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

[ancoats]

Not so much the size of the squad but that we have a fully fit squad for once.
A great position to be in.

I think 27 is top-heavy and Pep likes about 22 with some youth players

 

[cleavers]

Midfield very attacking but extremely lightweight...this is Pep challenging what he talked about in the week....we have the creativity but do those players have the workmate, physicality and defensive capability...we will see

I presume you meant workrate, but seriously you don't think Gonzalez, Foden, and Bernardo have the workrate ? You probably need to find another sport.

 

[Tyg3r]

I guess:

WITHOUT BALL (4-2-3-1)
Donnarumma
Matheus N., Rúben, Gvardiol, O'Reilly
Bernardo, Nico
Cherki, Foden, Doku
Haaland

WITH BALL (2-3-4-1)
Donnarumma
Rúben, Gvardiol
Bernardo, Nico, O'Reilly
Matheus N., Cherki, Foden, Doku
Haaland

Maybe Foden RW and Cherki AM. Maybe 4-1-4-1 in defence.

We need Bernardo along Nico, coming deep to get the ball in order to avoid the high pressure. I like the starting lineup. No Savinho is good news.

 

[ancoats]

I think Bobb is pissing in the wind now to be honest. He’s had chances with others being out injured and done very little. Now the likes of Cherki and Marmoush are back, I just don’t see him getting many more PL/CL opportunities.

Bobb's injury has changed him, will need an arm around him

 

[flook]

with the exception of Rodders for Nico, and possibly Khush for Nunes, though thats worthy of a debate, this is arguably our strongest team. In a couple of hours we may know whether that's a good thing or not

 

[Dax777]

This is the first team long term. With Rodri over Capitan. Im not sure yhat twam is fully ready yet. But in February when we are on all cylinders. This is what I expect.

With serious challenges from Marmoush, Uzbekenbauer, and Tijanni. And good substitute roles for John, Capitio, Lewis, Kova, Savio and RAN. Everyone else Gets in as time form and injury permits.

 

[01cravend]

A MUCH better starting XI... zero complaints

 

[Blue-Ghana]

Marmoush should have started in place of Doku, also hope that Cherki plays centrally and Foden on the wings

 

[Big Yaya Wilko 12]

No Khusanov is a strange one!

 

[CΛL]

No Savinho Hallelujah

 

[IronsideKozuch]

with the exception of Rodders for Nico, and possibly Khush for Nunes, though thats worthy of a debate, this is arguably our strongest team. In a couple of hours we may know whether that's a good thing or not

For now, probably accurate. Great to hear, because we still have at least a few players who should be strongly pushing for a spot in the starting eleven, not only Rodri and Khusanov, but also Stones, Aït-Nouri, Reijnders, Marmoush at the very least. It shows that we have serious squad depth.

 

[IronsideKozuch]

Marmoush should have started in place of Doku, also hope that Cherki plays centrally and Foden on the wings

Marmoush just got back, how you can say that he should have started instead of Doku?

 

[Goatmeal]

Sends a message.
Up your game lads

 

[cleavers]

Bobb's injury has changed him, will need an arm around him

He needs to be out of the firing line, if his form is that of midweek, and as you same an arm round him in training, he's got plenty of talent for sure as Pep says, needs to believe in himself. 12 months ago we were having similar conversations about Phil, nobody really knows what went on, but at times he was miles off it.

 

[Semper aggressus]

Great to see Cherki start. Can’t complain about that line-up, though I think Stones is a much better player than Dias.

 

[citeh94]

Bobb's injury has changed him, will need an arm around him

Agree but then you look at his performances against Wolves and Al-Ain in the CWC.
I think he just needs to work harder.

 

[paulchapo]

Marmoush should have started in place of Doku, also hope that Cherki plays centrally and Foden on the wings

He loses the ball too.much atm. Once he gets better at that he will get more starts.

 

[borassic]

I am hapoy with the line-up, but playing Bernardo against any tough competition is playing with 10, even as a midfielder (this would be playing with 10.5, because he is much better than as a winger).

He’s been fine in midfield.

 

[pepguardiola'smoustache]

He needs to be out of the firing line, if his form is that of midweek, and as you same an arm round him in training, he's got plenty of talent for sure as Pep says, needs to believe in himself. 12 months ago we were having similar conversations about Phil, nobody really knows what went on, but at times he was miles off it.

My brother had a broken leg many years ago and he is still scared to put his full weight on it.
We all know he is a good player but Bobb's problem might simply be in his head.
If he can overcome that he should be fine.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Telling that the players who were poor against Swansea have been left out, Bobb out of the squad altogether