Southampton (N) - Sat 25th April, 17:15 | FAC | Pre-Match Thread

[Gray]

Play a strong side but make 4-5 changes. Nico Gonzalez should be a no brainer. Also in terms of Foden and Marmoush, they should also both play as firstly they are quality players but also secondly at some point in the last 5 League games, we may lose a player through injury or be 1-0 down or need to find a winner so giving these guys minutes ensures they are sharp.

I no longer trust Foden he has gone backwards at an alarming rate.

 

[alexmcity]

Hard to get the balance between resting and going strong. Maybe something like this:

—————-—-Trafford————
Nunes—Stones—Khusanov—Ake
———————-Nico G————-
——-Bernardo———-Reijnders—-
—Foden——Haaland——Marmoush

With Haaland, Bernardo, Nunes and Khusanov off asap if all goes well.

RAN is guaranteed to start (if fit) and I think Savinho is likely to start too. Foden will be in midfield, if he plays.

Given that Semenyo was subbed the other day, he is not unlikely to start instead of Haaland.

I think many forget that the regular starters played on Sunday in a huge game and then on Wednesday. They are fit but they aren't machines. Fresh squad players might be more useful in the first 60 minutes than some regular starters.

The question is about the right balance: 4-5 vs 7-8 changes. The bench will be incredibly strong if Pep makes many chsnges.

I think we'll win by 3+ goals.

 

[Gray]

----------------Trafford
Khusanov--Stones---Guehi---RAN
---------Bernardo---Gonzalez
Foden-------Reijnders-----Marmoush
--------------Haaland

Potential for Ake to start to.

Get it won, get the first XI players off and then enjoy 2-3 days off before we prepare for Everton.

Reijnders gives me the jitters, I have yet to see a City player in him.

 

[Gray]

RAN is guaranteed to start (if fit) and I think Savinho is likely to start too. Foden will be in midfield, if he plays.

Given that Semenyo was subbed the other day, he is not unlikely to start instead of Haaland.

I think many forget that the regular starters played on Sunday in a huge game and then on Wednesday. They are fit but they aren't machines. Fresh squad players might be more useful in the first 60 minutes than some regular starters.

The question is about the right balance: 4-5 vs 7-8 changes. The bench will be incredibly strong if Pep makes many chsnges.

I think we'll win by 3+ goals.

Forget the 3+ goals, things like that happen rarely.

 

[alexmcity]

Forget the 3+ goals, things like that happen rarely.

Can't forget something that's going to happen.

 

[domalino]

The gap between the top Championship sides and the top two in the Premier league is huge

This is a bizarre thing to say after Southampton beat Arsenal 2 weeks ago.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Was looking on their forum. Apparently they'll be missing just about their two best players.

 

[deano ou812]

Was looking on their forum. Apparently they'll be missing just about their two best players.

Injured or suspended ?

 

[blue cigar]

Trafford
Nunes stones ake ran
Foden Gonzales reminders
Sav marmoush samenyo

 

[west didsblue]

Trafford
Nunes stones ake ran
Foden Gonzales reminders
Sav marmoush samenyo

It will be more or less that but I think Bernardo will be playing in place of Reijnders or Savinho.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

I'm pretty sure we won't, we went strong in the last 2 rounds and we had a huge game after the Arsenal QF as well. Very little chance of autos anyway and this game is obviously massive for us.

Frankly the manager can get to fuck if he does rest players.

I'd love to see you lot go as weak as some are saying here but that doesn't seem likely. Regardless games have finally caught up with us recently and we've looked proper leggy so I fear a bit of a pasting.

If Pep goes weak, we'll probably get done. The drop off when 5 or 6 changes have already seen us fuck up in Europe. Southampton are no mugs and are the form team(apart from last game 2-2) I'd say 2 max 3 changes but keep that spine. Donna for Trafford obs and Nico O and Semenyo I'd say could do with a breather. If he makes wholesale changes I'll be worried.

 

[deano ou812]

If Pep goes weak, we'll probably get done. The drop off when 5 or 6 changes have already seen us fuck up in Europe. Southampton are no mugs and are the form team(apart from last game 2-2) I'd say 2 max 3 changes but keep that spine. Donna for Trafford obs and Nico O and Semenyo I'd say could do with a breather. If he makes wholesale changes I'll be worried.

If he does makes wholesale changes unfortunately I’ll be lumping on Southampton ..

 

[chickaroon]

When is Peps press conference.

 

[Hgblue2]

If Pep goes weak, we'll probably get done. The drop off when 5 or 6 changes have already seen us fuck up in Europe. Southampton are no mugs and are the form team(apart from last game 2-2) I'd say 2 max 3 changes but keep that spine. Donna for Trafford obs and Nico O and Semenyo I'd say could do with a breather. If he makes wholesale changes I'll be worried.

Suggest you re-watch the Newcastle fa cup game, one of our best performances of the season. I suspect the starting line up will be similar.

 

[GazM]

Suggest you re-watch the Newcastle fa cup game, one of our best performances of the season. I suspect the starting line up will be similar.

Lots of players with plenty to prove & the possibility of a place in the FAC final XI. Should be enough of a carrot.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

We played Lewis in the semi last year and he scored, so would not be surprised to see Nunes given a rest.

It's a tricky game on the counter but we have no excuses whatever our line-up.

 

[Marvin.]

Injured or suspended ?

Suspended x 2

When is Peps press conference.

2pm

 

[ancoats]

This game has to be respected by City with a full first team playing, Making loads of changes doesn't work in big games and at Wembley ? Players coming in cold with little game time could be hard to find your legs and 2nd wind and Southampton are flying and playing really well.

It's going to be a good day for the weather and warm sunny, so again players need to have the legs and game time under their belts. The best way is to try and win the game early and then change it up, but please NO extra time or pens

 

[CityBrat64]

Was looking on their forum. Apparently they'll be missing just about their two best players.

Also read their Captain is doubtful with injury as well as the 2 suspensions

 

[deano ou812]

Also read their Captain is doubtful with injury as well as the 2 suspensions

Harwood Bellis ?