Brentford (H) - Wed 17th Dec, 19:30 | EFL Cup | Pre-Match Thread

[Ryan.98.]

Surely rodders can come off the bench in this ?

 

[Gorbachev]

Surely rodders can come off the bench in this ?

Doubt we will see him until well into next year mate.

City are seemingly happy to wait until he is physically and probably more importantly, mentally tight.

Pep said a few weeks ago if I recall that's it's psychologically where Rodri is struggling.

 

[oldius]

Football, and City, are such an important part of my life that I love these weeks with two fixtures plus the academy and women's games. I am not sure that my wife agrees, though she is now a confirmed City fan too.

Some rotation here, and a chance to see a couple of academy lads step up.
I imagine Bobb and Savinho and Lewis will have a place; Ake and Khusanov too.
I'd like to see Mukasa, Mfuni, and McAidoo as the three making the step up at some point in the match, though there is a definite argument for Reigan Heskey too.

 

[himalayan_blues]

I always am saying " there must be at least 2/3 crosses per game from Nunes to Haaland per game".

 

[citytill1die84]

Surely rodders can come off the bench in this ?

I have a feeling we'll see him for 20 minutes also.

 

[Marvin.]

Surely rodders can come off the bench in this ?

I haven't seen him back training with the squad yet.

 

[alexmcity]

Brentford have 2 players going to AFCON, and some injuries. They're more likely to play their first team than us, though, it's going to be close.

3:2 City

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Brentford have 2 players going to AFCON, and some injuries. They're more likely to play their first team than us, though, it's going to be close.

3:2 City

I think one of those players hasn't played much this season but I am expecting a tough game.

 

[Lee the Blue]

This game all depends on the side we field tbh. May be worth looking at some players - Foden/Cherki - for example doing 45 mins each.

Khusanov, Ake, Rico, Trafford & Savinho can all come in to rest some others but Ait-Nouri and Marmoush are really missed here and obviously wouldve started.

I guess we'll find out how much Pep values this pot when the selection comes out. After the Leverkusen game I fear a completely Micky Mouse selection that eliminates us. Brentford should be full strength given theyve no european footy and played far less games.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Surely Kovacic is close to a return & Kalvin hardly needs a rest so we have central midfield bodies. Play as strong a team as possible to get the game won then think about resting some...people are forking out good money for tickets...I dont agree with letting the game slide...it's also disrespectful to the sponsors.

 

[youngbob]

Can't really call how Brentford will approach this. Their fans saying the Wolves game at the weekend is more important.

 

[alexmcity]

Surely Kovacic is close to a return & Kalvin hardly needs a rest so we have central midfield bodies. Play as strong a team as possible to get the game won then think about resting some...people are forking out good money for tickets...I dont agree with letting the game slide...it's also disrespectful to the sponsors.

Trade-offs.

We'd risk fatigue, injuries and poor results in the PL if we went full strength in the league cup. Most players were very tired after Real and then they had a difficult game at Palace. Running them into the ground 3 days later makes no sense.

The squad players are fresh and can run more than those who played both games vs Real and Palace. Plus, it's about managing the squad. If the squad players can't get more minutes in the league cup, when will they get starts?

IMO, Pep will play 7 squad players plus 4 starters from Real/Palace, the latter playing 45-60 minutes and then being replaced by other starters.

Something like: Trafford, Lewis, Khusa, Ake, Bobb, Savinho, maybe Mukasa (all playing 80-90 minutes) + Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Nunes, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Bernardo..., the latter playing 45 minutes or so.

 

[willipp]

I haven't seen him back training with the squad yet.

Yeah i thought it was telling what Toure said in his presser lastFfriday. “Rodri is training well, and his rehab is going well. He is looking sharper and sharper. For sure we won’t see him for the weekend but he’s going through the process.”

That suggests to me he is a little way off and not yet training day to day with the squad. Be suprised if we see him before Jan.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

2 winnable home games then 6 days recovery a bit of mix and matching for both games with some players only playing 45 mins in each game.

 

[Blu1]

Pep has to rest several players & if bench players not good enough it is what it is.

No Foden, Bernie, Dias, Nico, oreilly, cherki, gvadiol, Donna or Haaland. Leave them all at home

Like to win it but really not arsed about this but the bench players should be taking this very seriously

 

[richards30]

Pep has to rest several players & if bench players not good enough it is what it is.

No Foden, Bernie, Dias, Nico, oreilly, cherki, gvadiol, Donna or Haaland. Leave them all at home

Like to win it but really not arsed about this but the bench players should be taking this very seriously

Such a pain that we couldnt blag Marmoush and Ait Nouri for this game.

 

[johnny crossan]

minus Nico G who needs a rest. Who can play DCM?

Kalvin of course

 

[Lee the Blue]

Kalvin of course

Kalvin is absolutely nowhere near the required standard. Youd be better with a kid out of the academy.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Yeah i thought it was telling what Toure said in his presser lastFfriday. “Rodri is training well, and his rehab is going well. He is looking sharper and sharper. For sure we won’t see him for the weekend but he’s going through the process.”

That suggests to me he is a little way off and not yet training day to day with the squad. Be suprised if we see him before Jan.

I took that more positively but, if he doesn’t get any minutes v Brentford, I’d change my view.

 

[willipp]

I took that more positively but, if he doesn’t get any minutes v Brentford, I’d change my view.

Hope you're right.