matrim

-------------------Friedel---------------------

Lichaj------Collins--------Dunne-------Clark

-------------Petrov-------Reo Coker--------

Albrighton-----------------------------Young

-------------Heskey----Agbonlahor---------

If it comes down to Albrighton, Agbonlahor or Downing, then for me it's Downing who drops to the bench.

I'd go for Lichaj for his additional mobility and I'd stick with Clark despite it.

I'd go with a team similar to your team except I'd play Culleur instead of Collins

Fed up with Houllier already. 1 player up front vs Blackpool reserves!

We only have 1 fit striker

Get young off for either Ireland or Sidwell

Fonz's general play has been good but his finishing is off

If Gabby is fit I can see us winning but otherwise I'd say a draw or close loss

I thought Ireland couldn't play as we didn't sign him in time to register him for this round of the Europa

I was impressed with him again. He seemed composed and calm. I also liked that he seemed like a leader, and looked like he was trying to always know where his other defenders were and let them know where he wanted to be / them to be.

He still needs some time to get there fully but looks like the can be a future star.

Oops, think i forgot to mention..

Gabby on the right.

Please god no. Gabby doesn't work well on the right.

If we go one up top it has to be Gabby up there as neither Heskey or Carew have the mobility to be a lone striker for us.

Just remembered something - Did anyone else notice that David James refused to shake Petrov's hand at the end of the game? I assume he thought Petrov dived on his penalty shout or something.

I didn't see the Petrov one but I did think that James said something to Young at the end of the game

I'm surprised about the people complaining about Downing today. I thought he played well. He put in 3 or 4 very good crosses and tracked back well.

If fit:

Young Cuellar Dunne Warnock

Downing Petrov Milner Young (switch wings whatever...)

Agbonlahor Heskey.

Goals will come.

I think Warnock is meant to still be out so I'd have the defense as

Beye Cuellar Dunne Young

I thought downing missed Warnocks overlaps alot. Young didn't support him as much and you could tell he missed it

Guzan, he's gotten us this far and played well so why drop him now.

Guzan - 8 - Looked good. A couple of good saves and seemed to be very vocal

Lichaj - 6 - played ok but made a few mistakes. Hopefully he can improve

Shorey - 6 - played ok

Davies - 6 - Made a good block but didn't seem to be fully there tonight

Cuellar - 8 - Played well

NRC - 9 - Had a good game. Won alot of balls and showed some good touches but at times his passing was dreadful

Sidwell - 7 - Ok, seemed to come and go during the match

Young - 7 - Good finish and worked hard when up front on his own but didn't show his true class

Albrighton - 9 - Looked very good. I hope to see more of him

Heskey - 6 - Wasn't up to much but did win us the 2 free kicks for the first 2 goals

Carew - 7 - Good finish for the goal but seemed to drift to the wings too much and could have worked harder

Positives : Albrighton looked good.

Lichaj looked ok at RB although he did make a couple of mistakes. He also looks to have a good long throw

Negatives: We have no creativity and offered nothing up front. Our only 2 shots were from Osborne ffs

At times the defense looked to have no one to pass to in midfield and no one was trying to get on the ball and take the the game to Malaga

I voted for Petrov given how well he's been playing and holding the midfield together, but I'm not 100% sure if he's vocal enough. After that I'd say Barry, Friedal or Reo-Croker