Spurs (H) - Thu 19th Jan, 20:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[super_city_si]

ssn writting tottenham off thats what worries me

Bookies too.

 

[yeah whatever !!]

That would be the tonic

Or a tenic.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

I’d like to see us focus less on possession and more on optimising Haaland’s strengths.

 

[Bluewars]

Could be a blessing in disguise.

I dont believe in coincidences.

 

[hilts]

Thats why those who call for Walker to be included to handle son are off the mark. Walker often gets caught upfield when the oppo break. On Saturday Rashford got a one on one with fucking Rodri chasing him down the right flank. Garnacho had a couple breaks too.
We dont pay a flat back 4 so its usually up to the CB to cover any breaks.

Then pep needs to tell him not to go up the pitch. As Walker is by far the best fullback defensively especially speed wise it falls on him and the other 2 CB's along with Rodri to stop us getting done on the break.

If we must play cancelo at left back the last thing we need is both full backs getting caught at the same time.

You could play Ake left back if we needed walker to make runs to provide space for mahrez or foden.

Ideally we could do with a left footed Walker and a couple of wide players. It would open up some huge variety in how we can play.

It would mean Jack or Phil coming into an 8 position.

We will probably just sign another midfielder for left back and someone who hugs the line and keeps control of the ball.

 

[2infinity&beyond]

I’d like to see us focus less on possession and more on optimising Haaland’s strengths.

Yes. I do wonder whether we have compromised out fantastic tipy tapy football since Haaland came. Not knocking him at all but if hes playing Pep has to work out how to get the best out of him. Its creativity in the middle of the park that will do it.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Thats why those who call for Walker to be included to handle son are off the mark. Walker often gets caught upfield when the oppo break. On Saturday Rashford got a one on one with fucking Rodri chasing him down the right flank. Garnacho had a couple breaks too.
We dont pay a flat back 4 so its usually up to the CB to cover any breaks.

I'd rather we kept Son quiet by keeping the ball well and with a good tempo

For me, that means Rico coming in to replace Walker and adding that extra man into midfield

 

[2infinity&beyond]

I think if we lose this one its looking a bit grim. I think the players will lose hope of the PL and put everything into the CL.

 

[Withnail]

I’d like to see us focus less on possession and more on optimising Haaland’s strengths.

After Pep's comments on Saturday he at least acknowledges we need to get Haaland more involved which should result in us relinquishing some possession

 

[Jack74]

I’d like to see us focus less on possession and more on optimising Haaland’s strengths.

This only this

 

[Father Paul]

A few pages ago it was reported he wasn't training today....out or not, it could be anything or nothing.

I would say Pep told him to take the day off. I would expect him to be on the bench Thursday.

 

[Blu1]

Will it be a total disaster if we lose this game ? I’m just not confident we can get out of this rusty spell. Freezing night v spurs doesn’t feel good :-(

 

[Father Paul]

Was just going to highlight this point.

Walker barely offers anything going forward and for the amount of times he gets caught up field I just don't get it.

If he plays on thursday he should be told to monitor the ball in behind to Son and prioritise that all game, not bombing forward/getting caught in midfield when his man is baring down on goal as was the case on multiple occasions on saturday.

Pep partly to blame too as he will be instructing him to attack n drive forward, but there has to be a point where logic is used and we get back to basics.

Not sure if I even watched the whole match but I thought he contained the French forward attack quite well in the WC. I wonder if the waistcoats instructions more defensive.
However, my view is that you do need your fullbacks to get up the field and threathen but they need to be precise about when and decisive when they do.

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

What gone wrong with Erling he was scoring for fun before the world cup, scoring every week hatricks, 2 goals a game, the lot.
Whats happened since

 

[Tangled up in blue.]

Will it be a total disaster if we lose this game ? I’m just not confident we can get out of this rusty spell. Freezing night v spurs doesn’t feel good :-(

I dont know how the bookies and the media, ssn etc.have us down as favourites. I thought spurs play well second half against arsenal

 

[mcfcpride]

What gone wrong with Erling he was scoring for fun before the world cup, scoring every week hatricks, 2 goals a game, He's barely had a chance to take shots recently so of course he’s not going to score as often.

 

[blue_hawk]

Stones and Dias back in training is massive. I guess its a game too early for Dias. But potentially having Stones-Laporte as a partnership is crucial for our build up vs Spurs and bypassing their press. They left a lot of space vs Arsenal so it might be easier for our front three than vs United. Peps comments about the service to Haaland was also encouraging. I feel now that if we get the win against Spurs it could be a massive boost to the players and get us out of this malaise. C’mon City

 

[chris85mcfc]

What gone wrong with Erling he was scoring for fun before the world cup, scoring every week hatricks, 2 goals a game, the lot.
Whats happened since

He's just not very good

 

[wattle]

Was going to get a ticket today to help cheer the lads on. 68 quid cheapest ticket!!!!! Fuck off city

 

[Ric]

Doubt it’ll happen, but would like to see us mix things up a bit in terms of team selection. Be nice to see Grealish, Foden, Alvarez and Haaland all start to make us a bit more threatening going forward.