Everton (A) - Sun 14th May, 14:00 | Pre-Match Thread

Match Result Prediction

  • Total voters
    572
Status
Not open for further replies.
Tony - MCFC said:
Phillips is a good player, done it for Leeds & England. Just hasn’t worked out with us yet. It’s concerning because even those that say about ‘first season syndrome under Pep’, those previously played far more than Phillips is right now. It’s a genuine concern how slow and more worrying how confused he looks with his positioning when he gets on.

Let’s hope he improves asap.
Click to expand...
He comes on, smiles a lot, strolls around and plays the odd nice pass but he just looks completely in awe of his surroundings. You’d think if you got 10 minutes you’d at least put yourself about. I really thought he was more like Ferna in energy and quality on the ball and would challenge Rodri but like you say he looks lost.
 
I've prepared myself for the possibility that Pep rests the vast majority of his starting eleven for the Madrid game. That game is going to be epic and is a winner takes all one off game so Pep will want to maximise our chances of being at our best. It's undeniable that resting for this game will be helpful towards getting past Madrid. Having watched the other semi final, I'd make us strong favourites to win the final if we get there.
So, today:
Ortega
Lewis Akanji Laporte Gomez
Phillips Bernardo
Mahrez Foden Palmer
Alvarez
Against Madrid:
Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Ake
Rodri Gundogan
Foden KDB Grealish
Haaland
It's a gamble but a calculated one. Remember, we can lose this game and still have the title in our hands.
 
Dax777 said:
What happened to the Argentine DM lefty kid we brought in in January? Can't he play if Phillips isn't trusted. How about Lewis? Something!
Click to expand...

Currently with Argentina U-20s (for the world cup). He only really arrived in February, so he was never going to play a part this season. Next season is another story, though. I hope he gets a chance.
 
chris85mcfc said:
If it wasn't true, then he'd have played him.
Click to expand...
Not Being Trusted and being shit are not the same.

Example, Lewis isn't shit. He damn near benched Walker in the middle of the season, but he is not trusted enough to be given a role in the business end of the season.

Still doesn't make him shit. Ake wasn't trusted last year too. Now he is a staple.

I think Erling joining and fitting in seamlessly has gotten many confused. It generally takes 2 seasons to catch on under Pep for most. Erling is an exception.
 
If Pep thought Phillips was shit and he has made a mistake I guess he would have left on loan in January like Cancelo. Maybe he sees something but just hasnt taken that leap of faith, not surprisingly this would hit his confidence and hence he’s looked poor when he has come on. Either way, this would be an ideal game to rest Rodri who himself has looked tired in recent games.
 
hgblue said:
I've prepared myself for the possibility that Pep rests the vast majority of his starting eleven for the Madrid game. That game is going to be epic and is a winner takes all one off game so Pep will want to maximise our chances of being at our best. It's undeniable that resting for this game will be helpful towards getting past Madrid. Having watched the other semi final, I'd make us strong favourites to win the final if we get there.
So, today:
Ortega
Lewis Akanji Laporte Gomez
Phillips Bernardo
Mahrez Foden Palmer
Alvarez
Against Madrid:
Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Ake
Rodri Gundogan
Foden KDB Grealish
Haaland
It's a gamble but a calculated one. Remember, we can lose this game and still have the title in our hands.
Click to expand...
Got to agree, we can afford to drop points today and still have the title in our own hands. Madrid is winner takes all.
 
Just play a good team, none of the fringe players , get this won early , hopefully , then coast till the end , switched on though not braindead like the other week , pretty please

Today is the important game , one at a time, no point in fighting back to have it in our own hands to start putting out weak teams now
 
Dax777 said:
Not Being Trusted and being shit are not the same.

Example, Lewis isn't shit. He damn near benched Walker in the middle of the season, but he is not trusted enough to be given a role in the business end of the season.

Still doesn't make him shit. Ake wasn't trusted last year too. Now he is a staple.

I think Erling joining and fitting in seamlessly has gotten many confused. It generally takes 2 seasons to catch on under Pep for most. Erling is an exception.
Click to expand...
All of those players we group into the above category, at least showed something during their first year.

Phillips has showed nothing in the extremely brief cameos this season, and I assume in training, so even warrant being trusted to come on and give a half decent level of performance, even at times when we've been 2 or 3 up.

He's just clearly not getting it at all.
 
TrentGrisham said:
Short time lurker, first time poster.

Just a gut feeling that we may see Palmer get a start. We saw with lewis that Pep isn't afraid of chucking an academy lad out there even if they haven't played.

Ederson

Lewis
Dias
Laporte
Gomez(Maybe Akanji?)

Phillips
Bernardo
Foden

Mahrez
Alvarez
Palmer
Click to expand...
You want to lose then
 
Jam Tomorrow said:
Got to agree, we can afford to drop points today and still have the title in our own hands. Madrid is winner takes all.
Click to expand...
Possibly 2 points.
We could then afford to draw one more game after that.
A loss is a completely different situation.
 
Probably one of Rodri/Gundogan/Silva on the bench and then is on in the 2 half. If we find ourselves in comfortable position then Philips will be called up.

Very tough fixture this, if City overcome upcoming games with wins it would be nothing short of absolutely spectacular. No matter what players you have you need to match up running against grown, athleted guys who also know this game and earn thousands. Let alone tie against Real, most clutch team arguably in the history of the game. We really experiencing enormous football period for City, dreamland simply. They will have my backing in any case, incredbily proud and happy.
 
Sadly Rodri, Erling, Debruyne, Gundogan and Walker definitely shouldn't start this game. Ake shouldn't either for health reasons.

Mahrez, Alvarez, Foden, Lewis, Laporte should all start. Then mix and match starters.

For me that means

Akanji Dias Laporte
Lewis Phillips
Mahrez Foden Bernardo Grealish
Alvarez

If we need to chase a win last 20 minutes we can bring on Haaland, Debruyne and Gundogan to chase a goal.

If winning and defending a slim lead, Bring in Walker and Stones and pull Grealish and Foden.

Keeper can be either or.
 
chris85mcfc said:
All of those players we group into the above category, at least showed something during their first year.

Phillips has showed nothing in the extremely brief cameos this season, and I assume in training, so even warrant being trusted to come on and give a half decent level of performance, even at times when we've been 2 or 3 up.

He's just clearly not getting it at all.
Click to expand...
I think we'll know next season. Personally, I see no evidence one way or the other. Yes, he hasn't played much coz he is behind the best DM for a Pep team. But we'll see how he is next season. I'll accept he isn't trusted for the business end. Which is normal.
 
Xhavenjoe said:
Possibly 2 points.
We could then afford to draw one more game after that.
A loss is a completely different situation.
Click to expand...
You dont want to find yourself in such a situation (loosing points today), additional stress before game of the season.

Second thing is rhytm of main players. Pep many times said, that people underrate this aspect, you take your confidence up with every appearance.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top