Match tactics

[pee dubya]

Adebayor up top, Tevez deeper, Bellamy and Johnson out wide, although i would be tempted to maybe play Bellamy on the right, to keep Evra pinned back and because he's a bit better defensively than Johnson. Provided Bridge is back though, don't really want Valencia on the right having a free reign vs Garrido.

De Jong and Barry in central midfield. They're main role being to ferry the ball to Tevez and the wide players, and to keep tabs on Rooney dropping off (if he plays).

Sit Tevez on Carrick or whoever is playing the deep passing role for them, when they have the ball.

Ned, Kompany, Toure and Bridge at the back.

 

[MadchesterCity]

Adebayor up top, Tevez deeper, Bellamy and Johnson out wide, although i would be tempted to maybe play Bellamy on the right, to keep Evra pinned back and because he's a bit better defensively than Johnson. Provided Bridge is back though, don't really want Valencia on the right having a free reign vs Garrido.

De Jong and Barry in central midfield. They're main role being to ferry the ball to Tevez and the wide players, and to keep tabs on Rooney dropping off (if he plays).

Sit Tevez on Carrick or whoever is playing the deep passing role for them, when they have the ball.

Ned, Kompany, Toure and Bridge at the back.

Good post!

Is Micah fit?

 

[Ric]

I hope we stick to 4-4-2 and have a proper go at them.

Given

Onuoha
Toure
Kompany
Bridge

Johnson
Barry
de Jong
Bellamy

Tevez
Adebyaor

If we play 4-5-1 and invite them onto us I fear the worst. Attack, attack, attack!

 

[Andouble]

I hope we stick to 4-4-2 and have a proper go at them.

Given

Onuoha
Toure
Kompany
Bridge

Johnson
Barry
de Jong
Bellamy

Tevez
Adebyaor

If we play 4-5-1 and invite them onto us I fear the worst. Attack, attack, attack!

this!

 

[pee dubya]

Adebayor up top, Tevez deeper, Bellamy and Johnson out wide, although i would be tempted to maybe play Bellamy on the right, to keep Evra pinned back and because he's a bit better defensively than Johnson. Provided Bridge is back though, don't really want Valencia on the right having a free reign vs Garrido.

De Jong and Barry in central midfield. They're main role being to ferry the ball to Tevez and the wide players, and to keep tabs on Rooney dropping off (if he plays).

Sit Tevez on Carrick or whoever is playing the deep passing role for them, when they have the ball.

Ned, Kompany, Toure and Bridge at the back.

Good post!

Is Micah fit?

I'm not sure, he doesn't have the greatest of history against them though, Evra seems to be too small and agile, and Giggs too smart for him.

Also if they start pressing us high up the pitch, and Ade sees the fact that we're going to have to lump the ball, get out wide onto Evra at full back, tell the defenders when they're clearing it, if they can, to put it in that direction. Then you have Johnson or Bellamy and Tevez ready for the knockdowns.

 

[Lucas North]

If de-jong plays we are going to struggle to service our wide players and front men .

l would start Superman alongside Barry now he is fit, l am sure he would rise to the occasion and get our forwards going.

lf not l would prefer Zab or Vieira alongside Barry, anyone but de-jong, who sits far too deep and just invites the opposition onto us, which is fatal against the rags .

 

[Wrighty Wrexham]

Playing Ireland tomorrow would be a big mistake he is not superman this season and we cant afford to play him in the hope he will find his form!!

 

[Braggster]

If de-jong plays we are going to struggle to service our wide players and front men .

l would start Superman alongside Barry now he is fit, l am sure he would rise to the occasion and get our forwards going.

lf not l would prefer Zab or Vieira alongside Barry, anyone but de-jong, who sits far too deep and just invites the opposition onto us, which is fatal against the rags .

Actually think that isn't a bad idea. Can't do that unless he's 100%fit, physically and mentally, though.

 

[Neil McNab]

------------Given--------------
Zaba--Ned--------Toure--Bridge
------Kompany---Barry---------
Johnson-----------------Bellers
---------Ade------Tevez-------

VK in midfield would be a must for me, if De Jong plays we'll be playing in our own third most of the game!

 

[ono]

Same as Bham but with Bridge in for Garrido. If Bridge isn't fully match fit then i'll worry as Garrido won't deal with Valencia.

If that scenario arises, i'd be half tempted to play Zab at LB or either Ned or Micah, purely as a means to stop Valencia. I'm thinking along the lines of pace and power. Probably not a popular choice but it doesn't scare me as much as leaving Garrido or Slyvinho against Valencia.

 

[MCFC-alan88]

Good post!

Is Micah fit?

I'm not sure, he doesn't have the greatest of history against them though, Evra seems to be too small and agile, and Giggs too smart for him.

