Sporting CP (A) - Tue 5th Nov, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

[Kippax Street 1880]

I'd take a point but closer we get the more I think I'll be pleasantly surprised. The slower tempo in Europe suits us. We always seem to play better.

 

[Buckshaw Blue]

Anyone know if Sporting have sold out for tonight?

 

[eversince 76]

I watched Sporting away at PSV on Dutch channel (listening to City on the radio as I cudn’t get a tv coverage) and the result flattered them. Didn’t look special.

Tonight’s game only has become slightly different due to United getting the Sporting coach aboard soon. Only this man as City might have been interested. And we all know that lot across town are overly eager to copy us.

Other than that it won’t be easy but I don’t expect us to deliver another performance like at Bournemouth last Sat. Even with the numerous injured players.
A draw would do. A win, lucky whatever, would be brilliant.

 

[mancboy]

I've explained why mate. I think the main difference is at board level where they will appreciate what he needs and back him. It could be he makes the same mistakes as Ten Hag, recruits poorly, doesn't deliver results and abandons his plan. But my concern is that they will identify what he needs and deliver it and he'll improve things. I hope I'm wrong. It's a completely different challenge and the pressure at the club has led to managers both experienced and raw completely struggling.

ten haag bought everything he wanted tbf, he was backed very well

 

[lionheart]

Mad that some people actually think we might lose this

Grow up, Chris. You seem like a spoiled child. Thee is every chance we might lose this, especially without our main central defensive pairing as well as many other star players. A point would be excellent but a defeat seems more likely against a team winning for fun at present.

 

[supercity88]

ten haag bought everything he wanted tbf, he was backed very well

Yeah short sighted signings with no long term strategy in mind. Contrast to the dippers who decided against Amorim because he didn't fit tactically with the players they had - a sensible decision. The rags have people involved at boardroom level who should, based on what they'd done to date, be better at making long term decisions and not just buying the players from Sporting that used to play for him.

 

[AliBobbyJ]

Grow up, Chris. You seem like a spoiled child. Thee is every chance we might lose this, especially without our main central defensive pairing as well as many other star players. A point would be excellent but a defeat seems more likely against a team winning for fun at present.

roarrr - squeak.

 

[IcriedwhenTueartleft]

Sporting sound good on paper, 10 wins in a row in the league but their European CL results may indicate they're not quite as good. Portuguese league may be falling in terms of standard, Porto looked rather ropey in their 3-3 draw with the Rags a few weeks ago, I think Benfica got beaten at home last timer around.
If we play well we will win. Problem is, we're not playing well. Let's try and not concede a goal in the first 10 minutes, score first, silence the crowd and take it from there.

 

[Roachy]

I'd take a point but closer we get the more I think I'll be pleasantly surprised. The slower tempo in Europe suits us. We always seem to play better.

A point not too bad. Mentioned it before, but I think the 3 would come in really handy taking into account the trips to PSG and Juve.

 

[mancboy]

Yeah short sighted signings with no long term strategy in mind. Contrast to the dippers who decided against Amorim because he didn't fit tactically with the players they had - a sensible decision. The rags have people involved at boardroom level who should, based on what they'd done to date, be better at making long term decisions and not just buying the players from Sporting that used to play for him.

tbf they have hired him and the current united set up does not have the players to play 3-4-3 so it suggests they are either gonna have to spend big on new players or he is going to have adapt tactically.