Wigan. Wigan are a very hit and miss team. They can get smashed 9-1 vs Tottenham or they can beat Chelsea 3-1. Unfortuntely we were faced with the good Wigan once we sat back.

Vs Stoke its very different. We know what we are going to get. Lots of long throws, lots of crosses and lots of long passes to their big boys up top. At least in this game we can fight through the scrambles rather then having to defend the pass and move of Wigan. This kind of game suits us more at the moment I think. I wouldn't be suprised if we win 1-0 but spend the whole game defending.

[Fan65]

I'd start Spearing in this match, at the expense of Meireles.

I agree

I would also rest Torres for this one

and play Gerrard at LB

Not a bad idea to put Poulsen wide out on the wing as well

If I can get them to undo my buckles I might even watch it on the telly in the day room (padded of course)

[red g]

I don't think we should write ourselves off too quickly simply off the back of the game vs Wigan. Wigan are a very hit and miss team. They can get smashed 9-1 vs Tottenham or they can beat Chelsea 3-1. Unfortuntely we were faced with the good Wigan once we sat back.

Vs Stoke its very different. We know what we are going to get. Lots of long throws, lots of crosses and lots of long passes to their big boys up top. At least in this game we can fight through the scrambles rather then having to defend the pass and move of Wigan. This kind of game suits us more at the moment I think. I wouldn't be suprised if we win 1-0 but spend the whole game defending.

We gave Wigan the opporrtunity to play as we sat back and against Stoke it will be worse. When we sit back they will have plenty of opportnity to get he balls into the box and I cannot see for the life of me how we can defend for the whole game and not concede a couple. Jones is fantastic in the air and they have the likes of Shawcross at Corners. If Soto plays I would give us a better chance but still cans see it.

[Rich]

I'm at a wedding this Saturday so thankfully I'm gonna miss it.

What a relief!

[Lecter]

They were opening us easily. Some of that was Konchesky not knowing how to handle Stemp(?) on his wing and some to do with Gerrard and Lucas being knackered thus not covering back well enough.

Had a look at the goal, Rodallega was standing where Lucas should have covered the initial save from Reina. Had Lucas been two yards closer he would have cleared before Rodallega got a chance to pull the trigger. Not blaming Lucas per se, just saying tiredness was killing us all over the park.

Hopefully we'll have regathered our focus for Saturday evening.

Tiredness is not an excuse at all unless you live in Roy World

I thought they opened us up with ease

some of that was down to the holding midfield not closing down some of it down to the defence sitting way too deep and most of it down to Hodgsons general tactics