Pre Match Forest (A) - PL - Sat 15:00

[Brizzle]

Away at Forest. We have three league games in March, let's ensure we go all guns blazing. I am torn about whether I expect Klopp to bring either Mo or Darwin into the squad, part of me thinks he will keep both fresh for City. However, I'm going to take a punt that Darwin starts.

The big decision for me is where Elliot plays (up top or in the middle) and whether we deploy a specialist CM for this game. I'd prefer to see Clark get a start, he looks the part and most importantly is a central midfielder. I don't think anyone can argue that Elliot has stepped up significantly the past month, so I wouldn't begrudge him there either.

Forest are on a terrible run, they've won once in the league in 2024. They are terrible at the back but have dangerous players up front.

Kelleher

Bradley
Konate
Virgil
Robbo

Endo
Macca
Elliot / Clark

Diaz
Gakpo
Nunez

This might end up similar to the League Cup final in that our First XI is far superior, but we could be lacking experienced subs. Given the high our players are on though I would love us to have Danns, McConnell, Koumas on the bench and primed to go full attack in the final 20 if we need that.

 

[Fabio]

I'd have Gomez over Robbo, then bring Robbo on when we're (hopefully) winning 2nd half.

Elliott will probably start as he's in tremendous form, and tired legs be damned. While he's still putting in shifts and solid performances he'll be picked.

I don't think Nunez will start, so not entirely sure what the front line will look like

 

[Modo]

Here's how I hope we line up:

Kelleher

Bradley
Konate
Van Dijk
Robbo

Endo
Macca
Szobo

Diaz
Nunez
Salah


I think Szobo, Salah and Nunez are very close to returning and could have played against Southampton if it was absolutely necessary. Klopp mentioned that both Szobo and Nunez felt ready to play but were stopped by the medical department before the cup final.
They've been given another week now and my hope is that it's enough for them to be 100% fully fit and ready.

 

[Modo]

I'd have Gomez over Robbo, then bring Robbo on when we're (hopefully) winning 2nd half.

Elliott will probably start as he's in tremendous form, and tired legs be damned. While he's still putting in shifts and solid performances he'll be picked.

I don't think Nunez will start, so not entirely sure what the front line will look like

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Gomez play in that DM role again if Endo isn't available.
But can he actually play 90 X 3 in 6 days?

 

[The Nomad]

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Gomez play in that DM role again if Endo isn't available.
But can he actually play 90 X 3 in 6 days?

It'll be macca or endo in the 6.

 

[Brizzle]

Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Gomez play in that DM role again if Endo isn't available.
But can he actually play 90 X 3 in 6 days?

We don't need to put a square peg in a round hole. Whilst he is no Endo at 6 (and IMO is better at 8), Macca should play 6 if Endo isn't ready. If Endo is out I'd want to see Clark start for more natural midfield legs and positioning.

Gomez had no idea what he was doing for 45 mins against Saints' reserves. Imagine him trying to do the same against Awoniyi, Elanga, Gibbs White etc.

 

[Modo]

And the same goes for Gakpo. Pretty much 90 X3 for him as well.
I was actually surprised that he stayed on for so long yesterday. It has to mean that he's on the bench on Saturday.

 

[Squiggles]

I'd consider starting Danns over Gakpo. Gakpo has played a lot and Danns is delivering.

We can probably play a load of kids against Sparta so I'd hope to see Nunez, Szoboslai and Salah get some minutes before City. This week, I'd imagine the team sheets and subs are already pre decided. Everything has to be geared to putting out our best and freshest team against Man City. How that looks in practice is difficult to know until we get some injury updates and who is in training. It's a decent time to play Forrest and I'd love to batter them. Their fans are gobshites and hate us.

 

[Modo]

We don't need to put a square peg in a round hole. Whilst he is no Endo at 6 (and IMO is better at 8), Macca should play 6 if Endo isn't ready. If Endo is out I'd want to see Clark start for more natural midfield legs and positioning.

Gomez had no idea what he was doing for 45 mins against Saints' reserves. Imagine him trying to do the same against Awoniyi, Elanga, Gibbs White etc.

I agree, he didn't start off well but looked great in the second half.

