switters

For SWP we've got Milner. Barry is no more high energy than Sidwell, and De Jong will be occupied helping out their iffy defence against Gabby, Carew and Young. Think positive

Hmmmm. My initial guess would be big Dion, but I think I'm wrong. I thought it was Dion too, that was four consecutive games though. :oops: Didn't Hendrie have an amazing purple patch one time?

Diouf tends to play wide, I think it'll be more a 4231 Grella-Nzonzi Diouf-Dunn-Pedersen Di Santo

442 kinda makes sense, as I can imagine the midfields will be getting by-passed a lot in this game.

Not great, but it's about getting the results - and we got the result Defence did well considering how new it was. Dunne-Collins looked good & solid, winning nearly everything in the air and playing safe, sensible. Only criticism, though understandable, was them and Cuellar hoofing it over the midfield pretty much every time. Dull game, we didn't create much - they also had few real chances (I think Carsley's long-ranger was about their closest effort) - but the change worked and we punished them as they tired. 3 wins in a row - good response to the Wigan game

Not too pleased with that, if that's how we play. I can only suppose he's done it for the added height, but I really thought he'd want to leave Cuellar CB for continuity, but if not then let Beye continue to settle in the team. Cuellar's never looked particularly comfortable at RB

Gotta be Mellberg. A fixture in the side for much of the decade.

Was the one vote for Steve Watson genuine, or someone being playful Gotta be Delaney.

By my reckoning, first choice has gone: 00-01 James 01-02 Schmeichel 02-03 Enckelman 03-07 Sorensen 07-08 Carson 08-Present Friedel Really only Sorensen had much more than a season as first choice this decade, so by that reckoning he deserves it. So I'll forgive him his big mistakes & give him the nob...but it's more by default than him being particularly great.

Good result. Fulham were poor - lucky to hit them straight after a trip to Siberia (more or less ) Controlled the game well, and they had no real chances. The early goal was important, otherwise that might have turned into a frustrating 0-0, as we didn't create much either. Good strike by Gabby, should hopefully increase his confidence. The team selected was the right one and it worked. Only slight quibble (and it is a minor one) is I thought we could've given Delph and Albrighton runs out in the last 20 mins, for Young/Agbonlahor, to give them a few more minutes in the league

So Fulham missing Murphy, Davies, Johnson & Zamora. We really should be able to dominate the midfield looking at the lineups. But they will sit back and work hard, think we need to score early or this might be a frustrating one.

Heskey to score tonight, I reckon. Go team!

Assuming no Young, how about: Milner-Sidwell-ReoCoker-Delph Agbonlahor-Heskey can switch between 442 and 433 with Heskey working the left wing and Milner joining the attack as necessary. The other midfielders would have plenty of energy and could get forward too

All three goals vs Pool were from set-pieces and our best attacks were all quick counter-attacks (this is also how we got the pen and the fk for the first). The problem here is that Vienna will not be pushing forward anywhere near as much as Liverpool. We'll probably have the same weakness we always have at home in creating our own attacks rather than counter-attacking. I'd be very surprised if it isn't Heskey-Agbonlahor up front. Agbonlahor by himself will be too easy to nullify if they defend deep and don't commit players forward.

I'd be tempted to make two changes: give Guzan another run out and put in Delph for Sidwell or Petrov, as he'll be fresher and perhaps more likely to get forward and score. I guess there may be slight question over Young as he went off with a knock. Albrighton the obvious replacement if he's struggling. Reckon O'Neill will go back to Heskey-Agbonlahor as we're chasing the game.

Will Davies even be fit? Came off injured yesterday didn't he? Assuming Davies injured and Carew fit: ------------Friedel Beye-Cuellar-Clark-Shorey -Petrov-ReoCoker-Sidwell Milner-----Carew------Young If no Carew I'd go with Heskey - if they're still without Skrtel and Agger, they might be playing Ayala CB again - I have more faith in Heskey or Carew giving a rookie defender a tough time than Gabby. Agree with whoever said we should stick Coker in a marking job on Gerrard. Sidwell and Petrov being in there too should mean we're not totally over-run as last time we went there. Negative tactics, but we could really do without another 5-0 right now! We also need A.Young to have a good game, to keep Johnson occupied - he was looking good going forward vs Stoke & him and Kuyt could get a lot of joy out of Shorey

Almost replica of 2nd Wigan goal. Beye dragged inside leaving LW unmarked to shoot.

Friedel 5. Poor for the 2nd, and looked shaky at moments. Brad 2 may start vs Vienna, and if he plays well, could keep the spot. Beye 6. Not sure who was at fault for 2, but I think he got dragged inside and no-one covered Koumas. Otherwise okay. Cuellar 5.5 Slightly better than Davies but iffy. Davies 5. Very iffy at times. Shorey 4. Please replace. Milner 7. Best player in 1st half, faded when put out of position in 2nd Petrov 5. Over-run Delph 5. See Petrov Young 5. Wasteful, one of his worst performances. Agbonlahor 5. No supply Heskey 5. Didn't make the ball stick up front enough. Sidwell 6. Added a bit and got into good positions. Should've scored header. Albrighton 6.5. Quite positive, but game was lost when he came on. Still, promising league debut. Delfouneso -. Didn't have much time. Other points. O'Neill needed to sort out the midfield at half time but didn't. We were over-run there and never addressed it. Also wish he'd stop doing the substitutions where he takes off a full back, but then just makes a midfielder play there. Milner was best attacking threat, but ended up having to cover RB. Should've taken Gabby off for Albrighton, and Young would've pushed up, with Milner and Marc on the wings. Utterly depressing, obviously. Crushes all pre-season optimism and we really need to bounce back quick in the first games in Europe. Liverpool away is not the ideal league fixture to follow this!

Wish I'd actually bet...it was as near a certain as there is Shit first half, but the season ain't over yet. Just need a goal to settle down and we can win this. I'd ponder Reo-Coker for Delph to shore up middle, and we really don't want the kid to get sent off on debut.

Based on what I saw vs Fiorentina, that seems a good team. Thought Heskey was suspended, but obviously not. He certainly did more than Carew in that game, and may be fresher as Carew played nearly full 90 mins in Norway midweek, compared to Heskey's 45. A bit harsh on Reo-Coker, but Petrov is better if fit. Bet anything that Delph will be booked by half time

Yep, this is the team I'd expect, but with Carew for Heskey due to suspension (and therefore Fonz on the bench). Wouldn't have been sure about Delph getting in straight away, but the fact he got over an hour today and O'Neill's comments certainly suggest he'll be there. I certainly liked the look of him (although anticipate him being booked within 20 mins of Prem debut!)

Anyone know if you can get tickets on the gate or do you have to get one in advance?