Bournemouth (A) - Sun 30th Mar, 16:30 | FA Cup | Pre-Match Thread

[balotelli's back pocket]

Has there been an occasion this team has worked this season? Too slow, unable to keep possession and lacking any threat going forwards. We are in for a long afternoon.

Chelsea at home?

 

[malg]

I'm an ignorant fuck. Didn't know 6 semi finals in a row was a record.

 

[bluetonium]

I can understand dropping Doku and Savinho because of no end product, savinho also because he's just become a father. But no Marmoush or Nico G?

We have two players who can hit a shot on target currently, Omar is one of them. Still, let's see what this brings. If it is as pedestrian and unimaginative as some will fear, at least we have options.

Bournemouth is a very narrow pitch, I think? Maybe that's why we're going to be focusing on central play and cutting back inside. Have to hit Haaland thought, and need to encourage Kev, Foden and Gundo to hit passes and shots wherever they have the chance. It's effectively our cup final.

Really disappointed no Grealish though, but trust in Pep.

 

[bluemoon32]

1-3 City

 

[Fordyboy46]

Is pep looking sacked ? We have seen this season you need energy and pace in your team,and we absolutely get overwhelmed in games when we don’t have it ..

Good shout, maybe he's wanting out

 

[Roachy]

KdB, Gundogan, Foden and Bernardo .......all been part of our great teams but this season have been pish.

Maybe this is their last hurrah.....

Quite a few posters want the 3 oldest of that quartet to remain for another season, don't think that's wise myself.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

That line up tells us that CL qualification is 100% the priority for the rest of the season.

If that was the case, I'd have thought he'd be starting the likes of O Reilly and Grealish

 

[BerkshireBlue]

What on earth is this line up??

 

[bigstanhibbert]

You should go on. Like a bad motorway crash that you actually see happening, you sit there in disbelief at what you're seeing. But you just can't help gawping.

I like you, then again it's probably as others tell me I have low standards....

 

[super_city_si]

Playing again Wed made his choice, fuck those that driven across the country

Then why not play Oreilly and Reis? Pep thinks this line up can win the game. I dont think wed comes in to it at all.

 

[CC1]

He didn’t have it.

Really?

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

I think Grealish is finished at City, this would have been the perfect opportunity for him today, so there must surely be something going on. His social life doesn’t help.

 

[denTTony]

Surprised Bobb not on bench ?

 

[LeonardoDaVnci]

 

[super_city_si]

It's just frustrating that he tries the same thing again and again and expects different results.

Two weeks to recharge and rethink and this is the result

It’s not even new though. We saw the midfield away at villa and it got raped.

 

[Keeper!]

 

[OntarioBlue]

My only thinking is we have a game Wednesday night..

Leicester at home. Obviously we need our strongest team for that !

 

[supercity88]

Interesting Pep commented on not being good enough this season. I don't think he has shown any signs of improving today. Gundo, De Bruyne, Bernardo all starting and Foden also on the wing.

Complete lack of pace and energy which then causes trouble for our defence.

Baffling to be honest.

Maybe he thinks we will finally do something we haven't so far this season and keep the ball and wear them down. But what's the definition of insanity again?!

At least we have options off the bench that can inject a bit more pace and energy later on.

 

[urban genie]

Savio understandable with the baby born but not having any pace in the midfiled is nuts

 

[Xhavenjoe]

My only thinking is we have a game Wednesday night..

and the rags the following weekend.
Not sure what team he's going to pick for those 2 matches