Watford (h) pre-match thread

[remember arthur mann]

It's relevant to tonight imo, as Jesus is missing & we possibly might need someone else to play centrally, depending on whether Serge hits form.

If he's on it, there is no problem, but if he's not, he could need at least a partner, up there.

I actually think Sane is an option for that as well. He scared the bejeesus out of Spurs last season when we pushed him through the middle more.

Wouldn't hesitate putting Sane up front to lead the line.

 

[BringBackSwales]

i find myself getting really frustrated with the first halves at home,we are better away i think,i'm not sure it's good mentally to know that you can score late goals as you amble about feeling like you can get a late one and you will get caught out in the end

Played 10, won 9 and drew 1 (with 10 men for more than a half), scored 36, conceded 7. I know you are talking about first halves but that is some record

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

I’d play Sergio upfront for the next couple - get him back in form.

 

[kaz7]

Played 10, won 9 and drew 1 (with 10 men for more than a half), scored 36, conceded 7. I know you are talking about first halves but that is some record

just talking first halves at home,not the games v our direct rivals but everyone else it takes a pep halftime rocket most of the time

 

[domalino]

sergio has been carrying a heel injury for a while but he going to have to get injected up,get a goal and then get subbed

I wish someone would ask Pep more about that. What kind of heel injury do you get in a car crash that hangs around for going on for 4 months now?

And he's had a fair few games off, either on the bench or not in the cup, for it to clear up.

Frankly if it's affecting him that much we'd do better to leave him out for a week or three when Jesus is back and get a full fit Aguero back for the business end of the season.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

We have Lee Mason tonight which is rare and a bit of a worry as we've had a number of our players having lumps kicked out of them already this season. So far this season despite Kane, Alli, Murphy and Puncheon's best efforts only once has an opposition player been dismissed for a straight red (Mane in the Liverpool match).

The last player to see red for a bad tackle in a City match was Fernandinho vs Burnley which was correctly spotted by Lee Mason.

 

[kaz7]

We have Lee Mason tonight which is rare and a bit of a worry as we've had a number of our players having lumps kicked out of them already this season. So far this season despite Kane, Alli, Murphy and Puncheon's best efforts only once has an opposition player been dismissed for a straight red (Mane in the Liverpool match).

The last player to see red for a bad tackle in a City match was Fernandinho vs Burnley which was correctly spotted by Lee Mason.

seems no ref gives a shit about our treatment,he is more likely to red card one of us tonite,i don't trust a single ref in the prem these days

 

[sir baconface]

The only people i wouldn't select for tonight is Mendy/Jesus/De Bruyne in that order!

No fucking around resting anybody for this match.

We’re going to have a lot of players out on that pitch. Hope the ref doesn’t notice.

 

[Tom_mcfc]

Is Silva back? If not it will be a worry if him and KDB aren't playing. we haven't looked our best the last couple of games so fingers crossed this isn't a potential banana skin. Nice early goal to settle the nerves please blues.

 

[Pablo ZZZ Peroni]

We do like the 2nd half.
HT at home and FT score in brackets:
0-1 (1-1)
2-0 (5-0)
1-0 (5-0)
3-1 (7-2)
1-0 (3-0)
1-0 (3-1)
0-0 (2-1)
0-1 (2-1)
1-0 (4-1)
1-0 (4-0)

 

[Gabriel]

seems no ref gives a shit about our treatment,he is more likely to red card one of us tonite,i don't trust a single ref in the prem these days

It was Moss who sent Sane off for going in high on Ederson. Had Puncheon decapitated de Bruyne, Moss might, just might, have deemed it worthy of more than a yellow.

Mason will probably red card one of ours in the spirit of ‘protecting all players’ and in the spirit of protecting his own team’s hopes.

 

[bluebaja]

I wish someone would ask Pep more about that. What kind of heel injury do you get in a car crash that hangs around for going on for 4 months now?

And he's had a fair few games off, either on the bench or not in the cup, for it to clear up.

Frankly if it's affecting him that much we'd do better to leave him out for a week or three when Jesus is back and get a full fit Aguero back for the business end of the season.

