I honestly cant see past this team/formation for Weds

[The_Adder]

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

PENNANT-------------GERRARD---------------KEWELL

 

--------------------CROUCH/KUYT----------------------

 

Only thing I really aint got a clue about is the striker, could go either way that, although he may favour big Dirk as he seems to have played Gerrard off a few times throughout the season...

 

4-2-3-1, the 'Rafa way'. Mascherano to take care of Kaka, leaving Xabi and Pirlo to battle it out as the playmakers with Xabi keeping a close eye on Seedorf. Gerrard given a roll just in front of them to play off the lad upfront with Kewell and Pennant supporting those two right upfield when we have the ball and then dropping when we havent.

 

I think he'll 'gamble' on Kewell, although I reckon he may have anyway. Hes been training for 2 solid months and has looked on fire in the minutes he has actually played.

 

Back four picks itself if Riise isnt played further forward.

 

Pennant has been superb lately and with Mash and Xabi both in the side means we should be exposed by playing both him and Harry.

 

Obviously now this will be nothing like it and we'll end up playing Traore, with Biscan at the Centre-back.

[sutty]

I agree. The only decision to make in my view is Riise at LB or LM, and which of Kuyt or Crouch starts on his own up front

 

Watch Rafa now play a 4-2-4

[IgPig]

That'd be my team - at least for the first hour if we keep it tight.

[Guest Derrick]

Think he'll go 4-4-2, with Kuyt and an-other up front, probably Crouch. If Bolo is fit I think he'll start, with Kewell coming on later.

 

 

-------------Reina

 

Finnan--Carra--Agger--Riise

 

Gerrard--Xabi--Masch--Zenden

 

--------Kuyt--Crouch

Edited May 21, 2007 by Derrick

[bazz]

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

PENNANT-------------GERRARD---------------KEWELL

 

--------------------CROUCH/KUYT----------------------

 

Only thing I really aint got a clue about is the striker, could go either way that, although he may favour big Dirk as he seems to have played Gerrard off a few times throughout the season...

 

4-2-3-1, the 'Rafa way'. Mascherano to take care of Kaka, leaving Xabi and Pirlo to battle it out as the playmakers with Xabi keeping a close eye on Seedorf. Gerrard given a roll just in front of them to play off the lad upfront with Kewell and Pennant supporting those two right upfield when we have the ball and then dropping when we havent.

 

I think he'll 'gamble' on Kewell, although I reckon he may have anyway. Hes been training for 2 solid months and has looked on fire in the minutes he has actually played.

 

Back four picks itself if Riise isnt played further forward.

 

Pennant has been superb lately and with Mash and Xabi both in the side means we should be exposed by playing both him and Harry.

 

Obviously now this will be nothing like it and we'll end up playing Traore, with Biscan at the Centre-back.

 

 

I just can't see Pennant starting this game and therefore think his place will go to a striker instead and we will end up with this:

 

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER--------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

GERRARD------------------------------------KEWELL

 

-----------------CROUCH----KUYT----------------------

[Magic8Ball]

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

PENNANT-------------GERRARD---------------KEWELL

 

--------------------CROUCH/KUYT----------------------

I agree we will be in that formation at some point, I'm just not so sure we will start that way

 

Kind of makes a joke all this talk about Alonso not playing

[cymrococh]

Kewell behind Crouch.

[fellafeen]

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

PENNANT-------------GERRARD---------------KEWELL

 

---------------------------KUYT--------------------------

 

I'd like to see this 11 too, it matches them where they are strongest (midfield) yet there's plenty of attack there too. If that 11 does start what'll the bench be, reckon robbie will be squeezed out

 

Dudek

Arbeloa

Hyypia

Sissoko

Gonzales(Zenden if he makes it)

Crouch

Bellamy

[Sion]

I just can't see Pennant starting this game and therefore think his place will go to a striker instead and we will end up with this:

 

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER--------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

GERRARD------------------------------------KEWELL

 

-----------------CROUCH----KUYT----------------------

 

Yep, that's my thinking. Pennant gives the ball away too much.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

PENNANT-------------GERRARD---------------KEWELL

 

---------------------------KUYT--------------------------

 

I'd like to see this 11 too, it matches them where they are strongest (midfield) yet there's plenty of attack there too. If that 11 does start what'll the bench be, reckon robbie will be squeezed out

 

Dudek

Arbeloa

Hyypia

Sissoko

Gonzales(Zenden if he makes it)

Crouch

Bellamy

 

 

Unless Zenden's injured, Gonzalea isn't getting in ahead of him. With HK back, I doubt Gonzalez will make the bench, even. I think it's Momo vs Robbie.

