Everton Pre-Match Thread

[ManCityJordan]

Soon as the fixture list came out, we were all saying how the title will be won or lost this game.

The team need to stand up and be counted, forget about our record with Everton. Our record away to Pulis is bad but that didn't stop winning on Sunday.

 

[richards30]

hart
zabba
vinny
MDM
Kola
fernandinho
yaya
milner
nasri
silva
aguero

 

[Kevindxb]

Their players press well and run around a lot. If it was me, I'd play Fernandinho and Garcia as DM's and push Toure up. There is no use in Toure wasting his energy chasing their attackers.

Agree, with Milner on the right to snuff out Baines.

...and Nasri on the left.

I've been suggesting a 5 man midfield this week. Then it's a case of Aguero or Dzeko. Tough call. The line-up is going to be Pellers' biggest and, probably, last big call of the season.

Thankfully, I am not the manager, and so I'll just stick to the day job and being a paranoid City fan the rest of the time.

You're probably right.

I've not seen a single post calling for 4-4-2 against everton. Nearly all agree on Garcia starting. Lets see if Pelle will get this right, this time. I have a bad feeling he will do his usual and arrogantly play a weaken mid-field against a side that presses well. I really hope not.

Arrogant way= Fight fire with fire, throw all on attack against a team that does the same (e.g. Liverpool and Chelsea games)
Smart way= Have a strong midfield, boss the game and play with high intensity and working the ball cleverly.

 

[Kevindxb]

THEN

 

[supercity88]

Soon as the fixture list came out, we were all saying how the title will be won or lost this game.

The team need to stand up and be counted, forget about our record with Everton. Our record away to Pulis is bad but that didn't stop winning on Sunday.

We were saying that about every game!

 

[Benarbia’s Backheel]

------------------------Hart--------------------------

Zab------Kompany------MDM------Kolarov

-------Garcia/Milner-------Ferna--------------
Nasri------------------Yaya----------------Silva
-----------------------Aguero-----------------------

or, we go with our usual set up, Dzeko and Aguero up front, has, fern, yay a and silva in midfield..

Whatever we go with, it's going to be more about the way we approach the game than the starting line up.

Please City, PLEASE!!!!

CTID

 

[supercity88]

Agree, with Milner on the right to snuff out Baines.

...and Nasri on the left.

I've been suggesting a 5 man midfield this week. Then it's a case of Aguero or Dzeko. Tough call. The line-up is going to be Pellers' biggest and, probably, last big call of the season.

Thankfully, I am not the manager, and so I'll just stick to the day job and being a paranoid City fan the rest of the time.

You're probably right.

I've not seen a single post calling for 4-4-2 against everton. Nearly all agree on Garcia starting. Lets see if Pelle will get this right, this time. I have a bad feeling he will do his usual and arrogantly play a weaken mid-field against a side that presses well. I really hope not.

Arrogant way= Fight fire with fire, throw all on attack against a team that does the same (e.g. Liverpool and Chelsea games)
Smart way= Have a strong midfield, boss the game and play with high intensity and working the ball cleverly.

We played a 4-4-2 against them in the game at the Etihad and they struggled to cope with our movement. If you look at the teams they have recently lost to, both play 4-4-2... if we look to match them there is nothing to suggest that will work. They are very good at playing their 4-5-1/4-3-3 and it has done them well against Arsenal, Chelsea and the Rags who all played with just one up top. I think we should concentrate on how we will play best and I think 4-4-2 will bring us more reward and allow us to find more space when their full backs push up. Everton tried a 5-4-1 at Southampton and so it is hard to know how they will lineup but I think we will have some success as long as we play with some balance. I think the same side as played against Palace, with Clichy possibly in for Kolarov and maybe Fernandinho in instead of Garcia so long as we ensure he is tasked with defensive duties.

 

[bert's broken neck]

Hopefully they will forget it's their annual Cup Final this time around. Plus there's no Moyes to stir up the anti City shit for a change.

Maybe Roberto Martinez will repay the favour we did him last May and tell his team to take it up the arse (just like we did for Wigtown!)

