: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:25 pm  

Enfield Exile wrote:

Mate, it does matter how much it cost. After all, why spend £30m on a CH, when you could get a very good FB and CH for a combined fee of £30m. Also, most teams would love to have Ferdinand and Evra joining their defence, even if it meant pairing them up with two full-backs.

United had the money to buy a centre half for 30 mil. They then spent another £12m on a full and and £10m-ish on Vidic. That has nothing to do with with the fact that they are supposed to cope with Ibrahimovic & Adriano with a 5 foot 6 full back playing in the centre of defence!!

If City were to lose 3 midfielders to injury menaing that SWP and Martin Petrov end up playing in the middle, along with Robinho, they're going to struggle. It doesn't matter how much that midfield costs.

Enfield Exile wrote:

The changes mean that only one player will be playing out position. It would be interesting to see how many teams played in the Prem this weekend with 11 players in their best position. I would guess that this could not be said for the vast majority.

The one player is a pretty vital one mate. It's putting Evra in at centre half. Surely you're not saying because he cos £Xm he should ge able to play anywhere? That's like saying because Robinho cost £30 odd million he should be able to play at right back.

Enfield Exile wrote:

Maybe United could promote someone from their Academy. Hopefully they have managed to develop someone who's second touch is not a tackle (such as Wellbeck and Campbell)

I dream of the day United produce players like Willo Flood, Dickson Etuhu, Lee Croft and Ched Evans. Unfortunatley, not all clubs can develop an amazing youth set up to match City.

Enfield Exile wrote:

I was never asked to play full-back. That's the position of the clogger.

That's where you went wrong mate. Full back is a position that makes you look better than what you are. Who in their right mind wants to play left back as a kid? The sh*t players, that's who, the ones who aren't good enough to play in midfield or up front. If you you can pass a bit and tackle at left back you're a superstar!

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:31 pm  

Factoid;

Mourinhos record against SAF - P12 W6 D5 L1

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:31 pm  

manchester united should be able to cope without vidic and evans tommorow night because its the away leg its not really as damaging to concede a goal cause we can always score at old trafford we have the attack to be able to get an away goal.

because its the away leg its a little bit easier for us to put evra at centre back without worrying too much.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:08 pm  

keithcun wrote:

Only if you want it to be.

Tomorrow, who knows!

Obviously he'll go out there with Torres up front and if fit, Gerrard behind him. I think we'll play another 4 in midfield, hopefully Alonso, Mascherano, Riera and Kuyt. Arbeloa and Aurelio at full back and Skrtel and Carra in the middle. If Gerrard's not fit to start, I would imagine he'd possible go Babel/Benayoun out on the right and Kuyt with Torres.

Madrid will have to come out and look for goals which could suit us, which may throw up a surprise in the above team/formation. He could go Babel instead of Riera to use his pace on the counter but I've a feeling he may save that for later in the game depending on what happens in the first 60.

A win would be excellent, a score draw great and a draw OK. Losing by only one would be salvageable but I wouldn't want to come away with needing 2 to draw level at home, that could be too much to ask considering our form of late. One thing has been steady, even in our poor form of late, we are very hard to beat, so you have to be optimistic.

As you say, in Europe things seem to come together better for us, but I'll suppose we'll just have to wait and see. I don't do score predictions and I'm not going to start now. It could be anything.

Agreed with you starting 11 - Dossena's selection on Sunday was presumably on the basis he isn't playing against Madrid unless everyone gets the Craig Bellamys* on paella.

Real's 6 goal 'beat down' plays into Benitez's hands in my view. They'd be looking for goals anyway but they'll be practically assuming they'll get them after the weekend. Benitez will line them up nice and tight, frustrate and let the crowd become impatient. It's a cliche but that first goal will be huge.

This fixture was fascinating when it was drawn, even more so now following the way the 2 teams seasons have gone since it was. Liverpool have lost the initiate in the title race over here and Real are trying desperately to wrestle some momentum from Barca and are starting to do it. Plus, it's on Sky so no David 'I love crawling on Kerbs' Pleat to get in the way on the commentary. Splendid.

*shits

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:15 pm  

As long as it's not on Setanta, I think I'll cope

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:18 pm  

Robbie Rotten wrote:

As long as it's not on Setanta, I think I'll cope

I've cancelled mine, bad enough coping with some of the mongs on here.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:30 pm  

I remember Liverpool being in a similar situation last year, where you'd been in bad form and just lost an FA cup tie against Barnsley, you then went on to win your champions league game against Inter.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:31 pm  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 905905.stm mr mourinho has started the mind games here i think i think he is trying to goad manchester united to go there and set up on the attacking side so inter can take advantage of the defensive reshuffle. anyone else think there may be some mind games involved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 905905.stm mr mourinho has started the mind games here i think i think he is trying to goad manchester united to go there and set up on the attacking side so inter can take advantage of the defensive reshuffle. anyone else think there may be some mind games involved.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:33 pm  

Are you ready Mr Alex?

The Special One awaits you.

My team fantastic, I forsee a repeat of my touchline dash in 2004.

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:35 pm  

Special One wrote:

Are you ready Mr Alex?

The Special One awaits you.

My team fantastic, I forsee a repeat of my touchline dash in 2004.

Great stuff.