Line-Up vs. Spurs

For those labeling Valencia predictable. Is it really a bad thing. RVN was deadly with David Beckham and the key was that when Becks got half a yard he would whip it in and that's when Ruud knew to time his runs. He resorted to gambling when to run with Ronaldo as he wasn't sure whether the ball would be whipped in or whether he would try his tricks.

Valencia is still able to get around his marker and whip in a cross that against a striker with great heading ability that can be almost undefendable.

Not to say that one is better than the other but I am happy when either plays as they both offer a threat just in different ways. I do think when Hernandez is back Valencia will get a better run of games.

I will be horribly upset if Carrick plays instead of Cleverely.

We need to move on from Carrick ... hes had his chance and has come up short so many times .. its time to give Cleverely his chance.

Have faith in Anderson and Cleverely and let them get better.

Going back to Carrick will mean we have not learnt anything from last season where we are back to a non creative midfield.

"We need to move on from Carrick ... hes had his chance and has come up short so many times .. its time to give Cleverely his chance."

You mean the 5 seasons he's been with us where we have won 4 titles and reached 3 CL Finals?

Carrick WILL play tonight.

comment by LLANLAD (U5316) posted 6 minutes ago

I will be horribly upset if Carrick plays instead of Cleverely.

We need to move on from Carrick
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we need his experience tonight and SAF extended his contract last season

He was back in great form at the end of last season

Yes, play Cleverley more but Carrick needs to play in big games

I'm positive carrick will play today to help protect a young centre back pairing.
Diggler why do we need to play valencia there when we have actual defenders to play there?

Yeah right, Tottenham have great wingers, we need as solid a full back as we can play which is Smalling.

Any news on Tottenham's line-up? Looks like Modric is out and also possibly Huddlestone, so likely to play the same XI as Thursday?

comment by LLANLAD (U5316)
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Don't be a twatt

I agree Cleverley and Anderson ar emore exciting but when you have Rio and Vidic out, a new goalkeeper who has looked nervous, Rafael out and Evra just back from injury against a top side like Spurs, Carrick could be invaluable. They also have a very good midfield who will try and blitz our 2ns string defence and Carrick is the first line of defence against that.

I trust Ando, Rooney, Young, Nani and Welbeck/Berba to have enough attacking threat between them without needing another attacking midfielder.

Spot on Dead Revel

Ohh grow up Thunderkiss ..

Any little baby can choose to be a keyboard warrior .. most tend to not bother ....

Im not a Carrick hater, but our performances have not been great over the last couple of years .. and thats mainly down to our midfield not having enough creativity ..

Most fans would agree with this ..

If we are not going to buy a superstar like Sneijder then we really have to turn to the potential we have coming through the ranks .. and that means giving the likes of Cleverely their chance this season.

We would all be up in arms if at the end of last season Fergie came out and said Carrick would still be our first choice midfielder next season ....so why think differently now ?

Glad to see Fergie has stuck with Anderson and Cleverely ...