Pure guessworkbut I have wondered if what he has is a thing called a calcaneal spur. I used to work in Orthopaedics and they can be painful and chronic...https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/heel-spurs-pain-causes-symptoms-treatments#1

 

[deano ou812]

Sterling is doing this is he not?

Sort of,I’m talking more of an actual poacher,goal hanger..

You mean like Sterling has.

Anyhow back on subject as I’ve helped to take it off the match thread slightly,let’s just get the win tonight posted earlier think it will be harder than we think gonna go for a hard fought and frustrating (Watford defending deep) 1-0..

 

[Silva_Spell]

Ederson
Danilo Stones Otamendi Delph
Fernandinho
Gundogan Silva
Sterling Aguero Sane
Bravo, Walker, Mangala, Toure, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Brahim

2-1 Brahim to come on and win a late pen​

 

[TCIB]

Watford have dropped right off recently. I just hope they do not pull it together against us. An early goal could be vital in keeping them subdued. With our injuries we could do with a nice easy game to.

 

[supercity88]

I think he's had a good season, for the team, but he is looking less than sharp in front of goal at the moment & also I think Jesus has looked less than sharp recently, but Pep had been looking after him a bit & imo, he was just about ready to take off again, where maybe Serge would have a breather.

We have been lacking that 'utility' striker who just steps in & helps out here & there.

I agree. Aguero likes to come deep for the ball now, doesn't run in behind so often. Jesus constantly runs and so does Sterling when he is up front. We miss that more physical challenge at times. We should probably stick Otamendi up top with Sterling running off him. We keep the ball so well why do we need him in defence! Having said that, the run we have had, with that being the first time we have failed to score, we clearly do not miss that utility player too much.

It is now Jesus is injured we might have a problem. Does Pep alter his plan and decide Sanchez is needed now? I do not think squad harmony would be too disrupted. I assume he cannot play in Europe for us and we have enough games to rotate still.

The CL is a realistic prospect for us this year. Having Sanchez ease the burden domestically gives us a better chance to win it.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Ederson
Walker Stones Otamendi Danilo
Fernandinho
B.Silva D.Silva
Sterling Aguero Sane

Bravo Mangala Tosin Zinchenko Toure Gundogan Diaz

 

[St.Pauli support]

Physical and mental tiredness was visible at Palace, even early in the match.
Confidence might be a bit shaken.
At least 2nd half did show some good signs. Sane did come back stronger after a shocking 1st half.
Walker and KDB were fighting as well. Defence being really solid.

At the moment a lot has to be won in the head. The lads shouldn't think about being tired, that would be self fullfilling.
We've lost our strong momentum and players have to be really confident and fresh in mind now.
Nobody knows if David has some form. There are some open questions.

At least we will have a perfect pitch in contrast to Palace.
I hope the audience gives loads of support from the go. The boys need it so much now.

These days I fear we might miss the power and mentality to come back, so have a go and score first - and early!
Chasing the result would cost a lot.

3 points is all that counts. 2-0 would be great. Come on lads!

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Ederson
Danilo Stones Otamendi Delph
Fernandinho
Gundogan Silva
Sterling Aguero Sane
Bravo, Walker, Mangala, Toure, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Brahim

2-1 Brahim to come on and win a late pen​

Think Walker is more likely to be rested in the cup games after Watford.

 

[ganganvince]

I agree. Aguero likes to come deep for the ball now, doesn't run in behind so often. Jesus constantly runs and so does Sterling when he is up front. We miss that more physical challenge at times. We should probably stick Otamendi up top with Sterling running off him. We keep the ball so well why do we need him in defence! Having said that, the run we have had, with that being the first time we have failed to score, we clearly do not miss that utility player too much.

It is now Jesus is injured we might have a problem. Does Pep alter his plan and decide Sanchez is needed now? I do not think squad harmony would be too disrupted. I assume he cannot play in Europe for us and we have enough games to rotate still.

The CL is a realistic prospect for us this year. Having Sanchez ease the burden domestically gives us a better chance to win it.

Sanchez is ok to play in champs league