Pre Match: Sunderland v Liverpool (Premier League 17/10/09 3pm)

Ha just got there before me! 

I like the fact that our teams are exactly the same, as well as both being unsure about whether to play Babel or Ngog up top .

No Gerrard and Torres. Sucks especially when two of them are out at the same time.

Just shows you doesn't it. We get one or two key players out and you worry where the goals are gonna come from.

It's going to be an interesting game tomorrow.

If Ngog is given the chance, I desperately hope he performs. Mind you he can't really win. Even when he plays well and bags a goal some fans are on his case.

No Gerrard and Torres. Sucks especially when two of them are out at the same time.

F***ing stupid internationals innit - but I feel confident about this game and think fortune is gonna smile on us, not before time!

I'm dreading the all the "2 man team" sh*t we're gonna hear after if we don't win.

I'm dreading the all the "2 man team" sh*t we're gonna hear after if we don't win.

stay positive......the cu*ts come up with any old sh*te win or lose.

stay positive......the cu*ts come up with any old sh*te win or lose.

Yeah, I'm sure we're gonna hear it anyway even if we win 6-0.

Can't wait for the game now. It feels like everyone wants us to fail especially when Torres or Gerrard are out. Can't wait till we shove it down their throats!

No Gerrard or Torres.

It would be interesting to see how we cope. But nevertheless we don't rely on two man to change the game.

Looking at the situation I think Babel might get the nod up front.

What I want to happen:

Riera
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt          Benayoun        Riera
Babel

N'gog on early in the second half, to attack more and/or give him more experience.

What will happen:

Riera
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Babel          Benayoun        Riera
Kuyt

I am not entirely let down if Kuyt plays lone striker, but I would prefer if Babel got a chance instead, with kuyt staying out wide. And this season, I don't think that Gerrard is much of a loss. Losing Yossi, Masch or Kuyt is more of a loss IMO.

cometh the hour. Babel wants to be seen as a top player he may well have the opportunity to do it.Dirk never lets us down and always scores important goals so am I worried not a bit come on you red men.

Bloody internationals   

Still, what an opportunity for Babel to shine.  Hope he takes it.

If Rafa picks him for the bench, it could be a good chance for Spearing to get a game as well if Masch or Lucas tires in the second half.

Must remember to change my fantasy team as well.  Bloody internationals.

N'gog on early in the second half, to attack more and/or give him more experience.

Substitutions more often than not depend on the situation. If its still 0-0 early in the second half we shouldn't be looking to bring a player on to gain experience. It also depends on the way the game is going. For example, if Babel is playing up top and looking sharp and dangerous, but Kuyt is proving ineffective on the right hand side, there wouldn't be room to bring Ngog on without a change of formation. It's funny. Sometimes substitutions don't just depend on an individual's performance, but how well and how effective the team is playing as a whole attacking or defensive unit.

With out being overly confident, I'd like to think we will get 3 points against Sunderland, If were to keep ourselves in the hunt for the title then Sunderland, with no disrespect to them at all are the sort of teams we need to be taking maximum points from.

Come on the Red Men YNWA

after so many people slagging Gerrard's performance against Chelsea and even calling for him to be dropped out of the team i wonder how they are feeling now hes injured!id put my life on it their gutted and now realise how stupid their comments where.
we've still got a lot of experience and senior players in the team and should still win sunderland.

Come on then lets have it. No Torres No Stevie. Possibily no Kuyt. Lucas Masch and Insua back late from South America. Voronin probably out and Kyrgiakos out for sure, Agger unlikely to make it either..

LETS STEP UP TO THE MARK LADS

For me a straight 4 42 Babel up top with N'Gog. Yossi and Riera on the flanks. Everyone will think were f**ked without Stevie and Nando. I see it as a chance for fringe players to step up and take there chance. A chance maybe for Pacheco to get a run out, from the bench, I believe we willl get the 3 points and prove the doubters wrong

                                                                    REINA

                   JOHNSON                         AGGER               CARRAGHER                   INSUA

                    KUYT                             MASCHERANO       AURELIO                       RIERA

                                                         BENAYOUN            BABEL

(Aurelio played there against portsmouth lat year and did really well and Lucas is sh*te. My prediction 1-1

and Lucas is sh*te.

Except he isn't though is he. He's more than proved that over the end of last season and beginning of this.

                                                                    REINA

                   JOHNSON                         AGGER               CARRAGHER                   INSUA

                    KUYT                             MASCHERANO       AURELIO                       RIERA

                                                         BENAYOUN            BABEL

I think we might be better starting Aurelio at LB and leaving Insua out of this one. He won't be used to the traveling at all yet.

                                                                   REINA

                   JOHNSON                         AGGER               CARRAGHER                   INSUA

                    KUYT                             MASCHERANO       AURELIO                       RIERA

                                                         BENAYOUN            BABEL

(Aurelio played there against portsmouth lat year and did really well and Lucas is sh*te. My prediction 1-1

What are you saying mate that is a winning line up and on it's day could turn any team over, I'll have 1-2 on the day no probs.

We beat Man Utd last season without Torres and Gerrard as they were both injured, oh yeah and that was after international duty... I also cant see Mascherano or Insua playing in this one my team would be

Johnson Carra Mr Skrytl Aurelio
        Lucas Spearing
Benny      Kuyt     Babel
             Ngog

Bench

Babel, Nathan Eccleston, Danny Pacheco, Aryala, Cav, Stephen Derby Reira

after all the difficulties we're accumulating I think at last we can only gain with this match. If Torres and Gerrard can't play at least those players who need some minutes in order to improve and get use to Liverpool dynamics we'll be able to have them. this match's expectatives are low, so anything that will happen will be better than what is being expected

Would like to see this back line:

Johnson   Skrtel   Agger   Aurelio

Just so that Carra can have more time to get his head together and concentrate on his form.

Worrying.

I'd go with something like:

              Reina

Johnson Carra Skrtel Aurelio

      Lucas Mascherano
Babel                      Riera
             Benny
             Kuyt

Bollocks!!!

But we have seen in the past that we can cope without Stevie and Nando. I know this is going to be very difficult but we can do it if Babel/Kuyt takes the next step up and lead the line well. I'm not over confident but I have a sneaky feeling we might pull this one off. Keep the faith.