Spurs (h) pre-match thread

[ChicagoBlue]

Might be interesting to see Cancelo at LB for this one.

 

[Chi-town blues]

Can play both, Bernardo might take over from David Silva for this one.

Only giss

 

[jollylescott]

Although Mahrez had a great game last week, I think Pep will pick Bernardo for this one. He'll have a point to prove after sitting out last week.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

What a great way to start the season....struggling to determine which high quality international player isn’t going to make the starting line up for a big game against a realistic title challenger.

While pundits can try to make something from big scores in opening games, it is games like this that help make early statements. Just as people have decided this is going to be a transition season for Chelsea and that Lampard needs to simply keep them in touch in and around the Top Six this season, and that United are now a young counter attacking team that can be devastating on the break, but may lack the defensive fortitude necessary for ultimate season long success, so they will develop a narrative about both Spurs and City from this game.

This is going to be a strong first test. The game will hinge on whether City or Spurs dominate the flanks, and how City stop Spurs from using their bigger size and power and dominating the middle of the field. Aguero vs Kane? I fancy us there. Ederson vs Lloris? Not a competition. The ONLY place where there is a serious competition is in midfield, which means funneling the ball OUT of the middle of the park and into the channels and down the wings as quickly as possible.

COME ON CITY!!!

 

[Wotspur]

""Do you remember when you bought Walker ,that year you spent more JUST on your defence than Syria did , and more than Spurs have spent in the last 6 seasons ."
And won more trophies in the last 6 seasons as well. Maybe if you had spent more in the last 6 seasons than moaning about how much City have spent you might have had some success.

We unfortunately had to spend 1bn on a new stadium , you were given a new stadium ,and with the wealth or the Sheik could buy players . I’m a fan and can’t understand why our chairman Joe Lewis at 80+ with a fortune of 6bn , doesn’t just pay for the stadium and another 1bn for players , but that’s he difference between a real fan and a businessman .
We have done well with limited means , I don’t understand why City fans don’t accept we are batting well above our station and give us more credit

 

[Chi-town blues]

We unfortunately had to spend 1bn on a new stadium , you were given a new stadium ,and with the wealth or the Sheik could buy players . I’m a fan and can’t understand why our chairman Joe Lewis at 80+ with a fortune of 6bn , doesn’t just pay for the stadium and another 1bn for players , but that’s he difference between a real fan and a businessman .
We have done well with limited means , I don’t understand why City fans don’t accept we are batting well above our station and give us more credit

You manger has bigger man boobs then ours . I give you that .

 

[vmsuhail]

Going to be a difficult game. Spurs are going to be a challenger this season. They are one of the few sides who are capable of beating us at our place. In fact anyone is given freak circumstances, but SPurs have a small but significant chance because they have quality and can defend a lead.

Can't seem to remember when Spurs last beat us at Etihad.

 

[vmsuhail]

Very, very good team with lots of tactical nouse and attacking talent. I'd take 1-1 right now.

No, that result is okay for the away game. Home games against the title contenders is a MUST win.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Yeah, it’s a very difficult call. Bernardo was pretty much first name on the team sheet last season, but Mahrez played very well last weekend and Guardiola was seemingly impressed with his attitude in returning early from AFCON. With Sane injured, Mahrez has a big part to play this season and not sure if Pep will want to stall his momentum. Bernardo’s not the type of guy to kick up a fuss either so wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Mahrez get the nod on Saturday.

Its maybe unlikely but they could play with a Mahrez, Stirling, Bernardo front three. Stirling has looked extremely dangerous through the middle. Mind blowing that we would do ok even if Kun and Gabby sat on the bench.

 

[BringBackSwales]

We unfortunately had to spend 1bn on a new stadium , you were given a new stadium ,and with the wealth or the Sheik could buy players . I’m a fan and can’t understand why our chairman Joe Lewis at 80+ with a fortune of 6bn , doesn’t just pay for the stadium and another 1bn for players , but that’s he difference between a real fan and a businessman .
We have done well with limited means , I don’t understand why City fans don’t accept we are batting well above our station and give us more credit

We weren’t “given” a stadium, we swapped it for our old stadium, and additionally paid rent on the new stadium, as well as paying to upgrade it from 35k to 58k capacity, as far as I recall. Also why any City fan should be expected to give credit to your horrible fucking club on a City forum is beyond me.

 

[mikemcfc]

Pointless stat.

He’s often so far offside when we break that it disrupts the flow of the attack as the player carrying the ball knows he can’t play him in. Consequently he doesn’t get flagged for it.

when kun goes and jesus is no. 1 up front winning gold boots and averaging less than 1 offside per game won't bother me one bit when it happens.

