So Bolton... FA Cup Replay

[hamstrung_pigeon]

We've a good chance in this tournament with a few of the big clubs out, but we've lots of games coming up, so this game obviously has taken a backseat (at least in SCM eyes). I reckon we will / should rest Gerrard so he's fresh for the derby in the weekend - that's his final derby game unless we meet Everton in the Europa League, so I'm sure he'll be really raring to go for that one.

I'd like to see Rodgers give Can and Markovic a game at their natural positions, as well as try to resurrect Lovren. Johnson will get a game, however much we protest, and probably in a position outside his comfort zone too, but I guess I'll suffer that if it means Sakho gets a break to rest his back for the more crucial games.

Also would like to see Williams tried at RCB in the second half if things go well. I think he's played RB, CB and CM at the Academy / Reserve levels and I'm interested to see if he can develop into a utility player at this level. Maybe play well enough to attract a loan next season.

The other big question is who starts as our striker. I reckon Sturridge will and should just come off the bench again for 20 or 30 minutes in the second half, and then start against Everton. I'd go with Lambert right now, as at least he has a good understanding with Lallana, whom I'll be expecting to see start the game.

We won't have our most attractive team out but we should have enough to cross the line; I'll take a scrappy win with a team like this:

---------------- Mignolet ----------------
-- Skrtel ----- Lovren ---- Johnson --
Manquillo -- Can -- Allen -- Enrique
-------- Lallana ------ Markovic -------
---------------- Lambert ----------------

Subs: Ward, Williams, Moreno, Coutinho, Sterling, Balotelli / Borini, Sturridge

 

[Glen C]

You cant be serious. We couldnt beat them at home with a full strength team and you want us to play a 2nd rate team away? Rodgers will definitely play a lot stronger team than that.

 

[StevieM]

Sturridge starting, to help his match fitness, might not be a bad thing.

 

[HC]

As above.

Why wrap sturridge in cotton wool? He needs minutes. It'd be logical to start him and pull him when he starts to flag ..

I would imagine Gerrard wouldn't need two games ret before the Derby so will feature as well.

 

[StevieM]

I wouldn't be against Ibe & Lallana behind Sturridge either.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I wouldn't be against Ibe & Lallana behind Sturridge either.

Ibe is cup-tied unfortunately. Would've been great to be able to field him for this game.

 

[StevieM]

Ibe is cup-tied unfortunately. Would've been great to be able to field him for this game.

Bugger.

 

[keniget]

I can't imagine Rodgers will put out a B team. The FA Cup is a huge opportunity for him to come away from this season with something positive.

Hopefully he will make one or two needed changes though - I'm thinking Coutinho and Sterling.

It's damning I suppose that we're struggling to figure out who we can leave out against Bolton in the cup despite buying a million players in the summer. Where's our squad!

 

[Mystic]

---------------- Mignolet ----------------
-- Skrtel ----- Lovren ---- Johnson --
Manquillo -- Hendo-- Allen -- Enrique
-------- Lallana ------ Gerrard-------
---------------- Lambert----------------

Subs: Ward, Williams, Moreno, Coutinho, Rossiter, Balotelli / Borini, Sturridge


Would be tempted to start Sturridge for 60minutes to try and win the game also.

 

[Hansern]

Sturridge wont start and shouldn't start either. 25-30 mins sub appearance.

 

[Fabio]

I'd start balotelli. He's got 4 months to play for a move to another good team. Surely he'll do something?

 

[hmmmmm1]

Balo to start with studge

 

[Brizzle]

Is Kolo injured or still at the ACN?

 

[Markeh]

------------------- Mignolet
-------------- Can Skrtel Lovren
Lallana --------------------------------Moreno
-------------------- Gerrard
----------Henderson ----- Allen
-------------------- Coutinho
-------------------- Sturridge

Maybe get Markovic in there, he doesn't look tired. Get Coutinho and Sturridge off asap.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I'd start balotelli. He's got 4 months to play for a move to another good team. Surely he'll do something?

This is Balotelli though, which means applying logical thought is illogical.

 

[Fabio]

This is Balotelli though, which means applying logical thought is illogical.

Good point

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Is Kolo injured or still at the ACN?

