Carabao Cup Final pre-match thread

[Rammy Blue]

Raheem Sterling didn't train today and WON'T start against Arsenal tomorrow. [@10JoseAlvarez]

Fucking Alvarez, the cûnt.

 

[MCFC1993]

Think we'll miss Sterling, although we tend to miss him more when the opposition park the bus, something Arsenal probably won't do.

 

[OB1]

I see this week as a huge test of City's mental strength, which I am delighted to say has largely been impressive so far this season. However, the final test is bringing home the bacon and we let one little piggy run off in our last game, with a defeat to our current FAC bogey.

This week brings two huge games in London against Lucky Arsenal, against whom we have a rotten record both at their home ground and Wembley. We have the superior players (and manager) but they have to have the stones to prove it, to play without fear. City under-performed on their last Wembley visit, tomorrow needs to be different.

I can see Wenger trying to spring some sort of surprise and Pep needs to have his game plan sorted with the team ready prepared for a variety of approaches from Arsenal.

 

[Rammy Blue]

I see this week as a huge test of City's mental strength, which I am delighted to say has largely been impressive so far this season. However, the final test is bringing home the bacon and we let one little piggy run off in our last game, with a defeat to our current FAC bogey.

This week brings two huge games in London against Lucky Arsenal, against whom we have a rotten record both at their home ground and Wembley. We have the superior players (and manager) but they have to have the stones to prove it, to play without fear. City under-performed on their last Wembley visit, tomorrow needs to be different.

I can see Wenger trying to spring some sort of surprise and Pep needs to have his game plan sorted with the team ready prepared for a variety of approaches from Arsenal.

I agree mate, was only saying the same to my lad earlier that Wenger usually tries to throw a curveball when playing against us - maybe he will go 3 at the back or 3 central midfielders?

 

[derek]

So he has given Wenger 24 hours to readjust his plans for facing Raz rather than 1 hour before kick off, words fail me.

Bernardo will I presume take his place

 

[Rammy Blue]

I assume Alvarez is taking a punt today about Sterling, as imo Pep won’t have told the squad who is starting as yet.

 

[citizen_maine]

So he has given Wenger 24 hours to readjust his plans for facing Raz rather than 1 hour before kick off, words fail me.

Bernardo will I presume take his place

unless it's a double bluff, and Raz plays

 

[1961_vintage]

If we take our chances we will win this. If we continue with our recent profligacy in front of goal then we won't.

Up to us, not those tarquin tossers and their bitter, banker of a manager.

 

[derek]

Will they have trained today ?

 

[Brendan110_0]

Need Jesus and Aguero on for this game if Raz is on bench/missing.

 

[mccity]

With Bravo playing there's going to be a lot of posters coming on giving it the old "I told you so!" one way or another depending on the result..

I assume Alvarez is taking a punt today about Sterling, as imo Pep won’t have told the squad who is starting as yet.

We know this is true because otherwise Alvarez would have already posted the team. Never too early for him!

 

[paulsimpson]

We will not change our tactics for this game so expect 4-3-3 with the usual inverted fullbacks pressing into midfield during possession and in the opposition counter attack. Without Sterling Pep will go with Bernardo and Danilo will replace Delph in my view. Although he may even introduce Zinchenko Or Jesus at some point zinchenko has played a part in this competition and Pep may be loyal towards that. Bravo is a case in point. Jesus may come on later depending on how things work out .
Expect Özil to try to find Aubamayang on the counter.
Also the likes of Wilshire and Elneny to target Silva and De Bruyne so that they can't get space in the final third .
Arsenal either 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 - predictable enough. Counter attacking will be their threat .
Cmon blues . You can do it. Sergio to score at least 1 perhaps . Mentality has to be 100% . If they all play to the best of their abilities then we will be happy come 6:30 tomorrow evening.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

With Bravo playing there's going to be a lot of posters coming on giving it the old "I told you so!" one way or another depending on the result!

I think that’s inevitable if he makes a mistake. It’s a forum. You will always get that. I was lambasting Aguero first half against Leicester and he scored 4 goals after !! It’s just the way it is. Football is an emotional game. I was pissed off Monday but soon realised that it has likely saved me in the region of £200 had we got to the semi and closer to £500 had we made the final. I shall be spending it this weekend!

My 48 hr bender has begun. On the train to watcher Mozzer in Leeds to start it off!

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I think and am hoping he'll play Danilo there. At least he has a bit more pace then Zinchenko.

I think he will too just for the experience. Zinchenko is definitely a risk if he plays especially against a side with pace.

 

[K.Reeves right foot]

asked him which source ,thanked him for the source,said the metro is not a good source in as many words
lets hope they are available

Flipping heck! Lets just hope Sterlings fit to play, I'm not actually his biggest fan but he does create an extra problem for opponents with his unconventionsl style and speed is always a good weapon.

 

[mccity]

I think that’s inevitable if he makes a mistake. It’s a forum. You will always get that. I was lambasting Aguero first half against Leicester and he scored 4 goals after !! It’s just the way it is. Football is an emotional game. I was pissed off Monday but soon realised that it has likely saved me in the region of £200 had we got to the semi and closer to £500 had we made the final. I shall be spending it this weekend!

My 48 hr bender has begun. On the train to watcher Mozzer in Leeds to start it off!

True true. But I'm not a believer in rubbing it in, but as you say, it's a forum :)

 

[K.Reeves right foot]

True true. But I'm not a believer in rubbing it in, but as you say, it's a forum :)

Conversely, if we win especially if Bravo plays a crucial part in it, those who champion him could come on here to say 'i told you so'.
No matter which side we're on for any players inclusion we all have a common wish for every player to play fantastic and win the trophy. I'm hoping Bravo proves me wrong I really want him to.

 

[mccity]

Conversely, if we win especially if Bravo plays a crucial part in it, those who champion him could come on here to say 'i told you so'.
No matter which side we're on for any players inclusion we all have a common wish for every player to play fantastic and win the trophy. I'm hoping Bravo proves me wrong I really want him to.

Yeah I included that in my original post. If we win and he plays well, "I told you so, you should have believed you're not real City fans!". And if we lose and he sucks, "I told you so, Pep isn't perfect and it's unprofessional that he did what he did!".

Personally I'd prefer it if neither happened, but again, it's a forum and people should be allowed to say what they want.

 

[SWP's back]

Conversely, if we win especially if Bravo plays a crucial part in it, those who champion him could come on here to say 'i told you so'.
No matter which side we're on for any players inclusion we all have a common wish for every player to play fantastic and win the trophy. I'm hoping Bravo proves me wrong I really want him to.

No one is championing Bravo starting for his talent versus Ederson so that scenario is unlikely.

Those posters just understand why Pep is picking him, even if they’d do it differently on paper.

 

[blue ranger]

C'mon mate he's made plenty of good, even great saves. Grigg's effort required him to pull off a world class save which most keepers wouldn't have made -- imo Eddy could have saved it, but that's immaterial, Claudio earned his right to play against Wigan and the same applies tomoz imo.

Agree he should play tomorrow mate, but he doesn't make saves and that is the issue. Agree the grigg goal not an error, but like most one on ones he gets nowhere near them. His footwork is the issue imo.