Bolton vs. Liverpool [R]

[Suss]

I'll have a go at the lineup:

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Hyypia---Riise
Gerrard--Sissoko--Alonso---Garcia
----------Crouch--Kuyt

Bench: Dudek, Agger, Aurelio, Bellamy, Pennant

It looked like Gonzalez picked up a knock today. Otherwise I would have a place for him. Crouch must start. It will be interesting to see who partners him. This is always a tough away fixture. Another 3 points and we will really be rolling.

[royalstilton]

I'm positive Benitez will play the exact same lineup as the Galatasaray match. ;)

[liverbird]

I'll have a go at the lineup:

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Hyypia---Riise
Gerrard--Sissoko--Alonso---Garcia
----------Crouch--Kuyt

Bench: Dudek, Agger, Aurelio, Bellamy, Pennant

It looked like Gonzalez picked up a knock today. Otherwise I would have a place for him. Crouch must start. It will be interesting to see who partners him. This is always a tough away fixture. Another 3 points and we will really be rolling.

I'll go with this team sheet as well.

[Red Bird]

A difficult away fixture, this. Plus, they have both Anelka and Diouf just waiting to stick it in.

Saw Bolton outplayed by Protsmouth over the weekend but they took one the few chances which came their way and returned home with 3 points. A problem with most teams at the Reebok (including us last season) has always been to try and out-Bolton Bolton with long balls etc. With more composed finishing, Pompey who mostly played the ball on the deck, could've put in at least three. We must aim to do the same. I'd avoid Garcia on the left, if possible. Riise and Aurelio on the left will be stable enough and Garcia off the bench. Otherwise, nothing wrong with Suss's line-up.

[Matt Clark]

The Reebok is our bogey ground. If we play as cavalier as we did last night, that will continue.

I expect to see Crouch retained, but Kuyt may drop to the bench in favour of Bellamy - that combination of pace and ball-holding ability will be condusive to playing Bolton at their own game. We'll also need robust presence wide, because Bolton's game plan is either deep down the flanks or long through the middle - Hyppia will be recalled in the centre and Gerrard pushed back out to the right for precisely those reasons.

Although, in reality, who can tell? I predict Reina and Warnock up front, Gerrard in goal, Fowler and Bellamy at centreback and Momo Sissoko at left back.

[royalstilton]

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Hyypia---Riise
Gerrard--Sissoko--Alonso---Garcia
----------Crouch--Kuyt

Bench: Dudek, Agger, Aurelio, Bellamy, Pennant


Zenden for Garcia, who will sit in the stands
Fowler for Crouch, (bench)

Subs: Dudek, Agger, Aurelio, Bellamy, Crouch

[Boundzy]

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Hyypia---Riise
Gerrard--Sissoko--Alonso---Zenden
----------Crouch--Bellamy

Bench: Dudek, Agger, Aurelio, Kuyt, Pennant

[ULL NEVER WALK ALONE]

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Hyypia---Riise
Gerrard--Sissoko--Alonso---Zenden
----------Crouch--Bellamy

Bench: Dudek, Agger, Aurelio, Kuyt, Pennant
Zenden doesnt have the physical presence required to play against bolton,so i dont fancy he will start. Mark could start,to give us a bit of balance on the left side.Besides that, i agree with the line-up. Crouch has to play, and its either between bellamy a kuyt.

[royalstilton]

Zenden doesnt have the physical presence required to play against bolton,so i dont fancy he will start. Mark could start,to give us a bit of balance on the left side.Besides that, i agree with the line-up. Crouch has to play, and its either between bellamy a kuyt.
Charlton beat Bolton w/ a midfield of Amdy Faye, Bryan Hughes, Andrew Reid and Darren Ambrose. Nolan and Giannokopoulis both started for Bolton, as well as Speed and Campos.

Diouf missed a penalty, but Charlton won 2-nil.

I think Gonzalez may be hurt.

[Red Bird]

The changes I'd like to see would be Riise (or Warnock) for Aurelio whom I'd push forward into the left-midfield slot, Hyypia for Agger (to counter the inevitable aerial bombardment) and Sissoko for Garcia. l'd like to see Pennant against their make-shift left-back but accept that Gerrard may play instead. Up front Crouch and Bellamy, for sure.

