Will Rafa rotate for 3 Arsenal games in a week?

I am wondering if Rafa will rotate the teams for the 3 Arsenal games (2 x CL, 1 Prem) in a week.

I get a feeling it depends on the Everton result, IMHO if we win vs Bluenoses ...he WILL rotate galore....

Poll please:

Rafa will rotate the team if we win or draw against Everton
Rafa will play the best XI only chagning for injuries & Masch
Rafa will rotate the team irrelevant of the Everton result

Very interested in your thoughts....

IRWT

I think there will be some "rotation" as Masher will be available for the CL games. If we play well  and get a good result on Wed then I would hope there would be not too much chopping and changing, for the EPL and following CL games, but if the result on Wed is disappointing then may be changes will be made. As the best we can get is 3rd the tomorrows game may be an important point in the team selection for the EPL game, remembering that we are playing on Sat and the BS are playing on Sun (against Derby). If we win tomorrow we will be 5 points ahead of the BS so a loss in the league game would not be a total disaster in the league, but confidence may suffer, again depending on Wed's game, 2 loses can be difficult to deal with if you then need a win against the same team.
So all in all I don't know, to coin a phrase we will just have to play each game as it comes up, and pray to god that positive results come our way and the team that played last Sunday never appears again along with Bennet.

PS I would go for your 2nd option.

Done 

Myself I'm going for option 2, got to play the best if we wanna progress either way. 

I feel that if we get a good result against Everton expect some changes for the first game against Arsenal.

Finnan/Arbeloa
Riise/Aurelio
Hyypia/Skrtel
Babel/Yossi
Kuyt/Crouch
Lucas/Masch (due to Suspension)

Rafa is a maniac in terms of freshness of players, so I fully expect it to happen IF we WIN or maybe draw versus Bluenoses... for the first CL game vs Arsenal...

No way will Rafa play an unchanged XI (even not counting Masch change) for 3 games in a week.

I feel that he will rotate no matter what the result against the bitters is, 3 games in a row is tough and need to keep a strong but fresh side throughout. With rotatiions i mean maybe 3 or 4 squad players and keeping Gerrard and Torres and co. in regardless.

Option 2 for me , unless they hammer us in the first game

Best 11 always for me. Rotation in formation, but always best 11

Bolton 2 up against a make-shift Arsenal before h-t - look like Arse are saving themselves for us.

We need to whip these boys at the Emirates... they are there for the taking.

Bolton 2 up against a make-shift Arsenal before h-t - look like Arse are saving themselves for us.
We need to whip these boys at the Emirates... they are there for the taking.

They're losing against Bolton, but it is hardly a make-shift side.

They're losing against Bolton, but it is hardly a make-shift side.

True, I'm watching live on terrestrial spanish TV... Arsenal's heart isn't in this game... they've either run of steam... good for us... or saving themselves for us... not so good for us.

It should be 3-0 by now... still 2-0.

True, I'm watching live on terrestrial spanish TV... Arsenal's heart isn't in this game... they've either run of steam... good for us... or saving themselves for us... not so good for us.

It should be 3-0 by now... still 2-0.

They know they have a major encounter with us.

They know they have a major encounter with us.

Gallas and Van Persie. 2.2. Teaches me to post during an oppos match!

they've either run of steam... good for us... or saving themselves for us... not so good for us.

I'd imagine it's the latter mate. They should be going to Bolton and being well capable of getting a goal or two.

As for the three games, I honestly have no idea. Don't think anyone can call it other than saying there'll probably be at least one change in amongst those three games. And of course, it could depend on the result from the first leg when the Champions League games are concerned.

I'm in agreement with Solodee about the best 11 available though. That's just the way it has to be now until the end of the season, I feel.

I think he will rotate because not all the players will be able to be fit enough for all 3 games, I think Pennant will play against that blue sh*te and twice against the london sh*te because Kuyt is starting to look as if he is starting to think that he is certain to start. Also a few players dont deserve to start after their sh*t performance against the mancs and Kuyt is one of them.

