The re-signing of Fabio Aurelio gave us one option at left back, but is he good and fit enough to start every week? it looks like Insua is on his way to Genoa, it would be brilliant if he stayed but it looks unlikely. The signing of Poulsen yesterday paved the way for Mascherano to leave for either Inter or Barca but we still need a left back and a striker.
This got me thinking — last season, Glen Johnson got injured a couple of times for a considerable period and we didn’t have any cover. Mascherano filled in for him but now that he’s leaving, who will fill in for Glen if he gets injured? Kelly is good but we need someone with more experience. Carra just can’t play as full back, lets accept that. He’s naturally a centre back and should play as a centre back only. it’s not a major concern, but it might turn out to be during the course of the season.
As for the match on Sunday, I can’t wait :) I’m still wondering as to who’ll play where, and how. Roy has seemed to prefer the 4-4-1-1 formation in pre-season and could deploy Joe Cole behind the striker in the so called ‘hole’ with Stevie sitting deep along with either Aqua, Lucas or new signing Poulsen.
My line up prediction is :
Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Lucas, Gerrard, Jovanovic, Cole, N’Gog
Kelly is the perfect back-up for Johnson. we need to give this lads some matches.
the best 11 for us this season:
Reina –
Johnson, Carra, Agger, Aurelio –
—- Poulsen, Lucas —-
Kuyt/Maxi — Gerrard — Cole/Jovanovic
——- Torres/Babel/N’Gog —-
Skrtel – Injured (Bad writing)
There are questions about Glen Johnson’s durability, and also his defending. I’m not overly concerned for this season, because his attacking contributions could be priceless considering that our struggle has usually been in getting solid wins against weaker sides. But in big games, I’ve got to say I’d be very nervous about the full-backs.
That said, I do like Glen, and I hope he has a solid season this time out. If he makes a small improvement defensively, he’ll be a pretty good right-back.
The BBC preview says that Skrtel is out with an ankle injury.
I think we need a left back,a right back and 2 strikers.
And on your line up; I think Agger instead of skrtel, and Aqua in place of Lucas.
Cheers.
Kelly is good enough to be back up. Money needs to be spent elsewhere.
Good post mate. It’s the last name on the team sheet that scares me.
Martin Kelly has proven in pre-season that he’s up for the job. Give the kid a chance. I’m sure he will not disappoint.
torres is out for sure?
Rob and Stuart Smith, my bad. i did not know that Skrtel was injured. :)
and Kopite, Torres is unlikely to start as he’s nursing a groin injury. might be on the bench though.
kelly is good enough as johnsons backup he will get better with games give him 2 season as right back and then shift him to centre back which he will play for many a year.