I hope the goalkeeping coaches have had a big chat with Reina-- his nervousness is permeating to the defenders and inviting unnecessary pressure. He is also making me very nervous.

[Suss]

Is there any news on Gonzalez? If he is fit, I'd start him on the left side. With Gerrard on one side and Mark on the other, we would have a real threat down the wings. Crouch will benefit from the crosses. The one thing that Aurelio does better than Riise is get crosses into the box.

I would stick with Kuyt and Crouch unless Dirk needs a rest. To get back into the team Bellamy should have to come through when he gets the chance, like Crouch did Wednesday.

Edit: Gonzalez probably isn't available. Rafa said, "Mark has a problem with his ankle. We need to make another check today, but I'm not sure he'll be available for this game."

[docliver]

This is always a tough one for us as bolton are a stubborn side and can also do some damage in front of goal. I would def play crouchy with kuyt and have gonzalez if fit . This would be a big win for us if we can get it as not many team go to the reebok and come away with a win. I am confident we can because of the way we have played the last few matches.

[ForeverRed]

Is there any news on Gonzalez? If he is fit, I'd start him on the left side. With Gerrard on one side and Mark on the other, we would have a real threat down the wings. Crouch will benefit from the crosses. The one thing that Aurelio does better than Riise is get crosses into the box.

I would stick with Kuyt and Crouch unless Dirk needs a rest. To get back into the team Bellamy should have to come through when he gets the chance, like Crouch did Wednesday.

Edit: Gonzalez probably isn't available. Rafa said, "Mark has a problem with his ankle. We need to make another check today, but I'm not sure he'll be available for this game."

Too early to say that.....Aurelio's had a couple of good crosses and some real bad ones. I'd still pick Riise over him in any category.

I'd start Garcia and Gerrard on the flanks and Crouch and Kuyt up front.

[Red Bird]

I'd start Garcia and Gerrard on the flanks and Crouch and Kuyt up front.If Bolton play the long ball, we're going to have to be getting to the second ball quicker than them and Garcia may not be ideal for that scenario. He doesn't track back often enough. This may be one of those matches where he is brought off the bench to get a goal if we're struggling to get one.

[lackadaisical]

Reina
Finnan-Carra-Hyypia-Riise
Gerrard-Alonso-Sissoko-Aurelio
Kuyt-Crouch

[Bobinhood]

Riena

not sure cant say unknown shrug

someone anyone another one the chosen one

striker a striker b


Having said that, watch dudek get a start :)

Actually suss's lineup works for me but ive got a hunch zendon will sneak in there somewhere, why i dont know.

[Ghostface]

Damn, its an early morning game (for me at least). I'm pretty sure all of our league games have been extremely early this season. Really starting to get to me, along with this Setanta mess.

[TruReds]

--------------Reina
Finnan--Carragher--Agger--Riise
Pennant--Sissoko--Alonso---Garcia
----------Kuyt--Bellamy

Bench: Dudek, Hyypia, Zenden, Gerrard, Crouch

I fancy Bellamy will still get this chance to open his EPL scoring account, while Kuyt is too good to be left out Crouch will be sacrificed but he should come on if Bellamy still fails. In my opinion, Crouch doesn't need playing time as much as Bellamy (for his confidence building) as Rafa trust Crouch can sneak a few goals with his aerial advantage.

Garcia's maverick scoring abilities has earned his place here. Pennant if fit will start the game to provide the flank play and the crosses for the strikers but will give way to Gerrard during HT. Sorry but I see Gerrard's role marginalised but he will definitely get the chance to contribute if we need to change formation at HT still 0-0.

Agger to again start ahead of Hyypia as he has become Rafa's preferred CB and grooming to be.

[liverbird]

Actual team sheet:

Reina
Finnan
Hyypia
Carragher
Riise
Pennant
Alonso
Sissoko
Gerrard
Kuyt
Bellamy

Subs:
Dudek
Agger
Garcia
Crouch
Zenden

[Twenty26Six]

Actual team sheet:

Reina
Finnan
Hyypia
Carragher
Riise
Pennant
Alonso
Sissoko
Gerrard
Kuyt
Bellamy

Subs:
Dudek
Agger
Garcia
Crouch
Zenden

HA! I don't think any of you were right! :p