I think Raffa will only rotate against Arsenal(league) if we don't win tomorrow. If Arsenal only draw at Bolton will Gallas pull his hair out or cry again like at Brum, what a captain.....

I think he will rotate because not all the players will be able to be fit enough for all 3 games, I think Pennant will play against that blue sh*te and twice against the london sh*te because Kuyt is starting to look as if he is starting to think that he is certain to start. Also a few players dont deserve to start after their sh*t performance against the mancs and Kuyt is one of them.

Torres had a sh*te games vs the Mancs... that doesn't mean he shouldn't start.

I would have Crouchy and Torres up front tomorrow.

Torres had a sh*te games vs the Mancs... that doesn't mean he shouldn't start.

I would have Crouchy and Torres up front tomorrow.

Torres had a sh*te game because he was up front on his own and had no real support. Kuyt was on the wing and should have tried to do more attacking and support him but that game is in the past now so lets focus on the blue scum.

I agree with you that Crouchy and Torres should start together tomorrow because it would be great to see them paired toghether again. With Coruch on then because of the aerial threat that he poses then Lescott will be the one marking him and that would allow Torres to create more space for himself as their other defenders are pretty sh*t .

I.R.W.T

I think Rafa will start with Crouch and Torres upfront, he should anyway. Kuyt I think needs a break and a rest. He needs some time off to realise that he needs to change how he plays, so he can get back to scoring again. Frankly he hassn't been the same ever since his dad passed away.

Crouch, I don't really know why he isn't starting or playing in a lot of games. He may not score 20+, but he definitely scores a lot more than Kuyt. Also he scored a hattrick against Arsenal last year, he seems to be able to score in big/important games against big teams. I think he definitely has to start against at least two of the Arsenal matches.

I think Rafa will start with Crouch and Torres upfront, he should anyway. Kuyt I think needs a break and a rest. He needs some time off to realise that he needs to change how he plays, so he can get back to scoring again. Frankly he hassn't been the same ever since his dad passed away.

Crouch, I don't really know why he isn't starting or playing in a lot of games. He may not score 20+, but he definitely scores a lot more than Kuyt. Also he scored a hattrick against Arsenal last year, he seems to be able to score in big/important games against big teams. I think he definitely has to start against at least two of the Arsenal matches.

if rafa plays crouch he'll have to change the formation cos crouch doesnt fit into what hes playin at the moment. kuyt at present is playing on the right, a position that crouch cudnt do. i agree that crouch shud be played as a partner to torres, but it just wudnt fit into this formation.

if rafa plays crouch he'll have to change the formation cos crouch doesnt fit into what hes playin at the moment. kuyt at present is playing on the right, a position that crouch cudnt do. I agree that crouch shud be played as a partner to torres, but it just wudnt fit into this formation.

Well, then he will have to chnage the formation. Kuyt shouldn't be on the right. he plays upfront and that is where he should be playing. But seeing as though he is not able to score a lot of goals, Crouch has to come in and replace him. He is the next best striker after Torres so he should be playing upfront.

Well, then he will have to chnage the formation. Kuyt shouldn't be on the right. he plays upfront and that is where he should be playing. But seeing as though he is not able to score a lot of goals, Crouch has to come in and replace him. He is the next best striker after Torres so he should be playing upfront.

i agree mate, the crouch and torres partnership upfront is the best strikers we can have. i still think dirrrrk knows a dirty secret of rafas and thats why rafa plays him so often, even out of position. but the formation rafas playing with at present is winning us games (par man u) and thats dirk kuyt seems to fit into that role pretty well. if we change formation at such an important stage of season, it cud have disasterious affects. rafa must have judged that no partnership was workin well with torres (which i thought was wrong cos i cud see the crouch-torres parternership happening) and thats why hes changed to this formation. change formation at this point of season and we cud possibly kiss that fourth place spot goodbye, and kiss the CL goodbye.

