Crystal Palace (N) - Sat 17th May, 16:30 | FA Cup Final | Pre-Match Thread

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Yes it does, it was with you using lead booker which give me the impression it was more than one ticket you'd bought.

Right you are. Were many offered the option of buying more than one? i.e. one or more for friends and family? I was only offered the one ticket. But probably didn't have enough points I suppose (and not on the Cup scheme).

 

[sarcastico]

I wouldn't personally start De Bruyne. I don't think he's offering anywhere near enough to justify starting games. He doesn't have the physical energy to press, he's not got the pace to escape his man and find that key pass/shot and his final product is generally pretty wasteful as well. It might be his last final for City, but I think we're more likely to win it without him.

Palace are a counter attacking team and our slow and largely sloppy build up just feeds into how they want to play. I think there's merit in trying something different, just to test their defensive shape and make them uncomfortable. It means they can't play their counter attacking as easily as well. There's a clear pattern to what they try and do and I trust Pep to come up with a solution for it.

My main concern is actually that he prioritises Bournemouth following the result on Saturday.

Bournemouth is the more important game in actuality. A year without CL cannot be chanced.

 

[citymad]

I hope all those going to Wembley will be wearing colours at Wembley.

Against Forest it looked like we were totally outnumbered on Wembley way but that was partly because all the Forest fans were wearing colours and only about 1 in 2 City fans were wearing shirts / scarfs.

Lets hope so but I dont think were that kind of over the top fanatic support. We're no Newcastle. Be great if every one chose a home shirt rather than a mix of various aways. The red seats don't help either!

 

[Lewisszn]

Is there any flags or display in the crowd before the game ?

 

[chickaroon]

Maybe a game for Kovacic & Gonzalez to start in midfield.

They must play.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

My main concern is actually that he prioritises Bournemouth following the result on Saturday.

I think he will. Doesn’t mean we can’t win though.

We beat Forest with Lewis, Grealish and Savinho starting. Have we even got a strongest side this season!

Right you are. Were many offered the option of buying more than one? i.e. one or more for friends and family? I was only offered the one ticket. But probably didn't have enough points I suppose (and not on the Cup scheme).

you could buy for others if they had the points and were on friends and family.

 

[chickaroon]

My team
Eddie
Nunes Diaz Gvardiol Nico
Kova Gonzalez Bernado
Debryne Haaland Marmoush

Width will come from the fullbacks. It's a strong midfield with Kova able to get forward.

 

[supercity88]

Bournemouth is the more important game in actuality. A year without CL cannot be chanced.

It isn't the more important game at all.

If you value revenues over silverware then you've allowed the media to completely brainwash you. We've spent big money on some average players in recent times. We've sold good players for big sums and our net spend has been relatively low. If the club sort themselves out they can improve us without the extra revenue from the CL. We're getting a big chunk from the CWC. The dippers, arsenal, newcastle and villa aren't.

Imagine being a kid and getting told that the FA Cup wasn't important because finishing 5th in the league was the priority!

 

[elbearos]

A free scarf like Newcastle had, might help

 

[Lee the Blue]

Who knows what City team will turn up. The one thats looked half decent over the past 5 weeks, or the one that stank the place out at the weekend.

We also have the added factor of Baldy potentially having a bright idea and deciding to play with no centre halves or a fly keeper as well.

Please play Marmoush, thats all I ask.

 

[phargrave]

T

They must play.

Try telling Pep that……

 

[fanatic1]

After last season's shit Cup Final display we cannot risk another loss - we just can't. We don't want to go into last 2 crucial league games with that scenario. No room for sentiment - De Bruyne, McAtee and Lewis should warm the bench. Doku should come on for a decent time - not just the last half hour. In form Marmoush must start also and Dias/Gvardiol twin centre backs and O'Neill on the left back position..

 

[Lewisszn]

Anyone had their tickets yet

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Box 4 midfield key to nullify the triangles palace play in MF to create space. Also hope we return to the back 4 that has served us well recently. Suspect akanji will play tho.

Hope if they give us the ball we don’t give it the CBs in their third. Only stones skilled enough for that responsibility

 

[heslops barnet]

Box 4 midfield key to nullify the triangles palace play in MF to create space. Also hope we return to the back 4 that has served us well recently. Suspect akanji will play tho.

Hope of they give us the ball we don’t give it the CBs in their tried. Only stones skilled enough for that responsibility

Expecting Pep tactical surprise ……

 

[asahartford1]

Who knows what City team will turn up. The one thats looked half decent over the past 5 weeks, or the one that stank the place out at the weekend.

We also have the added factor of Baldy potentially having a bright idea and deciding to play with no centre halves or a fly keeper as well.

Please play Marmoush, thats all I ask.

If Pep read that I'm sure he would do the opposite, just because he is jealous of your fine head of hair, and good looks.

 

[Bald fraud]

Who knows what City team will turn up. The one thats looked half decent over the past 5 weeks, or the one that stank the place out at the weekend.

We also have the added factor of Baldy potentially having a bright idea and deciding to play with no centre halves or a fly keeper as well.

Please play Marmoush, thats all I ask.

At least this time we won’t be turning up half pissed! Gulp!

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I am convinced of one thing. We shall know within the first five minutes — ten at the outside — whether we're going to win or not. That is, whether we're giving ourselves the possibility of winning. Because if we play our dozy side-to-side let-the-opposition-all-run-back-and-comfortably-regroup game, charitably called “patient build-up, probing for openings”, then Palace will soak it up (as everyone now does, because absolutely everyone has now cottoned to it), wait for the turnover, and burn through our midfield and back four.

 

[Goater101]

Confident it’ll be this. Unless he has an eye on Bournemouth then maybe Grealish/Rico come in

 

[city9320]

Would really like this but there's no way Gundogan doesn't play.

Why is 59 year old Gundogan starting week in week out?