Blackpool (Away) - Build up thread.

[frank the tank]

if cole is back, then i think he might not be fit enough to start............

i'd go with:


------------------REINA-------------------

KELLY----SKRTEL--------AGGER----AURELIO

---------LUCAS--------MEIRALES----------

JOHNSON---------------------------BABEL


----------KUYT-------TORRES-------------


blackpool will attack (its the only way they know how to play) so we should get joy on the counter - which is why johnson and babel on the flanks might get loads of space on the counter......

i'd like to see us play the same back 4 for the next half dozen games to build up consistancy.......

[SRR]

I'd give this a try, maybe switch Maxi for Pacheco

Reina

Kelly Skrtel Agger Aurellio

Lucas Raul

Johnson Pacheco Babel

Nando

[Exiled_red]

I can't see Pacheco starting on Wednesday if as he wasn't even on the bench today. Unless there's some reason anyone knows of why he wasn't on the bench today?

[DannyMan2006]

He played on the left and was most effective as a sub in his first season. Babel is still most effective as a sub.

It is an important position in creating and directing attacks, Babel doesn't have that.

Why do you need strength? It isn't the most physical position.

Babel started quite a lot of games in his first season, but was always subbed after about 65 minutes.

I think strength is important as you come up against very strong players in the prem and players that are easily brushed off the ball in the centre tend to drift out of games and become ineffective. Out wide you can get one on one and as such strength is less important, inside you have far more players to contend with.

Babel is not going to thread as many passes through like a Maxi type player, but he has a dangerous shot from distance and good dribbling skills and pace that takes players out the game. He's also strong enough to hold the ball up if needs be.

[Norbs]

Reina

Kelly Skrtel Agger Aurellio

Johnson Lucas Raul Babel

Cole

Nando

Although you could go with Kuyt or Maxi on the left

I really like the look of that, and when Gerrard comes back stick Cole on the right

[Tee]

No joke. Suso. Give him a chance and you never know. He is an exceptional talent. Probably the best we had since Gerrard, Folwer and Owen.

I think we will see him before the end of this season. Wednesday may be a bit soon.

Really feel positive after this weekend and anything is now possible. Lets just hope the players keep the same attitude/desire and with a bit more luck we will be right back in the mix.

[RichC]

Despite today's encouraging performance, i'd freshen things up a bit with the Everton game in mind and the matches in quick succession in the weeks ahead.

It's criminal that we can't rest Torres for this match but such is our shortage of quality strikers, i don't think we can afford to rest him.

I'd go for:

------------- Reina ---------------

Kelly ----- Skrtel ---- Agger --- Aurelio

Johnson ---- Lucas --- Meireles ---- Cole(if fit)

---------- Babel -------- Torres

That should be enough to beat Blackpool

4-4-2 no thanks

[Craig_H]

We'd better **** these. Or Kenny can go.

[Yozza]

We'd better **** these. Or Kenny can go.

too right.......

[Bender]

Target is 4th place now

[andrewces38]

Reina

Kelly Skrtel Agger Aurellio

Johnson Lucas Raul Babel

Cole

Nando

Although you could go with Kuyt or Maxi on the left

[Exiled_red]

Target is 4th place now

I'm not sure how easy that is now, if the change was made a few games ago the difference could have been significant. We'll have to go on one hell of a run to the end of the season to do it, I'm not saying it's impossible, but it will be very difficult.

[DannyMan2006]

If Torres hits top form and we sign a couple of players who hit the ground running, we may have a slight chance of 4th if other teams continue like they did the first half of the season. The worry is that the teams in the top 5 start to dismiss the lower sides with ease.

Trouble is we are on 25 points after 20 games. To guarantee 4th we'd likely have to double the points gained in the second half of the season, turning 25 points gained from 20 games too 50 points gained from 18 games would be nigh on impossible.

Maybe 70 points would be enough though, in which case we'd need to add another 45 points - still ridiculously tough going. If we are VERY lucky then maybe 65 points would sneak us in there, in which case it would be 40 points from 18 games.

Either way you look at it that is a very tough proposition. We'd likely have to have better form than whoever wins the league. To go from relegation candidates to the best team in the league would be some miracle.

[Craig_H]

It'll be tough, but a win in our game in hand sees us 8 points off 4th placed Spurs - and with them still to visit anfield.


It's do-able, although tricky.

[Craig_H]

If Torres hits top form and we sign a couple of players who hit the ground running, we may have a slight chance of 4th if other teams continue like they did the first half of the season. The worry is that the teams in the top 5 start to dismiss the lower sides with ease.


Trouble is we are on 25 points after 20 games. To guarantee 4th we'd likely have to double the points gained in the second half of the season, turning 25 points gained from 20 games too 50 points gained from 18 games would be nigh on impossible.


Maybe 70 points would be enough though, in which case we'd need to add another 45 points - still ridiculously tough going. If we are VERY lucky then maybe 65 points would sneak us in there, in which case it would be 40 points from 18 games.

Either way you look at it that is a very tough proposition. We'd likely have to have better form than whoever wins the league. To go from relegation candidates to the best team in the league would be some miracle.

I dont think you'll be needing 75 for 4th place. Not even necessarily 70. It's been that kind of season. Whoever wins it will probably end up on about 82.