Pre match: Sheff Utd v Liverpool - PL - Sunday 28th Feb 19:15

There is absolutely no doubt that Wilder & his blades will still be parking their bus irrespective of whoever Jürgen picks for a team,

If there was a opportunity to try something  new against a opponent who are likely to be predictable it is now, so being  without our main defenders and now within our main midfielders there is no other option, doing the same thing week in week out with the usual suspects hasn’t worked  so it’s not going to work either with secondary choice personnel is it ?

So here’s my idea that could help us temporarily...going 4-1-4-1 yes it’s a gamble and yes it’s untried as far as I know, I’m not privy to the training practices at Axa, but anyhoo....


                                                             Alisson/Adrian

                                                   Trent   Phillips   Kabak   Robbo
                                               
                                                               Wijnaldom


                                                    Thiago  Keita   Jones   Mane

                                                                   Salah


BENCH; Grabara ? , Tsimikas, Neco, Williams, Ox, Bobby, Jota, Shaqiri, Origi


I don’t think trying something like this against Sheff U is too much of a risk, doing so against Chelsea maybe, but we do need to try something because we’ve  lost too many points playing our usual system, when you lose 75% of your engine you go into slave mode(am I allowed to say that) and allow us to tick over and not necessarily reach the higher gears,

Assuming now that Naby is fit I’d slot him in between Thiago and Jones, he can drop back and help Gini if Blades get too sharp, or could push up and link up when Mane pushes up too, I don’t expect him to last the 90, Ox to come on for him after a good hour or so, Gini holding isn’t ideal but he’s done it before so knows what’s expected, the two CB’s will be tested of course but again although not ideal there’s not too many choices to opt from is there ?

We still have Trent and Robbo that can push forward albeit not as much, Blades still pose a threat so we will need both more defensively in this system, I’m hopeful Jota makes the bench a good ten minutes from him late on could prove fruitful if things are tight, Shaqiri also could change mindsets and give us options late on,


I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but we really need to try something new, we know how they are going to set up we just need to find another way past it, it won’t  be pretty to look at, it may be slower and take time to get used to but I think it could work, Bielsa uses it in his Leeds side and have produced some favourable results, not all the time but sufficiently, we really need to start picking up points starting from tonight, you know how it is, one or two wins we’re back in it, CL qualification is our new goal, let’s make sure we have enough points to ensure it.




1-2 Champions



                                                                             Y  N  W  A

                                                   

Not too sure about that. Gerrard was never overly vocal, especially in the years leading up to taking the armband. During his captaincy I always thought Carragher was the more 'vocal' leader on the pitch, but Gerrard was the one who led with his feet and was the one who you could give the ball to when the chips were down. Similar to Mane in that respect

Gerrard didn’t need to be vocal because Carragher was.
Who have we got when Hendos out 🤷‍♂️ Robbo possibly ?

There is absolutely no doubt that Wilder & his blades will still be parking their bus irrespective of whoever Jürgen picks for a team,

If there was a opportunity to try something  new against a opponent who are likely to be predictable it is now, so being  without our main defenders and now within our main midfielders there is no other option, doing the same thing week in week out with the usual suspects hasn’t worked  so it’s not going to work either with secondary choice personnel is it ?

So here’s my idea that could help us temporarily...going 4-1-4-1 yes it’s a gamble and yes it’s untried as far as I know, I’m not privy to the training practices at Axa, but anyhoo....


                                                             Alisson/Adrian

                                                   Trent   Phillips   Kabak   Robbo
                                               
                                                               Wijnaldom


                                                    Thiago  Keita   Jones   Mane

                                                                   Salah


BENCH; Grabara ? , Tsimikas, Neco, Williams, Ox, Bobby, Jota, Shaqiri, Origi


I don’t think trying something like this against Sheff U is too much of a risk, doing so against Chelsea maybe, but we do need to try something because we’ve  lost too many points playing our usual system, when you lose 75% of your engine you go into slave mode(am I allowed to say that) and allow us to tick over and not necessarily reach the higher gears,

Assuming now that Naby is fit I’d slot him in between Thiago and Jones, he can drop back and help Gini if Blades get too sharp, or could push up and link up when Mane pushes up too, I don’t expect him to last the 90, Ox to come on for him after a good hour or so, Gini holding isn’t ideal but he’s done it before so knows what’s expected, the two CB’s will be tested of course but again although not ideal there’s not too many choices to opt from is there ?

We still have Trent and Robbo that can push forward albeit not as much, Blades still pose a threat so we will need both more defensively in this system, I’m hopeful Jota makes the bench a good ten minutes from him late on could prove fruitful if things are tight, Shaqiri also could change mindsets and give us options late on,


I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but we really need to try something new, we know how they are going to set up we just need to find another way past it, it won’t  be pretty to look at, it may be slower and take time to get used to but I think it could work, Bielsa uses it in his Leeds side and have produced some favourable results, not all the time but sufficiently, we really need to start picking up points starting from tonight, you know how it is, one or two wins we’re back in it, CL qualification is our new goal, let’s make sure we have enough points to ensure it.




