'Holy priceless collection of Etruscan snoods!' I guess the real question is, if Gerrard is Batman, does that make Lucas, Robin?Who Rafa chooses tomorrow will be one of high interest. The League Cup tie at the Madejski way back in late September has now become a lot more meaningful. Giving time to players like Leto and Lucas there, will certainly allow Rafa to use them once again due to familiarity of surroundings. Neither player weren't all too impressive in the match, which is all the more reason to offer a chance at redemption. Lucas will more than likely start and Leto may, but I can see him on the bench.
The biggest conundrum of conjecture is who will pair Hyppiä at centre back. Carra is available but is currently in yellow card danger, one in this match puts him out of the Man U tie. That leaves Hobbs or Agger, and I'm not sure Rafa is willing to risk the Dane defender who's just now fit from a plaguing foot break. Hobbs is most assuredly a risk as well, but his last outing, the forty odd minutes he got in the Bolton tie, boosted my belief in him somewhat. Prior I was akin to hoping for a better option. In the end, we would most likely have Agger back for the Man U match, so maybe risking Carra isn't a bad idea after all. Burdens must be weighed further, everything else is just gravy.
Up front, Voronin looks the most likely short straw and I like Kuyt or Torres to pair with him. Crouch is to be saved for what Crouch does best, Europe. It's the final countdown... (Every time I hear that song now, I think of Gob and Buster at George Sr.'s 'funeral'.)
Here's my final answer:
Reina
Riise
Hobbs
Hyppiä
Arbeloa
Kewell
Sissoko
Lucas
Gerrard
Kuyt
Torres
Bench:
Itandje
Voronin
Finnan
Mascherano
Benayoun
So much for Leto. I went with Kuyt up front because I think Rafa will pair Voronin and Crouch on Tuesday. Gerrard starting on the right is doubtful, especially if I predict it ,but why the hell not? Sissoko's got to get some playing time, some time, right? Hopefully he won't go the way of Gilgamesh. Three points are crucial tomorrow, but with Reading refusing to dig the trenches, we certainly should be able to rush the fort and take it with ease. Unless the deflector shields falter, a 4-0 thrashing appears to be in order. Holy haberdashery, Batman!
