The Race for the Top 4 2017

[labourRed]

Then he said his midfield winning all the 2nd balls, which we are total bollocks at anyway

Our midfield generally win the 2nd balls, it's when it's in our box we have massive problems with them.

[Lecter]

Our midfield generally win the 2nd balls, it's when it's in our box we have massive problems with them.

I dont think we win anywhere near enough of either

[Pablo]

Lecter outing himself as a massive Sam Allardyce fan here

[Buzzo]

Theres a few things that he said that would concern me

Firstly exploiting the fullback positions, particularly when they push on high (which ours do)

Balls to Benteke are designed for him to flick on into the channels or hold up to play into the channels so its a must we win the battles with him so we either need strong games from Matip & Lovren and or someone covering in front as Carragher suggested

Then he said his midfield winning all the 2nd balls, which we are total bollocks at anyway

If we play Benteke as we did Lukaku then we might be OK. Lucas was crucial in that victory, playing as a traditional DM in front of the Centre Backs and cleaning everything up. I'd say Lukaku is a better player than Benteke, so I'd hope we've learned. I also think Matip and Lovren play well against a big forward its the pace ones we fear.

We should also bin the three at the back, clearly nobody knew how to play this system.

Hopefully Bentekkers being back at Anfield brings out the Big Lazy **** Chris that we experienced last season rather than the upgrade Palace have had this.

I'm optimistic.

[Lecter]

Lecter outing himself as a massive Sam Allardyce fan here

[Fosterbloke]

I dont think we win anywhere near enough of either

We don't, Klopp prefers we win the first one!

I'd say Lucas in midfield would be useful for his heading skills.

[Fernandinho]

Palace have quite a few defensive injuries with Martin Kellys starting at CB this weekend, so they could be very thin against us without Sakho who is by far their best at the back. They won't be able to stop us scoring at anfield. I'm surprised people are so worried about them... If they get a win this weekend they are Pretty much safe, WBA away are a bigger concern than Palace in my point of view

[BigChief]

Palace have quite a few defensive injuries with Martin Kellys starting at CB this weekend, so they could be very thin against us without Sakho who is by far their best at the back. They won't be able to stop us scoring at anfield. I'm surprised people are so worried about them... If they get a win this weekend they are Pretty much safe, WBA away are a bigger concern than Palace in my point of view

I love these little details to the end of a season.

Leicester have their first CL leg on Wed then Palace on Sat at 3pm. Followed up by the second leg on Tuesday. What we want is for Leicester to lose (obviously, don't want them ending up winning it) but only by 1 goal. That will motivate Shakespeare to rest the majority of his first team against Palace.

Palace to take advantage and get their vital win, thus they start taking the foot off the gas pedal. And of course Leicester to get tonked next Tuesday and leave the competition thus securing 4th spot in England as a guaranteed CL spot (via qualification round obviously).

[Norbs]

At worst it's 3 wins and 3 defeats, no?

No, at worst it's 6 defeats

[RichC]

[Norbs]

Arseholes to you

[RichC]

Sorry couldn't help it

[Norbs]

West Brom and Palace I am dreading

Listening to Allardyce talking up his tactical genius last night and what struck me is that what he said he did to Arsenal tactically is exactly what he will try to do to us

The big unknown factors for Palace is whether Benteke can be arsed and who they replace Sakho with

Scott Dann will come in and look like a world class defender, and Bolasie will run us ragged in spite of not even playing for them anymore

[Norbs]

Sorry couldn't help it

My reply was dom9esque I thought

[Slinky Skills]

Scott Dann will come in and look like a world class defender, and Bolasie will run us ragged in spite of not even playing for them anymore

He doesn't play for them anymore and he's injured anyway ha ha!