 

[mikemcfc]

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.

that hardly ever happens. but we should get rid of him then according to how bad you say he is?
if it was as bad as you imply pep would be rid of him, not going to happen,
the best 22 yr. old or younger in the league.

 

[MadchesterCity]

I like Gabby alot... I think I am just frustrated as I feel he could be so much better.

Jesus imho is the most underrated and under appreciated player in the City team, probably because he is the Claudio Bravo to your Joe Hart.

We all love Aguero but to have Brazils number 9 (arguably best player) as an understudy is incredible

The future is bright, the future is blue!

 

[MadchesterCity]

Except Kane is not shit... but otherwise yes.

Agree, to say Kane is shit is just plane stupid

You've got to love homophones

 

[MadchesterCity]

Very, very good team with lots of tactical nouse and attacking talent. I'd take 1-1 right now.

Agree Spurs are a very good team, but fuck that the Etihad is a fortress and we need the three points!

 

[Blue Elvis]

Might be interesting to see Cancelo at LB for this one.

In a recent interview Pep referred to Cancelo playing on the left. I think he will play him as a left back against Liverpool to stop Salah cutting inside from the right wing so may as well get some practice in !!
CTID

 

[bluemanchester]

We unfortunately had to spend 1bn on a new stadium , you were given a new stadium ,and with the wealth or the Sheik could buy players . I’m a fan and can’t understand why our chairman Joe Lewis at 80+ with a fortune of 6bn , doesn’t just pay for the stadium and another 1bn for players , but that’s he difference between a real fan and a businessman .
We have done well with limited means , I don’t understand why City fans don’t accept we are batting well above our station and give us more credit

We gave our old stadium in return for use of a stadium we do not own. A stadium that would not have been built if it did not have a viable long term user. City took a chance and it came off. Most wealthy owners buy players for their clubs but City have been self sufficient for a number of years. Does batting above your station include getting into bed with the old top 4 to turn over smaller clubs.

 

[Marvin]

We unfortunately had to spend 1bn on a new stadium , you were given a new stadium ,and with the wealth or the Sheik could buy players . I’m a fan and can’t understand why our chairman Joe Lewis at 80+ with a fortune of 6bn , doesn’t just pay for the stadium and another 1bn for players , but that’s he difference between a real fan and a businessman .
We have done well with limited means , I don’t understand why City fans don’t accept we are batting well above our station and give us more credit

Man City benefited when we moved from Maine Rd to our current ground. It was a great move for the club and very exciting to go from a ground that was dated and had been gradually reduced in capacity, but you forget that this move from Maine Rd to an athletics stadium was highly technical and required a lot of forethought and planning. The bottom tiers of the stadium were buried during the construction of the Athletics stadium. I don't know all the details, but is held up as an example for stadium construction any time an Athletics stadium is constructed and then passed over to football.

City paid for the conversion and also paid for the later extension of the South Stand which added 7,500 seats.

Do you truly think that Sheikh Manour still buys Manchester City's players? That was the case in 2008 when City were taken over but now City operate on the exact same commerical basis as any other football club. In fact City generate massive revenues because of footballing success. Imagine the impact of a domestic treble. I bet Spurs enjoyed a huge increase income on the back of CL success? Well City have been in CL Q/F for years now, and have won trophy after trophy...

Why don't you think City fans give you credit? I do, but I do not regard you as morally superior because you've achieved your success through limited transfer spending.

 

[ballinio]

We unfortunately had to spend 1bn on a new stadium , you were given a new stadium ,and with the wealth or the Sheik could buy players . I’m a fan and can’t understand why our chairman Joe Lewis at 80+ with a fortune of 6bn , doesn’t just pay for the stadium and another 1bn for players , but that’s he difference between a real fan and a businessman .
We have done well with limited means , I don’t understand why City fans don’t accept we are batting well above our station and give us more credit

We weren’t given the stadium , we handed over the entire site of Maine rd & surrounding car parks which City owned, no idea what it was worth but we also paid £20m point to fit it out as a football stadium , not a lot ? Remember this is years before the sheik arrived . We gambled & got lucky , as for giving you no credit ....sly digs about money & our success is standard now from other fans & You & spurs fans are no different . You’re the enemy & get no credit from me.

 

[Robanompivenov]

Yeah, it’s a very difficult call. Bernardo was pretty much first name on the team sheet last season, but Mahrez played very well last weekend and Guardiola was seemingly impressed with his attitude in returning early from AFCON. With Sane injured, Mahrez has a big part to play this season and not sure if Pep will want to stall his momentum. Bernardo’s not the type of guy to kick up a fuss either so wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Mahrez get the nod on Saturday.

Possible that one Silva replaces the other? Bernardo's extra legs against Spurs midfield perhaps.