Team for Sunderland

[Mistadobalina]

[quote author=vantage link=topic=36425.msg962775#msg962775 date=1255562820]
[quote author=aquaman4 link=topic=36425.msg962273#msg962273 date=1255514196]
our greek giant is a MUST to out jump kenwyn jones
[/quote]

He's out for 4 months with a fecked ACL. Keep up.
[/quote]

Hmm, i just had a vision of Carra getting out muscled by Kenwyn Jones to cost us a goal.

Carras form is most disturbing. Wewill need to beat them 3-2 if this seasons defending anything to go by.

 

[Squiggles]

----------------- Reina
Johnson --- Carra -- Skrtel --- Aurelio
----------- Lucas -- Masher
Babel ---------- Yossi --------- Riera
---------------Torres/Kuyt--------------

 

[dossena]

If it was up to me I'll start Gerrard and Torres and take them off at the 60 minute mark.

Reina
Skrtel/Agger
Carra/Agger
Johnson
Aurelio
Mascherano
Gerrard
Benayoun
Riera
Kuyt
Torres.

 

[Buddha]

Not looking good for saturday...

Sotirios Kyrgiakos will be examined by Liverpool's medical team when he returns to Merseyside on Thursday evening following an injury sustained in Greece's 2-1 win over Luxembourg.
The centre-half came off after 44 minutes of Wednesday's World Cup qualifying victory, a result which sealed their place in the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will not train with the rest of Rafa Benitez's squad today.

Instead they will continue to receive treatment for knocks sustained on international duty.

The pair will be assessed again on Friday.

 

[SJohnno]

Reina
GJ Skrtel Agger Carra
Masha Aurelio
Kuyt Benayoun Riera
Voronin

 

[Holle]

On a slightly different note: Sunderland have signed Bolo Zenden until the end of the season. Could he make an immediate impact on Saturday?

 

[the_khl]

[quote author=Doped White Mouse link=topic=36425.msg963601#msg963601 date=1255685605]
On a slightly different note: Sunderland have signed Bolo Zenden until the end of the season. Could he make an immediate impact on Saturday?
[/quote]

No

 

[madmax]

it's

Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio
.........Plessis......Lucas........
Yossi...........................Rierra
................Babel..................
..................N'gog...............

I actually won't be that worried about defending set pieces with that team.
If Gerrard, Torres, and Kuyt are injured, we are screwed. It would helpa little bit if Gerrard can come in for Plessis or Lucas.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=madmax link=topic=36425.msg963607#msg963607 date=1255686467]
it's

Johnson   Carra   Agger  Aurelio
.........Plessis......Lucas........
Yossi...........................Rierra
................Babel..................
..................N'gog...............

I actually won't be that worried about defending set pieces with that team.
If Gerrard, Torres, and Kuyt are injured, we are screwed. It would helpa little bit if Gerrard can come in for Plessis or Lucas.
[/quote]

Understatement of the year.

Plessis is utterly useless.

 

[spider-Neil]

what the word on gerrard, kuyt and torres? I need to know so I can take them out of my fantasy team if they injuried.

 

[Buddha]

Nothing more today yet. In other news, Rooney is out of the Bolton game and Zenden has joined Sunderland in time for tomorrow.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962393#msg962393 date=1255528749]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962339#msg962339 date=1255523778]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962269#msg962269 date=1255513777]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962244#msg962244 date=1255512245]
I'll cry if Plessis starts.
[/quote]
Whilst I do not rate him very highly, I think Rafa would prefer to go with a midfielder in midfield as opposed to a defender.
[/quote]
I'm not advocating the idea of Agger in midfield as it's completely unproven (has he actually ever played there for any team at any level?), but I'd prefer Rafa went with a footballer (i.e. Spearing) as opposed to a telegraph pole.
[/quote]

Ha ha, he's not that bad. Limited, yes, but he is not that terrible.
He is also tall and will be better at defending set peices than Spearing.
Jones, Bent, Turner are decent in the air and Andy Reid can take a lovely corner/free-kick.
Set peices will be very important and I think Rafa will opt for height over creativity against them.
[/quote]

Spearing's played CB for the ressies and done well there, so despite the height difference I'm not at all sure Plesiosaurus will be a better bet defending set pieces. Agree otherwise.

