Football *spoilers* April 5th/6th/8th

Ripper

Ripper

Ripper

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Saturday, 05 April 2008
Arsenal v Liverpool, 12:45 (Sky Sports 1)
Aston Villa v Bolton, 15:00
Blackburn v Tottenham, 15:00
Fulham v Sunderland, 15:00
Man City v Chelsea, 15:00
Newcastle v Reading, 15:00
Wigan v Birmingham, 15:00

FA CUP
West Brom v Portsmouth, 12:15 (BBC1)


Sunday, 06 April 2008
Everton v Derby, 15:00
Middlesbrough v Man Utd, 13:30 (Sky Sports 1)

FA CUP
Barnsley v Cardiff, 16:00 (Sky Sports 1)


Tuesday, 08 April 2008
West Ham v Portsmouth, 19:45


Be interesting to see what teams go out in the game at the Emirates. Arsenal looked knackered towards the end of the game the other night, and you'd assume virtually (bar 1/2) the same team will play again Tuesday, so will Arsene risk dropping points? Liverpool will blatently put half a team out I reckon, players like Riise, Lucas, Pennant and Crouch will probably get some minutes.

A few months ago going to City would be classed as a tough game, but they're woeful at the moment so Chelsea shouldn't struggle.

As for United, Boro is always a tough game, with Tuesday in mind I'd expect something like this from Fergie:

Kusczak
Brown - O'Shea - Ferdinand - Silvestre
Ronaldo - Hargreaves - Anderson - Giggs
Tevez - Rooney

But there's every chance players like Park, Pique and Neville might get a run out somewhere. Hopefully be a comfortable win.
 
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Really hoping we don't have a European hangover on Sunday, we usually seem to. I expect a tight cagey affair, Alves to get his first goal for Middlesbrough.

I'm hoping Silvestre doesn't get a game (as he's rubbish and we've been great without him) and Anderson desperately needs a rest.
 
Arsenal are in big trouble now, Hleb has been absolutely spent for weeks now, as is Adebayor, Clichy and Fabregas to an extent, and they're all massive players which Arsenal need. Basically having a thin squad has cost Arsenal massively this season.

If Arsenal rest a few at the weekend, who? They can't rest Cesc and it would be risky to rest Hleb, so then they're tired for the 2nd leg and they're not going to last a half vs Man Utd.

Really tough week for Arsenal, I think they have the quality to get through it but the legs have gone and if it goes pear shaped I wouldn't be surprised at all :(.


EDIT - I just had a look at the fixtures for Arsenal and the CL is on Tuesday and Man Utd on Sunday which gives a reasonable rest for the players. The biggest worry is the 2 Liverpool games which are relatively close together. I'd expect at least 2/3 reserve players to play on Saturday, Eboue will definitely play and it would have been ideal if Diaby was available, that might have seen Arsenal through this, alas he's a moron ..
 
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I have a bad feeling about the Arsenal game. I can see the team managing a draw at the very most due to player resting/eyes elsewhere. Which will royally destroy any chance of us even managing second in the league. Oh well.

Meanwhile, I will also be hoping Southampton sneak a lucky win over Bristol City (unlikely), and Stoke have a drab 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace (more likely).
 
Fergie has confirmed Neville is likely to be in the travelling squad to face Middlesbrough. While Nani should be back for Roma on Wednesday :)
 
Anders0n said:
Expecting a loss or a draw at the very best. We certainly won't be winning.
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You're going to be in a way better position for the 2nd leg though, which is more important for you.

I think it's time Wenger commited to the CL to be fair.
 
Great to hear GN is actually travelling - maybe a sub appearance on Sunday then

I really hope Silvestre doesnt play, I guess Pique could go in the middle with Rio, Brown in his usual place and OShea on the left (with Evra as a sub if necessary)

Praying for a straight 4-4-2 formation even though its away, with Tevez and Rooney ( no mangled formation like playing Giggs or Ronaldo up front please)
 
FrankJH said:
Great to hear GN is actually travelling - maybe a sub appearance on Sunday then

I really hope Silvestre doesnt play, I guess Pique could go in the middle with Rio, Brown in his usual place and OShea on the left (with Evra as a sub if necessary)

Praying for a straight 4-4-2 formation even though its away, with Tevez and Rooney ( no mangled formation like playing Giggs or Ronaldo up front please)
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I don't want to see Neville or Silvestre play, we've done as well as I can remember in years without either. If he's not willing to play a fully fit Pique who has trained all year then I sure as hell don't want Silvestre or Neville thrown in at the deep end after more than 12 months out. The back line should be business as usual, no one should need resting.

O'Shea/Hargreaves - Ferdinand - Brown - Evra

As for the midfield, I'm generally not bothered, I think any of our rotations will do the necessary job except for Hargreaves & Scholes. For me, Carrick must play, he's our best CM and runs the show.

Up top, unlike you, I'd be happy with Ronaldo up top, certainly over Giggs, but I'd prefer him on the wing. He has height on his side which is one advantage from crosses, perhaps Giggs and Park on wings, Tevez and Ronaldo up top. I get the feeling Ferguson wants Ronaldo to beat this record by Law as he's not really resting him and letting Ronaldo play the games he wants to play, if it's to play up front then he'll do a good job at it, I'm sure.

I'd prefer:
GK: Van Der Superstar
DR: Hargreaves
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Brown
LB: Evra
RW: Ronaldo
CM: Carrick
CM: Scholes
LW: Park
FW: Rooney
FW: Tevez

however I have a feeling he'll rest Rooney and play Anderson off Tevez with your midfield 4 as Giggs and Ronaldo on the wings with Carrick + 1 in Midfield.

The biggest worry is a European night hangover.
 
Why move around 2 positions in the defence when you can leave Brown where he is and have O'Shea in the CB position thus only disturbing one position
 
Think Boro will start as (If anyone is bothered)

GK. El Flapper
RB. Young :cool:
LB. Pogo (Capt)
CB. Wheater
CB. Huth (If fit, if not Taylor will be at LB and Pogo at CB)
RM. O'Neil
LM. Downing
CM. Boateng
CM. Cattermole
FR. Tuncay
FR. Ali

Subs; Turnbull, Alves, Taylor/Grounds, Rochemback, Shawky/Arca.
 
G|mp said:
Why move around 2 positions in the defence when you can leave Brown where he is and have O'Shea in the CB position thus only disturbing one position
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Exactly. O'Shea will do fine against the Boro strikeforce with Alves sitting on the bench. Theres just something about the game that worries me though, dunno why.....Mind you i though the first Newcastle game would be a test!
 
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