Nottingham Forest (H) - Wed 4th Dec, 19:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Gordyola]

Christ, I suggested that idea of shoot on site, throw the ball in the box percentage football once, and was branded a heathen and philistine. Even though like you have suggested, it's so bloody obvious as the solution to breaking down low block defences. It creates chaos and makes them actually commit, panic and defend, rather than trotting side to side as we waste the vast majority of the game passing for the sake of it.

In a bad run of form Big Mal told them to play two touch in a game to speed it up and they went out and won easily
It bugs me how slow we are at times, taking too many touches and the worse is a player will run ten yards and make a short pass when he could have stood still and passed it longer this slows it down and closes the space we have also lost the knack of switching play across the pitch like we use to

 

[chickaroon]

Yes not to go too mad with the youngsters but just 1 in the problem position would boost everyone including the players imo .

This is the team I would love to see. Give Wright the opportunity to show his capabilities. It just can't be worse than everything else that's been tried

 

[Gordyola]

If fit enough for 60-70 mins:

……………………….Ederson

…………………Dias………..Ake
…….…Akanji……Wright……Gvardiol

………….KDB……………….Foden
Doku…………..Haaland….…..Grealish

Is play Nunes instead of Gvardiol He’s faster at recovering made a great tackle on Sunday to block a shot

 

[Gone for a Burton]

no excuses any more. there aren't even that many injuries for this time of year.

Walker
Akanji
Lewis
Gvardiol
Silva
Kev
Haaland
Foden

Buck the fuck up and pull yourselves together if selected.

Gundogan on the bench. Hes fucking wank lets stop flogging the dead horse.

Show some respect or dont post.

Shit like this doesnt help anyone and if you wouldnt say it to his face dont say ir on here.

We need support not treachery.

 

[super_city_si]

Looking forward to this one. Reminds me of West Brom in 2012 and Villa last season (both Wednesday nights, both 4-0 wins for the record). Can't see the same scoreline tomorrow but think the lads will show us a response. Looking forward to seeing Grealish in the middle as much as anything.

Still think that possibility is a 4/10. Would love to see it too

 

[chickaroon]

Perhaps. But there's been other academy players who the same has been said of - Palmer - who many feel we should have been a bit more patient with now...

We were patient, he wasn't.

 

[PragueBlue]

Ortega

Akanji Dias Ake Gvardiol

Bernardo

Foden Grealish

Savinho Haaland Doku

I haven't seen any news about Stones but if he is fit, I'd play him next to Dias and have Ake at LB.

The 3 in CM can at least all run and have some energy about them. Also decent ball retention. Savinho and Doku for a bit of pace from out wide.

 

[spiny]

So many mard arse old main stand moaners from Maine Road still around.

Pep and the players have achieved things never done before over multiple seasons. Players have played twice a week plus internationals for years and endured a longer season with less rest - no wonder we have injuries and fatigue.

Look how the Arse collapsed with some of the same demands as City? The likes of Forest and Brighton have taken advantage with their fresh energy. It will catch up on them too.

Pep will sort it and with a bit of luck a City win.

 

[Father Paul]

Christ, I suggested that idea of shoot on site, throw the ball in the box percentage football once, and was branded a heathen and philistine. Even though like you have suggested, it's so bloody obvious as the solution to breaking down low block defences. It creates chaos and makes them actually commit, panic and defend, rather than trotting side to side as we waste the vast majority of the game passing for the sake of

You need players like Merlin, Kev, dare I say it Cancelo and Mahrez or Rodri arriving late to play this kind of game successfully. We used to be able to tire out the opposition both physically and mentally when we had the ball. All we do now us tire ourselves out, then lose the ball and expose our goal.

Players like Doku and Savinho can beat a man but they rarely provide that killer pass that creates an opportunity likewise grealish. Phil has fallen off a cliff in terms of form and only for injuries would be sat on the bench most of the time which diminishes our potency further. The only player who might have made a difference broke his fucking leg before a ball was kicked in anger.

However, your solution of more high balls into the box is not likely to work for us. Haaland is not particularly good in the air, nor any way exceptional at finding room in congested box in the same way as Kun was, so we are unlikely to derive much joy from this.
One possible short term solution might be to defend with a back 4 or 5 deep and try to find Phil or Erling with long diagonals.
One thing is certain we need to start earning the right to be allowed play our football. You do this by being hard to get goals against.

Almost every attack the other side launches these days seems to end in a good goal scoring chance. This could get very messy before we find our way out of the maze we find ourselves in.

 

[kippax123]

Ortega

Akanji Dias Ake Gvardiol

Bernardo

Foden Grealish

Savinho Haaland Doku

I haven't seen any news about Stones but if he is fit, I'd play him next to Dias and have Ake at LB.

The 3 in CM can at least all run and have some energy about them. Also decent ball retention. Savinho and Doku for a bit of

pace from out wide

Ortega

Akanji Dias Ake Gvardiol

Bernardo

Foden Grealish

Savinho Haaland Doku

I haven't seen any news about Stones but if he is fit, I'd play him next to Dias and have Ake at LB.

The 3 in CM can at least all run and have some energy about them. Also decent ball retention. Savinho and Doku for a bit of pace from out wide.

Pep said Stones is definitely not playing tomorrow but could be back in the next few weeks.