Wardy

If Kuyt hadn't been doing the work for Pennant and Garcia last night I reckon he'd have been in the middle a lot more. If there's still anyone wondering why Rafa prefers to play Gerrard on the right they only need look at Pennants performance last night. Before I get shot down in flames I know he's better than that but he's just not doing it at the moment and barring injuries I wouldn't start him. I'd be tempted to go 4-3-3-/4-5-1 on saturday. -------------Reina Finnan Hyppia Agger Riise --------Carra Alonso -Bellamy Gerrard Garcia --------------Kuyt

Which is one of the reasons I think this is a good idea, it gives the wide players more licence.

I agree with it almost entirely. I'd play 4-3-3-/4-5-1 away 4-4-2 at home, especially while we're missing Momo and bring Agger in as soon as possible.

I was quite surprised we played 4-4-2 at Arsenal, considering we'd lost our best defensive midfielder, given that in the early days Benitez seemed to favour the 4-3-3/4-5-1 system even when we didn't have the wingers. Now we have got the wingers I'd give it another go, especially away from home - couldn't do any worse. Linkage

I'd disagree with that on Gonzalez - his skinning of a full back won us a penalty last night. It's clear to see he's got quality and just needs games imho.

Reina --------Back Four-------- Gerrard Alonso Zenden Bellamy-----------------Garcia Kuyt

Can't see it myself, he looked like he had an eye for goal but was too slow by far for the Premiership and never did anything that made me think he was any good.

Do you honestly think Cheyrou had talent?

I don't get the Gonzalez knockers, I think he's showed something of quality in every game he's played. He needs games and as there's really no one better for the left at the moment I'm of the opinion he should be getting them.

I don't think rotation is the problem it's the way it's being implemented this season. I'm of the opinion that the back four should be the best available in all Premiership and Champions League games. I'd play Gerrard on the right in tough away games and against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and the Mancs at home because put simply when he's on form he's the best right midfielder in the league and Pennant will never be that good for as long as he's got a hole in his a***. I just don't get the rotation this season, Garcia comes in and has a couple of good games then he's out the side. Pennant has a decent start to the season and then dissapears, likewise Agger although I know he's been injured. Rafa has been waxing lyrical about how good Gonzalez is forever and he's looked decent in the few appearances he's had and looks to me like he'd do well with a run of games. And Gerrard should play where he's f***ing told end of.

I'd be inclined to disagree with that, Rush was a more prolific goalscorer and sustained it over a longer period of time but Fowlers finishing is as good as anyone's I've ever seen. Fowler scored goals from everywhere and created them for himself out of nothing whereas Rush's game was more getting on the end of things and chasing lost causes - imho of course. I'm not sure why you're singling him out for criticism there. Most were woeful against Sheff United and he certainly wasn't one of the worst offenders against Everton either. It's madness to pair Fowler and Crouch imo, he's never been the fastest player anyway and always looks better paired with someone who can really run but if you're looking for someone to get you a goal out of nothing in a tight game then Fowlers the man.

Jesus talk about fickle. Fowler still has a part to play, it might be largely from the bench but we're gonna need him in games where the opposition put ten men behind the ball and we need a moment of magic - I know who my money would be on scoring in that kind of situation. When Bellamy and Crouch look like they couldn't hit a cows a*** with a Tennis Raquet is when we're gonna need Fowler. He might not have the legs he once did but he's still the best finisher we've got and arguably ever have had.

Got a feeling it won't be 4-4-2. Reina Finnan Carragher Agger Warnock Alonso Sissoko Bellamy Gerrard Gonzalez Kuyt

Whinge whinge moan moan blah blah. The title won't be decided because we lost the derby or drew away from home to a good PSV side. Three games into the league season and it's all doom and gloom FFS.

I'd have settled for a point and a clean sheet away from home off the back of the derby before a ball was kicked. There's some f***ing moaners on this forum. Positives - the defence and forward line which hopefully will play on Sunday. It's too early to judge Aurelio, he was thrown in at the deep end with Riise's and Warnocks injuries but to me he looks like he could be a tidy player once he adapts to the Premiership. Whether that will happen with all the knee jerks jumping on his back remains to be seen.

Maybe. There's a lot of conclusions being jumped to on this thread though.

Cheers.

Is the Holland game on telly tonight? A German lad I know who's seen Kuyt play quite a bit reckons he isn't well suited to playing on his own up front and is far better with someone alongside him.

All three could play in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 ..............Reina Finnan Sami Carra Riise ...Gerrard Sissoko Alonso Bellamy.................Gonzalez ...............Crouch Or if we're playing 4-4-2 in harder games I reckon you'll still see Gerrard on the right. I like the squad Benitez has built, loads of options and versatility.

Fee agreed and Medical arranged according to Kraptalk.

That's the understatement of the Century. £14 Million for that, Jebus.

Bump.

Thing about Bascombe is that he obviously drip feeds what the club want the public to know in return for the occasional scoop.

To be fair the Echo's just as bad, I don't get the 'Bascombe said it so it's gospel' mentality at all.

It's nothing new, we've been slow at the back for years and it's why we've signed Agger and Paletta.