Let's see some youth in the return leg!

[Marvin]

Well, we have a new manager who makes very different demands on the players than Pellegrini and who seemed to be coaching endlessly from the touchline last Saturday and on Tueseday because the players were not playing as he demanded: then we have David who missed the final chunk of last season, played in the euros and arrived back late. He seems to need games rather than a rest. Then there's Sterling whose confidence is surging back after a poor end to last season and persecution after the euros. What purpose would resting him serve? Fernandinho wants to play not rest and we need him at least until Illy can play regularly. The backbone of our team need to play together to play the way the manager demands, something they won't learn on the bench or in the stands. Otamendi is apparently fit now - it isn't usual to leave a player out because he's no longer injured! Nor would it be sensible to give Angelino minutes in a system the more established players have not yet come to terms with.

I have to admit that i find the obsession some of our fans have with "rotation" and "throwing on the kids" is quite ridiculous. I can only assume that it fills some deep psychological need to please rags and/or the Daily Mail.

What point is there of having a squad if we don't use it when we're 5-0 up after 1st leg. We also need to play fringe players where we can otherwise they cease to become effective squad players. And it's a long season. Might not need rest now, but it will catch up with us sooner if we keep playing the same players. That's the prevailing wisdom anyway. Seems to make sense.

Would also be a good opportunity for players like Iheanacho and Sane if he's ready, Angelino. I think they would learn more from the experience than Aguero, Clichy etc

 

[Neville Kneville]

What point is there of having a squad if we don't use it when we're 5-0 up after 1st leg. We also need to play fringe players where we can otherwise they cease to become effective squad players. And it's a long season. Might not need rest now, but it will catch up with us sooner if we keep playing the same players. That's the prevailing wisdom anyway. Seems to make sense.

Would also be a good opportunity for players like Iheanacho and Sane if he's ready, Angelino. I think they would learn more from the experience than Aguero, Clichy etc

If we were 6 months or a year in, I would be crying out for the kids to start, but due to the shitty pre season & the stupid fucking international break coming up, it will be understandable if he starts with a more senior team, to give them more practice.

If I had to guess, I'd say he will throw a couple of kids in though.

 

[Phil1]

What point is there of having a squad if we don't use it when we're 5-0 up after 1st leg. We also need to play fringe players where we can otherwise they cease to become effective squad players. And it's a long season. Might not need rest now, but it will catch up with us sooner if we keep playing the same players. That's the prevailing wisdom anyway. Seems to make sense.

Would also be a good opportunity for players like Iheanacho and Sane if he's ready, Angelino. I think they would learn more from the experience than Aguero, Clichy etc

Both sides of the argument make valid points. It'll be interesting to see which way Pep goes.

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

With us already 5-0 up in the tie, I would certainly hope that this match is a dead rubber. Now we could go balls out with our strongest team to give them more time to gel. However I recall when we were in a similar position against West Ham in the cup and we fielded a strong team and Negredo got injured. Having seen some of the clumsy tackles that they were putting in last time, I would hate to see one of our key players be sidelined through injury when the tie is effectively decided.
We have a long season ahead and I hope we manage to keep our key players fit, so we can make good progress on all fronts. Be interested to see how Pep views this tie, but personally I hope he's pragmatic and uses some of the squad players who also need experience with Pep's tactics

 

[BlueTG]

A healthy blend of first teamers and youth. Feature those who have a significant chance, or need to adapt to first team football because they may be called upon in the near future. Pep will know who they are.

I'd like Sterling, Aguero, Stones and Fernandinho to be kept in to keep up or pick up form.

 

[St.Pauli support]

I think Pep is still working on the fundamental aspects of his system with the grown-ups.
He wants to win this match. Well, any match.
He wants stability in the defence avoiding any trouble for the keeper. Clean sheet. (for Bravo?)

Navas and Delph could get some time, rotation in the fullbacks.
Normally one would think: go 2 up and close shop. But Pep is always talking about highest intensity.
Will be interesting to see how he handles this one.

Anyway, Stoke first.

 

[Manchester33]

Well, we have a new manager who makes very different demands on the players than Pellegrini and who seemed to be coaching endlessly from the touchline last Saturday and on Tueseday because the players were not playing as he demanded: then we have David who missed the final chunk of last season, played in the euros and arrived back late. He seems to need games rather than a rest. Then there's Sterling whose confidence is surging back after a poor end to last season and persecution after the euros. What purpose would resting him serve? Fernandinho wants to play not rest and we need him at least until Illy can play regularly. The backbone of our team need to play together to play the way the manager demands, something they won't learn on the bench or in the stands. Otamendi is apparently fit now - it isn't usual to leave a player out because he's no longer injured! Nor would it be sensible to give Angelino minutes in a system the more established players have not yet come to terms with.

I have to admit that i find the obsession some of our fans have with "rotation" and "throwing on the kids" is quite ridiculous. I can only assume that it fills some deep psychological need to please rags and/or the Daily Mail.

I get your point, but I disagree, and here are a few points for my reasoning:

1) We run the risk of injuries, which is unnecessary in a dead rubber. (Negredo against West Ham and also Kompany + Ottamendi getting injured in the second leg of our CL game with Kiev last year).
2) Players DO need a rest, the games will come thick and fast now, after a summer of international competition we always see tired legs in the second half of the season - this will be one less game for players like Aguero, Silva and KDB who're going to be playing 45+ games hopefully.
3) Our best players can focus on the games against Stoke and West Ham, which are undeniably going to have more at stake.
4) It keeps our 'squad' motivated because they're getting a bit more game time, keeps the squad happy which makes Pep's life easier moving forward.
5) Gives us a chance to see other players in a new system, some might shock us and force their way into the first team.
6) Keeps squad players match fit in case we get injuries over the next few weeks and they have to come in as cover.
7) Good chance for squad players to learn the new system, with less pressure.
8) We could offer Champions League debuts to some younger lads, so if they're ever called upon in a bigger, higher pressure game they might be slightly more accustomed to it, and as a result more likely to perform well.
9) The fans would appreciate seeing 2/3 LOCAL lads on the pitch for the first time in years. (who that would be I don't know, but Tosin could easily come into the team, someone like Aaron Nemane or Jacob Davenport are good enough for this match).
10) It would offer key youth players, who might not see their future with City (because Mancini and Pellegrini were reluctant to offer any first team chances), a glimpse of hope that we do actually care about bringing young players through. That will help us bring in better youth players moving forward (the likes of Brahim would be more willing to come and develop with us).

It will be hard though because someone like Aguero will be dying to play in this game, he'd be assured to add a few goals to his tally, and if he's getting paid £10/20,000 per goal it could be worth a small fortune to him!

I'd go for this team (baring any injuries against Stoke).

Hart

Stones Tosin

Zabaleta (C) Davenport Delph

Sane Nasri Yaya Nemane

Iheanacho


Subs: Willy, Ottamendi, Kolarov, Fernando, KDB, Silva, Aguero

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

The only thing I want to see out of this game is Raheem find the back of the net. It will do him the world of good.

 

[domalino]

The only thing I want to see out of this game is Raheem find the back of the net. It will do him the world of good.

Would be good to play him on the left this time, let's him come inside and shoot on his right. As effective as he's been I don't see him scoring many goals at all from the right wing.

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

Would be good to play him on the left this time, let's him come inside and shoot on his right. As effective as he's been I don't see him scoring many goals at all from the right wing.

I think he's on the right for the year, and most of his chances will be poaching at the far post. Nolito is locked down on the left by the look of it. Unless he goes down or is rested of course.