Nottingham Forest (H) - Wed 4th Dec, 19:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Blue Maverick]

We just need a win I’d like to see us smash them but they are good on the break, we need confidence before juventus and the scum

 

[alexmcity]

I thought Ortega was pretty good against Liverpool and deserve to keep his place

I agree he did well. Replacing him is not a priority.

 

[half & half derby scarf]

Please no Ilkay or Lewis in midfield. Interesting to see Jack come on in centre mid, hope he plays there on Weds

Been saying this about Grealish since we signed him. I don't get how Pep doesn't see it.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

If we continue banging square pegs in round holes this will be another defeat.

Pep needs to start thinking outside the box.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I am not ashamed to say that I was one of those who were jubilant when Gundo was brought “home”. But I always presumed that he would now be in the role of a steady-the-ship type player, brought on in maybe the last thirty, last twenty minutes. It seemed obvious to me. I never saw him playing ninety-minute games, certainly not against the likes of full-on dippers (I know, he didn't play the full ninety minutes yesterday).

Think that was exactly why he was brought back.

He's been a disaster since he got here but, he has some credit in the bank and if/when he's used properly I think we'll see an improvement in him.

There's no doubt he's not on his own but he's stinking the place out at the moment and we'd be better off getting minutes into the likes of O'Reilly and Wright who we may need later in the season.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Think that was exactly why he was brought back.

He's been a disaster since he got here but, he has some credit in the bank and if/when he's used properly I think we'll see an improvement in him.

There's no doubt he's not on his own but he's stinking the place out at the moment and we'd be better off getting minutes into the likes of O'Reilly and Wright who we may need later in the season.

And he wouldn’t be had everyone stayed fit particularly Rodri.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

And he wouldn’t be had everyone stayed fit particularly Rodri.

Exactly but, it's not working so his position as a starter needs changing.

 

[Blue Maverick]

Exactly but, it's not working so his position as a starter needs changing.

Pep doesn’t trust the kids but look at the league cup game against Spurs I thought we played well despite the result what the hell fo we have to lose?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Obviously, expecting a win is pure fantasy at this point, but would be nice to score a goal!

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Pep doesn’t trust the kids but look at the league cup game against Spurs I thought we played well despite the result what the hell fo we have to lose?

Yeah they should be getting a chance, who knows how they'd do with 2/3 games on the bounce.

Anyone of them could be a Phil/Cole.

 

[bluemanchester]

If we continue banging square pegs in round holes this will be another defeat.

Pep needs to start thinking outside the box.

After going to livarpool yesterday it would be better if some players sterted thinking in the box and its proximity;-)

 

[Craig]

Been saying this about Grealish since we signed him. I don't get how Pep doesn't see it.

Would be good to see him as an 8 with Doku outside him. Literally nothing to lose in trying it instead of how we’re currently playing. He’ll keep the ball better than Gundo, cover more ground and drive forwards better

 

[.db.]

I’m absolutely buzzing for this game as much as I would be for a title run-in game in late April!

Come on City, really looking forward to it.

 

[Blu3m00n91]

I’m absolutely buzzing for this game as much as I would be for a title run-in game in late April!

Come on City, really looking forward to it.

Just one win is all we need. We’ll see the difference after that. Massive game

 

[robbieh]

The reason Gundo is playing all the time is he is our only fit out and out central midfield player. He's not a winger and he's not a 10. Nunes is probably a CM player but not in the style of a Pep team. Foden increasingly looking like a 10. Lewis, god knows.

Grealish for me should get a go here. I've never been convinced he's a winger, although he helped us playing as a wide control player.


So the question is who plays in the three.

I think the front 3 should be

Foden Haaland Doku

Which means midfield is

Gundo
Bernardo. Grealish

 

[Ethan23]

The reason Gundo is playing all the time is he is our only fit out and out central midfield player. He's not a winger and he's not a 10. Nunes is probably a CM player but not in the style of a Pep team. Foden increasingly looking like a 10. Lewis, god knows.

Grealish for me should get a go here. I've never been convinced he's a winger, although he helped us playing as a wide control player.


So the question is who plays in the three.

I think the front 3 should be

Foden Haaland Doku

Which means midfield is

Gundo
Bernardo. Grealish

I'd take that, has decent balance and legs

 

[Victorinodennistua]

Been saying this about Grealish since we signed him. I don't get how Pep doesn't see it.

Remember Kev saying he’s one of the best midfielders he faced. Kicked him all over the park at villa and didn’t play on the wing. Like Bernie totally wasted there.

 

[Craig]

I'd take that, has decent balance and legs

Yeah, more legs in the side looks pretty essential at the moment.

Won’t happen but i’d like to Gvardiol tried on front of the defence. I think he’s too good to be out of the side for long. If Ake is fit though he helps tighten us up at left back.Hes tried Lewis in there and i can’t see how Josko would offer more. He’s just a better pure footballer and would add some much needed physicality

 

[Harrilew]

.........Ederson
Akanji Dias Ake gvardiol
.....gundogan.. Bernardo
..... ........ grealish
Foden..................Doku
............ Haaland

 

[Nevizade]

View attachment 139452

This but with Kev in for Foden for me. Akanji our best right-back by a street at the minute.