I agree mate, the crouch and torres partnership upfront is the best strikers we can have. I still think dirrrrk knows a dirty secret of rafas and thats why rafa plays him so often, even out of position. but the formation rafas playing with at present is winning us games (par man u) and thats dirk kuyt seems to fit into that role pretty well. if we change formation at such an important stage of season, it cud have disasterious affects. rafa must have judged that no partnership was workin well with torres (which I thought was wrong cos I cud see the crouch-torres parternership happening) and thats why hes changed to this formation. change formation at this point of season and we cud possibly kiss that fourth place spot goodbye, and kiss the CL goodbye.

You know, I do wonder why Rafa persists on starting with Kuyt, maybe he does know a secret about Rafa. But he did to the same thing with Crouch when he wasn't scoring in games, he kept on playing him until he finally scored. I remember he said how do you expect a player to start scoring again if he isn't playing/starting a game? What he said is absolutely correct but don't have a better player to play right midfield?

Anyway IRWT!! 

You know, I do wonder why Rafa persists on starting with Kuyt, maybe he does know a secret about Rafa. But he did to the same thing with Crouch when he wasn't scoring in games, he kept on playing him until he finally scored. I remember he said how do you expect a player to start scoring again if he isn't playing/starting a game? What he said is absolutely correct but don't have a better player to play right midfield?

Anyway IRWT!! 

i see what your saying, rafa should be playing a right winger on a right winged position. but i still think dirk suits to that role because hes playing as a feeder striker to torres. hes not expected to score goals from that position so when he does score goals (such as inter milan) it gives him confidence that he needs. he may not be the best finisher in the world but hes done some good things playing on the wing, such as against west ham. he set up a beautiful ball for el nino to shoot down.

The team will be rotated against Arsenal regardless.

3 Games
One week
Same team

No choice.

& FYI, Against ManUre, Torres actually managed to lose both Ferdinand and Vidic several times.

Depends on todays result if we can beat Everton he might rest a few for the league game with Arsenal,it will also depend on the 1st leg result and how much we need to do at Anfield in second leg.

Arsenal arent looking to confident right now their they had 5 straight draws then a loss v Chelsea heading into Bolton and those draws were against Middlesborough and Wigan etc. We need to destroy them the first game we play so their confidence is at a low.

Rafa has got to play his best team if we want to win and progess. I think rafa might change the team round a bit, depends on how the result goes today and on wednesday.

Arsenal arent looking to confident right now their they had 5 straight draws then a loss v Chelsea heading into Bolton and those draws were against Middlesborough and Wigan etc. We need to destroy them the first game we play so their confidence is at a low.

I don't think their confidence will be -that- low after that last minute Cesc winner after being 0-2 with 10 men at Bolton... they looked pretty happy to me.

Over confidence will only destroy one team - US.

Let's give them some respect, remember Anfield earlier this season, and play them off the park - Torres can skin Gallas for starters...

I don't think their confidence will be -that- low after that last minute Cesc winner after being 0-2 with 10 men at Bolton... they looked pretty happy to me.

Over confidence will only destroy one team - US.

Let's give them some respect, remember Anfield earlier this season, and play them off the park - Torres can skin Gallas for starters...

Not what i was implying Don. They arent performing as the usually do (something like a run of W-D-D-D-D-D-L-W) and we need to step it up early in the match so that they get choked in midfield and we get right on top, drain the ball from Flamini and Fabregas and Arsenal lose their fluency with the ball.

I feel that if we get a good result against Everton expect some changes for the first game against Arsenal.

Finnan/Arbeloa
Riise/Aurelio
Hyypia/Skrtel
Babel/Yossi
Kuyt/Crouch
Lucas/Masch (due to Suspension)

Rafa is a maniac in terms of freshness of players, so I fully expect it to happen IF we WIN or maybe draw versus Bluenoses... for the first CL game vs Arsenal...

No way will Rafa play an unchanged XI (even not counting Masch change) for 3 games in a week.

