City v Liverpool (Home) Pre-Match Thread

[cibaman]

When we play a back four, the DM is a pseudo-CB as the FBs go flying. Want Yaya in our back line on the break against their forward line? Good luck, mate!

Late in games, KDB has dropped back only because of attacking subs that leave us light at the back or in the middle, and because he can go both ways....it has nothing to do with zfernandinho not being able to do the job. In fac,t last time it happened was because Ferna went to FB!

Playing Yaya or Gundogan in the middle of a 4-3-3 against Liverpool is suicide.

I don't think the Yaya v Fernandhino issue is quite so clear cut. Fernandhino undoubtedly is more mobile and defensively will be more effective against their forwards. But Yaya would give us more control and would better stretch the play forcing them back, Fernandhino is more likely to give the ball away in our half. I think its 50:50 as to which player would be the most effective against Liverpool. And I don't expect Pep will play both of them.

I would be very surprised if Gundogan is fit enough to start, expect to see his first start at WBA.

 

[MarsLlama]

Hart
Zabaleta
Otamendi
Mangala
Kolarov
Touré
Fernandinho
Silva
De Bruyne
Navas
Bony

No... wait...

 

[MarsLlama]

Our record last season against top seven teams:

Home- Played 6 won 1, drew 4, lost 1- & Points 7, GS 7 GA 8
Away Played 6 won 1, drew 1, lost 4, Points 4, GS 5 GA 12.

In all played 12 won 2, drew 5, lost 5, Points 11, GS 12 GA 20

Not very good at all.

Although the performances were generally quite good. We were very unfortunate not to beat Everton at home, Tottenham at home and probably Chelsea at home too (De Bruyne missed sitter at 1-0 and Luiz wasn't sent off), and at home to Liverpool Milner should've conceded that penalty too. Away at Arsenal Monreal's last-minute handball in his own box went unpunished. In a world where we get fair decisions (and De Bruyne didn't temporarily become Vincent Janssen in December) that record is much more like Won 5, drew 3, lost 4. I believe we will improve this season because now we have new fullbacks, Bernardo, Jesus and Gundogan.

 

[mat]

Moss has got the refs spot.

 

[Rammy Blue]

I'd be starting Leroy for this one, he's had a couple of weeks with no international footy so should be chomping at the bit and in full fitness - think Clyne is still out so I trust Pep will have identified their right as a weakness that we should attempt to exploit.

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Ederson
Walker
Kompany
Stones
Mendy
Fernandhino
Silva
De Bruyne
Bernardo
Sane
Aguero

For me

 

[Craig]

I don't think the Yaya v Fernandhino issue is quite so clear cut. Fernandhino undoubtedly is more mobile and defensively will be more effective against their forwards. But Yaya would give us more control and would better stretch the play forcing them back, Fernandhino is more likely to give the ball away in our half. I think its 50:50 as to which player would be the most effective against Liverpool. And I don't expect Pep will play both of them.

I would be very surprised if Gundogan is fit enough to start, expect to see his first start at WBA.

Spot on and the Bournemouth game completely backs your point up in terms of Dinho gifting possession where Yaya wouldn't. Genuinely every chance Bournemouth had came from Dinho losing the ball with terrible passes or a poor touch. Obviously you could argue the actual goal was barely a chance but we never recovered the ball or our shape after his shocking pass. No chance Yaya will start this game after not playing a single minute yet but it's daft him not starting games we know we should dominate possession. Dinho's headless chicken routine is counterproductive most of the time compared to Yaya's genuine class.

 

[Danny_Johnson4]

Spot on and the Bournemouth game completely backs your point up in terms of Dinho gifting possession where Yaya wouldn't. Genuinely every chance Bournemouth had came from Dinho losing the ball with terrible passes or a poor touch. Obviously you could argue the actual goal was barely a chance but we never recovered the ball or our shape after his shocking pass. No chance Yaya will start this game after not playing a single minute yet but it's daft him not starting games we know we should dominate possession. Dinho's headless chicken routine is counterproductive most of the time compared to Yaya's genuine class.

Alright, a bit of a hatchet job on Fernandinho considering he does have a huge amount of work to do
Albeit he has been below par so far this year; worth noting Yaya had an absolute shocker at home to liverpool last year
He looked fully gone, and he couldn't control their fast pace on the break and their counters
Pep hauled him off out of what we felt was pure sympathy.

 

[SWP's back]

Really hope Pep starts Toure or Gundogan in a 433. I'm sick and tired of the 3-5-2, Pep needs to understand that it won't work against all teams. I'm also sick of Fernandinho starting,don't get me wrong he's a class player but at this point he's basically Kante with a little more passing ability and because of this it causes KDB to drop deep and create instead of playing in his preferred role. KDB dropping deep is one of the main reasons this season that we haven't been as impressive this season going forward, I think playing Gundogan or Toure who have exceptional passing ability and are able to create will allow KDB to play up front in his preferred role.

Sick and tired of a system we've used twice.

It was also toure that gave away possession cheaply last year at Anfield which led to the winning goal.

 

[SWP's back]

Errr...isn't that EXACTLY WHY you play 3-5-2?????

I'm confused....or did I just sign in to the Junior Blues Forum?

You're not wrong.