Chelsea (A) - Thu 5th Jan, 20:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[MadchesterCity]

Happy with the starting 11, come on City!!

 

[CityBluez]

What's our other results with that line up ?

Not good. Same line up against brentford. Need some creativity from cancelo, foden or Bernardo

 

[SebastianBlue]

Not sure that even the flappers less optimistic on here can complain about that side.

Ye of little faith.

 

[BlueCityfan]

Slight quibble about Álvarez not being in starting line-up. Otherwise all good.

It's simple really. It's either him or Haaland. Pep doesn't fancy Alvarez on the wing or playing 2 up front. Can't blame him if he wants to leave in the near future. It's easy to stick him onto the team sheet here, when you don't have to worry about which positions the players occupy.

 

[DTKOAG]

Lots of energy in that team and no excuses.

 

[JTFactsPlz]

It’s strong no doubt but points dropped against Newcastle, Villa & Brentford with at least that front 6.

Need to make it click.

But everyone here seems to think this is our best lineup. Which goes against the facts so far this season. But hey, Grealish isn't starting (in spite of us never having lost a league game he's started) so BM is happy.

 

[EdersonsSmiley]

Same front 6 as the only game we have been outplayed this season, Brentford. Hopefully there are some better individual performances today so we dont get a similar result.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Strong line up.

Slight concern with both full backs likely to be a bit rusty though.

Need to win tonight no dicking about.

 

[yankblue]

I like that lineup

 

[yeah whatever !!]

COME ON CITY !!

 

[mac]

Don't worry all the fannies can go to the match thread soon.

 

[journolud]

I’ll let you know what i think of the line up around 10pm tonight ;-)

Can you drop us a clue five minutes in on the match thread?

 

[madloaf]

No its 7-1 and mahrez is having a mare

Still seems like that's an 86th min sub

 

[OntarioBlue]

Well, that’s the starting lineup most people on here (me included) were hoping for. I can’t wait for all the whining on the Match Day thread about how Pep effed up the selection.

 

[Bill Walker]

The reason Bernardo starts is because he is a workhorse and we don't have many options out wide.
For some reason pep isn't convinced with Grealish

 

[hihosilva]

No but will mean we’ve take 4 points from last 12 and in bad form … with a run of tough games . Need a win to kick start some confidence .

If we lose tonight I’ll bet you £50 to a charity of choice we won’t win the league

No you're ok mate. Keep your money times are hard.

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

Not good. Same line up against brentford. Need some creativity from cancelo, foden or Bernardo

Ffs

 

[Bill Walker]

Same front 6 as the only game we have been outplayed this season, Brentford. Hopefully there are some better individual performances today so we dont get a similar result.

I'd wiped that game from my memory banks. It didn't happen.

 

[CityBluez]

It's simple really. It's either him or Haaland. Pep doesn't fancy Alvarez on the wing or playing 2 up front. Can't blame him if he wants to leave in the near future. It's easy to stick him onto team sheet here, when you don't have to worry about which positions the players occupy.

We absolutely have to convince him to stay. Haaland's future(with us) is uncertain

 

[Bill Walker]

Bernardo needs to step up to the level we know he is. Haven't seen it recently.

He will, he knows he has put himself in the shop window. Has to perform.