Tottenham vs Liverpool: Sunday, 13:30 BST

Our attack has been lacking up top in the first two games, I think we played much better in a two striker system and our attack definitely looked much more menacing. Hopefully Balotelli is ready to go after a week's worth of practice. I'd like to see:

Mignolet
Manquillo  Skrtel  Lovren  Moreno
Gerrard   Hendo
Markovic                       Sterling
Sturridge   Balotelli

Understandably it is a risk to go in with such an attacking lineup and a weakened midfield (Stevie in a 2-man system is not great), but that's how we got to second place last year. High octane, fluid, strong attacking play where we control the tempo and we dominate the match.

                   Mignolet
  Manquillo Skrtel Lovren Moreno
                    Gerrard
        Henderson      Sterling
                    Coutinho
            Sturridge  Balotelli

I'd play with two strikers here. Playing with one striker just isn't working so far, we can't seem to create many quality chances in either game using that system and Sturridge is too isolated.

I don't think Balotelli will have any problems coming into the team, the manager has praised his fitness levels and I think that's an indication that he'll change and start them both. Especially as that was his go to formation when the team wasn't quite clicking with Sturridge up top on his own.

Coutinho has been very poor so far but I think he deserves to start in his best position here, and we can bring on Lallana or Markovic later in the game if needed.

If Moreno isn't fit then I'd play Enrique, and if he's not available then Can or Sakho would have to play there.

Tottenham are playing good stuff so far and will be tough competition on Sunday. I think we can win but a defeat would make this a disappointing start to the season. A close 2-1 win.

Spurs were lucky to beat West ham. They beat QPR who lost to what Burton during he week! And have beaten Cyprus 3rd or 4th best team. Well see what Spurs are up to come Sunday

This one is more important now, after a flat showing in the loss at City.  Don't want to loose 2 in a row, even if it is early days. Spuds were a shambles last year, and we hockied them. But it won't be anywhere near as easy this year. They won comfortably last week, we're off the back of a loss and need to get the confidence back.  Expecting a close game. Want to get a result though, draw at least.

                   Mignolet
  Manquillo Agger Lovren Moreno
                 Gerrard Allen
   Henderson   Coutinho   Sterling
                    Sturridge

Don't expect Balotelli, Markovic or Lallana (is he fit?) to start.
Would try someone else beside Lovren, but reckon BR will go with Martin again.

This one is more important now, after a flat showing in the loss at City.  Don't want to loose 2 in a row, even if it is early days. Spuds were a shambles last year, and we hockied them. But it won't be anywhere near as easy this year. They won comfortably last week, we're off the back of a loss and need to get the confidence back.  Expecting a close game. Want to get a result though, draw at least.

                   Mignolet
  Manquillo Agger Lovren Moreno
                 Gerrard Allen
   Henderson   Coutinho   Sterling
                    Sturridge

Don't expect Balotelli, Markovic or Lallana (is he fit?) to start.
Would try someone else beside Lovren, but reckon BR will go with Martin again.

IIRC Agger has not been practicing and has some kind of nick or a case of transferites (not sure) but I don't think we are going to see him Sunday.

I would stay away from Allen and play Can if need be and I hope to see Balo starting next to Studge.

IIRC Agger has not been practicing and has some kind of nick or a case of transferites (not sure) but I don't think we are going to see him Sunday.

I would stay away from Allen and play Can if need be and I hope to see Balo starting next to Studge.

Is this the same Allen who was part of the midfield that destroyed them last season at WHL?

This could be quite tricky. They have 4 in a row now in all competitions so confidence will be flowing, especially with all their (new) players gelling.

Hopefully we can counter-act Pochetino's approach like the 3-0 away to Southampton last year. Our full backs & DM areas are quite important in this one, mainly due to the movement of Lamela.

We shouldn't be fooled by last years score line, this will be a tough test for us.

Under Pochettino they will be a rejuvinated team that presses high and is technically sound ala Southampton last year.

Despite that I think we can nick it by 1, Henderson to open his account.

It's become one of those season so far defining games after the Man City defeat. Win, and 6 points from our first three tricky games will be an excellent start. Even a draw and 4 points given we played Man City away will be fair enough I think. Lose though, and we'll be left licking our wounds and six points off the top of the league.

You can't win the league in August September, but you can lose it. Six points behind Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City etc would put us not out of it exactly, but not exactly in it either. We'd b one dodgy result away from settling for a top four target.

I think it'll be tough, but given Balotelli's career I can't help thinking that he will make a significant contribution one way or the other, even if it is off the bench. Hopefully that contribution will be in the form of the winner rather than a sending off!

I don't think this will be as easy as last season. I think we will have a battle on this time, especially if we are short on fullbacks due to injuries.

