Norwich Build Up

[Kenneth]

We're playing Norwich at home. We do not need a holding midfielder.

[Shaggy]

Think that's a bit simplistic. Mancs have been playing without a holding midfielder and have been carved apart time after time, including by Norwich who should've got a result there. If they beat us 2-0 they go above us. You always need someone who can win the ball.

[Kenneth]

You need 11 players who can win the ball.

Simplistic rules.

[Darkon]

For a game at home against Norwich I would go with a team that can break down the opponents and have some 1v1 qualities. The back for of Kelly, Agger, Carra and Enrique will almost be certain unless Agger have got a setback since the Rangers match.

Midfield consisting of Adam and Henderson in CM and Gerrard in front of them,

Attack I'd go with Downing or Bellamy and Suarez on the sides with Carroll in the center.

I'd reckon it will give a team that can break down a Norwich team that will be happy with one point. I would leave out Kuyt for this game because we will need someone more creative and stonger at taking on his direct opponent for this one.

[Rich]

I'd be tempted to start Adam and Henderson alongside each other tomorrow. Ask Henderson to stay a bit deeper and play the easy ball.

[BobTheCharmer]

-------------------Reina
Kelly--------Coates---------Agger--------Enrique
--------------Adam-----Henderson------
----Kuyt-----------Gerrard-------Suarez-----
--------------------Carroll---------------------


We now have a few "easy" games and that means that now is the time to ease Coates into the starting XI. Then he will be ready when we play the more difficult games.

I do have a feeling that it will be Carra and Skrtel at the back

No such thing for us at present as as easy game. Barring the top 3, every other game is in the balance when teams play and should be treated as such. In fact this game is vitally important after not picking up 3 against the scum. The one thing we shouldn't do is swop the centre backs about.

It amazes me you have such a care free attitude to certain games and teams, I think over the years our players have probably felt similar and is half the reason we **** up on a regular basis.

[Alex]

I think Gerrard will be playing in the deep holding role. That seems to be where his future lies. Henderson and Adam either side of him. Maybe

[Shaggy]

You need 11 players who can win the ball.

Simplistic rules.

You wouldn't be picking Adam or Henderson then.

[Shaggy]

I think Gerrard will be playing in the deep holding role. That seems to be where his future lies. Henderson and Adam either side of him. Maybe

I think so too, or perhaps Spearing. Certainly someone will hold.

[DKdan]

i'd be tempted to see henderson start in central midfield. i think he will link well with gerrard and i hope i could say the same for gerrard and carroll because those two havent had alot of playing time together. If that combo clicks, it could be deadly...gerrards 5 times the footballer kevin nolan is and the latter was a big factor in andy's successful goal scoring streak for newcastle last season.

Having said that i don't think adam or kuyt should be dropped, i think the team create more chances with kuyt in the team, hes made that right sided position his again this season when there was doubt about whether he would and deserves to keep it, its his to lose.
i'd like to see bellamy start over downing but i don't think it will happen. also think this game comes a wee bit too soon for glen and agger after they played against rangers and are coming back from injury....would love to see johnson come on around 75 mins though could make a real impact off the bench.

-----------------------reina-----------------------------------
----kelly-----------carra------skrtel-----------enrique-------
--------------------henderson---adam------------------
----kuyt------------------gerrard------------suarez--------
------------------------carroll-----------------------------

suarez on the left is not ideal but i think he could do the job against Norwich , could also mix and mtch with gerrard and kuyt throughout who have both played on the left side for their respective countries. i think kenny will play 4-4-2 though with downing on the left and gerrard beside adam and suarez and andy up front

You should post more often.

I also think Kenny will go with a 4-4-2.

Something like:

-----------------------reina-----------------------------------
----kelly-----------carra------skrtel-----------enrique-------
--Gerrard---------henderson---adam--------Downing----------
-------------------carroll-----Suarez------------------------

I'd much rather see us like this though in a 4-3-3:

-----------------------reina---------------------------------
----kelly-----------carra------skrtel-----------enrique-------
--------------Gerrard--henderson---adam -------------------
-------------Suarez----carroll-----Bellamy-------------------

Both Gerrard and Suarez would occupy the right flank at times and Bellamy could seek wide left, with Enrique bombing forward. So there would be plenty of with IMO, but in a flexible way.

[Alex]

I think so too, or perhaps Spearing. Certainly someone will hold.

I certainly think it will show an amount of arrogence on our part if we dont. Treating them as 'Only Norwich' would be wrong.

[Kenneth]

You wouldn't be picking Adam or Henderson then.

Quite.

[Kenneth]

I certainly think it will show an amount of arrogence on our part if we dont. Treating them as 'Only Norwich' would be wrong.

Really? Playing Adam and henderson in the middle at home would be arrogant?

[Alex]

Really? Playing Adam and henderson in the middle at home would be arrogant?

Playing Gerrard as the holding player. My point was about doing away with the holding player and treating them as if we dont need to play one.

[Craig_H]

We're playing Norwich at home. We do not need a holding midfielder.

Nah, disagree. Long gone are the days where some top flight clubs are incapable of damaging other teams. Every single side in the PL nowadays has players who can hurt you and you cannot go into a game without some protection for the back four.