Starting Choice Eleven Dilemma

                        Reina

Johnson   Carragher  Agger   Enrique

                        Lucas

      Meireles     Gerrard     Downing

                 Suarez

                       Carroll

Just throwing it out there

Competition for places?

Good God! What is this madness!

Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas; Meireles, Gerrard; Suarez, Downing, Carroll

Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas; Meireles, Gerrard; Suarez, Downing, Carroll

They're all I just said, you crazy cat

Downing up front though?

By the way, you got to bed late last night mate, what was it, after 5?

:O

For me;

                              Reina

Kelly        Carragher    Agger        Enrique

                       Lucas     Aquilani

        Suarez           Gerrard        Downing
                         
                            Carroll


Kelly was brilliant at right back last season and to the point where i think he now has to be considered our first choice right back. He's much more reliable than Johnson at defending and he's just as good as Johnson at attacking. If Johnson is still considered first choice then he has to be looking over his shoulder with great awareness!

Wasn't everyone complaining about us using 2 holding midfielders a couple of seasons ago?

And yet most of you have that in your formations

I want to see more attacking football, we've been lacking that for too long

We played too defensive towards the end of Rafa's reign and throughout all of the woeful Hodgeson era

Wasn't everyone complaining about us using 2 holding midfielders a couple of seasons ago?

And yet most of you have that in your formations

I want to see more attacking football, we've been lacking that for too long

We played too defensive towards the end of Rafa's reign and throughout all of the woeful Hodgeson era

In the 4-2-3-1 Kenny seems to play they aren't both 'holding' midfielders in terms of what they're given license to do. Under Rafa I'd say we did usually play with two deeper lying midfielders, and I do think he was a little too cautious at times. It's the same formation but different philosophy.

In the 4-2-3-1 Kenny seems to play they aren't both 'holding' midfielders in terms of what they're given license to do. Under Rafa I'd say we did usually play with two deeper lying midfielders, and I do think he was a little too cautious at times. It's the same formation but different philosophy.

Maybe not Kenny's, I wouldn't expect Aquilani to sit in deep

But as for the people who have said Lucas and Adam, I'm not too sure

I don't think we need to be that cautious, especially now we have Enrique to strengthen our back 4

Lucas is a big boy, let him hold up the defensive midfield duties on his own and put more emphasis on forward play

Personally think Lucas should be sitting back on his own, with Adam and Aqua ahead of him, Lucas is more then capable to take care of the defensive side of things, with Aquilani and Adam leading the attacking side of things.

                    Reina
Johnson  Carragher  Agger  Enrique
               Lucas  Aquilani
      Suarez    Gerrard         Downing
                   Carroll

Although perhaps Skrtel might be a better option to Carra, I don't like leaving him out.  What does that say about our squad now when the likes of Meireles, Adam, Kuyt, Henderson, Kelly, Aurelio, Skrtel, Maxi, Spearing don't even make my strongest XI.

                               Reina

Johnson         Skrtel              Agger        Enrique

                         Lucas      Henderson

Gerrard                   Suarez                    Downing

                               Carroll


Looking good. Lots of competition and quality in depth. Ideally, I'd have another CB and a right winger but it is a strong squad as it is. The biggest dilema is the central midfield, obviously. Lucas has to play when fit, Gerrard too, so between Aquilani, Adam, Meireles and Henderson I'd take Jordan, because I think he is the most complete player in the pot.

We also have Aurelio, Carragher, Maxi, Aquilani, Adam, Meireles, Kelly, Kuyt, Spearing and Doni which speaks a lot of the quality of this team. With a 1-2 additions, we will have two good players for each position in team, something we haven't had in a long time. Looking forward to Sunderland game!

Nice to see that Lucas is now in everyones first team.

If Aquilani stays, them 2 (LL & AA) play some lovely football.

I just like the fact that we have options.

Good this dilemma innit ?

                               Reina
Johnson       Carra/Cahill         Agger      Enrique
                               Lucas
Henderson                                         Downing
                               Gerrard
                        Suarez        Carroll

Think this fits us best IMO. I am hoping Cahill comes in. We still have Spearing, Aquilani, Meireles, and Adam as depth in the CM which is a lot. I have a feeling one of Aquilani or Meireles is sold or even both.

                               Reina
Johnson       Carra/Cahill         Agger      Enrique
                               Lucas
Henderson                                         Downing
                               Gerrard
                        Suarez        Carroll

Think this fits us best IMO. I am hoping Cahill comes in. We still have Spearing, Aquilani, Meireles, and Adam as depth in the CM which is a lot. I have a feeling one of Aquilani or Meireles is sold or even both.

Thank you!

Someone else who'd put Henderson in their starting 11

I know i didn't in mine but he didn't really fit into my formation

I really like him, I've seen his assists, he's a quality player and people shouldn't be talking about him as if he should just be a sub

                                        Reina

Johnson               Carra/Cahill?       Agger           Enrique

                                       Lucas

                Gerrard/Aquilani           Adam/Meireles

Suarez                                                           Downing

                                       Carroll                          

Sad to see Kuyt being pushed out of everyone's teams

Sad to see Kuyt being pushed out of everyone's teams

I'd keep Kuyt in there, either as a sub or a starter - the guy has a great engine, and sometimes that's what you need.

He started as a right back, so he knows a bit more about defending than other midfielders/wide attack players.

I'd keep Kuyt in there, either as a sub or a starter - the guy has a great engine, and sometimes that's what you need.

He started as a right back, so he knows a bit more about defending than other midfielders/wide attack players.

Really think he'll get starts over Downing though?

Dirk will get games for sure, his quality has improved in recent times and can easily see him starting v's Sunderland in the absence of Suarez. He's a senior player knows the squad game and usually gets on with things without moaning so I think he will be an ideal bench player. If you're trying to tie up a game someone like Dirk is ideal to bring on with all his energy.

Just because they aren't starting doesn't mean they won't play. You have to factor in injuries, fatigue, etc.

Can you imagine bringing on Kuyt and Aquilani after 70 minutes?

Talk about gamechanging substitutions

I know we sometimes cry out for a striker but I think Kuyt can be that cover.

Either on the right or up top with a partner/alone for me. Love him alot but I just couldn't find a place for him!