Crystal Palace (H) - Sat 30 Oct 15:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[city warrior]

I've not had a single drop of -OH for something like 11 years; but at the moment we're much more fluid in transition with Bernardo pulling the strings in midfield than we are with DeBruyne in there.

He's not got the same range of passing as DeBruyne but the ball moves to the right places and gets there quicker when Silva's playing; right now DeBruyne's slowing us down a fraction, and a fraction is all it takes for Prem. teams to get back and stifle our attacks.

IMO

We’ll there are 2 spots available for midfielders, so the comparison is irrelevant. KDB> Gundogan based on their last games, so KDB should be a starter.

 

[super_city_si]

Ederson
walker dias laporte cancelo
bernardo rodri debruyne
jesus foden greslish

 

[warringtonblue]

Looking forward to seeing Palace with Vieira. I know this isn't their typical game but they seem to be a lot more attacking than they were under Hodgson.

I'd make two changes to the Brighton line-up: Sterling in for Grealish and KDB in for Gundogan. I think it's unlikely Gundogan will start 3 games back to back after a while out. I'd make early subs too if the game proves difficult. Mahrez, Grealish, Palmer could all be a handful for what you'd expect to be a tiring Palace side. I think Pep will start Grealish because he was rested at WHU but he's not doing enough imo and I want Sterling to get his game back.

CL tie on Wednesday but I think Pep will be totally focused on this game.

Hopeful that City win, and Utd lose in the evening game to Spurs. Some other interesting games too on Saturday: NUFC v Chelsea and LFC v BHA. Could be surprises in these games? We have to beat Palace first though. I still remember that horrific game when Palace beat us 3-2 at the Etihad with a wonder-strike from Townsend. I thought that day we had lost the title but we went on to pip Liverpool by one point and get 98 points.

So we sacrifice Grealish in the hope Sterling comes good, how many chances does he need to the detriment of the team?

 

[TonyM]

................. Ederson.............
Walker Dias Laporte Cancelo
.....Bernardo Rodri Grealish...
Palmer ...... Jesus ...... Foden

• I'd try without KDB or Gundogan.
• Pull Grealish back a bit so Foden has free reign on the left.
• Let Jesus be a proper 9 for this one.
• I liked Palmers positivity so I'd start him again.

 

[MellowJoe]

How much have I got to lend to pay off my debts?

 

[Marvin]

So we sacrifice Grealish in the hope Sterling comes good, how many chances does he need to the detriment of the team?

See Grealish's goals scored and assists and then you will realise that neither are delivering. The difference is Sterling is proven.

 

[lmhblue1]

See Grealish's goals scored and assists and then you will realise that neither are delivering. The difference is Sterling is proven.

No, the most relevant difference between the two of them right now is that our general play with Grealish in the team is better. His ball control, the space he creates, his linkup play with Cancelo, Foden, Bernardo, etc. very clearly helps the team... hence why Pep starts him so much.

 

[the-ecstacy-of-eight]

We’ll there are 2 spots available for midfielders, so the comparison is irrelevant. KDB> Gundogan based on their last games, so KDB should be a starter.

...but KDB doesn't provide the stability in midfield that Gundogan gives the team, his attributes/skills mean that he's always expected/expecting (himself) to give "more" to the team; but MORE isn't always needed, again IMO.

Due to our style of play the midfield THREE, IMO, need to be...
1 - holding midfielder to cover the defence and provide a link between defence and midfield
2 - short passing, disciplined midfielder who keeps the ball moving quickly around the midfield who can join the attack when the opportunity allows it
3 - creative midfielder to primarily supply and join the attack

...so there's only really one spot available for the type of player that DeBruyne is, and as I said earlier, at this moment Bernardo's doing the job better than DeBruyne, IMO

 

[SWP's back]

Kevin won't regain form by sitting on the bench. He will probably start vs Palace. Once he hits form, this team will find another gear in attack.

He’s still not fit from having the stupid idea of pain killing injections in the summer when he shouldn’t have been near a pitch.

He could use a break/rest.

 

[SWP's back]

See Grealish's goals scored and assists and then you will realise that neither are delivering. The difference is Sterling is proven.

Which shows you don’t understand football past a spreadsheet.