1-2 Champions



                                                                             Y  N  W  A

                                                   

These lowly teams set up against City in a similar fashion.
City players take them on and cut into the box along the by line then cross it in with pace snd there’s always 1 or 2 players waiting for the tap in.
We seem to cross the ball in early and are out numbered and the cross is blocked, or our lads are jumping against fellas a foot taller.
There are ways if you have the confidence to go for it.
We have to take defenders on more. Take them out of the  game or draw a foul. Need to try shooting more from 18-20 yds. Deflections will be as common as blocks in a crowded area.
We seem to just take the same option, one where all the opposition sides are set up to defend.
We just need a bit of tweaking to create something unexpected.

I would settle for any win today, even against lowly Sheffield United. The main thing is securing all three points, to challenge for a top four position.

I would settle for any win today, even against lowly Sheffield United. The main thing is securing all three points, to challenge for a top four position.

Ditto this.

Gerrard didn’t need to be vocal because Carragher was.
Who have we got when Hendos out 🤷‍♂️ Robbo possibly ?

Yeah it's a mad situation like. Think Robbo probably is the most vocal player we have available - think he would make a good stand in captain too, but I just reckon Mane deserves a go too

Any word on Kelleher? Are we looking at Adrian starting tonight?

Just win please.

Wouldn’t be arsed if the gaffer had  some of the canteen staff on the bench as long as one of them secures us the 3 points..
 

Just win please.

Feels like the biggest game we’ve ever had. We have to win to raise any hope or any sort of dignity and success

I wouldn’t be able to stomach even a draw today, never mind a loss... please just win, even if it’s a scrappy 1-0.

Got this horrible lingering feeling that they might turn us over. Earlier in the season when Klopp was making his digs at Wilder, the way things have been going the last few months it wouldn't surprise me at all if they came back to bite us on the arse and got one over on us. It certainly wouldn't be the maddest thing to happen to us this season that's for sure

Be delighted with a win at all costs

COYR 

I was quite confident, reading sll these posts I’m getting nervous. Especially with our diminishing squad. If Nabys not fit, where do we get any thrust from in midfield.
All looking a bit lightweight in there at the mo, no one commanding in there now.
Still going for 0-2 to us. Cos my heart says so 😬

Even with injuries, poor form and everything else considered, we should really get a result in this game, a draw - if not a win.
They're bottom of the table with their own problems.
And although we're weakened at the back, we *should* still have enough going forward.

Would drop Bobby for it, too much has broken down around him in recent matches. Mo and Mane haven't been brilliant either, but at least they have goal threat.
If Jürgen does start him, would like nothing more than to see Bobby play well, am just going on recent matches and the need to try something a little different.

Hopefully Kelleher is available and starts if Ali can't.
And don't think there is any other choice than to go Nat/Kabak at CB.

Really need these 3 points for the CL chase.
And would be nice to be able to watch the MOTD highlights for first time in ages.

I think we will win easily we just must concentrate from the begining

On another note, we desperately need a win todsy to keep those horrible bitter cu*ts behind us

See Maison has been binned as 4th official today but ive heared Moss is ref  and Atkinson is VAR so i wouldnt be counting on a penalty today

Any word on Kelleher? Are we looking at Adrian starting tonight?

I don’t think they have ruled out Alisson yet

Fancy us to win comfortably 2-0 , be nice to shut up the media and 'experts' ,come on redmen ,lets F***ing do this !

I fancy us to win this, just have a feeling that losing to the blue sh*te at home was the rock bottom of our current "blip" and we spring back now.

See Maison has been binned as 4th official today but ive heared Moss is ref  and Atkinson is VAR so i wouldnt be counting on a penalty today

Count on Martin to award United a pen or two then!

These lowly teams set up against City in a similar fashion.
City players take them on and cut into the box along the by line then cross it in with pace snd there’s always 1 or 2 players waiting for the tap in.
We seem to cross the ball in early and are out numbered and the cross is blocked, or our lads are jumping against fellas a foot taller.
There are ways if you have the confidence to go for it.
We have to take defenders on more. Take them out of the  game or draw a foul. Need to try shooting more from 18-20 yds. Deflections will be as common as blocks in a crowded area.
We seem to just take the same option, one where all the opposition sides are set up to defend.
We just need a bit of tweaking to create something unexpected.

Our forwards are better at latching on to through balls and neat one-twos rather than taking players on. We’ve been starved of space this season. Perhaps this explains our lack of goals.