Brentford (H) - Sat 14th Sept, 15:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[train man]

What

What's all this got to do with City v Brentford (thread title)?

Think it snuck in under the frustration of a pointless break just 3 games into a new season...
City 4 Brentford 1...

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

Picking up starting line up is like a roulette for some here. Actually coach should not gamble with that, because players care. Pep is going with reasonable continuity, otherwise what would Lewis, Doku or Kovacic think? Moreover to build a good form you do not rotate at this stage half the team between Brentford and Inter. Quite the opposite. You want to build best fitness by playing mostly same players. A bit of rotation yes, but not too much.

Yes, we have few players that are nailed down starters, almost instantly when they come back. Haaland, KDB, Rodri - yes. Im not sure Foden is amongst them. Hes been magnificent last season, but euro and a bit of lack of full preparations concerns me.

I’m not sure that’s fully right. There’s so many factors to consider, not least that Inter and the Arse are top class opponents and Brentford have always been very awkward opponents for us.
A win v Brentford is important because it gives a bit of insurance in case the Arsenal game goes badly. Plus, even at this stage of the season, don’t think KDB can manage 3 high intensity performances in a week. I’d be looking to go strong with a bit of rotation for the first 2 and strongest possible v Arsenal

 

[Axel Freed]

“The four best-ranked group winners from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League which finished outside the top two of their World Cup qualifying group” will go into the World Cup Play Off Qualifiers.

Why even bother with qualifying. FIFA should expand the World Cup to a 250 team tournament which can take place over the course of a full year in venues across all 7 continents with each of the 700 fixtures televised live on terrestrial TV

 

[Blue Maverick]

Why even bother with qualifying. FIFA should expand the World Cup to a 250 team tournament which can take place over the course of a full year in venues across all 7 continents with each of the 700 fixtures televised live on terrestrial TV

Where are you getting the extra 55 nations from?

 

[Axel Freed]

Where are you getting the extra 55 nations from?

FIFA awarding wild cards to regions within existing countries that want independence ?

 

[PatK]

FIFA awarding wild cards to regions within existing countries that want independence ?

What like Scouseland :-)

 

[BringBackSwales]

Don't take him to old trafford, he'll end up getting a game if he's not careful

Or drowned

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Can't see kev starting this after 90 mins last night. Think he will be held back for inter and arsenal. Hopefully Phil is ready to go but illay could easily play there or even grealish.

Ederson

Lewis
Akanji
Dias
Ake

Rodri
Gundogan
Foden

Savio
Haaland
Grealish

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Is everyone still fit yet?

Maybe a bit knackered in Kev's case if he's had to play again.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Can't see kev starting this after 90 mins last night. Think he will be held back for inter and arsenal. Hopefully Phil is ready to go but illay could easily play there or even grealish.

Ederson

Lewis
Akanji
Dias
Ake

Rodri
Gundogan
Foden

Savio
Haaland
Grealish

Or even Kovacic, one of our 3 best players so far