Might be time to try 3 at the back if Flanagan and Enrique aren't fit?

Could even solve my problem of having 12 players in my team

                                        Mignolet
                   
                   Skrtel             Lovren         Agger

Stirling                         Gerrard       Can                           Markovic

                                       Henderson   

                              Sturridge      Balotelli   

I have to my shame gone for a draw in this game .... still hoping for a win though.


                                         

What the hell are you doing here Van Gaal ? o.O

This will be far tougher than last year. A couple of their players are rejuvinated, they have an excellent new manager and they've had two impressive wins. I still think we're a better team on our day, just hope we're not having a sluggish day like the first game.

I'm going to be adventurous and go for

                         Mignolet

Manquillo      Lovren       Sakho     Moreno

             Can           Gerrard 
                 
                    Henderson   
         
     Balottelli                           Sterling         
                       Sturridge

   

We have to play Balotelli in this match because he offers us something we dont have up front "pace" apparently

on a more serious note, i like the fact we have quite a few attacking options, i think markovic should feature he needs actual game time to get used to the squad his qualities are there for all to see so the quicker he settles in the better for the long run, is lallana fit for this game because he is another player i can see opening up some defenses.

Looking forward to this game we are definately capable of getting a result but spurs shouldnt be underestimated

            Mignolet
Manquillo   Skrtel/Sakho    Lovren      Moreno

                 Gerrard
         Hendo        Coutinho

Sterling          Sturridge           Markovic

Knowing that Markovic and Sterling are willing to defend and that Coutinho is better at CM or CAM, I think this is the best team to take control of this game, even if we're playing away.               
         

This game will get our season started. 3-0. Studge, Lovren/Sahko from a corner, Ballo from the bench.
I hate spurs.

What kind of F***ing club sticks hotspurs on the end of their name? It sounds ridiculous. And even Tottenham is stupid sounding place name.

what is a hotspur?

I'm an optimist in everything, I just can't see us losing this.

Here's my best guess what our lineup will be...this is assuming Moreno isn't fit, if he is, swap him for Enrique


                   Mignolet

Manquillo  Skrtel    Lovren    Enrique

                    Gerrard

            Hendo           Lallana

                    Coutinho

            Ballotelli       Sturridge

Subs: Jones, Sakho, Can, Markovic, Allen, Lambert, Sterling

Think Sterling might need a break and could make an impact off the bench with Markovic.

what is a hotspur?

A over used impetus persuader, is an over heated spur, the spur is of course used to prod a horse and impel it to greater effort. If the spur is hot it has been used rashly and without regard - definition of hotspur.
Tottenham Hotspur = a horse with a sore arse.

Here's my best guess what our lineup will be...this is assuming Moreno isn't fit, if he is, swap him for Enrique


                   Mignolet

Manquillo  Skrtel    Lovren    Enrique

                    Gerrard

            Hendo           Lallana

                    Coutinho

            Ballotelli       Sturridge

Subs: Jones, Sakho, Can, Markovic, Allen, Lambert, Sterling

Think Sterling might need a break and could make an impact off the bench with Markovic.

I think it's insane to consider dropping Raheem personally. And id be worried of he was tired two games into the season.

I think it's insane to consider dropping Raheem personally. And id be worried of he was tired two games into the season.

Ok, so you don't drop Sterling, who do you drop?

Henderson? Lallana?

Cause I'd put money that Balotelli will start and Sturridge isn't going anywhere.

I guess it's good that Brendan has this sort of lineup challenge.

And to be clear, I wasn't talking about a fitness break necessarily, just a break from starting. Keep him hungry and keep his mindset right.

Ok, so you don't drop Sterling, who do you drop?

Henderson? Lallana?

Cause I'd put money that Balotelli will start and Sturridge isn't going anywhere.

I guess it's good that Brendan has this sort of lineup challenge.

And to be clear, I wasn't talking about a fitness break necessarily, just a break from starting. Keep him hungry and keep his mindset right.

Can't drop a player who has been, arguably, our best player so far this season. I'd rather drop Couts, who has been up and down.

This this this!!!

             Mignolet

Manquillo      Lovren       Sakho     Moreno

             Can           Gerrard 
                 
                    Henderson   
         
     Balottelli                           Sterling         
                       Sturridge

Ok, so you don't drop Sterling, who do you drop?

Henderson? Lallana?

Cause I'd put money that Balotelli will start and Sturridge isn't going anywhere.

I guess it's good that Brendan has this sort of lineup challenge.

And to be clear, I wasn't talking about a fitness break necessarily, just a break from starting. Keep him hungry and keep his mindset right.

In the formation above drop Coutinho