United host Palace in the Mickey Mouse Cup: from the BBC- Manchester United (from): Howard, Ricardo, Djemba-Djemba, Brown, O'Shea, Fortune, P Neville, Spector, McShane, Kleberson, Bellion, Fletcher, Miller, Saha, Van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Rooney, Pique, Eagles, Jones, Ebanks-Blake, Richardson, Rossi, Jones Crystal Palace (from): Kiraly, Speroni, Boyce, Hall, Granville, Butterfield, Leigertwood, Popovic, Powell, Borrowdale, Hughes, Watson, Riihilahti, Kolkka, Lakis, Routledge, Kaviedes, Johnson, Freedman, Torghelle, Soares, Danze.
With that squad I'd expect Rossi, Spector/Pique, Miller and Fletcher all to figure... Saha will also get a start most likely... Ruud might get a run out at the end. I think the lads will take this match seriously mainly because those playing in it are playing for a place in the first team squad. That said, I would not mind us going very deep into this competition as it will allow us to keep all our strikers in tip top condition and help us to make decisions on who to play when we have injuries/suspensions...
Give the kids a shot...after all it's *only* the league cup...not something we really *need*...don't know why we play in it anyway... WHOOPS! Sorry, thought it was 2000 again. We should play who we need to win. Actually I would play the starters fromt he Man U game, because it's obvious they need some *real world* time playing together.
Well kick off's at 8pm here in the UK so that'll be, um, er, (counting backwards on fingers) 3pm on the east coast stateside.
Seems like, sad to say, that this could be our only chance at a trophy and more importantly Europe. As much as I'd like to see the yougsters, it might be prudent to play a few more veterans than normal.
I really believe that we still have a chance in the CL, but I am almost ready to concede the League title will not come home to the Old Trafford. As far as the lineup goes: We should give Tim a runout to keep him match fit, leave the back 4 the same because they are seeming to gel, and pick 3 out of the 4 strikers to work up top. This leaves me with the midfield. I believe that we need to try to do something new. Give players that haven't been able to crack into the lineup (Kleberson in general) a chance and move players around to play to their strengths. We really need to work on having someone sitting in the middle of the park that can ping the ball around the pitch. Someone who's main job is to spring other players into dangerous positions behind the defence. Once we can find that person and an ideal midfield and let them play for a bit together we can turn this around.
Team from MUTV: Howard Phil Wes JOS Fortune Bellion Fletch Djemba Djemba Kleberson Richardson Saha Bench: Spector Eagles Ngalula Rossi Ricardo MUTV says it'll be a 5 man midfield with Bellion on the right and Saha as the lone striker with Kleberson playing off of Saha. Phil is captain.
Explain to me why after having finishing problems and lack of link up play between our strikers because of insuffecient time to gel together are we sticking a lone striker with 5 midfielders? Sometimes these decisions baffle me!
Well, we are playing Palace's reserve side as well... Bellion Kleberson Richardson Saha That should be enough for a goal or three at least.
That's very interesting, especially the bit about a 4-5-1... a return to the old ways? Very interesting indeed. I think that the group of players on the field are very flexible and able to play different roles so a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or even a 5-3-2 is possible from that lineup since Phil, O'Shea and Fortune have played in the back and in the midfield before. Interesting that Miller is not chosen. I guess he has done enough to show that he is our 3rd winger for now. This will lead to some open football I believe. Kieran and David aren't known for their defensive prowess so its will almost be a 4-3-3 ala holland.
The lack of goal scoring isnt what's bothering me. Its just being able to get a set system/formation in place and get players accustomed to being in that systems and playing alongside people that they will be partnered up with. Its more game experience against a weaker opponent and a chance to see exactly what works and doesn't work. Just my $.02
You make a valid point. Ferguson just doesn't seem to see the value in shallacking a Palace team, much like blowing out Fenerbache didn't turn our season around like we hoped either... I know - a game is a game, and a trophy is a trophy, but.... it is the Carling Cup after all... Not many of these players are everyday first teamers either, so at least you aren't mixing in new players to a system, etc.
Anyone able to pick exactly who is playing where based on what you hear? I am not sure of anything other than... as I say that the commentators give it... lol So they are calling it a 4-2-3-1 with Fletch and DjDj as the holding mids and Richardson Kleberson and DB responsible for feeding Saha.
You know, it really would be unfair to sit so many of our allegedly excellent strikers...but I wonder if it might not be a good idea to play 4-5-1 in league play. The midfield's been the real problem of late.
I would only agree to that if Kleberson played next to Keane and Scholes/Rooney play behind Ruud simply because you dont want the player who is creating for your one striker to be coming back to the defensive third to get the ball and create. Part of the reason Scholes has been ineffective in creating goals is because he has too much to do in the build up rather than the final ball. SAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Creating some chances now... DjDj of all people having a crack in addition to Saha who had chances twice since his goal.
Good to see Saha back up his talk about needing to increase the strike rate (even if it is a Carling Cup match).