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

[phargrave]

You don’t belong on this thread talking sense like that….

 

[Cobwebcat]

Bus pass midfield. He’s just gone with experience. You never know I suppose.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Before seeing the team news I thought 3-1 Bournemouth. The team we are putting out is worse than I expected.

 

[dhruvblue]

I would be surprised if Bournemouth don’t teach Pep a lesson on first half

With pace directness and energy in midfield and attack

Maybe that will make Pep open his eyes unless ofc he is focusing only on top 4 and ready to sacrifice FA Cup

 

[AliBobbyJ]

Have often said Trust in Pep but that starting XI stretches the faith.
Can see Bournemouth building a big lead by half-time followed by a stirring fight back when Pep makes the right changes, only to fall just short and end with a feeling of what might have been.

 

[Blue Til Death]

I truly hope my visceral reaction to that team is wrong.

It won’t be, we will be Offal today for sure ..

 

[Stelea]

The more I keep reading that line up, the worse it gets. Just realised Foden in the wide left position he was bitching about for England

 

[jaiguruKun]

Maybe that will make Pep open his eyes unless ofc he is focusing only on top 4 and ready to sacrifice FA Cup

I think there may actually be an element of truth in that.

 

[Keeper!]

I would be surprised if Bournemouth don’t teach Pep a lesson on first half

With pace directness and energy in midfield and attack

Maybe that will make Pep open his eyes unless ofc he is focusing only on top 4 and ready to sacrifice FA Cup

The problem with us is second half when all the oldies are blowing hard.

 

[SiMCFC]

Now I might get pelters for this but I think the reason for the squad selection is the pitch is extremely narrow at Bournemouth so I think wingers won't make much of a difference.

He's picked technical players to keep possession and Foden and Bernardo will tuck in behind Haaland and we'll flood the midfield.

We have pace on the bench if he needs to change it up

Pitches are the same width...

68m Etihad and Vitality.

 

[eastmanc]

Lets see what happens. I am not that bothered about the line up until the game starts then we will see. More pace would be good, but maybe we can control the game with the experience we got out there, I just wonder about the intensity from the likes of Kevin and Gundo, Kova. At least we have some positive options from the bench that can change the game if/when required.

Optimistic post, I like your thinking.

 

[WallyA]

With this line up, i can only hope Foden rediscovers his form while playing in his weakest position LM.

I hope Kevin finds his form and keeps his turnovers down

Im hoping Bernardo historical possession skills ( which has been average of late) far outweigh his lack of production offensively

I hope Gundogan doesn't tire early, and he perhaps finds his scoring boots

I hope Kovacic doesn't run into a cul-de-sac too often ending up out of position.

I hope Diaz doesn't spend most of the time as the City player on the ball trying to open up Bournemouth while other more talented "on the ball" players stand around listlessly in disadvantaged positions just ahead.

I hope Gvardiol doesn't make any lose pass to a midfielder in the middle

And finally, I hope Erling does not spend the whole game standing around watching a sluggish game transpire behind him.


I know i am hoping for a lot here... But that's the confidence i have in this personnel. The ageist in me is counting the number of 30 year olds on display, and it does not fill me with confidence...

But we march on.

My guess is... because I am simply confused on this line up... is that:

Foden RW and Kevin LW, but both will invert as Gvardiol and Nunes push up wide.

That the danger trio of Kova, Bernie and Gundo will be used centrally and very deep for build up, making a 235 attack.

If we see Foden and Bernie holding the width... im gonna assume Pep has just gone full insane.

 

[christened at st marks]

Sat on the bench by himself hour before kick seems very odd

 

[WestGorton]

Because he's done at the top level. Stubborn as Pep is, even a blind man can see that.

A complete waste of talent.

I don't agree but there you go. Not saying he has been good this season but a midfield spot today for him would have been my choice.

 

[wolviedinho]

The whole club has hit a wall.

Fresh thinking is needed.

Genuinely concerned about next season.

The lull is here and now. I suppose that is ok if you look at the big picture and the previous success.

I thought he would be playing youth now as the season has been cooked by playing aging players. Nah fuck it

 

[Keeper!]

Sat on the bench by himself hour before kick seems very odd

Doing a Klopp LOL

 

[Fordyboy46]

Cunty Keane using reverse psychology saying Bournemouth will be up against it. He knows full well the opposite will possibly happen

 

[levets]

This Jeremy Kyle lookalike gets on my tits

He’s like an excited teenager, fucking irritates me!

 

[5 Hit Gibbon]

Just got in and seen the line up. Sadly, I don't fancy our chances today. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Blue Til Death]

See the usual wet wipes out in force again boring and predictable

Unfortunately, it’s our midfield thats boring and predictable mate …