City v Sunderland pre-match thread (13/8/2016)

[Sergio Picasso Aguero]

Caballero
Zabaleta
Sagna
Stones
Clichy
Toure
Fernandinho
Sané
De Bruyne
Silva
Aguero

Hart
Kolarov
Fernando
Nolito
Navas
Sterling
Iheanacho

 

[bert38]

Hart
Zabaleta
Stones
Otamendi
Clichy
Fernandinho
Delph
Sterling
Silva
Nolito
Aguero

Hoping Otamendi is fit, if not I think it will be Kolarov beside Stones.

Toss up between Yaya and Delph but if we are going to make a mark, hit the ground running by pressing the opposition high up the pitch I think it will be Delph,

Not sure what the situation is with Hart, him and Willy are both lacking in the ball control and distribution but Joe is an overall better keeper, only way he doesn't start is if his attitude hasn't impressed Pep.

This. Kolarov v likely to start next to Stones.

 

[TrueBlueMike]

3-5-1-1.

Hart; Sagna, Stones, Otamendi; Fernandinho, Yaya; Sane, Silva, Sterling; De Bruyne, Aguero.

Pep played a 3-5-2 (3-2-3-2) quite a lot last season with Bayern, especially against the weaker sides in the league.

While I think we may end up playing 3 at the back, to do it on the first day of the season, with a new player who hasnt even trained with us yet, would be risky. Not saying that excludes stones starting, just not in a back 3.

I think PEP will stay fairly familiar for the first few games and tweak things gradually, while building up match fitness.

............................................HART/WILLY (Cant Decide)
Zabba..........................STONES................OTAMENDI..................CLICHY
..............................DINHO....................DELPH
STERLING...................................SILVA..........................................NOLITO
...............................................AGUERO

Subs:

I think will all be made with Champs League in mind on the Tuesday to rest key players
Delph or Dinho For Yaya
Silva for KDB
Aguero for Nacho

 

[mosssideblue]

I know I am in the minority, but I will be amazed if JS plays on Sat.

 

[MarsLlama]

I would only feel comfortable playing three at the back if BOTH Fernando and Fernandinho were in front of them.
In that case I'd go:

Hart
Sagna Otamendi Clichy
Fernando Fernandinho
Navas Silva Nolito
Sterling Aguero

Caballero, Stones, Delph, Touré, De Bruyne, Sané, Iheanacho.

Sagna and Clichy are both fullbacks who can play CB so they're calm and pretty good on the ball. Otamendi is ideal for the central defender role because of his tackling skills making him a tricky last man to beat. Fernando and Fernandinho sit in front of and cover the back four, when one goes forward the other stays back. Silva is the creative force in the centre with options all around him to receive from the Fernas or fullbacks, turn in tight areas and find one of the four attackers. Navas and Nolito being asked to track back and help out.

I feel like that could work as the Fernas can drop back to make it a 5-3-2 if need be. I could be wrong but I remember the Celta Vigo manager saying Nolito is good at tracking back and helping his defence, if he's not up to it maybe swap him with Sterling. When everyone is fit I'd still play that, but swap Sagna for Stones, Clichy for Kompany, Fernando for Gundogan, Silva for De Bruyne, Sané for Navas.

Genuinely this is what I would do, granted I actually know fuck all about how to manage a football team regardless of what I think. That is a very strong side and Gundogan and Kompany still aren't there. Definitely enough to win the league. Anyone else think this can work or am I being daft?

 

[MarsLlama]

I know I am in the minority, but I will be amazed if JS plays on Sat.

I'd also be surprised if he starts. Hopefully Pep's using training sessions between now and Saturday to see how Denayer, Mangala, Sagna, Clichy and Fernandinho look to him in case Otamendi isn't fit. Kolarov will probably be ineffective against someone like Jermain Defoe.

EDIT: Defoe is injured according to Sunderland fans on their forum (massive boost), so is Jones (not so much).

 

[Peggy's a blue]

Surely Stones should start, better a player in his natural position, than playing someone out of position just because he knows all the team!

 

[mosssideblue]

Surely Stones should start, better a player in his natural position, than playing someone out of position just because he knows all the team!

I think your reasons are so wrong. We have been developing a way of playing for several weeks now and the team are slowly coming to grips with it. Throwing somebody into that with only a few days of joining the club could upset this. I also think pep has enough options available to not take the risk of introducing him so soon after joining.

Either way, we will know soon enough

 

[Credo]

Caballero
Sagna Stones Kolarov Clichy
Fernandinho Delph
Sterling KDB Nolito
Aguero

 

[Peggy's a blue]

I think your reasons are so wrong. We have been developing a way of playing for several weeks now and the team are slowly coming to grips with it. Throwing somebody into that with only a few days of joining the club could upset this. I also think pep has enough options available to not take the risk of introducing him so soon after joining.

Either way, we will know soon enough

Fair enough, but after seeing the Arsenal game, you can see why I am not as sure as you obviously are!