Let's keep out 100% record going strong! Anyone know who will be out for sure? I heard RVN won't play, is that correct?
Of the recent starters, it looks like only Ruud will be out (Alma says he read that this morning). Pepe, Metz and Heinze still will be out of course, but other than that I think we're ok. ShockinglyRobben wasn't even on the injury report.
Very nice thread, seems nostalgiac, i like!! But, like almeria, valladolid have learnt that if they can keep up and press us for 90 minutes then they can force us to not play our natural game and we will just end up with ramos trying to take on the whole team and kicking long balls into the box. I also hope casillas doesnt do no long punts to the other side and rolls it out to the players. Patience and concentration is gonna be a big key for this game. I think heinze may get a start or atleast play one half. I think robben definetely needs to play in this game because the CL is just around the corner. Higuain, sneijder and drenthe is hitting some sort of form and this time we will have robinho and he is gonna have a massive affect for this game. Hope some of our fringe players do get a chance and raul score's as well!!
Im thinking RvN doesnt play to ensure hes fit for Roma + the man deserves the rest. Plus, Higuain gets another opportunity. Hopefully Drenthe gets some time.. His goal for Holland u-21 was awesome.
Is Heinze looking ready to play? If so, my lineup: Ramos---Canna----Heinze----Marcelo ----------Gago--------------------- --Robinho--------Guti-----Drenthe-- --------Higuain------Raul----------- or Balboa at rw, Robinho back to his lw, though I'm worried he's getting predictable sticking to one wing now. We should go all out at home, and Ramos needs to be at RB again. If Heinze needs more time, play Salgado at RB, Ramos to CB. Torres needs a rest.
Guti seems to be a problem for the weekend ... Guti Doubtful For Valladolid Clash After Training Knock http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=577836
I just read this on AS. So if Guti doesn't play and Sneijder is suspended, what do you guys think our midfield would look like? Diarra playing as the D-mid with a more advanced Gago in front of him linking with Baptista and Robinho? Or does Shuster drop Diarra, have Gago play the D-mid and pair Baptista with a winger? I'd kind of like to see Balboa in there and apparently Drenthe played well this week.
That would be interesting. I can't think of a time when Diarra played in front of anyone in the midfield so I'm having a bit of trouble picturing it. Do you picture him roaming and destroying?
Whenever they've played together, I've always noticed it is Gago who takes the deeper role. More often than not anyway. Its always him who is linking the defence with midfield, coming all the way back to receive passes and start off moves.
That's what I was wondering. Lacking GolTv for the latter part of last season, I didn't get to see many of the games when they played together, though I did see sopcast feeds of some. I can easily picture Gago in that role, I'm just having trouble remembering how free Diarra was in the midfield. Not that it really matters that much. I was just curious.
I agree that Gago should start behind Diarra as they bring the ball out. But I think Schuster will have Gago overlap the other midfielders to become an offensive threat. Under Schuster, Gago is not staying behind the man carrying the ball.
All I can tell you is that I am very thankful that this one is at home given the midweek international break (plus we get that extra day by playing on Sunday). This is a statement game in my opinion.
I was insanely mad after last week's game. the drop in form was like day and night. But i agree with you im glad its a home game and the extra day always helps.
Is Robben fit for the match? If so then why not try and change it up with a more 4-4-2 and put Robben in place of Baptista with Gago and Diarra in the midfield. I'm not sure if we've ever played 3 in midfield this season without Sneijder or Guti. I didn't watch the Almeria game but according the Phil Ball's anaylisis we lost because Almeria played it smart and shut us down rather than fancy having a go at us like previous sides. If Valladolid try that then it may be better to have players who have mroe offensive capabilities.
I'd like to point out that Valladolid are one of the few teams that have taken points from us this season (we drew 1-1 in Valladolid). Now it's time for our revenge.
that's what him so effective at lyon. it's unfair to criticise him too much for the almeria game as we were tactically outplayed all over the pitch.
I haven't read Phil's column this week, but Almeria actually did have a go at us. More than just that IMO. I daresay they attacked us more than the other way round. We lost because they outplayed us in every department; apart from the kits, of course
Ball's exact words were Almeria didn't 'try to compete with our quality.' The main point he made was that Diarra was completely put out of his game as they double teamed him and pressured him when he had the ball. The hunter becoming the hunted sort of thing. Hopefully with Gago in there he'll fare better because he is much more comfortable on the ball. But if we don't have ball playing midfielders like Guti and Sneijder and Valladolid try to make things tough in the middle then maybe Schuster should put Robben out wide and spread the field a bit to make it harder to close down.
This will be a though game but i think we can come through it ok. With the injurys up in the air at the mo. Team wise we will not know until saturday. Guti will be looked at today in training to see how he is. Robben is fit and has trained with the team yesterday along with Henzie he will def not play as he will be saved for the champions league. Team might be a bit more clear after todays traning as all the players should be back.