Stoke vs. City Pre Match Thread

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Maybe its Mangala who you should blame. Getting booked five times from ?? appearances.

He does commit some stupid fouls that can only ever be bookings and is often lucky not to get straight reds

 

[MadchesterCity]

MDM is well off the pace and Stoke away is no place to find form as a CB! However Mangala was going to get a booking at some point, resting him would have just been delaying the inevitable. At least he is one player we know will be fit and rested for M’Gladbach.

Stoke (Swansea) are more important game than Monchengladbach
Even if we win we have no guarantee we will win group as relying on results elsewhere.

 

[Ric]

Hope Hart will be available for this. Caballero has done OK in the last two games, but with Kompany and Magala out we could be susceptible to crosses. Hart is much more commanding in the air than Caballero. Suspect Aguero won't be risked, and Navas and Fernando are doubtful with knocks.

I'd go for the following (if available):

Hart
Sagna
Demichelis
Otamendi
Kolarov
Delph
Fernandinho
Toure
De Bruyne
Silva
Bony

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Hope Hart will be available for this. Caballero has done OK in the last two games, but with Kompany and Magala out we could be susceptible to crosses. Hart is much more commanding in the air than Caballero. Suspect Aguero won't be risked, and Navas and Fernando are doubtful with knocks.

I'd go for the following (if available):

Hart
Sagna
Demichelis
Otamendi
Kolarov
Delph
Fernandinho
Toure
De Bruyne
Silva
Bony

The elephant in the room is that while that is a very good team it is quite narrow and would be much better balanced by dropping Yaya and playing Sterling or Navas.

 

[Ric]

The elephant in the room is that while that is a very good team it is quite narrow and would be much better balanced by dropping Yaya and playing Sterling or Navas.

True. Can't see Toure not being picked though after being rested against Hull. Maybe he won't risk Silva against the likes of Charlie Adam, and opt for Sterling or Navas?

 

[Father Paul]

Hope Hart will be available for this. Caballero has done OK in the last two games, but with Kompany and Magala out we could be susceptible to crosses. Hart is much more commanding in the air than Caballero. Suspect Aguero won't be risked, and Navas and Fernando are doubtful with knocks.

I'd go for the following (if available):

Hart
Sagna
Demichelis
Otamendi
Kolarov
Delph
Fernandinho
Toure
De Bruyne
Silva
Bony

I worry about that defence. Accept that little can be done to improve matters but I might be inclined to include Clichy. Also too narrow up front and I fear Bony
may end up resembling a statue.

 

[Ric]

I worry about that defence. Accept that little can be done to improve matters but I might be inclined to include Clichy. Also too narrow up front and I fear Bony
may end up resembling a statue.

Personally I'd play Iheanacho, but there's little or no chance that Pellegrini will.

 

[Jackson]

I think Pellegrini will select Yaya for Silva to rest Spanish Dave. I am not sure what to think about this, if he does. On the one side I like our set up without Yaya, on the other I would like that we protect Silva from the Stoke Bastards like Charlie Adam.
Further I am also thinking Pellegrini might give Fernando a run out, not sure whether it will be for Fernandinho or Delph.
I'd probably also go with Bony for this one, as I'd rather keep Aguero fit for Mönchengladbach.

I'd go:
Caballero, Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Delph, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling, Bony
Subs: Wright, Clichy, Toure, Fernando, Navas, Iheanacho, Aguero

But I wouldn't be surprised to see Toure instead of Delph

Bcos Yaya Toure is better than Delph. We had many British players before:- Rodwell, Milner, Lescort, Sinclair, Micah Richards. Delph doesn't have the winning mentality

 

[lasereyes]

Not being funny, but when was the last time you saw Yaya leap and head the ball?

I remember him scoring a headed goal off a corner against the Scousers in our first title season. Those were the days when he still had an afterburner.

 

[mosssideblue]

Bcos Yaya Toure is better than Delph. We had many British players before:- Rodwell, Milner, Lescort, Sinclair, Micah Richards. Delph doesn't have the winning mentality

You cannot say who is better as Delph is significantly better that Yaya at other aspects. Horses for courses.