 

[Kevindxb]

...and Nasri on the left.

I've been suggesting a 5 man midfield this week. Then it's a case of Aguero or Dzeko. Tough call. The line-up is going to be Pellers' biggest and, probably, last big call of the season.

Thankfully, I am not the manager, and so I'll just stick to the day job and being a paranoid City fan the rest of the time.

You're probably right.

I've not seen a single post calling for 4-4-2 against everton. Nearly all agree on Garcia starting. Lets see if Pelle will get this right, this time. I have a bad feeling he will do his usual and arrogantly play a weaken mid-field against a side that presses well. I really hope not.

Arrogant way= Fight fire with fire, throw all on attack against a team that does the same (e.g. Liverpool and Chelsea games)
Smart way= Have a strong midfield, boss the game and play with high intensity and working the ball cleverly.

We played a 4-4-2 against them in the game at the Etihad and they struggled to cope with our movement. If you look at the teams they have recently lost to, both play 4-4-2... if we look to match them there is nothing to suggest that will work. They are very good at playing their 4-5-1/4-3-3 and it has done them well against Arsenal, Chelsea and the Rags who all played with just one up top. I think we should concentrate on how we will play best and I think 4-4-2 will bring us more reward and allow us to find more space when their full backs push up. Everton tried a 5-4-1 at Southampton and so it is hard to know how they will lineup but I think we will have some success as long as we play with some balance. I think the same side as played against Palace, with Clichy possibly in for Kolarov and maybe Fernandinho in instead of Garcia so long as we ensure he is tasked with defensive duties.

Interesting analysis- I see your point. Going 442 is a gamble. 451 is more assuring and can be switched to 442 depending on the how the game goes. Remember, we're not playing at home and we are better playing 451 away from home.

 

[KevR_7]

I dont think he will think of this as a game we have to put 5 in midfield, I just don't think thats in Pelligrini's makeup. I think it will be the usual 4-2-2-2 especially if Silva is fit. I would be very suprised if it wasnt Hart, Zaba, Vinny, Demi, Kolarov, Yaya, Ferna, Nasri, Silva, Dzeko & Aguero.

The key will be to start the game with intensity as we did at Old Trafford then hopefully their heads will go as they wont fancy the fight, especially as the chance of 4th for them is pretty much gone.

 

[aguero93:20]

Most everton fans want us to win. But the players won't. How the hell are everton fans going to get the message across to the everton players not to play at 100% or give away a pen in the last min for a city win. I wish they could drum it into the players minds etc.

Boo there own players when they have the ball and when the team bus arrives sing "WERE GONNA LOSE DA GAME, WERE GOONA LOSE DA GAME AND NOW YOU BETTER DO THAT" ?

I Seem to recall during the title run of mou's inter, I believe Roma was chasing them hard and they had to play lazio. In that game, the lazio ultras were giving stick to any of their players who actually put in an effort. Once inter scored, the ultras unfurled a banner that I remember made me laughed then. but for the life of me, can't remember what it said now lol

It had a big sarcastic OHH NOOOOOO on it, made me laugh alright, I've been in the Lazio game for a Rome derby, the year before that and they fucking hate each other.

 

[Kevindxb]

I dont think he will think of this as a game we have to put 5 in midfield, I just don't think thats in Pelligrini's makeup. I think it will be the usual 4-2-2-2 especially if Silva is fit. I would be very suprised if it wasnt Hart, Zaba, Vinny, Demi, Kolarov, Yaya, Ferna, Nasri, Silva, Dzeko & Aguero.

The key will be to start the game with intensity as we did at Old Trafford then hopefully their heads will go as they wont fancy the fight, especially as the chance of 4th for them is pretty much gone.

Could go either way, no? If we concede early on the counter then its a mountain to climb. 4222 tells me no tactics, just same system. I think approaching cautiously not hastily is needed at this stage of the season.

