Elston Gunnn

Lukaku's lousy touch, again and again.

Lukaku's lousy, lousy touch, again and again.

Just as in the derby, we don't challenge, allow them to come forward, whereas they challenge every ball. Energy, determination.

At least Barkley actually shot it.

Lukaku's lousy touch.

Hope so, as he has energy to get up and down that side.

If -- if -- Gibson is RB, someone tell me what Martinez has in mind there.

Fox Sports 2 says Gibson at RB. Huh?

Yes.

I hope Martinez's placement of players and formation will befuddle ManU. It sure puzzles me. But he has to try something.

Hope Gibson is CM. His strength is vision, passing.

Gibson at RB? Surely not.

No Mirallas. Blecchhhh.

I find it hard to imagine he'd put Oviedo at RB. Could go with Lennon, but I'd be surprised. So I'm still guessing Hibbert. But maybe he'll stick McCarthy back there, and go with 2 of Barry, Cleverley, and Gibson at DCM. I want Gibson to start. And definitely Mirallas.

I'd like to see Gibson starting, as I doubt Barry will actually be fit and would have to be substituted for anyway. Gibson played well last weekend, when finally given his chance. I hope Mirallas starts, and on the left. Barkley's play has been embarrassing in the last several matches, but I assume Martinez will stick with him. I'll guess it will be ..... Robles Hibbert Stones Besic Baines McCarthy Barry/Cleverley/Gibson Lennon Barkley Mirallas Lukaku

Amen. Although Martinez is clearly the biggest problem, our young stars are very flawed. Stones is an elegant player, but not at all a good defender. Barkley looks lazy. He doesn't run most of the time, over-dribbles once he gets near the box, rarely shoots. After an excellent first half of the season, Lukaku has disappeared, apparently caught up in his desire for CL. Maybe if we can keep all 3, as well as, say, Mirallas and Deulofeu, a new manager could get the best out of them. But it's an interesting question whether it would be better to cash in big by selling the "big 3" and then "completely overhaul the squad. I assume Lukaku will be sold. If Stones and Barkley stay, we'll see whether they improve drastically next season.

For some time now, studio commentators on NBCSN have spoken frankly about how Martinez is incompetent, without (quite) using that word. Discussing the very same, obvious, issues we've talked about for weeks/months on TT, they are embarrassed that he is so embarrassing. And these are men who have worked with, and personally like, Martinez when he worked the last two World Cups. I have read plenty of newspaper accounts from commentators in England saying the same things. There are two very upbeat stories in the EPL this season: Leicester and Spurs. One other major unexpected story: the relative weakness of the usual candidates to win the league. And two embarrassing stories: Aston Villa and Everton.

Better than usual. Not nearly as much delusional gasbaggery. Not totally sure about his comments about injuries to Stones and Barry, but it certainly wasn't clear that both are out for Saturday. I thought he said Stones wasn't "feeling well," which might not indicate an injury.

Several posters on today's Liverpool thread have said Martinez should do the honorable thing and resign. Although painful, this may be the best path forward, both for Wembley and next season. There's no likely scenario in which we can beat ManU with Roberto in charge. The injuries, the chaotic non-defending, multiple players who work for 20 minutes, then just give up. But I'll be shocked if he either resigns or is fired before Wembley. He is so self-deluded that he may simply not be capable of seeing how nearly universally he is regarded, and now publicly referred to, as an embarrassment. Still, a loss like today's on Saturday, and Surely he will get the sack on Sunday. There will be no reason to let him finish out the season. None. It is inconceivable that he could be our manager next season, in the absence of winning the FA Cup. It is not easy to imagine he will be retained even if we do win the Cup, but it's not literally inconceivable. The pressure will be nearly unimaginable between now and Saturday night.

Maybe Martinez won't throw Funes Mori under the bus. Let's see if he uses the word "unlucky" rather then "awful."

Hard to make this stuff up. Likely out for Cup -- Coleman, Jagielka, Stones, Funes Mori, Barry (?) Not that it matters, but maybe ....... Robles Oviedo McCarthy Besic Baines Gibson Cleverley Deulofeu Barkley Mirallas [i'd prefer Lennon to Barkley] Lukaku

Stones absolutely gives them a goal. Are we sure he's actually a good defender?

Saving Barkley for Wembley, I suppose.....

Barry may be injured, Jagielka, Coleman and now Funes Mori out for Saturday. Galloway for Wembley?

Starting second half with Lennon and Mirallas still wrong. Barry injured or rested for Wembley???