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=36425.msg963617#msg963617 date=1255687276]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962393#msg962393 date=1255528749]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962339#msg962339 date=1255523778]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962269#msg962269 date=1255513777]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962244#msg962244 date=1255512245]
I'll cry if Plessis starts.
[/quote]
Whilst I do not rate him very highly, I think Rafa would prefer to go with a midfielder in midfield as opposed to a defender.
[/quote]
I'm not advocating the idea of Agger in midfield as it's completely unproven (has he actually ever played there for any team at any level?), but I'd prefer Rafa went with a footballer (i.e. Spearing) as opposed to a telegraph pole.
[/quote]

Ha ha, he's not that bad. Limited, yes, but he is not that terrible.
He is also tall and will be better at defending set peices than Spearing.
Jones, Bent, Turner are decent in the air and Andy Reid can take a lovely corner/free-kick.
Set peices will be very important and I think Rafa will opt for height over creativity against them.
[/quote]

Spearing's played CB for the ressies and done well there, so despite the height difference I'm not at all sure Plesiosaurus will be a better bet defending set pieces. Agree otherwise.
[/quote]

Spearing surely has to get some minutes tomorrow?

 

[Judge Jules]

I'd have thought so, and I'd back him to do well.

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=36425.msg963617#msg963617 date=1255687276]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962393#msg962393 date=1255528749]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962339#msg962339 date=1255523778]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962269#msg962269 date=1255513777]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962244#msg962244 date=1255512245]
I'll cry if Plessis starts.
[/quote]
Whilst I do not rate him very highly, I think Rafa would prefer to go with a midfielder in midfield as opposed to a defender.
[/quote]
I'm not advocating the idea of Agger in midfield as it's completely unproven (has he actually ever played there for any team at any level?), but I'd prefer Rafa went with a footballer (i.e. Spearing) as opposed to a telegraph pole.
[/quote]

Ha ha, he's not that bad. Limited, yes, but he is not that terrible.
He is also tall and will be better at defending set peices than Spearing.
Jones, Bent, Turner are decent in the air and Andy Reid can take a lovely corner/free-kick.
Set peices will be very important and I think Rafa will opt for height over creativity against them.
[/quote]

Spearing's played CB for the ressies and done well there, so despite the height difference I'm not at all sure Plesiosaurus will be a better bet defending set pieces. Agree otherwise.
[/quote]


heh, what?

The greek guy is an experienced international who's about 6'5 and can get his head on things, that's why he was brought here.

Spearing has never played at the top level before, let alone as a centre back

 

[Squiggles]

Masher's just got to play this one, there's no two ways about it.

 

[Jack D Rips]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36425.msg963639#msg963639 date=1255688954]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=36425.msg963617#msg963617 date=1255687276]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962393#msg962393 date=1255528749]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962339#msg962339 date=1255523778]
[quote author=Stu link=topic=36425.msg962269#msg962269 date=1255513777]
[quote author=jan link=topic=36425.msg962244#msg962244 date=1255512245]
I'll cry if Plessis starts.
[/quote]
Whilst I do not rate him very highly, I think Rafa would prefer to go with a midfielder in midfield as opposed to a defender.
[/quote]
I'm not advocating the idea of Agger in midfield as it's completely unproven (has he actually ever played there for any team at any level?), but I'd prefer Rafa went with a footballer (i.e. Spearing) as opposed to a telegraph pole.
[/quote]

Ha ha, he's not that bad. Limited, yes, but he is not that terrible.
He is also tall and will be better at defending set peices than Spearing.
Jones, Bent, Turner are decent in the air and Andy Reid can take a lovely corner/free-kick.
Set peices will be very important and I think Rafa will opt for height over creativity against them.
[/quote]

Spearing's played CB for the ressies and done well there, so despite the height difference I'm not at all sure Plesiosaurus will be a better bet defending set pieces. Agree otherwise.
[/quote]


heh, what?

