We know the defence and midfield, but...

[Guest Jodus]

Who will he start with up front?

 

I think it is fair to say it won't be Cissé, but perm any two from Crouch, Fowler, Moro and Garcia.

 

I would suggest - Crouch and Garcia. Two vastly different players, will keep them guessing.

[psl]

Agreed. Garcia always excels in Europe and they won't have played against too many like Crouch. That said, Morientes hasn't got a bad record in this competition...

[Benitez]

defo Crouchy.

 

Just one look at him will freak them out.

 

Hopefully he can play like he did v's Real Betis away.

[Stevie H]

benfica play that lad petit in the holding role and he played really well there against the mancs. garcia would give him something extra to think about.

[Mike]

not sure about crouch...he'd get penalised by european refs all game...id like to see moro and fowler (or garcia) for this one

[magneto]

Fowler and Moro with Crouch on the Bench

[Big E]

no chance of Garcia on the right then? I'd say unlikely, but you never know.

 

 

It's tempting, there's a case for all of our options:

 

Morientes - The pace and style of the game should suit him

Crouch - Probably our most effective forward, would unsettle them and scored so should be confident

Cisse - Pace to trouble them on the break

Fowler - because he's Fowler

Garcia - to play in the hole as mentioned above, also suited to the style of the game being Spanish.

 

 

I think Nando and Crouch, with Garcia and Fowler on the bench. Or maybe Cisse....

 

 

Edit: or Nando and Garcia....or Fowler

 

 

Edited February 21, 2006 by Big E

[tag]

Who will he start with up front?

 

I think it is fair to say it won't be Cissé, but perm any two from Crouch, Fowler, Moro and Garcia.

 

I would suggest - Crouch and Garcia. Two vastly different players, will keep them guessing.

 

 

i'd say only the goalkeeper & defence is certain. didn't elisha told us that Stevie G is carrying a knock of some sort on him thigh? and who'd you drop between Sissoko & Hamann(big game player) in place of Xavi.

 

i'd play cisse on right midfield, haman/sissoko combo and garcia+crouch upfront with Xavi, Stevie G, Morientes, Fowler, Traore, Dudek & Warnock(is he still out?) as subs.

[Boca]

I would not be surprised if we go with one up front. Worked very well last season in the away games in Europe.

[Stevie H]

no chance of Garcia on the right then? I'd say unlikely, but you never know.

 

i'd be amazed mate. they have two attacking full-backs.

[Cooldude]

I think it'd be Garcia playing off Crouch, similar to what we had against Betis away in the group stage

[Guest Jodus]

i'd say only the goalkeeper & defence is certain. didn't elisha told us that Stevie G is carrying a knock of some sort on him thigh? and who'd you drop between Sissoko & Hamann(big game player) in place of Xavi.

 

Our midfield has been largely unchanged recently, only because of injuries, so I reckon Xavi will come back for Didi. He should be fresh as well, had the week off.

 

If Stevie is out, I would put Garcia out there, and Fowler up front. But I am sure he will pull through.

[Boca]

Our midfield has been largely unchanged recently, only because of injuries, so I reckon Xavi will come back for Didi. He should be fresh as well, had the week off.

 

If Stevie is out, I would put Garcia out there, and Fowler up front. But I am sure he will pull through.

 

I don't want to be pedantic but that's two people in this thread who have mis-spelled his name. It's Xabi.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Crouch has been excellent for us in Europe, defences don't know how to handle him.

 

Garcia should start as well if he is fit, whether on the right or up front.

 

Do we really know the midfield? Is xabi fit again? If he is, then I'd drop momo and keep didi.

Edited February 21, 2006 by Anders Honoré

[Leo No.8]

Crouch and Fowler up front (can't wait to see those two play together), with Garcia, who is ideal to pinch a goal in what will probably be a tight European away game on the left, as Kewell looked tired against United.

[Andythered]

PR

 

SF JC SH JAR

 

Sissoko Hamman

Gerrard Kewell

 

Garcia

 

Morientes

[Guest Jodus]

I don't want to be pedantic but that's two people in this thread who have mis-spelled his name. It's Xabi.

 

If you didn't want to be pedantic, you wouldn't have pointed it out!

 

It is tag's fault, I was copying him...

[Knox_Harrington]

I'd rest Gerrard tonight.

[Coyler]

What's the word on his injury, wasn't it reported that his thigh's at him and he'll be out for a fair bit?

[Mike]

I'd rest Gerrard tonight.

 

60 minutes

[Stevie H]

got a nagging feeling that rafa's going to push riise into midfield again and play traore.

[Mike]

madness - he didn't do it against the possibility of giggs and ronaldo. be severely pissed off if we do

[Barnes' left foot]

got a nagging feeling that rafa's going to push riise into midfield again and play traore.

 

NOOOOOO!!

[Stevie H]

madness - he didn't do it against the possibility of giggs and ronaldo. be severely pissed off if we do

 

am only thinking it 'cos we're away. don't think he'll ever do it at home ever again.

[Ombudsam]

benfica play that lad petit in the holding role and he played really well there against the mancs. garcia would give him something extra to think about.

he's quality is that petit lad everytime i see him. The mancs should buy him

 

 

i'd say only the goalkeeper & defence is certain. didn't elisha told us that Stevie G is carrying a knock of some sort on him thigh? and who'd you drop between Sissoko & Hamann(big game player) in place of Xavi.

 

iniesta

 

 

 

 

I'm not mori's biggest fan by a long way but i've got a feeling he'll really do it for us in europe. I'd play him