Bournemouth (H) - Sun 2nd Nov, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[alexmcity]

And its also funny how people who pay to go every week cant have an opinion. I've watched football long enough to be able to say what I see, and all I've seen from him is his inability to score and his undoubted ability of taking the wrong option

Do you not think Pep had any input into the purchase of Phillips?

You are entitled of your opinion. I'm sharing mine.

There's a world of difference between watching a player performing for other teams (Phillips) and watching him in training and games for your own team (Savinho). You can't predict in advance whether a player could get very specific tactics and roles. Phillips couldn't. He might be the only player who was a complete flop in nearly 10 years. In contrast, Pep starts Savinho regularly. For him he isn't half as bad as for some on here.

That said, Savinho isn't part of the best first XI: for me, it's today's line-up with Rodri for Bernardo and perhaps Khusanov for Nunes.

 

[cleavers]

Don’t think so. With an almost fully fit squad then some players had to miss out on the matchday squad. Looks like it was Khusanov, Bobb and Kovacic this time.

Not surprised Khusanov isn't in the squad, he looked dreadful midweek.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Expect them to interchange whwn we've got the ball but i think we'll see foden on the right rather than Cherki as he is the better and more trusted player defensively.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Cherki may be nominally wide, but you don't want him stuck out on the touchline holding width. So unless Pep is changing the way we play, I'd expect Nunes to push high and wide on the right, or Bernardo to play there with Cherki more central.

 

[Ric]

Not surprised Khusanov isn't in the squad, he looked dreadful midweek.

Yeah, he looked a bit off it on Wednesday. Need to ease him back him gradually. Probably would’ve had him on the bench ahead of Lewis, just for his pace, but can see why he was one of the ones to miss out completely.

 

[I'm Blue]

We’re lacking work ethic not quality.
If we’re not fired up today with the chance to go second, we never will be.
To quote Pep..
‘I want my warriors’

 

[super_city_si]

Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Gonzalez, Silva, Foden, Cherki, Doku, Haaland

Love that team. Would have tried marmoush in for Doku but happy with it

 

[Goatmeal]

Apart from Nunes v Semenyo, which is worrying. Seems a good team

 

[Dialog]

 

[I'm Blue]

I completely missed Rodders on the bench.
Happy days!!

 

[Zenmanc]

Like that lineup. Feel Benie coming in from time to time instead of regularly he'll be more active and all over the pitch in a positive way. Hoping also this nudges Reijnman that he needs to provide a little more to be a pick for these bigger games.

 

[pepguardiola'smoustache]

Only worry is that last time I was this happy with a starting XI we got comfortably beat by Spurs!

Cherki, mate, Cherki :)

 

[Zenmanc]

Apart from Nunes v Semenyo, which is worrying. Seems a good team

Well, Khus on current form would not be a better option.

 

[super_city_si]

Be nice to see 20 from rodders at the end when we’re 4-0 up to gear him up for next 2 games.

 

[clint]

I'm expecting wizardry today from Cherki. I've been hugely impressed with what I've seen so far, some brilliant passes through the lines to create great chances...I really hope he has a great game and gets a good run in the side.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

Not surprised Khusanov isn't in the squad, he looked dreadful midweek.

He probably needs to get property match fit

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Great team & a strong bench. Hope the team step up & show their quality today and the fans are given lots of reasons to cheer. 0-4, Haaland 2, Cherki, Silva.

 

[vmsuhail]

That bench is a joke. We have so much quality throughout the squad

On paper yes, but none of them have been delivering consistently.

 

[Roachy]

He probably needs to get property match fit

Was looking good then injured. Agree, let's see when up to speed.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Pretty sure it looks like this when we have the ball:

Donnarumma
Nunes Dias Gvardiol
Nico G. O'Reilly
Bernardo Cherki Foden Doku
Haaland