 

[KevR_7]

I dont think he will think of this as a game we have to put 5 in midfield, I just don't think thats in Pelligrini's makeup. I think it will be the usual 4-2-2-2 especially if Silva is fit. I would be very suprised if it wasnt Hart, Zaba, Vinny, Demi, Kolarov, Yaya, Ferna, Nasri, Silva, Dzeko & Aguero.

The key will be to start the game with intensity as we did at Old Trafford then hopefully their heads will go as they wont fancy the fight, especially as the chance of 4th for them is pretty much gone.

Could go either way, no? If we concede early on the counter then its a mountain to climb. 4222 tells me no tactics, just same system. I think approaching cautiously not hastily is needed at this stage of the season.

I would agree with you, Garcia & Ferna with Yaya in front would be the way to go but I just don't think Pellers will go for that. I think he will play the 2 up front. Like you say its a risk as if we don't start well and score early 2 up front could leave us stretched in a game like this.

 

[AliBobbyJ]

I usually like Kolarov getting crosses in (best in the league) and Dzeko meeting them, but will they get past Distin? He always does a good job there.

 

[knuckles]

The most nerve wracking game ive witnessed this season was the dippers Chelsea game on sunday as oh so much was reliant on it..

The Everton game this Saturday will make that seem like a walk in the park..

Same here, I can't believe how tense I was, my blood pressure must have been through the roof - until Willian scored then it was all smiles..... :)

 

[hateutd]

24 hours a day,im thinking this feckin game in Goodison.... :( i just feel shit...!!!!!!!

 

[Champions2012!]

City's record at Goodison Park since 2000: LDDLLDLWLLLL

Thanks for that

 

[Champions2012!]

I usually like Kolarov getting crosses in (best in the league) and Dzeko meeting them, but will they get past Distin? He always does a good job there.

Heard Distin won't be playing

 

[Vincents Tackle]

Boo there own players when they have the ball and when the team bus arrives sing "WERE GONNA LOSE DA GAME, WERE GOONA LOSE DA GAME AND NOW YOU BETTER DO THAT" ?

I Seem to recall during the title run of mou's inter, I believe Roma was chasing them hard and they had to play lazio. In that game, the lazio ultras were giving stick to any of their players who actually put in an effort. Once inter scored, the ultras unfurled a banner that I remember made me laughed then. but for the life of me, can't remember what it said now lol

It had a big sarcastic OHH NOOOOOO on it, made me laugh alright, I've been in the Lazio game for a Rome derby, the year before that and they fucking hate each other.

Interesting article on that game <a class="postlink" href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/may/03/lazio-roma-inter-serie-a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.theguardian.com/football/blo ... er-serie-a</a>

Instead, the 1-1 draw meant Lazio faced Inter on Sunday evening knowing defeat would do far more damage to Roma's title hopes than their own prospects of staying in the division.

"If you win we'll beat you up," bellowed the Lazio fans a few hours later at the Stadio Olimpico, and their words were not aimed at the opposition. Before kick-off each name on the Inter team-sheet had been greeted with a huge "Ole" from the home support, and the banners decorating the Curva Nord implored Lazio's players to "Get out of their way". When Inter did eventually take the lead, through a Walter Samuel header in first-half added time, the same fans cheered enthusiastically while unfurling another sign that simply, and sarcastically, read: "Oh nooo".

But what the fans want is not necessarily what the players want, and many of the latter had spent a good part of the past week speaking of the "professionalism" that would prevent them from rolling over. Sadly their performances on the pitch were rather less convincing. It would have been naive for anyone to assume that a team sitting so far down the table, and who have not scored in a league game against Inter since February 2008, could overturn José Mourinho's side, but this was one of the weakest displays of Lazio's miserable season.

Only Mauro Zárate, who continued to harry the Inter defence despite a total absence of support from team-mates, and the goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who made a handful of goal-saving interventions, offered any real resistance. Such was the futility of Muslera's defiance that Gazzetta dello Sport's Luigi Garlando likened him this morning to "the Japanese man in the forest who doesn't realise the war is over".

 

[inbetween]

I usually like Kolarov getting crosses in (best in the league) and Dzeko meeting them, but will they get past Distin? He always does a good job there.

Distin is injured.