 

[rurikbird]

If Szobo and Salah are not available, we might have to go back to the idea of playing Gakpo at #8 - I know everyone will hate this suggestion, but he does have some similar qualities to Gravenberch and him being more of a forward than a true 8 will be mitigated by the graft of Alexis and Endo. Also it could be helpful to have a goal threat in midfield.

Again, not sure this is the best solution, but just throwing it out there as a possibility.

 

[Modo]

I'd consider starting Danns over Gakpo. Gakpo has played a lot and Danns is delivering.

We can probably play a load of kids against Sparta so I'd hope to see Nunez, Szoboslai and Salah get some minutes before City. This week, I'd imagine the team sheets and subs are already pre decided. Everything has to be geared to putting out our best and freshest team against Man City. How that looks in practice is difficult to know until we get some injury updates and who is in training. It's a decent time to play Forrest and I'd love to batter them. Their fans are gobshites and hate us.

We have to take into consideration that the few times we've seen him play it's been against tired legs and a Championship side.
Would I like to see him start?
Obviously, but we should be more responsible since he's still a kid. Luckily he's only seen the highs, a must win league game away is a bit different.

 

[rurikbird]

I'd consider starting Danns over Gakpo. Gakpo has played a lot and Danns is delivering.

We can probably play a load of kids against Sparta so I'd hope to see Nunez, Szoboslai and Salah get some minutes before City. This week, I'd imagine the team sheets and subs are already pre decided. Everything has to be geared to putting out our best and freshest team against Man City. How that looks in practice is difficult to know until we get some injury updates and who is in training. It's a decent time to play Forrest and I'd love to batter them. Their fans are gobshites and hate us.

I don’t expect Klopp to give Danns a start in any competition any time soon - the CF position is too important in leading our pressing and build-up, it took Nunez a full season to learn how to do it. Danns will get minutes as a sub and if he continues performing, those sub apperances will become lengthier and more frequent.

 

[mark1975]

If Szobo, Salah and Nunez are all back, I don't expect Klopp to brave all three of them from the start, it'd be stupid to. I think he's had them close to being available over the last two games, but he's decided it's not worth the risk and to just keep them for the run-in. We need players who are fully fit and who can put in a shift, but we also need to give the returnees enough minutes to be ready for City. It's a tough one.

 

[Modo]

If Szobo, Salah and Nunez are all back, I don't expect Klopp to brave all three of them from the start, it'd be stupid to. I think he's had them close to being available over the last two games, but he's decided it's not worth the risk and to just keep them for the run-in. We need players who are fully fit and who can put in a shift, but we also need to give the returnees enough minutes to be ready for City. It's a tough one.

After the game on the weekend we travel to Prague and three days later we play against Man C.
I honestly believe that if possible all three of them should feature in some capacity in all of those games.
We can't underestimate Sparta and one game isn't enough to get back up to speed. Even two games isn't enough.

 

[Frogfish]

And the same goes for Gakpo. Pretty much 90 X3 for him as well.
I was actually surprised that he stayed on for so long yesterday. It has to mean that he's on the bench on Saturday.

Numerous sites (and eyes) mentioned how tired he looked towards the end of his stint. I can't see him starting at all. Bench.

 

[binomial]

Back to the league, it's fucking time to start taking some risks now....can't keep the "touch and go" players out much longer, there needs to come a time when we say get your arse in gear before we drop points.

Kelleher
Bradley Konate Virgil Robbo
Szobo Endo Mac
Diaz Danns Nunez

 

[moron]

Very worried by this fixture - we need our big guns back, and this one is going to be a game where:

1) Forest will be up for it, late 70's/80's rivalry comes back to memory-lane for them. The thing about us, compared to our rivals in the league and I include Man United, is that they don't have as many enemies as we do.

2) They are a good team of individuals, and could do us some serious damage - we need to win the game, a loss/draw is not an option at all, we lost to them last season - lets not forget, its a noisy ground, and they are fighting to remain in the PL. so for them it's a 6 point match.

3) we really don't want to go into the City game knowing we have to beat them (which we must by the way).

 

[Frogfish]

We can't keep returning players 'fresh for City'. They need to get back onto the pitch and game fit. Klopp usually brings players back in with sub minutes - but he didn't with Macca (if I'm remembering correctly). Nunez deffo looks fit and raring to go and Szobo insisted he's more than ready.

