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

[Kippax Street 1880]

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.

Its the role not the player. If Walker played he would be asked to do the same as Rico. Agree with your last sentence

 

[super_city_si]

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.

I get the feeling Pep likes the possession and control the inverted fb gives us and is waiting for it to 'click'. I dont think it will, other teams have sussed it out. Just load the middle and we become toothless.

 

[super_city_si]

Its the role not the player. If Walker played he would be asked to do the same as Rico. Agree with your last sentence

He's shown he has good instincts overlapping and has a goal to his name. I'd prefer, if he plays, he supports the right wing and not stand next to Rodri. This inverted shite is killing us.

 

[Tolmie scores]

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

Need experience in this crisis..Lewis needs protecting not being exposed

 

[Tolmie scores]

Ederson
Walker
Akanji
Ake
Dias
Laporte
Lewis
Rodri
Philips
Gundogan
Gomez

Just keep passing in our own half to guarantee a point

Id take a point

 

[chickaroon]

I get the feeling Pep likes the possession and control the inverted fb gives us and is waiting for it to 'click'. I dont think it will, other teams have sussed it out. Just load the middle and we become toothless.

Cancelo has been playing this position for us all last season.

 

[super_city_si]

Cancelo has been playing this position for us all last season.

Yes but he's gone and no one else can replicate what he does.

 

[Tolmie scores]

Time for us to start with a low defensive block. Confuse the bastards, then, let's see what they do.

Best way to counter, hit Haaland ball over top....Laporte to play him in

 

[chesterbells]

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

Lol

 

[Blue.Roys.Son]

What can we boo? !

Let's boo the people that boo and then let's boo the people that don't boo!

 

[Bluemoonadam]

Time for us to start with a low defensive block. Confuse the bastards, then, let's see what they do.

I'm with this, go into it ultra defensive and just play on the counter, Villa will be puzzled.

 

[MarsLlama]

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Laporte
Aké
Rodri
De Bruyne
Gundogan
Foden
Haaland
Grealish

Is there any good reason not to do this?

 

[LongsightM13]

One sure thing the crowd will be up for this.

Should be great

 

[chickaroon]

Yes but he's gone and no one else can replicate what he does.

I know that. My point was, this is not new. Of course, no one can replicate it, we have to stop trying to.

 

[Oyster28catcher]

Think we'll go two down and win three two. Not a chance. Fancy us to reply and win 4 nowt.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

1.ederson
2.walker.
3.dias
4.laporte.
5.ake
6.Rodri
7.foden
8.kdb
9.haaland
10 grealish
11 alvarez.

 

[RayCTID]

Our season starts from now

 

[chickaroon]

1.ederson
2.walker.
3.dias
4.laporte.
5.ake
6.Rodri
7.foden
8.kdb
9.haaland
10 grealish
11 alvarez.

Like the team but think Rodri could do with help in the middle there. Maybe Philips instead of Foden. Move Phil upfront instead of Alvarez.
Philips is surprisingly good, seeing runs from the strikers. Maybe a few over the top to Erling.

 

[SJT]

We blow the lid off the gaff! everywhere, Sheik Mansoor chants - CTID
they want a fight, I’m in.

 

[Tolmie scores]

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.

Its Pep sabotage tactics isn"t it, sort of hollywood apocolyptic or action film where the lsst scene is a City blowing up! Very apt