28 Oct 2014

Confirmed XI vs. Swansea: £52m trio dropped; surprise start for £11m misfit; formation fail possible?

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named an interesting team for tonight's Capital One clash with Swansea City, and it looks like he's finally set to abandon his preference for playing one-up front.

FULL TEAM: Jones, Manquillo, Toure, Lovren, Johnson, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert, Borini

SUBS: Mignolet, Moreno, Skrtel, Lallana, Can, Rossiter, Balotelli

* In an earlier post, I argued for Jones to start ahead of Mignolet, and it's good to see LFC's number 2 get a run out. Plus, if he plays well, he should keep his place for the next league game.

* Sterling and Gerrard are rested, which is also a good move, especially after both recently featured in 3 games in 6 days.

* I personally don't see the point in resting Moreno. It's not like he plays every game; why not just keep him in the team to build up fitness, and get used to playing British football?

* If Toure plays well, Skrtel could find himself battling to get back into the team for Saturday. That said, after Liverpool's clean sheet on Saturday, it's a little harsh to leave Skrtel out. Perhaps Rodgers is just resting him...?

* The inclusion of two strikers suggests that Rodgers may go with a 442 diamond, but unless Coutinho plays in midfield, Rodgers hasn't selected the players to make that work. As such, it unfortunately looks like we'll see a 4231, with Borini played out of position on the wing:

------------------- Jones

Manquillo ----- Toure --- Lovren ----- Johnson

---------------- Hendo -- Lucas

----- Borini ------- Coutinho -------- Markovic

------------------- Lambert

For me, if Rodgers goes this way, it's a total waste of time. 4231 has utterly failed so far this season, and if you're going to play Borini, then give the guy a chance and play him in his preferred position. Another possible formation:

------------------- Jones

Manquillo ----- Toure --- Lovren ----- Johnson

------------------- Lucas

--------------- Hendo -- Coutinho

------------------ Markovic

-------------Borini -------- Lambert

It's possible, but it's not really a balanced set-up. Coutinho in midfield is not the best use of his talents, and Markovic is untested at number 10 (for LFC).

Overall, there are three nice surprises: Jones in goal; Borini starting; Coutinho and Markovic in the same team, but I still feel a little nervous about the game.

My prediction: 2-2

Author:


148 comments:

  1. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:33 pm, October 28, 2014

    Rodgers kind of fluffed this
    we need to get a togetherness in the team too many chopping and changing last year he has no choice thats why we done well
    why play lucas instead of can , can has not played a lot perfect time to give him minutes?

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  2. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:35 pm, October 28, 2014

    can should be playing IMO
    and maybe balotelli instead of borini
    get balotelli playing in a front two with lambert experiment


    im sorry i dont know what rodgesr is doing playing borini and lucas when they are clearly not in his long term plans

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  3. Playing Jones in the league is asking for trouble. Mignolet had a clean sheet on saturday so surely it's the right moment to drop him.

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  4. I don't see the point in playing Johnson or Lucas, both are destined to be sold in January and have no future at LFC. Is Enrique injured? If not, then he will also be gone in January. Would have liked to have seen a Balottelli and Lambert partnership, maybe we will at some point in the game. Also I hope to see Rossiter coming on for at least 30 minutes. Overall it's a good opportunity for some of the fringe players to get noticed.

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  5. I can see us starting 4231 but at least he can change it without replacing any players. I would have preferred Ballotelli starting.

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  6. Enrique not even on bench

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  7. I still cant believe we paid £2m for Jones he's terrible. He is almost as bad a number 2 as Mike Hooper who is one of the worst ive seen. This game has multiple players played out of position all over it. The way we play 4-2-3-1 is 4-5-1. How can we keep asking our wide "forwards" to defend as much as they do? Borini will get his 'chance' at left mid to prove he cant play there. Well done BR. Keep getting the best out of your boys *sarcastic applause.

