Topic: Sami Returns,No Agger or Riera

[JonnyCigarettes®]

Gedo seems to have a good source within the club.

Is he Gerrard's dad?

[farawayred]

I'd be pissed if Riera was dropped/rotated without a reason.

I had a feeling that Sami may play anyway.

Sami showed such hunger against Chelsea even only for a few minutes. He was immense.

[GonzalezIsARed]

I'd be pissed if Riera was dropped/rotated without a reason.

[DAVO1]

Maybe its a conspiracy plot to see who the mole is!

[Jagdip]

I'd be pissed if Riera was dropped/rotated without a reason.

What if a reason was given.

[newterp]

I'd be pissed if Riera was dropped/rotated without a reason.

I had a feeling that Sami may play anyway.

the reason would be that he started 9 straight games - it's a marathon - not a sprint.

Also - this is the perfect game to put Hyppia in - it makes sense.  Also - keep him interested and focused and sharp.

[GonzalezIsARed]

What if a reason was given.

Rafa is boss, no?

[bravoco]

the reason would be that he started 9 straight games - it's a marathon - not a sprint.

[Hunts Cross]

Hopefully Pennant will be in the team today.

Really? I just do not see that. Do you not think Kuyt has done well?

[DAVO1]

the reason would be that he started 9 straight games - it's a marathon - not a sprint.

Also - this is the perfect game to put Hyppia in - it makes sense.  Also - keep him interested and focused and sharp.

JC could play 60 games,no difference.

[Gigantic Lamb]

Babel upfront instead of Keane?

[LFC_4_life]

Really? I just do not see that. Do you not htink Kuyt has done well?

I think Kuyt has been excellent thus far this season. But I want to see 4-4-2 with Kuyt and Keane up front which is why I would like Pennant to play on the wing.

[Crackerjack Sam]

Good move by Rafa. team should be confident enough to win the game regardless of whose playing.
I've always got time for Sami, but if Yossi is starting he has to keep things neat and simple and not be too extravagant early on.
On the other hand could be Pennant and Babel on the flanks, which I'd be happier with.
But Don Rafa is the boss and he knows who to put out to defeat Pompy.

Get in Reds!!!

[Emo Phillips]

JC could play 60 games,no difference.

Centre-backs run less than anyone else. It's more about reading the game than running around like a nutter.

Also, makes sense to use Sami today, if true. He's only 2 inches smaller than Crouch, and just as fast as him!

As for Riera being rested, more than happy if Babel plays - get some pace into the team to run at Pompey's ageing defence.

[conman]

Babel upfront instead of Keane?

keane may not have fully recovered from the knock he is carrying.

[LFC_4_life]

Also, makes sense to use Sami today, if true. He's only 2 inches smaller than Crouch, and just as fast as him!

I think you mean just as slow as him.

[DAVO1]

Centre-backs run less than anyone else. It's more about reading the game than running around like a nutter.

As for Riera being rested, more than happy if Babel plays - get some pace into the team to run at Pompey's ageing defence.

what a load of crap.

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

Not happy at all if true, i hope this does not cost us any points, if it does then lessons have not been learned

play your best 11 in the prem, rotate in the other comps, start your best 11 and then take them off once they have done the business dont just rest them and then send players on at the end for a last ditch attempt at a come back

i hope we win and do not get caught out, we cannot afford to have another stoke

i absolutely love rafa and am 100% behind him but if we rotate in the prem i will be dissapointed

[newterp]

Centre-backs run less than anyone else. It's more about reading the game than running around like a nutter.
Also, makes sense to use Sami today, if true. He's only 2 inches smaller than Crouch, and just as fast as him!

As for Riera being rested, more than happy if Babel plays - get some pace into the team to run at Pompey's ageing defence.

that's what I was getting at as well.

[ElNino08]

team news dosnt come out to one hour before kick off

voronin is upfront with ngog i here

[Billy The Kid.]

what a load of crap.

Whats crap about it einstein?

[steve1664]

he wont start yoshi and Pennant. thats too much of a gamble for one game.

Yoshi ? Our new Japanese secret weapon......unleash him....

[WaltonRed]

Not happy at all if true, i hope this does not cost us any points, if it does then lessons have not been learned

play your best 11 in the prem, rotate in the other comps, start your best 11 and then take them off once they have done the business dont just rest them and then send players on at the end for a last ditch attempt at a come back

i hope we win and do not get caught out, we cannot afford to have another stoke

i absolutely love rafa and am 100% behind him but if we rotate in the prem i will be dissapointed

And what happens if a player is knackered.  Do we play him because he started the last game.  Riera has not been able to complete 90 minutes yet.  And always looks more knackered second half than first.  Perhaps he just absolutely needs a rest.

The idea that you always send out exactly the same XI in every League game regardless of the oppsotion, whether it is home / away is frankly ludicrous.

[newterp]

what a load of crap.

not really. something in there too difficult for you to comprehend?

[Degs]

I hope this isn't true.
It always seems our wheels come off when Rafa decides to rotate or irregulars feature (Portsmouth last year Gerrard, Babel and Torres didn't start), Birmingham 0-0 Torres didn't start, Reading away defeat.

It should be once bitten twice shy.

I understand Riera is playing lots of games, but if we're serious about Premier League being priority number one he should be starting and being brought off, rather than the inevitable bringing on after 60 minutes (this is in the last season mind set mind you) or don't play him against Atletico.

