Oldham Athletic build up. FA Cup

[Fosterbloke]

I thought we were playing tonight for some reason.

[RedReet]

I know the refs hate him but couldnt see them getting away with a cheeky elbow or two footed tackle on Suarez tbh.

I don’t mean that, they were two separate points:

I could easily see some useless big lump clattering into Suarez either legally or illegally, through misguided hatred or just to get his name in the papers.

Likewise an inexperienced referee could be so preoccupied with not wanting to get caught out by the 'cheat' Suarez, that he’ll give everything against him so that he doesn’t end up in the papers for the wrong reason like after the last round. It’s like whan a referee isn’t aure when it comes to a red card or penalty decision, more often than not they go for the safe option of not giving as the repercussions are less if they get it wrong. Nobody outside of Liverpool is gonna be too worried if Suarez gets wrongly booked for diving or doesn’t get a penalty decision, whereas if the ref gives it the other way and gets it wrong then he knows he’ll be all over the papers.

[Fosterbloke]

One wonders why Rodgers doesn't highlight the pressure referees will be under if they get multiple decisions wrong against Suarez.

[Mostar]

Think we might see a surprise on the bench - Ibe perhaps.

I reckon Borini will definitely start.

I hope he does.

He needs playing time and scoring will also help his confidence.

[Captain Stu]

I hope he does.

He needs playing time and scoring will also help his confidence.

Bozzer and Stuzzer.

[Mostar]

Bozzer and Stuzzer.

[Captain Stu]

[DKdan]

I think we should play a mix of youth and experience:

-----------------Jones---------------
Wisdom -- Carra -- Coates -- Robinson
------------Allen---Lucas-------------
---------------Shelvey---------------
Borini----------------------------Suso
--------------Sturridge---------------

Subs: Gulacsi, Johnson, McLaughlin, Skrtel, Coady, Henderson, Sterling

Strong enough line-up. If we get shaky at the back we can introduce Johnson or Skrtel.
If we need to give Lucas a rest we can introduce Henderson.
If we need to have more control in midfield we can introduce Henderson for Suso.
If we need more options in attack we introduce Johnson and Sterling.

Should we be cruising and in control we can introduce McLaughlin and/or Coady.

I'd like us to field a younger team, but thats unlikely and the above team is indicating both respect for the competition and the opposition.

[kalesh]

I like that team. Can't say I wasn't hoping for a new signing to enjoy as part of the 'ITV experience'

[DKdan]

Yeah a new signing would have been great... I agree

[Est:1982]

Nah managed to get 4 away tickets - my wife knows someone at the club

They lost again last night so 1 point from 24! They are quite **** now unfortunately

Hopefully they're not keeping it all in reserve for Sunday

Lucky you!

Find it nigh on impossible to get home tickets half the time even in the members sale i can never get all games, away ones i have found impossible to get.

[Yozza]

Dickov the braveheart

Manager's bold approach for cup tie

Paul Dickov is hoping fortune favours the brave as Latics prepare for Sunday's FA Cup with Budweiser, fourth-round tie against Liverpool at Boundary Park.

Latics' manager will adopt an adventurous approach against the Barclays Premier League giants.

"If we sit off them, especially with the talent Liverpool have in their side, then we will struggle," he explained.

Dickov pointed to the way his team took the game to npower Championship Nottingham Forest in the last round when they caused an upset at the City Ground.

Latics went with three attacking players who were pushed up and went man for man on Forest's three centre back.

Dickov says his players must believe they can pull off a giantkilling act as they did against Forest.

He continued: "I have told the players that there is a shock in every round of the cup and, if there is to be one, let it be us.

"All we can hope for is a bit of luck. We need them to be not quite at their best while we play to our maximum potential."

Dickov believes Liverpool will field a stronger side than in the last round at non-league Mansfield Town where they scraped home 2-1.

Latics' manager says whatever team Liverpool field it will be an enormous challenge for his team.

