Spurs (h) pre-match thread

[decmancity]

Need to bring back in Bernardo but not at the expense of Mahrez imo. Need Bernardos energy in the midfield which is where Tottenham are going to try and win the game.

May have to be Bernardo for David alongside Rodri and KDB.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Looks like we should stop passing to Aguero too then, bring that stat down. Always offside he is.

Argument lost.

 

[bluemoon32]

Only change I would make is bring Bernardo in but that would be incredibly harsh on Mahrez.
I'd always find a place for Bernardo against the better sides

 

[the talisman]

Need to bring back in Bernardo but not at the expense of Mahrez imo. Need Bernardos energy in the midfield which is where Tottenham are going to try and win the game.

May have to be Bernardo for David alongside Rodri and KDB.

Yeah I understand that Mahrez had a great game, but...
He picks a front 3 from Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez, Jesus and Bernardo.
He picks a midfield 3 from Rodri, Kev, Dave, Gundog and Fernandinho.

I just don’t get this idea that he plays Bernie OR Dave

I wouldn’t be surprised if he picks both of them for spurs.

 

[Len Rum]

Sorry, but Bernardo is on the bench for the foreseeable future until Mahrez has a stinker. Same side as West Ham for me.

I laughed.

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Only change I would make is bring Bernardo in but that would be incredibly harsh on Mahrez.
I'd always find a place for Bernardo against the better sides

I don’t think he will change it much from West Ham, no need to rotate until after the international break. Going to be a difficult game though Saturday, Spurs are no mugs.

 

[Ric]

Is Son still suspended for them?

 

[Charlesfarsbar]

I'm trying to remember one single time Pep started KDB and Bernardo together in midfield just ahead of the DM. I know both of them have had games a lot with Bernardo playing as an attacker on the right ahead of KDB who would stay central but I'm not sure they both have started in midfield together.

I would love to see it. I know we'd loose some control playing without Dave but Bernardo's industry and ability is a must have and it appears that Mahrez is beginning to get on his stride.

Will be an interesting game. Personally I think Spurs will finish ahead of Liverpool this season. They look like they are on a mission.

I don’t think Bernardo has played as the left sided 8 at all ?

When he played as an 8 last season it was always him on the right and Dave on the left

I wouldnt want to move Kev from the right due to his very dangerous crossing ability

I would play Mahrez again to build his confidence up , he needs to have a great game at the Etihad

 

[TINY]

Is Son still suspended for them?

Yep. Our game is his last

 

[Ric]

Yep. Our game is his last

That's a bonus, he caused us huge problems in the CL game last season.

 

[Jazzman]

That's a bonus, he caused us huge problems in the CL game last season.

Indeed and if furter an Eriksen transfer will make progress during the week so that he won't play, things will look very good for us :-)

 

[lionheart]

Not certain that Bernardo and Fernandinho are 100% fit. If not then keep the side that played so well at West Ham. It's a long season so no need to rush anybody back.

 

[aguero93:20]

No way Walker doesn't start v. Spurs and no way Pep slots in 2 CDMs or uses Rodri or Ferns as an attacking midfielder... also Bernie won't play on the left as Mahrez can't play on the left (as yet). And Angelino starting as LB... the more I look at this, is it a wind up? I mean, you do have Eddie in goal so it's semi legit...

He's played Gundogan or KDB in much deeper positions alongside Dinho in big games before. Bernardo basically played as a CDM at Klanfield last year.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Yeah I understand that Mahrez had a great game, but...
He picks a front 3 from Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez, Jesus and Bernardo.
He picks a midfield 3 from Rodri, Kev, Dave, Gundog and Fernandinho.

I just don’t get this idea that he plays Bernie OR Dave

I wouldn’t be surprised if he picks both of them for spurs.

front six of:

Rodri

Kev
Dave

Mahrez
Raz
Bernie

might be interesting, albeit has Bernie ever played on the left?
Raheem could certainly cause Spuds issues through the middle.

 

[the talisman]

front six of:

Rodri

Kev
Dave

Mahrez
Raz
Bernie

might be interesting, albeit has Bernie ever played on the left?
Raheem could certainly cause Spuds issues through the middle.

What a squad of players we have. I’d be surprised if Sergio doesn’t start. I don’t envy Pep keeping this group of players happy.

 

[Benarbia’s Backheel]

Fast start needed. I’d personally go for this.

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Laporte
Zinchenko

Rodri
De Bruyne
Bernardo

Mahrez
Jesus
Sterling

If we’re winning after an hour then bring David and Fernandinho on to control the game and see it out. In fact, whatever the situation is I’d bring David on, although I’m 100% certain he will start.

 

[Zenmanc]

Jesus offsides - 38 in 69 games
Aguero offside - 188 in 240 games

Jesus - 0.55 offsides per game
Aguero - 0.78 offsides per game

That stay doesn't factor in the number of times he's so far offsides the play breaks down. A stat like this is rubbish for telling anyone who is actually offsides more... It's like a stat that compares the number of speeding tickets 2 blokes have- it may be indicative that the one with more speeds more often but if the one with less has only been driving a fraction as long and is speeding so fast on occasion his car breaks down before the copper nabs him or so fast the speed gun breaks... pointless.

 

[Zenmanc]

He's played Gundogan or KDB in much deeper positions alongside Dinho in big games before. Bernardo basically played as a CDM at Klanfield last year.

Gundo and KDB have final third quality and thus playing deeper with a dedicated holding mid makes sense as they can drop back then move forward as needed. Playing 2 players who are not noted for their offensive playmaking together limits the attack.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Think we need more legs in midfield for this 1 think we should be wasing rodri in off the bench.

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Laporte
Zinchenko

Fernandinho
Kdb
Bernardo

Mahrez
Jesus
Sterling

 

[JPBB]

I think we are going to batter you. And by that I mean we are going to try and outmuscle you in midfield, overwhelm you with our physicality or, in other words, try to kick you off the park. That is what Sissoko and Ndombele are there for. And i won't be surprised to see our nasty, snidey, little shit Lamela playing too. (Sadly Alli won't be fit enough to really piss you off with his cheating cocky ways).

We are not West Ham. We can play. And we will want to play in your half and we think we can win. Maybe this our year to beat you. We'll need a bit of luck but it is possible.

And you are right. It is a proper test for Rodri. Lets see how good he is.