I have faith in Rafa not to fuck it up but if Defoe gets 1 on 1 with Hyypia I think we'll see a red flashed and if Riera starts on the bench we'll be too narrow and their full backs can act as 3rd and 4th centre backs because there will be no width at all.

Hopefully their heads are still rocking from Redknapp leaving but I wish Rafa would just send the best team out, and then if/when we go ahead bring off the players he'd like to rest.
If we don't win tonight, the result against Chelsea was for nothing.

Come on Rafa, don't be soft.

[redbyrdz]

Will be Sami's 300th premiership start, that's at least what the bbc are saying (they've been wrong with their stats before)

[The 5th Benitle]

Really wish the 'we must play our best eleven every game or the sky will fall in' brigade would fuck off. Firstly we chop and change systems and personnel according to the opposition, and secondly if you do not rotate you have knackered players. Every manager does it but some seem to think only Rafa does. Mindless sheep the lot of them.

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

And what happens if a player is knackered.  Do we play him because he started the last game.  Riera has not been able to complete 90 minutes yet.  And always looks more knackered second half than first.  Perhaps he just absolutely needs a rest.

The idea that you always send out exactly the same XI in every League game regardless of the oppsotion, whether it is home / away is frankly ludicrous.

i also think having blind faith in the manager's actions is ludicrous.
We are top and on fire, there is no need to rest anyone now, maybe in a few weeks but not after beating chelsea, you think the players aren't up for it?
we are home against pompey, why change things?

[Slave]

Every team has to rest/rotate players every now and again, whether you're Liverpool, Barcelona or Ebbsfleet Utd. What the fuck is everyone moaning about?

[A Day 2 Remember]

Not sure about dropping Agger. I have yet to doubt Rafa i i do not want to start so please Sami prove my doubts are just nerves.

[Wewonit5times]

We are top and on fire,

Exactly you tool so quit your whinging.

[yafoy]

I hope this isn't true.
It always seems our wheels come off when Rafa decides to rotate or irregulars feature (Portsmouth last year Gerrard, Babel and Torres didn't start), Birmingham 0-0 Torres didn't start, Reading away defeat.

It should be once bitten twice shy.

I understand Riera is playing lots of games, but if we're serious about Premier League being priority number one he should be starting and being brought off, rather than the inevitable bringing on after 60 minutes (this is in the last season mind set mind you) or don't play him against Atletico.

I have faith in Rafa not to fuck it up but if Defoe gets 1 on 1 with Hyypia I think we'll see a red flashed and if Riera starts on the bench we'll be too narrow and their full backs can act as 3rd and 4th centre backs because there will be no width at all.

Hopefully their heads are still rocking from Redknapp leaving but I wish Rafa would just send the best team out, and then if/when we go ahead bring off the players he'd like to rest.
If we don't win tonight, the result against Chelsea was for nothing.

Come on Rafa, don't be soft.

C>soft?..Rafa picks the best , fit team applicable, according to what he sees in training and on form...

even if (goodness forbid it!) we dont win tonight - beating Chelsea & MAN u ARE NOT "for nothing" ..footy is not a "perfect science" ...otherwise it would be easy to predict...

[jhaines]

I thought Sami was a doubt for this game?

"With Fernando Torres still out with a hamstring injury, Ryan Babel could step into the starting line-up should Keane be unavailable. Sami Hyypia is a doubt."

[Walter Sobchak]

I hope this isn't true.
It always seems our wheels come off when Rafa decides to rotate or irregulars feature (Portsmouth last year Gerrard, Babel and Torres didn't start), Birmingham 0-0 Torres didn't start, Reading away defeat.

It should be once bitten twice shy.

I understand Riera is playing lots of games, but if we're serious about Premier League being priority number one he should be starting and being brought off, rather than the inevitable bringing on after 60 minutes (this is in the last season mind set mind you) or don't play him against Atletico.

I have faith in Rafa not to fuck it up but if Defoe gets 1 on 1 with Hyypia I think we'll see a red flashed and if Riera starts on the bench we'll be too narrow and their full backs can act as 3rd and 4th centre backs because there will be no width at all.

Hopefully their heads are still rocking from Redknapp leaving but I wish Rafa would just send the best team out, and then if/when we go ahead bring off the players he'd like to rest.
If we don't win tonight, the result against Chelsea was for nothing.

Come on Rafa, don't be soft.

if this is true he's making two changes...the same amount he made for the chelsea game.

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

Really wish the 'we must play our best eleven every game or the sky will fall in' brigade would fuck off. Firstly we chop and change systems and personnel according to the opposition, and secondly if you do not rotate you have knackered players. Every manager does it but some seem to think only Rafa does. Mindless sheep the lot of them.

we will have to chop and change that is obvious but why right at the start when it could cost you points, why not take players off at half time rather than not starting them

we have failed through rotation early in the season, lets not do it again

[riprock]

play our best 11?? i dont know if we have one!i dont think Babel or Hyypia comin in would significantly weaken the team or change the way we play!!

[RAFA - 6 - 19]

Exactly you tool so quit your whinging.

read things in context you cock, i personally think dropping agger is a bad move, i hoep we win and i think we will but we need to get out of this tinkering in the prem mentality

[Gnurglan]

Makes sense. We've got to start Babel soon. If Keane is alright, we'll use Babel at LM, otherwise we'll play Babel up front. Agger is just back from injury, so it makes sense to ease him in while we make sure to use Sami and keep him involved too.

[Degs]

if this is true he's making two changes...the same amount he made for the chelsea game.

Yes but the changes at the weekend strengthened our team.

[DAVO1]

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