West Brom v. Liverpool, 4.26.03 [R]

[RedKnight]

Thread for the West Brom match starts here.

It appears that Heskey is doubtful for Saturday:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N139970030423-1453.htm

And Henchoz, despite rumors to the contrary, is gone for the season:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N139982030424-1442.htm

It seems we'll have the full squad available otherwise.

WBA are already relegated--but that, of course, means nothing on the day. Players will be trying to impress in order to sign on with new clubs, etc.

Surprise--yet another "must win" match. . .

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[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by RedKnight
And Henchoz, despite rumors to the contrary, is gone for the season:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N139982030424-1442.htm

I didn't think he'd be back. Those calf injuries are really hard to rehab. I had one that carried over two rugby seasons, and the damn thing only got better because I just bagged the second one a few weeks in. Of course, my teammates mourned because I used to play with the likes of Jonah Lomu for the All Blacks. I was a real wildman in those days.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by Dr. Wankler
Of course, my teammates mourned because I used to play with the likes of Jonah Lomu for the All Blacks. I was a real wildman in those days.

Brilliant. Now, just pick seven or eight clubs to support, and you're in business . . .

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[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by RedKnight
Brilliant. Now, just pick seven or eight clubs to support, and you're in business . . .

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I do have 5. But I regularly attend the games of two of them in person.

But be careful, if you guys really piss me off I'll start prattling on and on about the time I bowled Sir Donald Bradman for a duck in his last test match. And no one here wants cricket anecdotes.

By the way, good point about WBA and other teams facing the drop. They are going to be very, very dangerous. I'd be a bit worried about this match even if we didn't have a recent history of dropping points to teams like this.

Though as it is, I think I'd be more worried if I were a Newcastle supporter in advance of the Sunderland match.

[liverbird]

Once again I'll be gathered round the laptop, after walking miles up hill to the ISDN line to hear the game. As others have noted, relegated sides can be difficult --- everyone has their wounded pride and the chance of a EPL level transfer riding on playing hard.

Side:

Dudek
Carra Hyppia Djimmy Riise
Diouf Hamann Gerrard Murphy
Baros and Mikie

Arphexad
Diao
Smicer
Mellor
Cheyrou
Heskey

This is based on current injury reports.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by liverbird
Once again I'll be gathered round the laptop, after walking miles up hill to the ISDN line to hear the game. As others have noted, relegated sides can be difficult --- everyone has their wounded pride and the chance of a EPL level transfer riding on playing hard.

Side:

Dudek
Carra Hyppia Djimmy Riise
Diouf Hamann Gerrard Murphy
Baros and Mikie

Arphexad
Diao
Smicer
Mellor
Cheyrou
Heskey

This is based on current injury reports.

I'd go with that starting XI. But I think you meant to leave Heskey off of the Subs roster--we only get five to begin with, and as of yesterday, Emile's hurt and doubtful for Saturday. Mellor is back to fitness, and I think he's playing in the Reserves tonight.

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[liverbird]

Good catch!

[Lanky134]

Originally posted by RedKnight
Brilliant. Now, just pick seven or eight clubs to support, and you're in business . . .

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Damn! Beat me to it. :)

Re: Henchoz. Interesting how the word that he's out for the season just a few days after Traore makes a blunder that almost costs LFC three points at home. A nice move by GH to say that he trusts hime.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by Lanky134
Re: Henchoz. Interesting how the word that he's out for the season just a few days after Traore makes a blunder that almost costs LFC three points at home. A nice move by GH to say that he trusts hime.

Agreed. Traore might be the nicest surprise of the year.
He's played more, and better, than I think most people expected. And Henchoz--even when uninjured--hasn't had his best season.

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[Lanky134]

Originally posted by RedKnight
Agreed. Traore might be the nicest surprise of the year.
He's played more, and better, than I think most people expected. And Henchoz--even when uninjured--hasn't had his best season.

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I think Henchoz has been carrying this injury all year (as has Hamman, who will have calcium deposits removed from his shin after the season) but has played through it. His hesitancy in making those usually perfectly-timed tackles suggested that he was favoring his leg.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by Lanky134
I think Henchoz has been carrying this injury all year (as has Hamman, who will have calcium deposits removed from his shin after the season) but has played through it. His hesitancy in making those usually perfectly-timed tackles suggested that he was favoring his leg.

You may be right about that. Henchoz has played tentatively, and has shown the kind of frustration that would come from being unable to perform at an expected high standard (remember the yellows he picked up earlier in the year, just from lashing out in late-match frustration?) Those are symptoms of someone playing hurt.

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[usscouse]

Originally posted by Dr. Wankler


But be careful, if you guys really piss me off I'll start prattling on and on about the time I bowled Sir Donald Bradman for a duck in his last test match. And no one here wants cricket anecdotes.
Sez you! Did I ever tell you about how I faced W. C. Grace and bowled a maiden over...?

[Samarkand]

Originally posted by usscouse
Sez you! Did I ever tell you about how I met W. C. Grace, and bowled a maiden over...?
By 'bowled' you mean shagged? So how did it help meeting W C Grace?.......Unless he was the maiden :)

[Lanky134]

No TV again for this one. E-season ticket to earn its worth. Will provide comms.

[usscouse]

Originally posted by Lanky134
No TV again for this one. E-season ticket to earn its worth. Will provide comms. I'm looking forward to it, what time is the KO?
Kick off that is the KO comes 90 minutes later.!

[usscouse]

Originally posted by Samarkand
By 'bowled' you mean shagged? So how did it help meeting W C Grace?.......Unless he was the maiden :) As a great man once said of me.
"Silly Furener

[Lanky134]

Originally posted by usscouse
I'm looking forward to it, what time is the KO?
Kick off that is the KO comes 90 minutes later.!
Usual time. 10:00 AM Right Coast. 7:00 AM Wrong Coast.

[liverbird]

Originally posted by Lanky134
No TV again for this one. E-season ticket to earn its worth. Will provide comms.

Got some early morning business. Hope its over so I can listen to the game on E-ticket and follow the Lankyvision reports!

[owian]

Originally posted by RedKnight

WBA are already relegated--but that, of course, means nothing on the day. Players will be trying to impress in order to sign on with new clubs, etc.

Surprise--yet another "must win" match. . .

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Hum well this shouldn't be any tougher then Birmingham City or fulham at home. Or sunderland at anfield. Oh wait we dropped points in all those games. The only thing is since west brom is already down they might open it up a little looking for goals which might play to our advantage. Still a must win, although it was nice of Newcastle to drop down to fourth, and put two champs league places in play.

[RedKnight]

Late update--Heskey should be available:

"Gerard Houllier is convinced Emile Heskey will play some part of tomorrow's match against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

The big striker was considered a doubt for the trip to the Midlands after sustaining a back injury in Monday's victory over Charlton but it now looks like he will have recovered in time to face the Baggies."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N139993030425-1247.htm

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