MANCHESTER CITY v LIVERPOOL

[ynwa.tv]

Double Agents

 

Down Memory Lane

 

Meet the Referee

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I think its safe to say that we have all been impressed with the way Alonso and Gerrard have dictated the pace of the last 2 games. I think their ability vs Everton stopped Everton getting a grip of the game and whilst PSV never showed any heart, they still went about their business in a professional manner.

 

I love Mascher and thought Rafa was sticking with Xabi last night so Mascher would be fresh for City. However I am now thinking that both Gerrard and Xabi deserve to keep up their good form.

 

I would be reluctant to play the 3 and either drop Keane or push him right or left - let the lad play now he has his first goal.

 

Do people think we will stay 4-4-2 and what will Rafa do with Mascher ?

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Sods law, the match thread goes up at the same time as this - mods may want to merge

[Knox_Harrington]

Drop or shift Keane. City is a game for three in the middle. Don't concede and go from there.

[johngibo YPC]

I would play Masch in this one

Possibly rest Alonso or Kuyt

I'd stay 442

[sutty]

Drop or shift Keane. City is a game for three in the middle. Don't concede and go from there.

 

I'm with the bespectacled one.

[Chili Palmer]

Masch will play against City, I think it is Keane, Kuyt and Riera whos place is at risk, not Alonso and Gerrard.

[sutty]

Masch will play against City, I think it is Keane, Kuyt and Riera whos place is at risk, not Alonso and Gerrard.

 

And it's probably Riera or Keane that'll get the hook.

 

With their wide men I see Kuyt's workrate being a big factor in Rafa's thinking

[Smith]

I think its safe to say that we have all been impressed with the way Alonso and Gerrard have dictated the pace of the last 2 games. I think their ability vs Everton stopped Everton getting a grip of the game and whilst PSV never showed any heart, they still went about their business in a professional manner.

 

I love Mascher and thought Rafa was sticking with Xabi last night so Mascher would be fresh for City. However I am now thinking that both Gerrard and Xabi deserve to keep up their good form.

 

I would be reluctant to play the 3 and either drop Keane or push him right or left - let the lad play now he has his first goal.

 

Do people think we will stay 4-4-2 and what will Rafa do with Mascher ?

 

No rotation is the new rotation.

 

Seriously, it'll be interesting, because as you say Xabi and Steven have looked great together. And Javier has to start. And Dirk is undroppable...

 

I hope we go for three in the middle. Xabi is the odd man out though.

[Chili Palmer]

And it's probably Riera or Keane that'll get the hook.

 

With their wide men I see Kuyt's workrate being a big factor in Rafa's thinking

 

and we get good balance from Riera plus he will want to do well there, so using the process of elimination, Keane might as well not bring his boots. sorted.

 

or

 

Rafa will drop Gerrard.

[AE]

And it's probably Riera or Keane that'll get the hook.

 

With their wide men I see Kuyt's workrate being a big factor in Rafa's thinking

 

 

And Keanes - which would suggest same back 5 - Macsh, Xabi and Steve in the middle, Keane left,Torres middle, Kuyt right.

[sutty]

and we get good balance from Riera plus he will want to do well there, so using the process of elimination, Keane might as well not bring his boots. sorted.

 

or

 

Rafa will drop Gerrard.

 

He might stick Gerrard wide left.

[Sion]

They'll play too many attacking players and go for it, which will suit us. We'll pick them off. 4-2, Torres hat-trick, Gerrard.

[AE]

He might stick Gerrard wide left.

 

its been a while since he did a "stupid technical selection" so he probably will.

[Chili Palmer]

He might stick Gerrard wide left.

 

 

maybe...

 

Pepe

 

Arbeloa Carra Skrtel Aurelio

 

Masch Alonso

 

Kuyt Keane Gerrard

 

Torres

 

?

[Rory Fitzgerald]

And Keanes - which would suggest same back 5 - Macsh, Xabi and Steve in the middle, Keane left,Torres middle, Kuyt right.

 

Keane should not get a token role like against Villa - though it was supposed to be Lucas out there it was Keane more often than not.

 

If we are going with the system you suggest then it should be Babel, Riera or at a push Aurelio, but not Keane and not Benayoun

[Rory Fitzgerald]

maybe...

 

Pepe

 

Arbeloa Carra Skrtel Aurelio

 

Masch Alonso

 

Kuyt Keane Gerrard

 

Torres

 

?Ngog

 

I suggest Ngog and hope the ref doesnt notice

[Chili Palmer]

I suggest Ngog and hope the ref doesnt notice

 

 

with the standard of refs these days, you just never know...

[fred milne]

Masch will play against City, I think it is Keane, Kuyt and Riera whos place is at risk, not Alonso and Gerrard.

My guess is that Alonso will miss out, although if it were up to me it would be Kuyt.

 

On the other hand, dropping Keane after scoring his first goal would be tres Rafa.....

[Ronnie Whelan]

Apparently Rafa has realised the error of his ways in keeping almost the same line up for two games in a row. Personally I would like to see that become three games in a row. IMO we dont need 5 in the middle against City as our midfield is vastly superior. Skrtel will scare the schite out of Jo & Robinho, with RK7 & FT9 now starting to play off each other tis the wrong time to change them.

[sutty]

My guess is that Alonso will miss out, although if it were up to me it would be Kuyt.

 

On the other hand, dropping Keane after scoring his first goal would be tres Rafa.....

 

The way Alonso is playing at the moment, and the team in general, I like the fact that the oppo can't get the ball back

 

Granted we could be more incisive but I don't think the late goals are a coincidence. Against us this season you've had to do some serious running when you've not got the ball

[Bigal]

we should play Plessis

[sutty]

we should play Plessis

 

 

You should shut up

[fred milne]

The way Alonso is playing at the moment, and the team in general, I like the fact that the oppo can't get the ball back

 

Granted we could be more incisive but I don't think the late goals are a coincidence. Against us this season you've had to do some serious running when you've not got the ball

Alonso would always be in the side if it were up to me - preferably alongside Mascherano but if it came down to a choice between the two to play alongside Gerrard then I'd go for Alonso. Sacreligious I know.

[Ronnie Whelan]

Alonso would always be in the side if it were up to me - preferably alongside Mascherano but if it came down to a choice between the two to play alongside Gerrard then I'd go for Alonso. Sacreligious I know.

 

 

When we are looking at long periods of possession then Xabi is the obvious choice for me. He is better on the ball. In the games where possession will be 50:50 and we need to win ball and press the opposition more then Masch is the man. Sunday will be the former IMO.