THE DERBY....pre match gubbins

[OConnor_LFC]

I couldn't disagree more. To start a a child in a derby with less than one professional game in his career is suicidal.

BTW I wasn't suggesting that you hadn't backed new signings. Many have been slating them, and I think the comparison is completely valid.

Comparison, I am asking to give a local kid a chance in a local derby and I am compared to someone who slates our new signings, how. ?.

[dom9]

Comparison, I am asking to give a local kid a chance in a local derby and I am compared to someone who slates our new signings, how. ?.

Because you're basing your opinion on very little evidence.

[Venton]

I think I'd rather see Gerrard and Rossiter than Gerrard and Lucas at the moment. We're going to need a bit of energy there in the middle and the whole Gerrard/Lucas combo couldn't be more ponderous. We've also been giving the ball away in attack too much this season so far and we'll get murdered down the flanks if we do that at the weekend. I don't know if Rodgers probably would even risk Rossiter for this but I'd more worried about the new full backs not being prepared for their first derby than Rossiter who knows what it's all about.

[OConnor_LFC]

Because you're basing your opinion on very little evidence.

I've watched this lad play for 2 seasons now, I base what I say about the lad on what I've seen. I think he can step up. Nothing knee jerk about it.

[dom9]

I think I'd rather see Gerrard and Rossiter than Gerrard and Lucas at the moment. We're going to need a bit of energy there in the middle and the whole Gerrard/Lucas combo couldn't be more ponderous. We've also been giving the ball away in attack too much this season so far and we'll get murdered down the flanks if we do that at the weekend. I don't know if Rodgers probably would even risk Rossiter for this but I'd more worried about the new full backs not being prepared for their first derby than Rossiter who knows what it's all about.

The Lucas / Gerrard combo is widely acknowledged to be a pretty bad idea, so I guess anything could look like a plausible improvement in that sense.

But, to go from looking comfortable in a tepid game against sub standard opposition during the week, to starting him in one of the fiercest, intense, highest tempo games on the planet is a massive mistake. We all know what that game is about too, but playing it without any experience is a different matter.

There are plenty in the queue ahead of him. The only way anyone could logically contemplate starting Rossiter in this game would be if there was a massive injury crisis. And we're not quite there yet.

[dom9]

I've watched this lad play for 2 seasons now, I base what I say about the lad on what I've seen. I think he can step up. Nothing knee jerk about it.

You can't compare youth football to a Merseyside derby. You just can't.

If Saturday's game was against say, QPR, you may have a slight point (and I'd still disagree with you). But not for this game. Starting him is plain insane.

[Venton]

I think he'll learn a lot from Gerrard in this one, even if it's just jumping on their knackers when the mood takes him.

[OConnor_LFC]

The Lucas / Gerrard combo is widely acknowledged to be a pretty bad idea, so I guess anything could look like a plausible improvement in that sense.

But, to go from looking comfortable in a tepid game against sub standard opposition during the week, to starting him in one of the fiercest, intense, highest tempo games on the planet is a massive mistake. We all know what that game is about too, but playing it without any experience is a different matter.

There are plenty in the queue ahead of him. The only way anyone could logically contemplate starting Rossiter in this game would be if there was a massive injury crisis. And we're not quite there yet.

But didn't Flanagan make one of his 1st ever appearances against a man city side who went on to win the league ?. He played outstanding!. With little experience and at a young age.

[dom9]

But didn't Flanagan make one of his 1st ever appearances against a man city side who went on to win the league ?. He played outstanding!. With little experience and at a young age.

It was Arsenal I think. And those games have nowhere near the intensity of a derby. As high a standard as they are.

And central midfield? It's too vital a position to risk for the team, and if it goes badly it could set the kid back too.

Talent, young talent should be managed and nurtured properly. It's something that we're really bad at in this country. As the wreckage of players like Fowler and Owen show. I just hope that Raheem gets away with it and is still a force in his late 20s and beyond.

[Gibbo]

I'm pretty sure Borini will start.

Is Coutinho due back yet or whaaat?

[OConnor_LFC]

It was Arsenal I think. And those games have nowhere near the intensity of a derby. As high a standard as they are.

And central midfield? It's too vital a position to risk for the team, and if it goes badly it could set the kid back too.

Talent, young talent should be managed and nurtured properly. It's something that we're really bad at in this country. As the wreckage of players like Fowler and Owen show. I just hope that Raheem gets away with it and is still a force in his late 20s and beyond.

Positive it was man city at Anfield. Either way we are not burning anybody out. He's ideal for our midfield, we don't need a Defensive midfielder we need to retain possession in that position. What are we defending against we are a attacking team.

[dom9]

Positive it was man city at Anfield. Either way we are not burning anybody out. He's ideal for our midfield, we don't need a Defensive midfielder we need to retain possession in that position. What are we defending against we are a attacking team.

Again I disagree.

Ah well.

[Assassin]

I'm with OConnor. I have no issues with playing Rossiter against Everton

[G]

Can't see him playing. Henderson and Lallana either side of Gerrard. If its the diamond it'll be Sterling in front of them, if its 4-3-3 it'll be Sterling and probably Coutinho either side of Balo.

[DannyMan2006]

It was Arsenal I think. And those games have nowhere near the intensity of a derby. As high a standard as they are.

And central midfield? It's too vital a position to risk for the team, and if it goes badly it could set the kid back too.

Talent, young talent should be managed and nurtured properly. It's something that we're really bad at in this country. As the wreckage of players like Fowler and Owen show. I just hope that Raheem gets away with it and is still a force in his late 20s and beyond.

Nothing wrong with playing young lads week in week out as they're fit enough to cope. What does **** players up is playing them when they're carrying knocks or injured - just as we did with Torres, Fowler & Owen. Giggs played all the time for United, but he wasn't in the side when he wasn't fully fit. That's the difference.

The problem LFC had with the young Fowler & Owen was that they became important figures so early that it was judged by the managers that they couldn't be rested when carrying knocks. Slightly understandable as you could imagine now how desperate many of us would be to play Sturridge on Saturday...... But it's the wrong decision if not fully recovered and able.