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  8. Scape goated for the mistake he made at QPR, whereas Skrtel and Lovren proceed as per usual

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  9. Exactly its not like our whole team is flying high.....and only enrique is bad

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  10. He is VERY bad and can't be relied upon

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  11. Let's wait and see

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  12. come on bro atleast on bench.......If we are not goin to use him for cup games then why not sell him.....I just dont understand BR sometimes

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  13. Right exactly what I was thinking. I can only see one result based on the teams put out but as you said lets wait and see.
    Who knows...

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  14. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:57 pm, October 28, 2014

    he is injured

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  15. But thats how BR sees it. He wanted ALL of Kenny's signings out with the exception of Suarez. A little piece of BR still probably wants Henderson out :D BR doesn't like him in the same way he didn't all of a sudden like Martin Kelly or Borini.

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  16. I stand corrected.

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  17. What kind of strange theory is that ?

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  18. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:00 pm, October 28, 2014

    toure and lovren could make an effective partnership
    toure is old but look at what distin does

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  19. There is a little smiley man next to the Henderson bit Mr Gabzz with a z

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  20. I was at the QPR game, and let me assure you, Enrique was the worst player on the pitch, bar none.

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  21. closely followed by Skrtel and Lovren. I acknowledge managers have favourites and scapey's. Rafa loved Kuyt hated Beni and Riera. Houllier loved Heskey and Hated Ltmanen. It is what it is.

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  22. Captain Henderson ?

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  23. yep. look what Terry, Carra, Adams, Vidic and Ferdinand were capable of in their 30's. Toure is just warming up.

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  24. He has been out for a year. It's to be expected isnt it?

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  25. wow not bad this from pool

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  26. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:19 pm, October 28, 2014

    we are playing like arsenal

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  27. IS that a good thing thing or bad?

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  28. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:22 pm, October 28, 2014

    haha! idk

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  29. i was just going to ask that

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  30. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:22 pm, October 28, 2014

    markovic looks more confident so far

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  31. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:25 pm, October 28, 2014

    american commentators are so bad

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  32. http://neosport1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/liverpool-2.html

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  33. I'm watching it in french.. can't understadn a word but it nice

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  34. urgh,,, hate flash videos, never use them

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  35. what you on?

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  36. http://www.wiziwig.tv/competition.php?part=sports&discipline=football for sports listings and download http://ace-stream.en.uptodown.com/

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  37. The rythm of our game is far better than in previous matches. Hope it's a sign of things to come.

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  38. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:30 pm, October 28, 2014

    lambert looks like he finally come to terms
    markovic movement much better but needs to improve finishing
    toure and lovren sounds nice

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  39. hmm.. the details are waiting to be approved.. if they don't I will PM you

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  40. Yip, Henderson and Lucas are controlling the play nicely, for the most part. Couple of nervy moments at the back, but that's more to do with Jones' kicking than anything else.

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  41. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:31 pm, October 28, 2014

    giv ehenderson the captincy he looks like the prime stevie g

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  42. thanks, much appreciated.

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  43. Markovic is not giving me much confidence.

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  44. That would have been a very nice goal from Borini. Good turn and control.

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  45. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:34 pm, October 28, 2014

    the guy said
    "bony is a flier"
    gomis has never played at anfield before when he played at lyon
    manquillo does not get much game time when he actually played a lot


    why cant knowledgeable people be commentators like me

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  46. Borini ... yeah. owning it

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  47. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:35 pm, October 28, 2014

    borini

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  48. That, too! Jeepers; this guy must score. Two really solid shots.

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  49. the last line was the worst contradiction of the lot loool :)

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  50. Bit between the teeth, he has.

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  51. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:40 pm, October 28, 2014

    lovren and toure is a good partnership
    because they both think the same
    they both like pushing up
    skrtel and lovren have different brains


    but i still love skrtel

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  52. okay.. no PM function on Disqus...

    The site I use is called wiziwig (easy to find via google) and the software I use is called ACE Stream.

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  53. hmm... reading reports that are saying Balotelli was sent away from the squad during warm up by Mike Msrsh

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  54. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:43 pm, October 28, 2014

    what could he possibly have done?

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  55. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:44 pm, October 28, 2014

    if we had suarez this year we would walk the league

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  56. He was probably so warm a woman in the crowd became threatened by his heat.



