Fulham (H) - Sat 2nd Sept, 15:00 l PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Heath Park]

Oh but you do, makes it all the more sweeter when they balls it up

Yup. It's the hope that kills THEM! ;-)

 

[WallyA]

Rodri doesn't have the pace to operate as wide CB and it is also a waste not having him in his natural position.

Rodri is not wide in that set up.

He is central and pushes up centrally.

Walker is wide CB.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Id kind of like Pep to just play Rodri as a CB into midfield role and not have Walker wide on the right.

Walkers been fine, but now I wanna see Doku!

This would be mt wishful setup:

Ederson

Walker
Rodri (starts and defends here)
Dias
Gvardiol

Kovacic
Rodri (ends up here in possession)

Doku
Bernie
Foden
Grealish

Haaland

Not a chance in my opinion. We have 5 world class centre backs (4 until John is fit) so why take the worlds best player from his natural position? Especially when he is getting forward more and getting goals and assists? Leave him where he is, and as he has said himself the addition of Kovacic is allowing him to get forward more, which he seems to be relishing

 

[Willtaylor]

Doku should start for me but I know this is unlikely

 

[jimharri]

Can we take a chance and rest Rodri for this game? We have to manage his game time this season; you can't expect him to play 50 games in a season. He's arguably our key player with KDB missing,though Haaland fans might argue that!

 

[Withnail]

Doku should start for me but I know this is unlikely

I doubt he will start, but hopefully will get some game time on Saturday.

 

[domalino]

Can we take a chance and rest Rodri for this game? We have to manage his game time this season; you can't expect him to play 50 games in a season. He's arguably our key player with KDB missing,though Haaland fans might argue that!

I don't know if we can give him full games off, but we should treat him like Haaland last year. As soon as we're 2 or 3 goals up, off he comes for a 10, 20, 30 minute rest.

 

[domalino]

Doku should start for me but I know this is unlikely

How can you say he should start? You've never seen him play in a City shirt, you don't know how ready he is or isn't. There's a lot of tactical information to learn, a lot of relationships to build up with the players around him. Has he even met the manager yet?

 

[Willtaylor]

How can you say he should start? You've never seen him play in a City shirt, you don't know how ready he is or isn't. There's a lot of tactical information to learn, a lot of relationships to build up with the players around him. Has he even met the manager yet?

Ok let's nobody discuss who they think should start, Let's all cancel this thread each week.

 

[domalino]

Ok let's nobody discuss who they think should start, Let's all cancel this thread each week.

Well there's a difference between saying "I'd like player X to start for reasons Y and Z" and just declaring the new kid should be starting immediately and not explaining why.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

train strikes on saturday isn't there?

 

[Ric]

As long as Foden starts, I'll be happy.

 

[Ric]

train strikes on saturday isn't there?

Yes, RMT are on strike on Saturday.

 

[TonyM]

.............Ederson..............
Walker ..Dias ..Ake ..Gvardiol
..........Kovacic Rodri...........
Doku ...... Alvarez ......Foden
.............Haaland..............

Unlikely to happen but I'd start Doku. Grealish to come on for 30 mins and hopefully try to attack more directly.

 

[JGL07]

Yes, RMT are on strike on Saturday.

I am relieved that the strike is only on Saturday. We are flying from Paris to Manchester on the Friday and then returning to Edinburgh on the Sunday. So hopefully the disruption shouldn’t be too bad.

 

[Welsh]

Foden has to start in the middle for me. It's going to be his long term position, not Alvarez's.

May seem harsh given that he scored a very good winner against Newcastle but if we were playing the CL final tomorrow I would want Foden there, so he needs the minutes in that position.

 

[searsleftpeg]

Just as a side issue ,tomorrow ,30/8 is a Super Blue Moon meaning it will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual,best viewed just about sunset,cloud cover permitting.
It's also my birthday, (sadly the same as the sunset strip)so come on Blue boys make my week.

 

[supercity88]

Fulham had a good game plan for Arsenal and they made things very tough for us in both games last season. Foden being fit and able to start in the centre will make a huge difference though.

 

[Gray]

Just as a side issue ,tomorrow ,30/8 is a Super Blue Moon meaning it will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual,best viewed just about sunset,cloud cover permitting.
It's also my birthday, (sadly the same as the sunset strip)so come on Blue boys make my week.

Ha ha Cookie Burns, I had mine in April.

 

[lionheart]

5-1

More bloody arrogance just like those predicting 0-4 at Sheffield Utd. Let us be clear. There will be no easy fixtures this season. If we win 2-1 on Saturday, I will be happy.