West Ham Build up (away)

[BigChief]

There's really nothing to get excited about with that team. Lucas, Borini, Coutinho and Balotelli have offered or will offer very little in terms of end product.

Borini still missing clear cut chances like that header straight at the keeper. Coutinho's passing. If we're going to drop points might as well rest Coutinho and play Lallana in his position. And get Markovic some game time too in Borini's place.

Edit: in fact now's the time to Unleash the Lamb.

-----Lucas
Hendo-----Sterling
-----Lallana
Balotelli---Lambo

[ronanm]

Tough game. Lucky to get a win there last season but we were under title pressure and it was "the best the 'ammers played all season guv" according to one of the crew at work who's a season ticket holder. Never like playing Phat Sam's teams!

[Tribute]

I'd go with this line-up...

Mig
****
**
***
Lambert

Don't need anyone else, Lambert will boot the **** out of all of them and it'll be stick keepers with one outfield player each side.

Lambert hat-trick. 0-3.

[Bender]

There was positive news, however, regarding two more members of Rodgers' defensive contingent, and developments on a potential timeframe for striker Daniel Sturridge's return.

The Northern Irishman added: "Martin Skrtel is back training with the team, which is great news for us. Glen Johnson should be back training over the course of the weekend.

"Daniel Sturridge should hopefully be back training at some point next week. Joe Allen is still out and he'll be out for a few weeks yet."

[RedReet]

Did Allen get injured much at Swansea?

[SB]

Suso in the holding role would be suicide. He's an AM and is also far too lightweight.

Oh I agree & maybe should have added the smilie.

[Camble]

re Camble's team, I think he's just got the formatting wrong, he's not advocating playing Lucas on the right at all. He mentions Lucas in for Gerrard so I'd guess he's looking at 4-1-2-3 with Lucas behind Henderson and Coutinho

Defence + Goalie

Lucas

Henderson Coutinho

Borini Ballotelli Sterling

It's not that bad really. Lucas is more disciplined in that position than Gerrard, albeit not as dynamic. Shoring up the defence is paramount IMO, and Gerrard's been wanting a little in the last few games.

I was going for a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Lucas as the DM, Hendo & Cout as the two, Sterling as the CAM.

I just don't think Gerrard can play a third game in a week, especially considering he looked knackered on Monday.

The same goes for Lallana. Just returning from a big injury and getting back to fitness, I don't think he can handle a third game in a week. Coutinho's only played one and I know he's not been doing well but without Allen and Can it's forced really, unless Suso has impressed in training.

As I said regarding Borini I agree he's not warranted a starting place but we need pace and movement up top and Lamert won't offer that. Even if he doesn't get a goal, his movement and speed could cause problems. The last few games we've played we've resorted to crossing, shooting from distance or doing nothing at all.

[SB]

I was going for a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Lucas as the DM, Hendo & Cout as the two, Sterling as the CAM.

I just don't think Gerrard can play a third game in a week, especially considering he looked knackered on Monday.

The same goes for Lallana. Just returning from a big injury and getting back to fitness, I don't think he can handle a third game in a week. Coutinho's only played one and I know he's not been doing well but without Allen and Can it's forced really, unless Suso has impressed in training.

As I said regarding Borini I agree he's not warranted a starting place but we need pace and movement up top and Lamert won't offer that. Even if he doesn't get a goal, his movement and speed could cause problems. The last few games we've played we've resorted to crossing, shooting from distance or doing nothing at all.

I agree about Gerrard & also Borini. This is why we added depth to our squad & we have to trust it at some point.

[Muddled]

I was going for a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with Lucas as the DM, Hendo & Cout as the two, Sterling as the CAM.

I just don't think Gerrard can play a third game in a week, especially considering he looked knackered on Monday.

The same goes for Lallana. Just returning from a big injury and getting back to fitness, I don't think he can handle a third game in a week. Coutinho's only played one and I know he's not been doing well but without Allen and Can it's forced really, unless Suso has impressed in training.

As I said regarding Borini I agree he's not warranted a starting place but we need pace and movement up top and Lamert won't offer that. Even if he doesn't get a goal, his movement and speed could cause problems. The last few games we've played we've resorted to crossing, shooting from distance or doing nothing at all.

Gotcha.

Swap Coutinho for Allen and I think we have a winner.

[Mike]

Gotcha.

Swap Coutinho for Allen and I think we have a winner.

Allen is injured mate

[Muddled]

Ah.

Swap Lucas for Gerrard and swap Coutinho for Lucas.

[dizzycat]

After the Villa cock up we need the points, so I'm guessing that we'll go into this one with a strong team. Allen would have been right for this game, but with him out it's difficult. Midfield is the difficulty and we need to ensure that Hendo has a big impact on the game. I also think we need to maximize pace and workrate so

Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson, Markovic; Sterling; Borini, Balotelli

Lucus and Lallana to come in if this isn't working

[cream]

After the Villa cock up we need the points, so I'm guessing that we'll go into this one with a strong team. Allen would have been right for this game, but with him out it's difficult. Midfield is the difficulty and we need to ensure that Hendo has a big impact on the game. I also think we need to maximize pace and workrate so

Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson, Markovic; Sterling; Borini, Balotelli

Lucus and Lallana to come in if this isn't working

I'd put Lallana in there instead of Markovic

[Norbs]

Ah.

Swap Lucas for Gerrard and swap Coutinho for Lucas.

Swap Gerrard for Coutinho and swap Lucas for Coutinho

[Chris]

Let's maul these jellied eel eating beauts!