WEST HAM UNITED v LIVERPOOL

[Case]

... including Torres, unfortunately - we have to play him at Upton Park.

 

I'd give Aurelio a run out, and give Riera a rest, too. Mascher back in. Benny left side.

[Cam]

It scares me to say it but if Torres is rested then it has to be Babel.

 

I've only ever typed the phrase "it has to be Babel" once before and that was in response to a question that started "you have a gun with one bullet..." but it's probably preferable to Voronin.

[billybunter]

be happier with dirka up front with benny behind

[Case]

It scares me to say it but if Torres is rested then it has to be Babel.

 

I've only ever typed the phrase "it has to be Babel" once before and that was in response to a question that started "you have a gun with one bullet..." but it's probably preferable to Voronin.

 

 

 

Genius

[muleskinner]

Its 3 days away.

[Rimbeux]

Carling Cup next week, followed by Hull (H), Fio (A), Chelsea (A), then the last round of WCQ. May I suggest a schedule for Torres in particular where misses Leeds, he plays some of Hull, the games against Fio and Chelsea, then is looked after by the already qualified Spain for a two week break returning for Sunderland and the bow of Aquilani on Oct 17

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Dont know if its tiredness and I certainly wouldnt advocate rotation of key players for an away trip to Upton Park.

 

If the lads really wanted to try last night, if they were playing a better class of opposition and needed to get to 4th or 5th gear then I dont think they would have looked so lethargic.

 

I think it was just a case of having to beat what was in front of them and they wanted to do it with the least amount of energy used, after all, we know we can burst out of the traps in March/April in the CL, I'm sure if we had to, we could do it after a Summer break.

[Rimbeux]

Dont know if its tiredness and I certainly wouldnt advocate rotation of key players for an away trip to Upton Park.

 

If the lads really wanted to try last night, if they were playing a better class of opposition and needed to get to 4th or 5th gear then I dont think they would have looked so lethargic.

 

I think it was just a case of having to beat what was in front of them and they wanted to do it with the least amount of energy used, after all, we know we can burst out of the traps in March/April in the CL, I'm sure if we had to, we could do it after a Summer break.

 

 

i think we more than most sides tend to play at the level of the oppo and get the job done

[Flasher]

i think we more than most sides tend to play at the level of the oppo and get the job done

 

There's something in that. Why waste energy.

 

Had we played Lyon last night, the performance would have been different I'm sure. It's natural.

[ynwa.tv]

Down Memory Lane

 

Double Agents

[Chili Palmer]

i think we more than most sides tend to play at the level of the oppo and get the job done

 

 

we started last season the same way and then from Feb on we started to set the tempo of games.

[Knox_Harrington]

Riera out Masch in. Insua probably out, Aurelio probably in.

[MarkD]

Every year we struggle in our first CL game at Anfield - which is typically a qualifying game to the group stages. Maybe they thought the same last night.

[Chili Palmer]

Riera out Masch in. Insua probably out, Aurelio probably in.

 

 

Thought Insua was poor last night. Definately Aurelio time.

[Knox_Harrington]

Thought Insua was poor last night. Definately Aurelio time.

He was knocking off against Burnley and wasn't convincing against Bolton but that's what Big Kev will do to you.

 

Having said that last night and Burnley Riera wasn't giving him much help at times, knocking off as well.

[Mike]

Thought Insua was poor last night. Definately Aurelio time.

 

he was pretty good going forward

[RedHarvest]

I think Insua's coming along nicely. Another season of intermittant appearances, some steady improvement and we have a potentially excellent attacking left full for the future.

[sean]

Babel's cameo was promising, did a few things and looked like he actually meant it last night.

[Chili Palmer]

Babel's cameo was promising, did a few things and looked like he actually meant it last night.

 

 

Xabi left him the secret of the 'beard' before he left for Madrid.

[RedHarvest]

First time in ages he's looked remotely dangerous - promising, since we're stuck with him and need all we can squeeze out of the squad.

[fred milne]

Riera out Masch in. Insua probably out, Aurelio probably in.

I reckon Rafa will see West Ham away as a tricky fixture and go with the most solid team he can:

 

Reina

Johnson Carra Skrtel Insua

Masch Lucas

Kuyt Gerrard Riera

Torres

[Chili Palmer]

I reckon Rafa will see West Ham away as a tricky fixture and go with the most solid team he can:

 

Reina

Johnson Carra Skrtel Insua

Masch Lucas

Kuyt Gerrard Riera

Torres

 

 

I'd keep Benni in for Riera and Aurelio in for Insua, the rest I agree with Fred.

[fred milne]

Babel's cameo was promising, did a few things and looked like he actually meant it last night.

Leo will say that was at least in part to him playing on the right.

 

It was interesting that even when Masch came on Rafa told Kuyt to go left rather than Babel switch wings.

[johngibo YPC]

I reckon Rafa will see West Ham away as a tricky fixture and go with the most solid team he can:

 

Reina

Johnson Carra Skrtel Insua

Masch Lucas

Kuyt Gerrard Riera

Torres

 

No way he won't play Yossi. You literally can't not play Yossi at the moment

[fred milne]

No way he won't play Yossi. You literally can't not play Yossi at the moment

I just think Rafa will go for the solidity of Kuyt and Riera out wide. He probably also reckons Yossi is better at changing the game when he comes on as a sub than Riera.