The greek guy is an experienced international who's about 6'5 and can get his head on things, that's why he was brought here.

Spearing has never played at the top level before, let alone as a centre back


[/quote]

The "Greek guy" is out for four months apparently

 

[keniget]

I can't recall Spearing playing CB for the reserves. He played as a defender at the Academy and obviously had to be moved further up the field due to his height.

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=36425.msg963654#msg963654 date=1255690051]
I can't recall Spearing playing CB for the reserves. He played as a defender at the Academy and obviously had to be moved further up the field due to his height.
[/quote]

You're right Keni. he played CB for the youth team in their cup winning year.

 

[rebel23]

[quote author=Jack D Rips link=topic=36425.msg963645#msg963645 date=1255689132]

The "Greek guy" is out for four months apparently
[/quote]

oh crap :-\

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=36425.msg963676#msg963676 date=1255692435]
[quote author=Jack D Rips link=topic=36425.msg963645#msg963645 date=1255689132]

The "Greek guy" is out for four months apparently
[/quote]

oh crap :-\

[/quote]

It's actually a cunning ploy to unleash his devastation against Sunderland

 

[jan]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=36425.msg963614#msg963614 date=1255687013]
what the word on gerrard, kuyt and torres? I need to know so I can take them out of my fantasy team if they injuried.
[/quote]

Kuyt is fit according to the Echo.

 

[Friend no. 2]

That's a good start. A brace will do nicely Dirk..

 

[TheBunnyman]

I hope Zenden does make an immediate impact for Sunderland. He's shit.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Opponents Watch: Sunderland team news

New Sunderland signing Bolo Zenden could play for the Black Cats against former club Liverpool this weekend when the two sides meet at the Stadium of Light.

The 33-year-old Dutch winger signed a contract until the end of the season with Steve Bruces’ men after training with them for several weeks. Pending international clearance, he could feature in tomorrow’s Premier League game.

Sunderland will be without Kieron Richardson though after the midfielder was sent off during Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United two weeks ago.

Predicted Sunderland line-up: Gordon, Bardsley, Turner, Ferdinand, Malbranque, McCartney, Cana, Reid, Cattermole, Bent, Jones.

Black Cats midfielder Lee Cattermole says Rafa Benitez’s men shouldn’t underestimate the Black Cats and prepare for a tough battle.

“We have proven that the Stadium of Light is not an easy place to come,†he said. “A lot of teams are going to fear it.

“The only time we’ve lost at home this season was against Chelsea. We fancied our chances of getting something from the game but they really turned it on in both halves.

“They were too good for us, it was as simple as that, and there’s no shame in saying that about a team of the quality of Chelsea.

“But Liverpool will know they’re in for a game tomorrow. They’re a top side and it will be one of the hardest games of the season for us but we should be confident.â€

Sunderland currently sit in eighth place in the league table, just two points behind Liverpool.

Sunderland have only ever beaten Liverpool once in the Premier League with five draws and ten victories for the Reds.

 

[Fox]

both gerrard and torres out according to SKY :'(

 

[themn]

[quote author=Fox link=topic=36425.msg963713#msg963713 date=1255697597]
both gerrard and torres out according to SKY :'(
[/quote]

Yep.

Pundits are wetting themselves at the prospect of us losing.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres out of Liverpool's match with Sunderland

Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, has confirmed he will be without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for the Barclays Premier League match away to Sunderland tomorrow.

Gerrard sat out training yesterday having returned early from international duty with England because of a groin problem. The midfield player has had a scan that revealed his injury is not serious but Benítez will attempt to nurse Gerrard through a trio of domestic and European matches that could make or break the club’s season.

Liverpool have a Champions League group game against Lyons on Tuesday and a vital meeting with Manchester United a week on Sunday.

Torres was not involved in his country’s 5-2 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night after he complained of pain in the groin area following a training session.


*cries*

 

[Friend no. 2]

cue media banging on about Rafa prioritising Europe...

Oh by the way >🙁

 

[Stulikesdrums]

So that will mean this?

Reina
Magic Carra Skrtel Aurelio
Yossi Mash Lucas Reira
Kuyt Babel

or some other formation variation.