United (H) - Sun 15th Dec, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Mr. Shush]

I am like a broken record if we play Gundo, Bernardo and Rico ( saying that he is suspended) against almost anybody we will get beat. It's happened time and time again ( I have hated being proved right) as before play a def mid Wright and Nico who is strong and get up and down. With Jack just in front.Saying that they have had no minutes for a while!!

If Kovacic is in any way ready to play, he should play in the 6 spot. Bernardo is probably not going to play as he played the whole match. I expect Savinho and Doku to start. Akanji as well. If he can play, he should go in. If we go with Kovacic at 6, Foden as a 10 or 8 and KDB as either - we might get back to basics here.

 

[ColinBellsjockstrap]

Bring back Big George Heslop

 

[jrb]

FFS, they just beat a Czech Pub team 1-2.
They were getting beat 1-0 at half time.
And scored the winner in the 88th minute.

 

[GOULDYBOBS]

Have we considered passing it side to side yet?

 

[simon23]

Some fans are frustrated because they are too confident that their tactical and personnel choices would have been better, despite having no experience whatsoever in coaching and managing at any level, let alone at top top level. They are completely unaware of their limitations, erroneously believing they know better.

Your suggestions range from ludicrous to dubious. I'd have tried Nunes, I like him, but there are obvious concerns about his first touch and ability to pass the ball around like a proper DM or CM in a Pep team. Starting kids in midfield against Juventus is not a genuine option. O'Reilly needs more experience. He played against Spurs, didn't show he has enough to start at this level right now when we are desperate for more points. The team that started vs Forest and played really well is the best right now, but Ake and Akanji got injured.

The problem with our midfield is that those who know what Pep wants from them and can implement his instructions, lack physicality, whereas those who have legs, lack experience and perhaps the ability or brains to do what Pep wants from them in that part of the pitch. There are trade-offs. Some fans think that having legs is more important than experience, technique or intelligence, but this is something that Pep disagrees with.

and your qualifications are better than mine so you know more.....

How do you know I have no qualifications or experience? thats presumption and you know what that leads to dont you.

You state OReilly needs more experience...yes he does - there was acouple of matches early on where he could have tried him....he didnt

What you say is the problem with the midfield is exactly what I am saying is the problem with midfield...no legs - we have seen the extended result of keeping on doing that....fail to change it and at least try something different and we will keep seeing the same results.

Forest was barely better Im afraid....the result flattered us somewhat and whereas we were better Forest still had numerous chances because of the same issues.

Blindly continuing to go with what we have (in the case of the fans and hiding behind the monecum of Pep knows more (of course he fucking knows more) is however cowardice however....

 

[KingAguero]

These are shit. I watched a lot of their game today against Victory Pilsner and there is really not much there. Vydra should’ve scored in the 70th minute to make it 2-1.

Even when they pushed all their team forward and the rags had glorious breakaway chances, one of them a 3 on 1, they couldn’t score. Eventually Diallo and temu Haaland were about to get into a fight! Second goal wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for a quick set piece, too quick, I don’t know why the ref let it stand (I guess we all know why).

Onana with another clanger too. If you think Ederson has been off form, you should watch that guy.

4-0 City.

 

[chaddblue]

Is Akanji going to be fit? Cos if he’s not we’re fucked

 

[simmo]

Kovacic will come in and kick a few of the moaners in their midfield. Add Foden in the side and overpower them with quicker movement.

Avoid pushing all outfield players upfield and stop the long hoof.

 

[citymad]

Have we considered passing it side to side yet?

Better still how about we get our wingers to take the full back on then check back and then pass it side to side just outside their penalty area and repeat it over and over again.

 

[alexmcity]

Forest was barely better Im afraid....the result flattered us somewhat and whereas we were better Forest still had numerous chances because of the same issues.

xG in this game: 3:20 City - 0.80 Forest

It was much closer to 5:1 than to 2:1. And it was an excellent performance overall.

This is why I doubt your suggestions. You can't see what is in front of you but pretend to know better than Pep what he should be doing.

