United (H) - Sun 14th Sept, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Nevizade]

Italy play Monday night so Donnarumma will probably do all the media stuff Tuesday and hopefully be in training Wednesday. Would give him three or four days training with his new team mates which you'd think is enough to start on the Sunday.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Its funny how many responses I got saying otherwise when I said this both before wolves and before spurs.

He played too deeply against Spurs and Brighton. He is an offensive player not a defensive mid.

 

[citytill1die84]

We have to change from the back 4 bollocks but the stubborn bastard won't lol.

Donnarumma

Khusanov Stones Gvardiol

Lewis & Ait-Nouri as wing backs

Rodri Reijnders

Foden Haaland Marmoush

 

[mind your car Mr?]

We have to change from the back 4 bollocks but the stubborn bastard won't lol

the trouble is it's not a proper back four, no real fullbacks hence acres of space down both flanks for the oposition to exploit which results in keystone cops like panic defending

 

[ninjamonkey]

We have to change from the back 4 bollocks but the stubborn bastard won't lol.

Donnarumma

Khusanov Stones Gvardiol

Lewis & Ait-Nouri as wing backs

Rodri Reijnders

Foden Haaland Marmoush

The wing backs arent good enough for that system. All the pressure would be on them to be the outlet ball and to provide the penetration behind a solid back line. Shut those down (which wont be especially difficult) and there's nothing. We also dont have the numbers for it, we have just 3 players who could potentially fill a wing back role and we have just allowed a cb to leave on loan, 5 cb options for 3 positions isnt enough, especially when 2 are certain to be injured at some point.

No Donnarumma?

He hadn't actually signed at time of posting but nevertheless, not for me, you dont throw in somebody who might get 1 training session at most into a derby unless you're absolutely desperate. Trafford doesn't deserve that treatment.

 

[TinFoilHat]

Nash

Dunne
Wiekens
Mettomo
Jihai

Berkovic
Foe
Tiatto
Jensen

Anelka
Goater

 

[Lord Blue]

We have to change from the back 4 bollocks but the stubborn bastard won't lol.

Donnarumma

Khusanov Stones Gvardiol

Lewis & Ait-Nouri as wing backs

Rodri Reijnders

Foden Haaland Marmoush

I’m sure when he first arrived there was talk of back 3 to accommodate more midfielders. But that he didn’t have the right players. My memory is awful though, or at least so I’m told.

 

[Lord Blue]

I’d start Trafford and let Donnarumma watch how we play from the bench.

I’d start Donnarumma as he’s Italian (mentality), a big game player and the best keeper in the world.

I’m in at least 2 minds.

Probably go with my second mind.

 

[JD_619]

I’d start Trafford and let Donnarumma watch how we play from the bench.

I’d start Donnarumma as he’s Italian (mentality), a big game player and the best keeper in the world.

I’m in at least 2 minds.

Probably go with my second mind.

Agreed

 

[Nevizade]

Nash

Dunne
Wiekens
Mettomo
Jihai

Berkovic
Foe
Tiatto
Jensen

Anelka
Goater

Schmeichel will need to go in goal there for the experience.

 

[alexmcity]

Gvardiol is a CB now and won't be played at LB unless Ait-Nouri is injured.

Imo, Khusanov starts at RB or on the bench (if Gvardiol and Stones are fit).

Rodri, Reijnders and Bernardo/Gonzalez in midfield.

Think Pep will continue with Bobb. So, it's between Marmoush and Doku on the left (or Savinho?).

 

[noseve]

We have to change from the back 4 bollocks but the stubborn bastard won't lol.

Donnarumma

Khusanov Stones Gvardiol

Lewis & Ait-Nouri as wing backs

Rodri Reijnders

Foden Haaland Marmoush

In the old days, it was always 4-4-2 until the odd exceptional player gave the possibility to mess around with more flexible formations.

Nowadays, so many coaches try things that their players just can't hack - such as unfit players being asked to maintain a high press, or Russell Martin expecting defenders with a first touch like a trampoline to play out from the back.

I really think there's a case, at least short-term, for City running a 442 and seeing how Erling and Marmoush' partnership might develop.

Too old-fashioned for most, no doubt - but with 442 at least every player has a more clearly-defined job. Not sure that they all know what theirs is, at the moment?

 

[Blue Smarties]

The wing backs arent good enough for that system. All the pressure would be on them to be the outlet ball and to provide the penetration behind a solid back line. Shut those down (which wont be especially difficult) and there's nothing. We also dont have the numbers for it, we have just 3 players who could potentially fill a wing back role and we have just allowed a cb to leave on loan, 5 cb options for 3 positions isnt enough, especially when 2 are certain to be injured at some point.
He hadn't actually signed at time of posting but nevertheless, not for me, you dont throw in somebody who might get 1 training session at most into a derby unless you're absolutely desperate. Trafford doesn't deserve that treatment.

So are we throwing him in against Napoli or Arsenal? The big games come fast. Arguably, every game is a big game based on our start.

I’d chuck him in against United, realistically they’ll try and pepper us from afar, so he’s perfect. Trafford against Napoli, and then Donna back in for Arsenal.

He’s the captain of his national side and a leader at PSG. I’m sure a debut against United would be relished by the man. Can’t imagine much scares the big lad.

 

[ninjamonkey]

So are we throwing him in against Napoli or Arsenal? The big games come fast. Arguably, every game is a big game based on our start.

I’d chuck him in against United, realistically they’ll try and pepper us from afar, so he’s perfect. Trafford against Napoli, and then Donna back in for Arsenal.

He’s the captain of his national side and a leader at PSG. I’m sure a debut against United would be relished by the man. Can’t imagine much scares the big lad.

Its not a case of me thinking the occasion might overwhelm him, thats not going to happen, its just whether there is enough time to drill all the team instructions, all the plays, set pieces etc into him beforehand. All going to depend on how many training sessions he gets in. With a more than capable Trafford there i just think Pep sticks with Trafford and we probably see him against Napoli.

 

[Tueartsoverhead kick]

Its not a case of me thinking the occasion might overwhelm him, thats not going to happen, its just whether there is enough time to drill all the team instructions, all the plays, set pieces etc into him beforehand. All going to depend on how many training sessions he gets in. With a more than capable Trafford there i just think Pep sticks with Trafford and we probably see him against Napoli.

You mean we have a set piece coach and they practice that’s news to most city fans ;)

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Hate international breaks. Think we will hammer Utd.

 

[lionheart]

For those picking Khusanov, he has withdrawn from the international squad with an injury so he may well miss the derby.

 

[ninjamonkey]

For those picking Khusanov, he has withdrawn from the international squad with an injury so he may well miss the derby.

He might be the fittest option when they all come back.

 

[pee dubya]

Gvardiol is a CB now and won't be played at LB unless Ait-Nouri is injured.

Imo, Khusanov starts at RB or on the bench (if Gvardiol and Stones are fit).

Rodri, Reijnders and Bernardo/Gonzalez in midfield.

Think Pep will continue with Bobb. So, it's between Marmoush and Doku on the left (or Savinho?).

I'm not sure about that, if Stones stays fit, which is looking....hopeful, I can see Stones, Dias and Gvardiol playing together sometimes, with Nunes or Lewis.

 

[Jwoody19]

Nash

Dunne
Wiekens
Mettomo
Jihai

Berkovic
Foe
Tiatto
Jensen

Anelka
Goater

Think Shaun Wright-Phillips has done enough to earn a start