Aston Villa (H) - Sun 12th Feb, 16:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[Keeper!]

If we can't beat our lucky Villa side them things are grim.

Get back to basics and play to our strengths, it's not rocket science.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Let's go all out for 90% possession in this one City, we can do it

 

[Keeper!]

I wouldn't have Walker in mate, Lewis for me. But apart from that looks good

Walker was one of the few yesterday who looked ok, if fit he has to be in the side.

 

[tommybooth]

Let's just win and stop fucking about.

 

[Fallingbostel Blue]

Please for once: Ederson or Ortega
Walker Dias LaPorte Ake
KDB Rodri Bernardo
Foden Haaland Grealish.

 

[PragueBlue]

Please for once: Ederson or Ortega
Walker Dias LaPorte Ake
KDB Rodri Bernardo
Foden Haaland Grealish.

That's definitely the team it should be if KDB is fit enough to play at least 60 mins. If not, Gundogan in for him.

Last time that front 3 played together in those positions, we scored 6!

 

[youngbob]

Ederson
Walker, Dias, Laporte, Ake
Rodri
De Bruyne, Gundogan
Foden, Haaland, Grealish

Back to basics. Don't want to see either of our full-backs inside the centre circle.

 

[bondsman]

Just imagine if we actually played on the front foot from the first minute instead of slow build up.

Like we did against a forest and dippers in the cup? Or spurs second half at Etihad. We are a different side when we take risks and play at pace

 

[Claytop]

Phillips has to be due a start surely?

Rodri going to be burnt out by March if not.

 

[mancityscot]

80% possession, 1,000 passes, 2 shots on goal, 4 haaland touches. 1-1 draw.

 

[MarsLlama]

Rodri and Ederson both need dropped, but I think Rodri has to be selected as we have no other option.

——————Haaland
Grealish——————————KDB
———Foden——Gundogan
———————Rodri
Gomez—-Laporte—Dias—Walker
——————-Ortega

We don't need to drop Rodri. We need to stop making him babysit an 18-year-old full-back. Even worse, he's having to constantly transition between playing as a lone 6 (his best position) and playing in a double pivot with Lewis.

It's overcomplication to a completely insane degree and nobody should be surprised that the players can't handle it.

 

[Blu1]

Been saying for weeks I hope we are up for the next game but it never really changes. I would say we are getting worse all over the pitch.

Performance right now seems more important than the 3 points

 

[GornikDaze]

Can we have an extra button in the vote… void ;)

 

[bellsouth]

We don't need to drop Rodri. We need to stop making him babysit an 18-year-old full-back. Even worse, he's having to constantly transition between playing as a lone 6 (his best position) and playing in a double pivot with Lewis.

It's overcomplication to a completely insane degree and nobody should be surprised that the players can't handle it.

I’d love to see Rodri player a tiny bit further forward, this would mean playing Philips as well and as you say, Walker at RB. I think this would benefit Kevin too and get him closer to Haaland

 

[KirkhamBlue62]

Sorry but can’t see any benefit in playing Lewis. Seriously, what immense contribution to our attack or defence does he do. No offence to the lad but at the moment, his job is basically to run around the centre circle and give 5 yard passes to Rodri. A waste of a place at the moment. Let’s please get back to basic fast attacks and a proper defence.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Sorry but can’t see any benefit in playing Lewis. Seriously, what immense contribution to our attack or defence does he do. No offence to the lad but at the moment, his job is basically to run around the centre circle and give 5 yard passes to Rodri. A waste of a place at the moment. Let’s please get back to basic fast attacks and a proper defence.

The misty eyed, Academy devotees won't like that.

 

[hinchcliffes bulbous conk]

Up the creative accounting blues. 3-1 City.

 

[Gray]

One sure thing the crowd will be up for this.

 

[MCFC1993]

Weird how I wasn't looking forward to this and now given today's revelations I'm buzzing for it.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

What can we boo? !