    A little satire for you there.... I'll be here all night.

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  57. lucas has been excellent.......he and hendo look good as a double pivot

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  58. thanks mate ;)

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  59. Well, he came back to the squad in time to be on the bench and jog up and down the touchline during the first half.

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  60. Okay, according to Graham Beecroft's on Talksport Balotelli acted like a total twat during warm up.

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  61. Indeed. But how much would you like to bet that they will be broken up after this match and Lucas doesn't start for another three weeks?

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  62. yup we both know that already

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  63. I'm using VIP League.se stream 4 is perfect.

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  64. For now I'm just hoping that they both come out for the second half :D

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  65. Okay according to Graham Beecroft’s on Talksport he acted like a complete prat

    http://talksport.com/football/disruptive-balotelli-sent-away-liverpool-coach-reveals-beecroft-141028121362?

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  66. haha me too......what do you think of Markovic.....he looks very ordinary

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  67. Go to talksport... they have a first hand report on what Balotelli did

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  68. I think he started well but after that shot skewed off his left boot he is second-guessing himself again. Confidence seems a bit fragile. For me he's had enough good moments to suggest he can have a useful second half. Over to your half-time talk, Brendan.

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  69. what did he actually do this time

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  70. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:57 pm, October 28, 2014

    Balotelli i will support you
    but not if you do stuff off the field
    unlike suarez you aint work the drama

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  71. Missing Suarez.....there in no bite up top:p

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  72. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:59 pm, October 28, 2014

    anyone else surprised suarze never got nominated for ballondor
    suarze is better then everyone else apart from ronaldo,messi and lahm
    bbut he was betetr then messi last year


    even ronaldo he scored same in a harder league despite not taking any penalties

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  73. You know in the warm up they basically play piggy in the middle.. well he refused to go in the middle, threw a strop and Mike Marsh told him to do one

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  74. God, more Balotelli hysteria. LFC fans are worse that the media. So desperate to see him make a mistake.

    Sent from Samsung Mobile

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  75. problem is Jamie he did...

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  76. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:00 pm, October 28, 2014

    balotelli is gonna come good when stuzza and origi come

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  77. If we had Suarez this year, he wouldn't have played for the first time until last weekend

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  78. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:01 pm, October 28, 2014

    very impressed with toure and lovren partnership so far

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  79. only if he his here by the time Origi comes:p

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  80. Already mentioned this in another thread.. not in the slightest.

    You have to remember that the ballondor is the most prestigious award a footballer can receive and you do not give a player who was given a 4 month global ban because he bite somebody at footballs most important event in front of 100's of millions of people a chance to win this prize

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  81. What would you have said if Suarez behaved like Balotelli ?

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  82. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:01 pm, October 28, 2014

    is cavani here?
    im confused

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  83. I didn't fully understand the talksport audio report. It didn't sound like much if all that happened was he was reluctant to go in the middle. Sure, that's not good from Balo, but all you've got to do is yell "stop being a prick" and move on with the game. The way the reporter ended his report seemed melodramatic considering what he'd just described.

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  84. screaming from the rooftops that he should be sack lol (just kidding)

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  85. I think Ronaldo will win again this year.....not that I like him

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  86. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:04 pm, October 28, 2014

    looooohl
    the guy called henderson hamilton

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  87. Markovic where art thou?

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  88. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:05 pm, October 28, 2014

    coutinho getting frustrated with mediocrity

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  89. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:06 pm, October 28, 2014

    what i dont particularly like about manquillo
    is he always gives away corners
    rather they put it in the box

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  90. It just rather seems that some people are desperate to see Balotelli fail at LFC and have been making dire predictions about his time here since before he signed. It could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. At least Suarez committed actual misdemeanors to warrant the media scrutiny he endured (and remember how much slack the Kop cut him?)

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  91. I don't know dude.. have you seen us defend recently? Actually....

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  92. At least he can now ask, "are you not entertained?"

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  93. I agree but the lad doesn't help himself. I have high hopes for him and hope he proves many people wrong but I am not as confident as I once was

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  94. I think the footballs need to be heavier so that teams can't float it into our box at all.