The issue is of course up front. I'd put Gakpo on the bench and let him come on if needed. I've no problem starting Danns who must be on a high but I doubt Klopp will when we can play an experienced front three shoehorning Elliott into RW.

.............................. Kelleher
Bradley ...... Konate ............VvD ....... Robbo

..... Szobo .............. Endo .......... Macca

Elliott ..................... Nunez ........... Diaz

 

[Frogfish]

Very worried by this fixture - we need our big guns back, and this one is going to be a game where:

1) Forest will be up for it, late 70's/80's rivalry comes back to memory-lane for them. The thing about us, compared to our rivals in the league and I include Man United, is that they don't have as many enemies as we do.

2) They are a good team of individuals, and could do us some serious damage - we need to win the game, a loss/draw is not an option at all, we lost to them last season - lets not forget, its a noisy ground, and they are fighting to remain in the PL. so for them it's a 6 point match.

3) we really don't want to go into the City game knowing we have to beat them (which we must by the way).

Jesus Moron. None of those guys were even born let alone remember 70/80s rivalry. It means nothing to them.

2) they are not a good team which is why they are 15th with a recent record of 2 wins in 11 matches this year (inc. a win vs Blackpool).

3) I agree we will more than likely need to beat City to win the PL.

 

[keniget]

Hopefully at least a couple of the senior players are back for this one because half the team looks fucked and our luck is going to run out playing kids eventually.

Gomez at RB and Bradley at RW also an option if Elliot is knackered and we're struggling for options up front.

 

[Markeh]

Salah, Nunez and Szob need to start playing some part in matches to be up to speed for City.

Maybe on for 30 if ready then a start for 60 against Prague? But i wouldn’t be surprised if we see some of them starting this, the league is our priority after all.

 

[mom]

How long is Alisson out?

 

[Modo]

How long is Alisson out?

End of March

 

[binomial]

How long is Alisson out?

Too long but given how Kelleher's done recently, he's strangely the least of my worries heading into then next few games.

Once we get the news Mo and Nunez are back, all those worries evaporate.

 

[moron]

Jesus Moron. None of those guys were even born let alone remember 70/80s rivalry. It means nothing to them.

2) they are not a good team which is why they are 15th with a recent record of 2 wins in 11 matches this year (inc. a win vs Blackpool).

3) I agree we will more than likely need to beat City to win the PL.

Well they beat us last season when VVD missed at least 3 clear chances - and they were shit also last season. I am worried about all our away fixtures - people keep going on about how hard it will be Arsenal with the fixtures they have left, but of the away fixtures we have left we only beat two of those teams last season in West Ham, and Villa. Every game is a worry @Frogfish - and regarding point (1) - yes I know it's been a long time and many are not born but old Cloughy boy certainly put it into the DNA of their club to really go at us just like Leeds expect to spank United when they play them. DNA of a club never changes - how else can you explain what happens at our ground on European nights ? it's there in the collective memory of their fans and that ugliness will shine once again come Saturday.

 

[Dutch from The Hague]

You can not make this up but we got the Wigan Wanker Paul Tierney again ...

 

[Champ]

Physicality will be a deciding factor as to who makes the line up. Forest with the likes of Awoniyi are physical so the youngsters may only come in when the game is won and Forest players are fatigued.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Hopefully we see the three stars return to bench and get 25 mins. They need to get up to speed for City.

This will be a big test and won’t be shocked if they overrun us. You can see they are improving week to week and are due a result. This could be it.

Endo being available will be a huge boost if it happens.

I’d definitely start Danns too. He deserves it.

 

[dee]

Hopefully we see the three stars return to bench and get 25 mins. They need to get up to speed for City.

This will be a big test and won’t be shocked if they overrun us. You can see they are improving week to week and are due a result. This could be it.

Endo being available will be a huge boost if it happens.

I’d definitely start Danns too. He deserves it.

"I want to win the league at all costs"
"First team players need to be protected against playing in the cups to allow a strong team in the league"
"I Want to play an 18 yo with experience of two whole games in our next league game because 'he deserves it'"

 

[StevieM]

"I want to win the league at all costs"
"First team players need to be protected against playing in the cups to allow a strong team in the league"
"I Want to play an 18 yo with experience of two whole games in our next league game because 'he deserves it'"

Dreamieoligy has innit!!!