by Luis Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:07 pm
Derbys are always horrific to watch. It's like 90 minutes of pain that you are forced to endure.
Unsure on our line up - this will be different from any other game Rodgers has faced so far; we will have to face up to Everton on a physical level and when I think of players like Allen, Suso, Sahin and Sterling it concerns me. Against Stoke it was similar I suppose, Stoke weren't interested in football, they just came to rough us up, kick and stamp us. I don't think Everton are as disgraceful as that but their plan will be to ensure we have no space and the players are going to have to work even harder to find a way through.
Wisdom has done really well since coming into the team but he'll be up against Baines if he starts and that will be a very tough test. I wouldn't be surprised if Rodgers brought Enrique back in and switched Johnson to right back but IMO Johnson is a far better left back than right back.
Assaidi impressed last night and may just be the sort of player that would thrive in such a game - I'd be tempted to throw him in ahead of Suso - he'll definitely cause problems for Hibbert and looks in confident mood.
The midfield will be interesting. Allen will definitely start, as will Gerrard which leaves one place up for grabs between Sahin, Shelvey and Henderson. Shelvey is probably best suited to this type of game but I worry about him doing something stupid again. Henderson didn't play last night which makes me wonder if Rodgers was saving him for this game or if he just simply doesn't rate him just yet. Sahin is a player that might let this type of game pass him by but with Gerrard and Allen I think he provides a good balance; a better balance than Shelvey and Gerrard together as both like to roam forward whereas Sahin is content to control the play from deep.
Everton have had a good season so far but the absence of Pienaar as well as doubts about Fellaini's fitness gives me a bit of confidence. Those 2 are key players but they still have danger men in Jelavic, Baines and Mirallas.
I think if we defend well as we have been doing in recent games, create chances as we have been but actually finish them off we have a good chance but a draw wouldn't be the worst result.
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