 

[alexmcity]

I’m all for experience. I think after 1 win in 10, Pep should really be changing the tactics a bit. I am not really seeing that.

Pep is changing the tactics "a bit" all the time, whether fans notice it is another thing.

Also, significant tactical changes may be counterproductive when you have tried to implement a certain way of playing football for 8-9 years. You don't change what has won you 6 from 7 titles and two trebles because you have injuries and fans don't get you.

 

[Blumooniac]

Smash the b***ards. Never enjoy derbies, too wound up. Last year's Cup Final still hurts.

 

[BlumerMooner]

Not feeling confident on this one at all.

So only going 3-1 City!

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

We need and should win, that said, with our current form this really is a 50/50 game

Hoping we show up for this one, and I'll just take a win, any win even if its scrappy

 

[heslops barnet]

Kovacic will come in and kick a few of the moaners in their midfield. Add Foden in the side and overpower them with quicker movement.

Avoid pushing all outfield players upfield and stop the long hoof.

To simple that for Pep

 

[Bluemart]

No fannies in this game so that means Savinho and Nunes can’t play. Hopefully Akanji will be fit as if not I have no idea what we will play at the back.

Pep is changing the tactics "a bit" all the time, whether fans notice it is another thing.

Also, significant tactical changes may be counterproductive when you have tried to implement a certain way of playing football for 8-9 years. You don't change what has won you 6 from 7 titles and two trebles because you have injuries and fans don't get you.

Such as cos I’ve not noticed any changes

 

[gazinho]

I think you're on to something here.

I'd consider Nunes at the wing and push Bernardo in for Gundo's spot.. or for Kova since he isn't likely fit.

Play a deep line, stay solid and hard to beat, and build from that.

Yep your changes work better than my original one I forgot about Nunes to be honest but he'd be perfect for that role, stick Bernardo in the middle for any of the 2 and let him kick fuck out of them.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

The first derby in a long time I'm actually dreading. We are so easy to play against at the moment I'd back any side to score at least once against us. Palace two, Feyenoord three, Spurs four, Juventus two. All pretty average sides in my opinion yet three of them beat us and if Palace had taken their chances so would they. On the other side of the coin we are struggling for goals ourselves.
Now the rags are a bang average side but Fernandez is better than anyone in our midfield atm given current form. Their pace on the counter attack will get behind us time after time. As for us every single player is underperforming and some are unrecognisable as the players that won everything. Walker, Gvardiol, Ederson, Gundogan have been atrocious. Bernardo is a shadow of his former self and Kev too. Foden is always ill with something or other, he's like a fucking deprived malnourished kid from Victorian England, he'll pick up rickets next.
If there's one game that could galvanise the whole club it's this one. Sadly I fear we'll all be moaning about the same old failings and licking our wounds again at the end.

"He'll pick up rickets next". Spat my tea out with that one Chappo :-D

 

[Sibierskii]

I have the same old boring argument in my local with guys older than me.

They bang on about under Pearce, Alan Ball era and the likes.

Yes, I was also there.when we were shit. But back then we weren't one of the richest clubs in the world, with a manager that had world class players at his disposal and Midfielders collecting Balon 'dor honours.

We are so far removed from those days now.

Commenting on the here and now we are absolutely devoid of any idea on how to win a football match.

The manager keeps setting us up with the same formation and personnel that are letting him down week after week.

Yes he's limited with injuries but the team he puts out there should be doing a lot better.

We are wasteful up top, have no creativity in midfield and leak goals like a sieve.

This won't and can't be fixed in the January window.
IMO opinion we will struggle for top 4.

I think it can. The presence of a Bruno in there alone stops the 'rot'

 

[Ric]

If Akanji isn’t available, and we only have three fit senior defenders, I think Guardiola might just play a back three and flood the midfield to try and give us more control. Sort of a 3-6-1, or 3-2-4-1, formation. Seem to remember him doing something similar in the past.

Ortega

Walker
Dias
Gvardiol

Kovacic
Gundogan

Grealish
De Bruyne
Bernardo
Foden

Haaland

Doku and Savinho can be impact subs later on when the game is more stretched.