Vs. Newcastle United (A): Match Thread

[danperkins]

Newcastle XI: Krul, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Janmaat, Dummett, Sissoko, Colback, Abeid, Obertan, Cisse, Ameobi

Subs: R. Taylor, Gouffran, Aarons, Pérez, Haïdara, Cabella, Elliot

[Pablo]

Everyone said Houllier was stubborn, everyone said Rafa was stubborn, Arsenal fans rage at Wenger's stubbornness, and now Rodgers is coming across as stubborn. I guess football managers are all stubborn/have faith in their decisions (delete as appropriate)

True.

Strangely I still have a feeling Mario is going to get a couple today and go on a bit of a run. He's certainly due it!

[Shaggy]

Paul ****ing Dummett.

[danperkins]

It's bizarre, he was anything but stubborn last season. He always seemed to learn from his mistake and be willing to switch things up. He's doing the complete opposite this season it seems.

It's a strange alright. He clearly wants to stick to this one up front & it relies heavily on our midfield which has been below par this season. Love for it to click but hasn't looked even remotely likely thus far.

Definitely a hell of a lot more rotation this season too with the champs league.

[Muddled]

Steven Taylor is atrocious.

He'll be looking to get a bite from Balotelli to mask his **** footballing ability.

[JohnDoe]

Allen over Lallana is

Yeah, Lallana hasn't been playing well lately, but Joe Allen on a good day is still pretty useless.

[G]

Manquillo getting dropped is a joke. I'd even say Toure and Jones getting dropped is too

Borini I can understand because you need Sterling and Coutinho deserves a start.

[Daffy Duck]

Paul ****ing Dummett.

I think it's pretty stupid of Pardew not to play Aarons, what I've seen of him so far makes me think that he'd have a field day along our right side.


Not expecting anything from this match really.

[danperkins]

On paper you would think we'd ****ing destroy them but they have a workmanlike midfield and will press against us... we haven't been able to deal with that type of play too well this season. Always unsure of how Allen will play, maybe saving Lallana for Madrid, maybe Manquillo too?

Newcastle have an unpredictable bench too. Some talent on there.

[Muddled]

I think it's pretty stupid of Pardew not to play Aarons, what I've seen of him so far makes me think that he'd have a field day along our right side.


Not expecting anything from this match really.

Really? It's Newcastle United.

[Pablo]

It's a strange alright. He clearly wants to stick to this one up front & it relies heavily on our midfield which has been below par this season. Love for it to click but hasn't looked even remotely likely thus far.

Definitely a hell of a lot more rotation this season too with the champs league.

As Muds mentions though, hes bound to go two up top once Sturridge is back, so why be so reluctant to do it now? I don't quite get it.

Definitely rotating far more than last season, but that's the reason we improved the squad size so much in the Summer. I don't think he's mastered rotating players yet, it's a skill in itself.

[Daffy Duck]

Really? It's Newcastle United.

Yeah and there's us on the other side

[kingfunk]

Jesus wept on a bicycle, anyone would think we had already lost reading this thread. Ffs.

[Daffy Duck]

We'll ****in murder them

[Camble]

Queue another frustrating afternoon.

The team I would have played (from the buildup thread):

I would play:

Mig
Man-Skr-Lov-Mor
Can
Hendo-Allen
Cout
Sterling-Borini

Can and Hendo covering each other.

Coutinho at the tip of the diamond as he seems to be in decent form.

Sterling up top with Borini as they can press high and stretch the opposition's defence. Ballo to come on as a sub if needs be, Lallana too.


I say it again, Rodgers needs to be brave and make a big call in his setup or selection. Whether it's dropping Gerrard or playing Borini & Sterling up top or something else.