Sunderland build up

[BigChief]

Can you imagine if he stayed fit all season?!

No

[Mostar]

My team would be:

--- Downing ---- Carroll ------ Kuyt ---
--- Adam ---- Lucas ---- Henderson --
- Aurelio -- Agger -- Carra -- Johnson -
-------------- Reina ------------------

Subs:

Doni
Kelly
Skrtel
Spearing
Aqualani
Suarez

I fully expect that team to start.

[Craig_H]

If we play 3 in the centre of midfield, then Aquilani should play ahead of Henderson. And so should Meireles.

[Mostar]

Henderson will start imo regardless of the formation on Saturday.

[Exiled_red]

If we play 3 in the centre of midfield, then Aquilani should play ahead of Henderson. And so should Meireles.

I think the Adam Lucas Henderson midfield has a nice balance to it; Adam left side, Henderson right side and Lucas centrally. Meireles could play either left or right side (as he did last season), as could Gerrard (when he's fit). I'm not sure about Aquilani though I think he's one that prefers to play centrally and further forward.

I think for Aquilani to fit the system we'd need to play two deep players with Aquilani further forward, IMO the Adam Lucas Henderson system would be a flatter midfield 3.

[RichC]

Will be interesting to see what the first 11 will be - I actually think this is the strongest squad we've had together for a few years - question is I guess is although we've got the depth in areas we've been lacking for a while do we have the 1st team to get us up there and in the top 4? I think we have but so hard to make any judgement calls based on pre-season.

[Mostar]

It will be interesting to see if we'll be able to create a lot of goal scoring chances without Suarez.

Left side seems to have a nice balance with Downing and Aurelio but I don't like our predictability with constant crossing straight to Carroll time and time again.

Need more options and without Suarez I am not so sure we'll be able to create much upfront.

[Craig_H]

I think the Adam Lucas Henderson midfield has a nice balance to it; Adam left side, Henderson right side and Lucas centrally. Meireles could play either left or right side (as he did last season), as could Gerrard (when he's fit). I'm not sure about Aquilani though I think he's one that prefers to play centrally and further forward.

I think for Aquilani to fit the system we'd need to play two deep players with Aquilani further forward, IMO the Adam Lucas Henderson system would be a flatter midfield 3.

In that formation, they are all central.

[Exiled_red]

In that formation, they are all central.

I meant left side and right side of the central midfield three, not them playing as wide (or narrow wide) players. Sorry I should have been clearer.

[Rich]

Makes sense for Henderson to play against his former club. He will play out of his skin.

[RichC]

Makes sense for Henderson to play against his former club. He will play out of his skin.

that's a very good point - you'd hope Carroll will switch it on that little bit more due to who we're playing.

[Craig_H]

I meant left side and right side of the central midfield three, not them playing as wide (or narrow wide) players. Sorry I should have been clearer.

I see what you mean.

Personally, in a CM 3, i dont really give much emphasis to who goes on the right of the three, and who goes on the left.

I suppose you could say the central one of the three can either be the one who drops off to hold more, or pushes on to support the striker.

[Muddled]

Yeah, the midfield three I listed was to provide the balance, a left footed Adam to the left, Henderson to the right, with Lucas dropping (or holding) in the middle.

You need the width from Johnson and Aurelio, but also Downing and Kuyt can drop deeper to provide cover for the full-backs and create a five man midfield if we are getting over-run.

[RedReet]

If we play 3 in the centre of midfield, then Aquilani should play ahead of Henderson. And so should Meireles Poulsen.

[Mostar]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7087967,00.html

Skrtel upbeat on quick return

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel says he is closing in on full fitness ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Slovakian has been out of action with a calf muscle injury and has been ruled out of his national side's game against Austria on Wednesday.

He was an ever present for the Reds last season, who had the sixth best defensive record in the league.

Kenny Dalglish's side have conceded 15 goals in their six friendlies this summer, which included a 3-0 defeat to Championship side Hull City.

Skrtel told his personal website that he is doing his best to close in on a return to action.

He said: "In the last few days I have been running on a treadmill and even did some jogging outdoors.

"I believe that everything will go according to plan and I will soon be fully fit.

"I am expecting to be able to increase the burden every day and hopefully join the team as soon as possible.

"However, everything depends on how the leg will react."

Meanwhile, Skrtel is confident that the club's new signings will improve the squad.

Doni, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson have joined from Roma, Blackpool, Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively.

Skrtel said: "I've been familiar with Stewart since I played against him a couple of years ago.

"I was at right-back and he was on the wing giving me a really hard time.

"Charlie had a great season with Blackpool and I am really glad he is here.

"Jordan is still very young but he has already won a call-up to the national side which speaks for itself."