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  95. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:10 pm, October 28, 2014

    brendan rodgers is chewing gum
    does anyone know what gum he is chewing?

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  96. No cutting edge from the attacking players. Attacking summer transfers so far no good!

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  97. Regarding the Ballotelli hysteria there is a reason people buy tabloids, its because they're not interested in news. Papers with T*ts in will not give you what you need. :D

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  98. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:12 pm, October 28, 2014

    markovic has not been that bad the bein guys are going all out on him

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  99. especially Markovic..

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  100. I don't need to read the tabloids to see T*tis.. I just watch Liverpool :)

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  101. I too have high hopes. You're right; if he's clowning around then he's not helping himself. To be fair, his time at LFC began with his fiance dumping him, which would depress me if I was him. Not that that should detract from his football, but he's only human. Maybe... I don't actually how relevant that is.


    As you can tell, I'm not a qualified therapist.

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  102. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:14 pm, October 28, 2014

    Yes! yes! yes!
    markovic thats what i want you to do all teh time drive at players

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  103. Markovic reminds me of Dirk Kuyt. The horrible thing is I think thats why he was bought. Hard work graft and the odd goal..... maybe. In terms of flair........

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  104. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:15 pm, October 28, 2014

    he is getting better

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  105. Manquillo is a player. Reminds me of azpilicueta and wierdly enough Martin Kelly.

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  106. I'm surprised we have never played Coutinho in the false no.9

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  107. Will this go to a replay or penalties?

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  108. Come on Coutinho : one of them has to go in.........!!!

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  109. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:19 pm, October 28, 2014

    pens

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  110. looooool and in HD too :) . Thanks for the link lol

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  111. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:20 pm, October 28, 2014

    he lacks natural pace
    but if he works hard enough he could be like zabaletta

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  112. I think he still scuffs too many shots to be great in that role. Probably still worth a go if there enough willing runners from midfield, though.

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  113. He's definitely talented and intelligent enough

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  114. Why does this competition exist again?

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  115. oh......................................................no

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  116. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:22 pm, October 28, 2014

    damm

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  117. Lovren not interested in covering his center half

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  118. and we are back

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  119. Lovren caught napping yet again

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  120. Normal service resumed

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  121. That train is never late

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  122. Defense sleeping....!!!!

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  123. Yeah he absolutely is.


    Good finish from the Swansea dude. Our defenders seemed to be admiring the technique, too.

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  124. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:23 pm, October 28, 2014

    can blame him for a deflection
    it caught him out

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  125. So far he's awful. Talks a good game! Look at Mo Salah for Chelski, but part player but in the little he's played you see clear quality. I've seen nothing from him, no skill or technique, no brains. Profile of a headless chicken!

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  126. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:23 pm, October 28, 2014

    not that concerned its only mickey mouse cup

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  127. Defence? What is this thing you call a defence?

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  128. I think so too. Even when he notices the ball going over his head he doesnt sprint

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  129. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:24 pm, October 28, 2014

    not gonna lie shelvey looks brilliant

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  130. In other news derby are flying... 5 2 now after being 2 nil down

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  131. Wish he had stayed. But the move was good for him.

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  132. Its okay.. we still have time to concede... I mean score another goal

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  133. We played Shelvey in the no.10 when he is a central midfield player. BR and his views on where players should play is concerning

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  134. The striker wasn't caught out though

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  135. We need to give our Mickey Mouse squad something to play for. If we get knocked out most of them will be benched for the rest of the season!

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  136. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:27 pm, October 28, 2014

    i so miss having a mobile front man

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  137. Time for Carragher to remind us :)

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  138. Who is responsible for wasting 70 million pounds - who are these so called scouts ?. can we be told, why should they not take responsibility. My advice buy lighter shirts or better players.

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  139. always liked jon jo but he was never goona be part of rogers click

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  140. still one up top. BR is Arsene Wenger.

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  141. "Buy lighter shirts" - hee hee.

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  142. Balotelli looks to be coming on soon.

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