Also if they start pressing us high up the pitch, and Ade sees the fact that we're going to have to lump the ball, get out wide onto Evra at full back, tell the defenders when they're clearing it, if they can, to put it in that direction. Then you have Johnson or Bellamy and Tevez ready for the knockdowns.

Giggs is injured (I think) , it'll be Nani so it's just pace, which will give Micah more of a chance, if he were to play. But really, I'd rather have Ned in there.

 

[sh249]

I hope he sticks with the same team (though obviously Bridge for Garrido if available). More than that I hope we continue to press further up the pitch - in both the semis, we were far, far too deep, with Carrick in the first game and Scholes in the second sitting 10 yards deeper than any of our midfielders, and so being able to spray passes out to Valencia all game, getting him one-on-one with Garrido. If this happens tomorrow, will be a major problem again. On the other hand, if we do get at them, press them higher and play with the tempo we have in the last two games, I honestly think we might well give them a hiding.

 

[Chippy_boy]

I'll be surprised if he goes 4-4-2. I think he will be worried about 4 against 5 in midfield and I think he will play 4-5-1 and leave Tevez on the bench with Ade up top on his own. Madness perhaps (actually, I don't think so) but anyway that's what I think he will do. I think he will attempt to get us to keep hold of the ball more and keep it nice and tight and - essentially - not let them score early on. If it's nil each at half time, then he'll bring Tevez on. Who, by then will be so fired up he'll probably get a hat-trick in 5 minutes.

 

[Braggster]

I'll be surprised if he goes 4-4-2. I think he will be worried about 4 against 5 in midfield and I think he will play 4-5-1 and leave Tevez on the bench with Ade up top on his own. Madness perhaps (actually, I don't think so) but anyway that's what I think he will do.

I don't think he will even consider leaving Tevez on the bench - firstly because he is an outstanding player, secondly because he is the perfect player to give the job of harassing the rags' deep-lying midfield passer, which will be Scholes or Carrick.

 

[Chippy_boy]

I'll be surprised if he goes 4-4-2. I think he will be worried about 4 against 5 in midfield and I think he will play 4-5-1 and leave Tevez on the bench with Ade up top on his own. Madness perhaps (actually, I don't think so) but anyway that's what I think he will do.

I don't think he will even consider leaving Tevez on the bench - firstly because he is an outstanding player, secondly because he is the perfect player to give the job of harassing the rags' deep-lying midfield passer, which will be Scholes or Carrick.

I know, you'd think so. I just have a sneaking suspicion that's all. Also bearing in mind Tevez moaning about the training again and saying we shouldn't have got rid of Hughes.

 

[Blue Tooth]

Start the game with our winning team, with the exception of Bridge in for Garrido.
Builds confidence in a squad that is already brim full of it...I would be encouraging the team to play high up the pitch and pressure Utd's back four who are massively over-rated. If they crack early we could have a real chance tomorrow.

 

[MCC]

I might be tempted to play Zab at left back. He is better than Garrido and has more fitness than Bridge. Or give Bridgey 60-70mins at the start and then bring on Zab. I would play 4-4-2 with Tevez dropping deep on Carrick and getting under his skin. Don`t give them any time or space on the ball and go in hard. Come on City!!!!!!

 

[Chris_McFC100]

I doubt he will play 4-5-1 again. Especially with how ade has been playing. Play aame as last few games, 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1

 

[Ntini77]

I expect the only change to be Zab in for Garrido.

 

[blue_paul]

Now then,

How do we see City lining up and will we see us playing to out strengths with our devastating front four being given licence to run riot? I hope this is the case, we could of scored eight against Birmingham and who knows what score Burnley would of been if it hadn't started raining. Ade and Tevez are really starting to gel and Bellers and the boy wonder should run riot against a shaky reds defence.

Will Wayne Bridge be brought back in over Garrido or will he be left out for lack of match practice? If he's fit enough, I'd start Bridge, he's simply a better option than Garrido although I do agreed he's improved this season. I also hope Onuoha keeps his place which he deserves after last weeks performance.

Most importantly, will he go with De Jong in a 4-4-2 which means us surrendering the midfield? For me, De Jong can't do it against decent opposition in a two man central midfield and I'll be surprised if he starts if other options are available. I'd personally play Viera (if fit) alongside Barry with Tevez coming deep to help midfield against united's usual midfield three and Rooney up front.

Remember, they have to win so expect them to go on the attack from the off. The early midfield batle will be key and I expect Barry to shine for us. Once we don't start on the back foot and defend too deeply I can see us winning this one, especially with Rooney only half fit if he plays.

Our line up should be as follows:
Shay
Nedum Lescott Toure Bridge
Barry Viera
Johnson Bellamy
Tevez
Ade

so we are going to play an injured lescott? erm haha

Woops, should of said Komp, I stand by the rest of it however!