"We know we are up against it as Liverpool have a fantastic squad of top players who can all play in the Premier League. And irrespective of the team they put out, it will be difficult," he continued.

Dickov recalls last season's 5-1 defeat at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup and the lessons learned in the art of finishing.

"When you are playing against top teams you have to take your chances, something they did and we didn't," said Dickov who added the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game.

Dickov says Boundary Park will be a cultural shock to Liverpool in terms of the facilities compared to other grounds they visit.

"All I can say is that they are top, top professionals who will be able to handle what is put in front of them," he said.

Dickov says there is no pressure on his players and he hopes they go out, enjoy the game and do themselves justice.

"It is not often clubs at our level play a Premier League club live on national television so hopefully my players can show everybody what good footballers they are," he explained.

[SB]

I'm hoping for a I liar scoreline from last year. 5-1 hey. Lets go one better & a clean sheet.

[Yozza]

Simpson: Reds in for a shock

Date published: 25 January 2013

ROBBIE Simpson hopes the shock factor of playing at Boundary Park on Sunday will have just the right effect on Liverpool.

Sunday’s FA Cup tie will be played at a stadium far removed from the comfort of Anfield — and Athletic striker Simpson is keen to see how the Liverpool stars react.

“I can’t wait to see their faces when they open the dressing room door,” he said.

“It’s not the nicest away dressing room, and obviously we have only three stands. I am not sure they will ever have experienced a game in these conditions.”

In the same fixture - at Anfield - last season Simpson caused a sensation with his brilliant strike which gave Athletic the lead. But ultimately Liverpool won 5-1.

Simpson said: “I have some great memories from last year. We were the better side for at least the first half. They scored two late goals and the scoreline flattered them.

“They are going to have to have a bit of an off-day on Sunday and we are going to have to have an exceptionally good day if we are to progress, but that’s what the FA Cup is all about.”

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/77229/simpson-reds-in-for-a-shock

[Yozza]

Key battles likely to shape Sunday’s outcome

Date published: 25 January 2013

Jean-Yves Mvoto v Daniel Sturridge
It's difficult to read whether Brendan Rodgers will opt to play Luis Suarez or Daniel Sturridge as the central focus of his probable three-pronged attack.

Former Manchester City prospect Sturridge is perhaps the more likely of the pair to start the game, being that he is still finding his feet at Anfield.

Athletic's man-mountain centre-back, whose form has been a little up-and-down recently, will need every ounce of concentration to track the clever movements of the tricky dribbler.

James Wesolowski v Jonjo Shelvey
Back from suspension at Notts County, Liverpool fan Wesolowski will be especially keen to impress in front of a nationwide audience. Sitting in front of Athletic's back four, he will need to keep a careful eye on the forward runs of Shelvey, who has risen to prominence with some barnstorming performances this season.

Wesolowski must call on his trademark tenacity to deny the visitors space and time in the 'hole' between Athletic's midfield and defence in which Shelvey will be keen to operate.

Jose Baxter v Jamie Carragher
The Liverpool-supporting former Everton striker (Baxter) goes up against the Everton fan who became a Liverpool legend (Carragher). Baxter's

football intelligence will see him try to draw Carragher out from his defensive role in order to create pockets of room for Athletic's wide players to move inside and exploit.

Carragher, who turns 35 on Monday, is a wily operator. As ever, the onus is on Athletic's wingers to make the pitch as wide as possible in order to give Baxter the space he craves and slide his weighted passes in behind the Reds.

Probable teams:
Athletic (4-4-1-1): Bouzanis; Wabara, Byrne, Mvoto, Grounds; Croft, Wesolowski (c), Mchangama, Simpson; Baxter; Smith.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Jones; Wisdom, Skrtel, Carragher, Robinson; Henderson, Shelvey, Allen; Suso, Sturridge, Sterling.

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/10/oldham-athletic-news/77230/key-battles-likely-to-shape-sundays-outcome