Still at the ACN; Ivory Coast are playing in the semi finals tomorrow.

 

[SummerOnions]

Brodge said Sturridge won't start. Doubt he'll start against Everton either

Don't care if it's a shit FA cup replay either, keep Enrique off the pitch

Mignolet
Lovren Skrtel Johnson
Manquillo Allen Lucas Moreno
Lallana Markovic
Balotelli

 

[Frogfish]

Still at the ACN; Ivory Coast are playing in the semi finals tomorrow.

Hope IC win it. It'd be a lovely reward for Kolo near the end of his career.

 

[Frogfish]

I'd start with the team for the Derby and work back from there. Who can play two / three games in a week and so on.

Everton

................. Ming

..... Can ..... Skrtel ...... Sakho

...........Hendo.... Lucas

............... Gerrard

Hendo ...... Coutinho ...... Sterling

............... Sturridge

Bolton

.................. Ming

Skrtel ...... Lovren ...... Johnson

...........Can ......... Allen

............... Hendo

Borini ...... Lallana ...... Markovic

............... Lambert

 

[Mystic]

We'll get knocked out with that team Frog.

 

[peterhague]

Mignolet

Manquillo
Williams
Lovren
Enrique

Allen
Lallana
Gerrard

Borini
Lambert
Balotelli

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I'd start with the team for the Derby and work back from there. Who can play two / three games in a week and so on.



Everton



................. Ming
..... Can ..... Skrtel ...... Sakho
...........Gerrard .... Lucas

Hendo ...... Coutinho ...... Sterling

............... Sturridge



Bolton



.................. Ming

Skrtel ...... Lovren ...... Johnson

...........Can ......... Allen

Borini ...... Lallana ...... Markovic

............... Lambert

I like your line of thinking because it's too similar to mine.... except I think we're not that good yet to start with 10 men only and expect to win. 🙂

 

[Frogfish]

We'll get knocked out with that team Frog.

No we won't (unless you're referring to my confidence in ten men being capable of doing the job so we can save the rest for Everton) ! * cough. Thanks Studsup !

Everyone of them would walk into the Bolton side so no reason to expect them to not get through.

 

[red_maradona]

----------Ming---------
---Skrtel- Can---Lovren
-------Hendo--Allen----
Manquillo---------Markovic
------Gerrard--Lallana----
-----------Mario----------

Ideal made game for Lallana to step the fuck up.

 

[Irish_Red]

Is this match on tv ?

 

[HC]

Aye the BBC have it

 

[rurikbird]

We need a strong team for this one. I would make no more than 3 changes from West Ham game:

Gerrard for Lallana
Manquillo for Moreno
Allen for either one of Lucas or Henderson

----------------Mignolet----------------
--------Can----Skrtel----Sakho------
Manquillo------------------Markovic
----------Hendo----Allen-------------
------Gerrard---------Coutinho-----
---------------Sterling-----------------

Sturridge and Balotelli to come on for the last 30 minutes for Sterling and Coutinho
Lallana for Gerrard at some point, if possible

I don't think starting Gerrard in the derby is absolutely necessary; he can come on as a sub. I think Stevie's focus should now be on cup competitions (FA cup and Europa league), because this is where he can win his last trophy with LFC. His experience in the Cups can also be invaluable to the young players. As for finishing 4th in the league, let players who will be here next season worry about that.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Unless we meet them in the Europa League, this weekend's visit to Goodison Park will be Gerrard's last Merseyside derby. From a sentimental standpoint, you have to let him play that. Even if you take sentiments out of it, you can expect him to drink from the fountain of youth and be well primed for that game.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe?]

I'd start with the team for the Derby and work back from there. Who can play two / three games in a week and so on.

Everton

................. Ming

..... Can ..... Skrtel ...... Sakho

...........Hendo.... Lucas

............... Gerrard

Hendo ...... Coutinho ...... Sterling

............... Sturridge

Bolton

.................. Ming

Skrtel ...... Lovren ...... Johnson

...........Can ......... Allen

............... Hendo

Borini ...... Lallana ...... Markovic

............... Lambert

Jordan will be exhausted playing three games in 4 days