chicagoblue

Didnt catch on that this game is so early. I've just sat down at work with my Cheerios and now full of nerves. Echo Romey's concern about mobility through the middle. Think we'll be looking to sit deeper than normal and break through the front three.

Wouldn't this put Fellaini in line for a recall? Don't know if that would be good or bad for us. With the way we've started the season every game is huge right now. Impossible to predict this one, even the lineup, until we see what we go for in Russia. I'm hoping for youth and credible draw there and a very strong performance against the Mancs.

Mostly agree with bluenose, but I really don't think Osman can ever start another game. He's a liability. Start with Gibson, even if he can only go 45. Bring Ossie on in the second half. Also would have Distin and Alcaraz, would be good for them to form a partnership and I can see it working nicely, Distin to provide the pace and cover, Alcaraz to read the game and bring the ball out of defense.

Hard to say. South of Russia is probably most diverse bit. Lots of folks from the stans and the Caucuses, Baku etc, plus half their team is foreign. It won't be nearly as bad as St. Petersburg. But then again, it's still Russia and you have things like this on network TV

Actually thought it was perfect and Lukaku misjudged it or jumped early.

Unfuckingbelievable. Well it's 6:30 am here, time to go back to bed. Goal of the season that from Jags. Proud of everyone save Lukaku.

Tits on a bull performance from Lukaku for me. Can't so much as shield it from the right back. Prove me wrong.

Didn't see a clea replay, was Barry fouled before their goal? Swapping right backs at 73rd minute. Genius.

They're well on top and Barry might have been off after 10 minutes. Calmed down somewhat after that and how wastefull is Balotelli? Lost our pace when Kev went off, counterattack feels dead now. Need to keep them from bulding a head of stem by keeping possession better. Still in this, but need to sharpen up.

See this Coleman business is what does my head in about the Swansea match. Fair enough, we played the B team and lost. All the arguments are trotted out there. But we didn't take the opportunity to give Browning a run out. He appears to be our only viable back up. Now he's had no sort of introduction and no way we can use him. If Coleman misses out it means Stones at RB and the consensus seems to be that we're a touch crippled like that. Now probably true that it'd be a touch naive to throw Browning into the derby even if he'd been MotM against the Swans, but at least we'd know where we're at. All we know now is what we knew, Hibbert's nowhere near it. Let him get to work on his badges if he's going to continue on with the club. I'm a bit distressed with some of the negativity here. Sure we always blow it when we go there, but no need for it to continue ad infinitum. Swans had never beat us in nothing, ever, that's done, why not this next. Liverpool are not strong at the moment, they've got no form. Their recent wins have been more luck that talent. If we set up solid and look to frustrate them for the first 25 (instead of sprinting out of the blocks to collapse when we run out of steam) then I think we'll be poised to hit them once they start to flag. Someone has got to be on Gerard just absolutely battering him for the first 25, don't give them the platform. For that it's got to be a 4-3-3 and I agree with those calling for Besic. Him and McCarthy either side of Barry will give us all the energy in the world to show our strength and at least two of them will be looking to play us in behind. Not sure I'd start Eto'o though. For me he's almost an Osman. Give him 30 minutes or so and he shines, start him and you see the chinks. ---------------Howard--------------- Coleman - Stones - Jags - Baines McCarthy - Barry - Besic Lukaku -- Naismith -- Mirallas

Well, we should be as we're playing the shite at the weekend mate. Don't let your blind rage turn you into a ogre.

For me the senior pros who have been playing regularly let the rest of the lads down. Distin, McGeady, Hibbert and Lukaku were nowhere near the required level. Feel for the lads who've just come in or back. Something's wrong with the psychology though. Once again we dominated the first 20-25, let in a cheap one and fall to pieces. Worrying.

Neat finish from Emnes...

Well on the plus side Arsenal are losing at home and the shite are heading to extra time as it stands.

So... 4 central midfielders. Beauty, we'll be back in this in no time.

Osman. wtf are you kidding?! Joke

Wow Lukaku. Absolutely pants.

Third sub then Roberto?

Garbutt and Hibbert within 5 yards of each other on the right wing... At least Garbutt is having a go. Him, Besic and Atsu at least look interested.

Oh wtf What was that Distin? Nothing ball to a gift. We could make a sow's ear out of a silk purse these days

Kone for Gibson, have a go.

Well at least Lukaku's brought his concrete boots...

Should be Shelvey's second that.

Do not understand bringing McCarthy on

Going to try and find a stream at home. Hope we do enough to make it worth it.