Bournemouth (H) - Sun 2nd Nov, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

Match Result Prediction?

  • Total voters
    382
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
These and Burnley are usually the whipping boys for us at the Etihad. Sunday will be a totally different kettle of fish, they have some excellent players now and Iraola is building a special team. Semenyo is class and their whole defence look solid. Tough tough game ahead
 
richards30 said:
Im personally more interested in us winning the league than the champions league. We aren’t going to win the champions league this season so imo, obviously try our best in it but there are quite a few teams better than us so im meh about it this season
Click to expand...
I’d actually say we’ve more a chance of winning the CL to be honest
 
The issue we have is balancing creativity with taking chances, or at least shots. Play Savinho and Doku and reduce our goal threat compared to Haaland and Marmoush, as neither is keen on shooting and, when they do, have an ability to find defenders legs rather than the net. All very well having the ability to find a pass, but who, apart from Haaland, then is willing to make the run and have the shot? If playing Cherki deeper unlocks Foden as a shadow striker, late runs like Gundo into the box, amazing. We'd profit instantly. But how to balance that with control and physicality for the inevitable counter is a challenge.

Cherki, it's hard to argue against him starting, beyond fitness. But at whose expense? Bernie? Tijani? Foden? Savinho? The solution may be allowing him and Foden to rotate from centre to right side with freedom, and similar for Doku or Marmoush on the left. The issue then is still in transition, with the danger for a fast paced overload on the wings from Bournemouth.

A real chance to get back to winning ways, and to beat the team currently second placed, should be a real incentive for the lads.
 
Damien10 said:
I certainly wouldn’t start Marmoush. Especially if we do start with Cherki.

Marmoush was like a dog chasing a balloon against Swansea. He was very poor in my opinion. Doku is by far the better option right now.

My team would be,

Donna
Nunes
Dias
Gravidol
Nouri

Nico
Foden
Cherki

Doku
Bernardo

Haaland
Click to expand...
Marmoush's goal against Swansea was high quality. It was the type of goal you used to see Salah score and the sort of goal isn't downgraded by the opponent. Marmoush scores good goals because he is a top quality player but he's a no. 9 and Haaland always will take the no.9 shirt.

Doku is showing some ability in playing more centrally (he's done that for Belgium) and I think the structure of our front 3 might change soon. We also have yet to see where Cherki might play. You could play Cherki as a no. 10, or on the right of a front 3.

So far we have not got enough out of two very wide forwards. Last season we improved significantly when we got the width from full-back play e.g., O'Reilly.
 
borassic said:
Would love to see Rodri-Nico and the Marmoush-Cherki-Foden behind Haaland
Click to expand...

Can see Pep starting these players together 1-2 games all season if at all.

Doku instead of Marmoush is a more realistic and perhaps better option. Marmoush isn't a winger. Like Cherki and Foden, he's better centrally. Plus he's more likely to lose the ball than Doku (who is both more creative and better at keeping possesion: his pass completion is very good).
 
bluetonium said:
The issue we have is balancing creativity with taking chances, or at least shots. Play Savinho and Doku and reduce our goal threat compared to Haaland and Marmoush, as neither is keen on shooting and, when they do, have an ability to find defenders legs rather than the net. All very well having the ability to find a pass, but who, apart from Haaland, then is willing to make the run and have the shot? If playing Cherki deeper unlocks Foden as a shadow striker, late runs like Gundo into the box, amazing. We'd profit instantly. But how to balance that with control and physicality for the inevitable counter is a challenge.

Cherki, it's hard to argue against him starting, beyond fitness. But at whose expense? Bernie? Tijani? Foden? Savinho? The solution may be allowing him and Foden to rotate from centre to right side with freedom, and similar for Doku or Marmoush on the left. The issue then is still in transition, with the danger for a fast paced overload on the wings from Bournemouth.

A real chance to get back to winning ways, and to beat the team currently second placed, should be a real incentive for the lads.
Click to expand...
Similar thoughts to my own although Doku has impressed me this season. Although his goal at Swansea was deflected, he still cut in, and got his shot off. He earned his luck there. Grealish was unable to do that for City.
 
In most games Pep will start one from these pairs: Rodri/Gonzalez, Foden/Cherki, Doku/Marmoush, Marmoush/Haaland.

When he has to field the best possible team, can see him starting Rodri and Gonzalez together, and maybe Cherki and Foden plus a winger (Doku). But in most games he will rotate to keep the players fresh.
 
-----------Rodri
-----Cherki----Foden
Doku--Haaland--Marmoush

In time, why can't we play like this? In this set-up we could get width from attacking full-backs and Doku and Marmoush operate as wide forwards rather than wingers?

I think this is going to happen soon.
 
Marvin. said:
-----------Rodri
-----Cherki----Foden
Doku--Haaland--Marmoush

In time, why can't we play like this? In this set-up we could get width from attacking full-backs and Doku and Marmoush operate as wide forwards rather than wingers?

I think this is going to happen soon.
Click to expand...

It won't happen vs good teams, if at all. Pep explained why yesterday.
 
Last edited:
bluetonium said:
The issue we have is balancing creativity with taking chances, or at least shots. Play Savinho and Doku and reduce our goal threat compared to Haaland and Marmoush, as neither is keen on shooting and, when they do, have an ability to find defenders legs rather than the net. All very well having the ability to find a pass, but who, apart from Haaland, then is willing to make the run and have the shot? If playing Cherki deeper unlocks Foden as a shadow striker, late runs like Gundo into the box, amazing. We'd profit instantly. But how to balance that with control and physicality for the inevitable counter is a challenge.

Cherki, it's hard to argue against him starting, beyond fitness. But at whose expense? Bernie? Tijani? Foden? Savinho? The solution may be allowing him and Foden to rotate from centre to right side with freedom, and similar for Doku or Marmoush on the left. The issue then is still in transition, with the danger for a fast paced overload on the wings from Bournemouth.

A real chance to get back to winning ways, and to beat the team currently second placed, should be a real incentive for the lads.
Click to expand...
I think you have summed up our current corundum really well. It’s fascinating to see how it will develop.
 
borassic said:
Fully fit squad. At home. Haaland on fire. Bournemouth are a decent side but we shouldn’t be dropping points to them. I have a feeling something will ‘click’ that’s all.
Click to expand...
November could be a really productive month for us. Need to be on it tomorrow, none of this one half good one half iffy nonsense.
 
Would be quite embarassing to be behind Man United after gameweek 10 ,have to win to 100% prevent this happening :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Unread Posts

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

SIGN UP
Back
Top