City vs Chelsea pre-match thread

[SWP's back]

Which game?

They beat us 4 - 0 in the first remember

Yet we outplayed them 11 v 11.

 

[SWP's back]

I'd be tempted to play Nolito over Sterling. Think we've missed his nous and concistency in recent weeks. Would say he's our biggest goal threat after Aguero.

Who you playing on the right then?

 

[Chrisdunk]

He's right though, we still have several gears to go up to bring us to the level of play we are capable of. Chelsea are probably not going to improve much more.

No he isn't. You could just as easily say we peaked in the first 10 games in the season before the Celtic/Tottenham games where we've been hit & miss ever since.

Claiming a side that have only been playing a formation for 7 games has peaked seems ludicrous to me.

 

[Captain Pugwash]

I doubt Chelsea will get much better. But City have so much room for improvement under Guardiola because they haven't put in a perfect performance yet. Closest we've come was probably Bournemouth.

He's right though, we still have several gears to go up to bring us to the level of play we are capable of. Chelsea are probably not going to improve much more.

Please take a hold of yourselves and have a word.

 

[NQCitizen]

Who you playing on the right then?

Maybe -

Fernandinho Gundo
KDB Silva Nolito
Aguero

Trying to play with extreme width almost plays into Conte's game plan, centrally they might be easier to pass around.

 

[makinghistory]

The momentum and confidence a team gets in winning these games is huge. If Chelsea wins, then they are 8 wins on the bounce including wins against United, Spurs and us. If we have to compete for the title, we need to stop their rhythm at our ground, rather than help it. See how many of Leicester players have talked about their win at the Etihad last season giving them the belief to go for the title.

Hmmm, we have just beaten Barca 3-1.Is that not a good enough confidence booster to go for the title?

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

From the Stoke City forum a couple of seasons ago;

TV Shows featuring football players:

"On the Couch with Peter Crouch"

"Trooping the Colour with Ricardo Fuller"

I'm a C**t - John Terry"

 

[mosssideblue]

Please take a hold of yourselves and have a word.

So your saying Chelsea have much more room for improving than we do? I think you are wrong by a long shot

 

[vmsuhail]

Hmmm, we have just beaten Barca 3-1.Is that not a good enough confidence booster to go for the title?

It is. But, unfortunately we have not carried that performance in the league matches. This is a good opportunity to take us back to the Top of the table.

 

[BlumerMooner]

Early kick offs don't appear to have the same intensity as an evening under flood lights. City need to be on it a lot earlier than the Burnley game. That said, this was after a chumps league game.

The bonus is Pep has had a full week prep with the team and key players have been rested. I can't see us losing and a draw is likely if we don't bring our A game. I believe Pep will get this one right! 2-1

Bravo, Ott, Stones, Kol,
Navas, Dino, Gud, KDB, Nolito
Silva, Aguero
(Navas as he tracks back, not for his ineffective crosses).

 

[peoffrey]

Still can't get over the kick off time. Unfair on Chelsea and the kind of fixture where you might need a drink beforehand.

 

[mac]

My only worry is if otamendi goes diving in, but they have sideshow Bob as well. . To many fannies saying we will get beat and I haven't seen a pundit back us also. It's as if they all say the same then it's nailed on we will lose.

 

[cibaman]

Early kick offs don't appear to have the same intensity as an evening under flood lights. City need to be on it a lot earlier than the Burnley game. That said, this was after a chumps league game.

The bonus is Pep has had a full week prep with the team and key players have been rested. I can't see us losing and a draw is likely if we don't bring our A game. I believe Pep will get this one right! 2-1

Bravo, Ott, Stones, Kol,
Navas, Dino, Gud, KDB, Nolito
Silva, Aguero
(Navas as he tracks back, not for his ineffective crosses).

Yes, Navas tracks back. But when Chelsea break quickly after intercepting one of his ineffective crosses, he's not going to get back quickly enough before the ball reaches Hazard in our half. He's nearly always more effective in home games as a 2nd half sub.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

I'm worried about Costa in this one. He'll relish trying to bully Stones/Otamendi whereas Kompany and Mangala were just too much.

He's also scoring a lot this year and will be difficult keeping him quiet.

 

[MarsLlama]

The way the pundits are talking about this one reminds me of the way they talked about the derby, so I'm not exactly worried.

 

[Father Paul]

Yes, Navas tracks back. But when Chelsea break quickly after intercepting one of his ineffective crosses, he's not going to get back quickly enough before the ball reaches Hazard in our half. He's nearly always more effective in home games as a 2nd half sub.

Fully agree

 

[IWasHere]

Bravo
Sagna Otamendi Kolarov Clichy
Fernadinho Fernando
Sterling KDB Silva
Aguero

Stones is to lightweight against Costa and I think Pep will want to bring him down a peg or two after his indiscretion.

Gundogan off the bench if we're struggling. I don't think a point is a disaster but I think we'll sneak it 2-1.

Stones had him in his back pocket last season

 

[zabisgod]

Not a fan of the navas starting comments I feel it sends a msg to Chelsea that we are more worried about what they can do to us than what we can do to them. Strongest team from the start then after the hour mark maybe look at navas to keep the pressing up. Love to win this one feels like forever since we beat a top team in the prem!

Bravo
Stones
Nico
Kolarov
Fernandinho
Gundo
Silva
Kdb
Sterling
Nolito
Aguero

 

[paulchapo]

I worry if Nolito plays as they will target him in what will be a physical game and he can't control his temper.

 

[aguero93:20]

I'm worried about Costa in this one. He'll relish trying to bully Stones/Otamendi whereas Kompany and Mangala were just too much.

He's also scoring a lot this year and will be difficult keeping him quiet.

He's on the same goals as Sergio in the league having started 3 extra games.