Do you think wenger will field the same side for all three games?

I dont think there will be rotation but if say arsenal win a match there will be changes in the team, but that is a good sign IMO

I think he'll have to rotate. Very important part of the season comming up, we can't afford to lose out in the Champions League as it's all we are fighting for. We may lose on Saturday but that could be our saviour to Tuesdays game!

Will rotate and give some players a key chance to shine.

I fully expect Arbeloa, Finnan, Lucas, Crouch and Voro to start...

Gerrard and Torres, possibly on bench.


              Pepe

Finnan Skrtel Carra Arbeloa

Pennant  Lucas  Xabi  Babel
 
         Voro Crouch

From what I know Raffa monitor's his players knowing when to rest them and when they're at peek fitness so I imagine we'll see a few changes for the league encounter against Arsenal as Raffa's priority over this week has to be the CL on Tuesday. I know the league is important if only for 4th place but if we lose sun and win on Tues it will have been worth the defeat but like anything it's a gamble.

Wenger on the other hand must win on against us so for him he has to play his best team and my guess is he hopes to put us to bed in the first half so he can then rest his players for the remainder of the game and my hope is we can get a nil - nil that way he would have to keep his best playing and like Wed in the last ten minutes they  run out of steam....

From what I know Raffa monitor's his players knowing when to rest them and when they're at peek fitness so I imagine we'll see a few changes for the league encounter against Arsenal as Raffa's priority over this week has to be the CL on Tuesday. I know the league is important if only for 4th place but if we lose sun and win on Tues it will have been worth the defeat but like anything it's a gamble.

Wenger on the other hand must win on against us so for him he has to play his best team and my guess is he hopes to put us to bed in the first half so he can then rest his players for the remainder of the game and my hope is we can get a nil - nil that way he would have to keep his best playing and like Wed in the last ten minutes they  run out of steam....

Bartman, don't miss the game its on Saturday not Sunday at 12.45 

MSG good point.

I think we are in a much better position then them now, they are still chasing the league so they will have to field their strongest side which will mean tired legs on Tuesday especially if the guys Rafa rotates puts them to the sword.

I agree with Don's line up it is pretty much spot on to what I would play and I think we should approach this very defensively so as to frustrate them and wear them out as much as possible.

MSG good point.

Think you'll find that's Smigger there mate. 

Talk of team selections for 'part 2' should go in here now.

http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,7237.0.html

Said it on previous posts in other topics. Rafa should rotate for Sat and save the best for Tuesday. Run the arse  into the ground. Only down side, if we go in too weak, and they win, it will up thier confidence for Tuesday. If we put a weaker side out, it must be more defensive and hopefully at least secure a draw. Then if the scum win on Sat, the arse will be out of the prem race and will only have the C.L. to go for like us. Then they will come at us with everything on Tuesday.  Difficult one ain't it ?

8 rotation/changes... that must be some sort of record for LFC/Rafa (not counting Carling games).

Can anybody confirm?

We will be the much fresher team on Tuesday... just need to be the hungrier too.

COME ON YOU MIGHTY RED MEN. COME IN NUMERO SEIS.

Well, as far as I know, Wenger managed to rest six of his men ... or was it five? Well either way, he brought on Adebayor far too early. He will most likely be tired for Tuesday's game (or at least, I'm hoping ). We got Torres a good 80 minutes' rest, which is very good - considering he wasn't really worth bringing on during Saturday's game. Most of our men, as said before, will be very refreshed and ready to go during Tuesday's match. That, and the fact that we're at home, sitting on an away goal. We definitely have the upper hand.

Not being a pain Don, think it was 7 changes for yesterday.

Take into account Mascherano banned.

Think it will be the same team that started Wednesday, will start from the off on tuesday.

Not to everyone though, this is still not cut and dried, remember to bring voices and make this like chelsea and put the shits up fibreglass and the rest of those shithouses.

Just remember Gallas's face................ he knows!!!!