Source: Telegraph
Alan Smith: Nemanja Vidic must again prove he has the measure of Fernando Torres
Vidic took a while to recover from that Old Trafford battering, when the pace and power of Torres totally embarrassed him. Yet recover Vidic did, to the point that he handled Torres pretty well in their last meeting, a 2-1 win for Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Liverpool's No 9 might have scored early on with a towering header, but he couldn't go on to find so much space behind the home defence. [LNB]For that trend to continue tomorrow, Vidic and Rio Ferdinand must show all their experience by shrewdly choosing when to get tight on Torres and when to drop off, when to defend a high line, as they normally do, and when to withdraw. [LNB]After all, the last thing they want is to 'get done' by the kind of simple, long ball that Torres gobbled up in March of last year to trigger Liverpool's ground-breaking 4-1 victory. [LNB]In this instance, then, the old coaching adage remains true: if there is pressure on the ball you can afford to squeeze up, knowing that the opponent in possession doesn't have time to pick out a pass. If there isn't pressure, drop off a few yards to allow some breathing space. [LNB]In addition, those central defenders must be equally on their guard when their own players have the ball, which is likely to be for the majority of the time. That involves keeping close tabs on Torres, watching where he wanders when play is up the other end. [LNB]Liverpool are likely to play on the break, meaning when they win back the ball the likes of Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will immediately look to find their lone striker with a quick pass. If it's a short one into feet, Vidic will be happy. He can see Torres and he can see the ball. On top of that, someone like Paul Scholes can help out, too, by funnelling back to have a nibble. [LNB]Yet Vidic won't be so comfortable if that pass is aimed over his shoulder into space, giving Torres the chance to turn his marker and head for goal. [LNB]This is all assuming, of course, that the man in question is fit for purpose, that he doesn't struggle as badly as he did at Birmingham last week. There's no doubt that Torres isn't fully fit yet. He can't be after missing the brunt of Liverpool's pre-season work. [LNB]But the adrenalin flying about tomorrow could override all that. Big games, big names, so the saying goes. I wonder whose moniker will end up in lights. [LNB]IT COULD BE A BIG DAY FOR …[LNB]Connor Wickham: After coming on at half-time in Ipswich's midweek defeat to QPR, the 17 year-old starlet, who has recovered from an ankle injury, could start his first game of the season at home to Cardiff today. [LNB]It's a delicate balancing act for manager Roy Keane. While he doesn't want to ask too much too soon of a youngster who has only just returned to training, Keane knows how much of a difference Wickham can make. [LNB]Tall, strong, fast and with excellent technique, the centre-forward, at 16 years and 11 days, became Ipswich's youngest ever player in April of last year. Now he looks set to shine consistently in the Championship, having already proved his worth at international level. [LNB]Back in May, Wickham stamped his mark on the European Under-17 Championship by stroking home England's winner against Spain in the final. It doesn't look like he'll stop there either. Now that Wickham is fit, the under-21 squad is a real possibility. [LNB]Not surprisingly, all sorts of clubs have expressed an interest, with Tottenham and Arsenal among the front-runners. For now, Keane insists he won't sell. Yet the Irishman knows, along with the whole football world, that Wickham won't stay at Portman Road for very much longer. [LNB]DECISIONS, DECIS IONS[LNB]Everyone agrees. It's not an easy task picking the right team after Champions League action. Harry Redknapp might find that out today when Tottenham welcome Wolves to White Hart Lane. [LNB]After a quite brilliant first half against Werder Bremen, spoiled slightly by the eventual 2-2 draw, Redknapp must assess who is ready to go again. Get it wrong and this league will prove unforgiving. [LNB]
