I'm re-posting this from RAWK, since it really struck a chord with me about the strange mix of thrill and dread I've been feeling (and I think a lot of us have been dealing with) these last few months...
Unless Studge is 100% fit (and I can't imagine he is), he shouldn't even make the bench. Norwich will be fighting for their Premiership lives and I don't expect an easy game, but if he aggravates it at all, he'll be out for the remainder of the season. We need him ready to go for Chelsea and Palace. Can't imagine he actually plays, but I would kind of like to see Aspas vs. Norwich. Stevie Allen Coutinho Sterling Suarez Aspas Allen gets the Hendo role and I think he'll do fine. He can be a real terrier and should be up for it, given that he's going to get at least three starts down this home stretch. Coutinho proved last week that he can tussle in the midfield and I think they'll provide enough energy to make up for Hendo's absence.
Excellent. My recent habit of waking up at 5:00am, turning on the match then not being able to watch parts of it is becoming a running joke in the house. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Lots of interesting choices for Rodgers. My original thought was that Lucas would start in midfield with Allen and Gerrard and Coutinho would play in the front three. However, I like the idea of keeping Coutinho in the midfield. But does Rodgers have any confidence in Aspas at this point? Or would he go with Moses instead?
Yeah, my thought is that Sterling has been borderline unplayable at the top of the diamond, so let's keep him there while also giving Suarez a partner up top. No idea if Rodgers would play Aspas over Moses, especially since Moses at least gets occasional playing time off the bench, but Aspas seems more like a #9. It would certainly be out of the blue to see him in the starting lineup, but I do like the idea of throwing him out there for the first half and seeing if we can score a couple of goals.
Suarez and Studge have both been off their feed a bit lately. Suarez kept tripping over the ball last Sunday but he did put some nice passes in , including the first goal. Studge has been off passing and shooting. Nerves??? These two where one of the causes of Citeh coming back and putting us under pressure in the second half. A bit like you'd expect a team of Citeh's wage bill and class to do so. I hope they can get back on track for the run in and bang in a few more goals. If and when Studge is back on the pitch.
Looks like Studge will be rested this weekend but could be ready for the rest of the matches. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27072588
Very important 3 points as it means Maureen can't come and play for a draw the following week. No matter what he won't play as open as City. Wait .... one game at a time .... back to Norwich. Stuff them like a Christmas Turkey!
Another hat-trick for Suarez you say? Yes, sir! And he'll get the record for most goals in a BPL season. You heard it here first!
Mourine will play for that draw and try for his infamous 1 goal win (It's easy) Then we smash them like a dropped Easter Egg! Media comments for Jose' "Mourinho has egg on his face" and "Mourinho shell shocked" appeared in more than one paper, while Thursday's The Sun went for "Rotten Eggs" as the media heaped blame on the Portuguese manager for Wednesday's 2-1 home defeat.
This match is huge (yeh they are all huge now). But this one is arguably bigger then Chelsea, win this and we can draw them. Hopefully city's result will keep the complacency away but it's only human nature that the players can't repeat that level of energy again. Hopefully we will have enough to overcome what has been a very poor team.
FOCUS! - with a win against Norwich, we achieve our primary stated goal of making it back to the Champion's League for next season. That should be all that matters this weekend.