Burnley (H) - Wed 31st Jan, 19:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[JRockBlues]

Ederson injured?

Was still wearing some strapping on his leg for that incident where he went off in the last game vs. Newcastle. Here's the resulting wound:

 

[Gabriel]

Want to see Grealish and Nunes back playing, even if only off the bench. We need everyone fit and ready for February.

 

[Leeky]

Unsure for now, not sure how injured he was.

Pep says he’s fit

 

[Gabriel]

Four of the next five league games are at home, and this will be the first one this calendar year, so time to lay down a marker. Ruthless. Sorry Vincent.

 

[TrentGrisham]

Was still wearing some strapping on his leg for that incident where he went off in the last game vs. Newcastle. Here's the resulting wound:

View attachment 105417

I'm still astounded that our physios(who are undoubtedly highly qualified) saw that and said, "He's fine to give it another go!". It looks like a bullet hole.

 

[TrentGrisham]

I'd love to see Lewis get a start here. I'd also consider not playing Rodri simply due to his accumulation of yellows. With all due respect to Burnley(mostly Vinny), we have enough quality to beat them at home without him.

-------------Ederson-------------
Lewis---Dias---Ake---Gvardiol
---------Nunes----Bernardo----
Bobb--------Foden----Grealish
-------------Haaland-------------

 

[Franknorgrovesnephew]

Sorry Vinny but we need to smash you lot..

 

[Eccles Blue]

I'm looking forward to this game, partly because I will be there, *fingers crossed*, and partly because Vinnie's coming home for a visit. Although obviously I will only want to welcome him back with a cheer or two, plus I will restrain from telling him to get back in his technical area. Sorry Vinnie much as I love you (in a footballing way) we need the points as much, or even more, than you do. :-)

John Stones get back on that pitch, I need a MOTM without having to consider 12 to 14 options!! Plus I want to see you live so to speak (I was going to put something else there but not with you BlueMooners around ;-) )
Come on City, show 'em, show 'em all not just Burnley but also that media lot that only see red shirts. :-)

 

[adopted_manc]

anyone received their tickets yet? I can download Brentford, but not Burnley.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Can't see Kev starting still, another 30 mins here I feel. Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo, Kovacic, Grealish, Foden, Alvarez

Alvarez needs another chance to bag a goal, he desperately needs one

Desperately? He has scored 5 goals in his last 6 games, that’s a special goal drought

 

[deano ou812]

Desperately? He has scored 5 goals in his last 6 games, that’s a special goal drought

Yeah but Haaland needs to bag when was the last time he scored a goal ;-)

 

[ninjamonkey]

I think Kevin starts this. We know he can do 30 minutes, the next step is a start and get to 60-70 minutes. We don't play again until the following monday so plenty of recovery time if he's feeling it.

Back 4 picks itself, we only have 4 properly fit defenders, stones from the bench would be nice. I'd mix the midfield up a bit, give Rodri a rest and get the full squad involved, let an in form kovacic play alongside Bernardo central, kdb ahead of them as the midfield 3. Then I'd put Nunes on the right, pep says he's the guy for big spaces, Burnley leave big spaces. Then Doku left, Alvarez upfront.

Foden to replace kdb after an hour, possibly a haaland cameo.

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Ake
Gvardiol
Bernardo
Kovacic
Kdb
Nunes
Doku
Alvarez

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Ederson injured?

He was on the bench last night and I suspect he will return Wednesday. Another five?

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Desperately? He has scored 5 goals in his last 6 games, that’s a special goal drought

I think 'only' needs inserting just before the number 5! He's gonna be goal-famished by the time he returns, and just in time to rekindle the KdB/EBH combo!

 

[BringBackSwales]

Strange one with Erling. Pep is always very honest about availability’s but it feels like the big man has been close for at least 6 weeks. Hoping it’s not going to be something that lingers long term

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Ederson

Walker
Dias
 Stones
Garvdiol

Rodri
Nunes
Foden

Grealish
Doku
Alvarez

 

[Blue Steel]

I think Kevin starts this. We know he can do 30 minutes, the next step is a start and get to 60-70 minutes. We don't play again until the following monday so plenty of recovery time if he's feeling it.

Back 4 picks itself, we only have 4 properly fit defenders, stones from the bench would be nice. I'd mix the midfield up a bit, give Rodri a rest and get the full squad involved, let an in form kovacic play alongside Bernardo central, kdb ahead of them as the midfield 3. Then I'd put Nunes on the right, pep says he's the guy for big spaces, Burnley leave big spaces. Then Doku left, Alvarez upfront.

Foden to replace kdb after an hour, possibly a haaland cameo.

Ederson
Walker
Dias
Ake
Gvardiol
Bernardo
Kovacic
Kdb
Nunes
Doku
Alvarez

Genuine Q: what makes you think Doku warrants a start on the LW on Wednesday?

 

[ninjamonkey]

Genuine Q: what makes you think Doku warrants a start on the LW on Wednesday?

The same reason for Nunes. Burnley leave space, naively so at times, Nunes and doku are the two best options we have to exploit that.

Why do you think Doku doesn't warrant a start?

 

[Franny 1234]

F-ck me we're only on page 4 and I've read Kapa to play in net and Alverez desperately needs a goal.
Only on Bluemoon CTID

 

[Blue Steel]

The same reason for Nunes. Burnley leave space, naively so at times, Nunes and doku are the two best options we have to exploit that.

Why do you think Doku doesn't warrant a start?

Agree would like to see Nunes get some minutes on Weds and it should be a good game for him.

I think Doku was poor against Spurs and Newcastle. Grealish has that spot nailed down as the most complete player (instrumental for the treble for starters) and needs minutes before we face the tougher sides, and I would actually place Bobb above Doku right now - although both of those two could, and should, play on the right at some point, not least because we will be incredibly exposed on that side should anything happen to Bernardo or Phil (Pep’s lack of attention to the RW is bugging me in general right now. He bought Doku to play there and is trying to shoehorn him onto the left IMO).