Sunderland (A) - Thu 1st Jan, 20:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Savinho, oh joy

This could be the game he shines in, hopefully.

 

[denTTony]

Supposedly extra turnstyle checks, didnt seem much different, just more strict about no coins or vapes

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

As others mentioned, Khusanov would have been a better option given Sunderland's pace up front. Ake has looked really slow in his performances to my eye, and we know Dias isn't speedy.

3-1 City.

 

[ayia napa blues]

This could be the game he shines in, hopefully.

He has the power of a child in his shots he's just not that guy.

 

[.db.]

Has Gvardiol been carrying an injury? Surprised at his benching

Gvardiol has had tendinitis in his knee for pretty much a full year.

 

[oldius]

Other than the unexpected Ake switch, this would be my chosen 11 for tonight.
Good luck, blues.

 

[Wretched Vengeance]

Has Gvardiol been carrying an injury? Surprised at his benching

I read recently he had been dealing with patellar tendonitis, but don't know if that's the reason for tonight's omission.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Should have enough in that team to bet them, however, I think the Gillet is likely to be the 12th-man for them. Need to be at our best to negate any of his bullshit.

Let's see how many challenges he lets Xhaka get away with before he books a City player.

 

[skillman]

Not a huge fan of that side, admittedly.

Especially no Gvardiol, his brilliance on the ball really helps against low blocks.

And Ake over Khusanov? Is that a goodbye..?

 

[TinFoilHat]

Where’s Bobb?

 

[blueste41]

Ake a bit if a surprise. Lets see the better side of Savinho tonight

Arguably made a difference against Forest when he came on.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

He has the power of a child in his shots he's just not that guy.

I think its more the direction and not the power.
Needs to take a leaf out of the Foden, Mahrez , Gundogan book and just pass some of his chances into the back of the net.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Would have preferred khusanov to Ake against these knock it over the top and run merchants but pep knows best

Khusanov is a RB though. I think Ake has proved to be suited at LB so it makes sense him playing there.

I'm feeling confident. 3 nil win. Come on City!

 

[No1 was Colin bell]

This could be the game he shines in, hopefully.

Hope so and he shuts me up moaning about him!

 

[TinFoilHat]

What minute will Donna get booked?

 

[levets]

Gvardiol has had tendinitis in his knee for pretty much a full year.

Could be that then, give him a bit of a rest

 

[xmusampa]

Gvardiol has had tendinitis in his knee for pretty much a full year.

Bit unfair as my 8 year old grandson can hit a ball twice as hard as him!

 

[the plasterer]

Not so sure bout Savinho playing, think he's better when coming on against tired legs towards the end, these havnt been been beaten at home this season, so come on City, let's show em how to do it

 

[levets]

I read recently he had been dealing with patellar tendonitis, but don't know if that's the reason for tonight's omission.

Ah right, cheers.

 

[city warrior]

It absolutely amazes me that people don’t understand or appreciate the role Bernie is playing in this system at the moment. It’s not all about assists and goals

Tell me then, what's his role? Being available? Because Rodri is much better at that than him (all stats shiw this), positioning? Rodri much better than him. Not to mention that Rodri is a powerhouse both offensively and defensively unlike Bernardo.

Literally Bernardo's only attribute now is being a smart player who is in the right place, it just happens that Rodri is better at what Bernardo is best at, and Bernardo is literally a 0/10 in passing, creativity, tackling, counterattacks, aerial threat, blocking, dribbling...whilr Rodri is 8 or above in all of that.