[theredfella]

----------------------Reina-----------------------

 

Finnan--------Carra----------Agger------Arbeloa

 

 

Gerrard------Mascherano----Alonso-----Riise

 

 

---------------Kuyt----------Crouch----------

 

There is no way that Kewell will start the game; he's been out for too long to have his full match legs yet plus this way will allow Benitez to get a good look at Milan whilst keeping it tight. I can see both Kewell and Bellamy coming on in the second half though, especially if we're chasing the game.

[IgPig]

Yep, that's my thinking. Pennant gives the ball away too much.

 

Not sure that's true really.

 

Besides, we have the master of that in Luis, and sometimes those players win you games.

 

My main concern about Pennant wouldn't be giving the ball away, I just have a feeling it might be too big a game for him. He has a bit of a strange temperament.

Edited May 21, 2007 by Post Kuytal Glow

[Benitez]

Can't see Pennant starting.

 

Gerrard will play right mid. Derek and Crouchy up front.

[whitewidow]

Is there an argument for the following?

 

------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---SISSOKO------------------

 

GERRARD-------------ALONSO---------------ZENDEN

 

---------------------CROUCH/KUIJT--------------------------

[Stevie H]

Is there an argument for the following?

 

------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER------------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---SISSOKO------------------

 

GERRARD-------------ALONSO---------------ZENDEN

 

---------------------CROUCH/KUIJT--------------------------

no. because you've got alonso hopelessly out of position.

[Ronnie Whelan]

Im not sure if we will see Kewell starting.

[psl]

I just can't see Pennant starting this game and therefore think his place will go to a striker instead and we will end up with this:

 

--------------------------REINA--------------------------

 

FINNAN----CARRAGHER-----AGGER--------RIISE

 

------------MASCHERANO---ALONSO------------------

 

GERRARD------------------------------------KEWELL

 

-----------------CROUCH----KUYT----------------------

 

That's what I expect. Unless Kewell starts on the bench with Riise and Arbeloa on the left.

[whitewidow]

no. because you've got alonso hopelessly out of position.

 

Thanks

[Knox_Harrington]

Kewell behind Crouch.

Reina

 

Finnan

Carra

Agger

Riise/Arbeloa

 

Alonso

Mascherano

 

Gerrard

Kewell

Riise/Zenden

 

Kuyt

 

If Zenden doesn't make it the manager may decide not to risk Arbeloa with Kaka's movement and his unfamiliarity with our offside game.

[Stevie H]

don't like the kewell central thing. he's more dangerous on the left as he hugs the touchline and can go outside or infield from there.

[matty]

I think it might be this:

 

-------------Reina

Finnan - Carra - Agger - Riise

Gerrard - Mascherano - Alonso - Kewell

---------Crouch - Kuyt

 

Can't see him starting Pennant and Kewell, and can't see Momo starting, which are just about the only serious options.

[Guest Glynnson]

----------------------Reina-----------------------

 

Finnan--------Carra----------Agger------Arbeloa

Gerrard------Mascherano----Alonso-----Riise

---------------Kuyt----------Crouch----------

 

There is no way that Kewell will start the game; he's been out for too long to have his full match legs yet plus this way will allow Benitez to get a good look at Milan whilst keeping it tight. I can see both Kewell and Bellamy coming on in the second half though, especially if we're chasing the game.

 

I've got a feeling you're right. Keep it tight for the first hour (with a similar formation to the Barca 1st leg) then when Milan are knackered inject a bit of pace with Pennant, Bellamy and Kewell coming on for Alonso/Masherano, Crouch and Arbeloa/Riise with Stevie slotting into the middle of the park.

[cymrococh]

don't like the kewell central thing. he's more dangerous on the left as he hugs the touchline and can go outside or infield from there.

he's not much use outside the touchline.

[fred milne]

If Zenden doesn't make it the manager may decide not to risk Arbeloa with Kaka's movement and his unfamiliarity with our offside game.

He was happy enough for him to make his full debut in the Nou Camp against Messi.

 

P.S. Its interesting that no-one thinks Bellamy has a chance of making the XI - particularly as he started in the Nou Camp and at Stamford Bridge.

Edited May 21, 2007 by fred milne

[Stevie H]

He was happy enough for him to make his full debut in the Nou Camp against Messi.

 

P.S. Its interesting that no-one thinks Bellamy has a chance of making the XI - particularly as he started in the Nou Camp and at Stamford Bridge.

 

think milan's defence is a different kettle of fish to those two though. and he did feck all at stamford bridge.