League cup - Crystal Palace pre-match thread

[ojeme]

--------------Caballero
Zabaleta--Kompany--Mangala-Kolarov
----------Toure--Fernando
----Navas---Sterling---Roberts
--------------Iheanacho

This is going to be a huge test for Roberts
and Kelechi and if they grab the opportunity with both hands and feet, they might be well on the way to replacing Navas and Bony in our starting 11.
I'll start Kompany because I'm not taking chances at the back

 

[Blue Elmo]

Play 4-4-2 and I'd expect Palace to cause us a lot of problems with their pace on the break. They're no mugs so I'd like to see a relatively strong team.

Caballero
Zabaleta
Kompany
Mangala
Kolarov
Fernando
Toure
Roberts
Sterling
Navas
Kelechi

 

[eversince 76]

Caballero a certainty, probably also in goal vs Norwich.
Sagna and Kolarov need a rest; Zabaleta needs playing time. As Clichy is not fit I think Kolarov needs to play again.
Kompany can use extra minutes and while he has not played too many minutes with Otamendi, I'd stick to this centrepair. If Otamendi needs a rest, Mangala can come in. I can't see any playing time for Demichelis again I'm afraid.
With Fernandinho and probably Delph injured, defensive midfield will be Fernando and Toure. No Evans on the bench this time. It would be nice if Delph is fit enough to be on the bench and gain a few minutes.
KDB might be rested, depending if Silva is able to play on Saturday. Norwich at home seems more suiteble to leave KDB out for a welldeserved rest if Silva is able to play. So with Silva not ready, we need KDB for creativity.
I'd still start with Bony, maybe with Iheanacho in a 4-4-2. Bony needs minutes and goals. The guy has been out injured/sick and therefore minimal gametime. I'm convinced he has so much more in him, and therefore he needs more minutes.
If Pellegrini decides to leave out Sterling, I'm opting to play Barker instead of Roberts, purely because Barker is used plying on the leftwing.

I don't expect a lot of rotating, but in a way the team will pick itself with ongoing injuryproblems. Hopefully either one of Clichy, Delph and Silva will return.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

I'd go with what most people are saying and go almost completely second string. Realistically, if we play our strongest 11 it will impact on our potential in other, far more important, competitions.

Willy
Zaba
Mangala
Demi
Maffeo
Fernando
Toure
Barker
Sterling
Roberts
Iheanacho

No need to risk it. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Palace put out their second string either, like Pardew did when he was at Newcastle. He beat us with that side so he wouldn't hesitate in trying his luck again, especially with a PL game against United coming up at the weekend.

 

[Lee the Blue]

Some of the teams suggested on here would be really good..... if our intention is to lose the game.

If we want to progress - and after last seasons domestic cup shambles I suspect we do - then the team he sends out will be stronger than suggested here. At least it should be.

Willy catch it will be in the sticks, so we will need to score at least 3. Zabba, Demichelis, Mangala, Navas, Fernando, Iheanacho look certain to play. The rest is guesswork tbh.

Palace are a physical lot so plopping a pipsqueak like Manu Garcia into cent midf isn't exactly a great idea, unless we want to see the kid get roughed up and squashed. Roberts may feature, Barker may be a sub but having 7 or 8 fringe players will ensure defeat. Our squads big enough, lets try and take it serious to win this comp.

 

[Eslam elcity]

the question : is zuculini eligible for this game ??

 

[schfc6]

For me, I'd go.

....................Willy.........
Maffeo Demichellis Mangala Zaba
......Fernando...Zucilini/Bryan...
Navas......Iheancho...Sterling...
............Bony.....................

Strong bench with minutes hopefully for Roberts.

 

[waspish]

Pelegrini DONT play De Bruyne he needs a rest

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Willy
Zaba
Mangala
Kompany
zaba
Fernando
Toure
Barker
Sterling/de bruyne
Roberts
Iheanacho


players like roberts and barker need game time, they have barely played this year for city and aren't developing, these are the only game where they will get a chance.

 

[GX Blue]

Right then, its the league cup. Lets go 4-4-2 and see what happens:


Bony Kelechi

Sterling Fernando Yaya Navas

Kolarov MDM Mangala Zabba

Willy


Give Kompany a rest after his first 90 min in a while
Fernandinho suspended
Delph? If he's fit play him instead of Fernando
KDB could do with a rest. Played a lot of football since joining and looked a bit tired against Trafford.
Kelechi up top with Wilf.