Swansea (H) Pre-Match Thread

[citytill1die84]

Gamble my arse. Going back over the recent past, West Ham didn't start, palace didn't start, West Ham in cup started, scored and played well, Spurs played well didn't score but was part of a brilliant performance, Everton away played shite as did every single player in the team, burnley at home came on at half time with Dave and completely transformed the game. This season he has been injured and suspended a lot, and still has an excellent scoring record. His previous seasons speak for themselves. As I said, gamble my arse

I agree.

 

[Marvin]

Morning of match-day. Love it. Added to it by going to see Brazil's No.9, and Sane. And maybe Aguero. At some time I want to see Aguero and Jesus together. When to try? Difficult call. Seems straightforward that Kompany gets another game too.

Bit wary of Swansea. Look at their squad. They have some very good players. eg llorente. Their league position guarantees we will play a very motivated side and one that will have some confidence. Could be a great game today. So 0-0 then!

It would be good to see City get a win, and see Utd go into meltdown by dropping points today at Leicester. I think win today, and the top 4 is pretty much nailed on to be Chelsea, Spurs, City and Arsenal.

 

[Akiva]

Gamble my arse.

You clearly have some difficulty understanding the point here, so let me dumb it down for you a little bit more:
1. City have front three currently playing really well, score many goals each game.
2. Sergio Aguero not play so well this season, has only 15% conversion rate in EPL and not looking as potent in front of goal.
3. City's rivals dropped points, City want to win points.
4. By not playing on-form front three, City make gamble that Aguero will do what they are doing only better.

Going back over the recent past,

And here we go, selective list wars, cherry picking recent fixtures where Aguero happens to bag a goal and whitewashing the others in which he's totally anonymous. I'll indulge you, but just this once.

West Ham didn't start, palace didn't start,

Had a knock for Palace, was perfectly fit for West Ham.

Came on as a sub in the West Ham game and in 15 minutes managed to commit more fouls than any other City player but Sterling, was dispossessed while in a goal scoring opportunity and had the lowest pass completion percentage of any player on the park except Randolph, Cresswell and Byram.

West Ham in cup started, scored and played well,

He did play quite well that game, you're right. Funny you listed it here though as it was before the Spurs and Everton games in which he also played poorly, almost as if you don't want to aid the narrative that his current form has been poor.

Spurs played well didn't score

Maybe we can find some room for him at left back then.

but was part of a brilliant performance,

That's nice, too bad his part of the performance was actually to score.

Everton away played shite as did every single player in the team,

He did play shite, that's his last three games in a row now. Trouble is, every other single player in the team has had redeeming performances since. Except Bravo, but then, we all know what's happened to him.

burnley at home came on at half time with Dave and completely transformed the game.

He made a difference that game, no doubt. I never argued he shouldn't be an option on the bench.

This season he has been injured and suspended a lot,

Wait a minute, you're stopping there? Conveniently parking the bus at the Burnley game when the game before was Liverpool, in which he was 90 minutes of limp dick, and Chelsea before that when he made a fool of himself and got sent off (again)?

You're right, injuried and suspended a lot. The former happens with Kun a lot and we're used to it. The latter is a troubling development that was never a big part of his game.

and still has an excellent scoring record.

But not an excellent on-form goal scoring record.

His previous seasons speak for themselves.

And what do they say? "Play me, for I am Sergio Aguero"?

I love Kun and am normally first to include him, Nolito too for that matter, but I don't see how you have any basis for suggesting that his poor run of form justifies his inclusion over any of our front three and, should that happen, how that doesn't actually present a risk (read: gamble) for Guardiola that he actually doesn't need to take.

 

[cibaman]

I don't disagree with this sentiment necessarily, but I don't think now is the right time for it at all. We are anything but comfortable in the table and a failure to gain points when those around us are losing them at this stage is bad. Not that Dinho/Aguero would necessarily have that effect, but it seems folly to make any changes when we've finally found a team that clicks.

Many thought we had found a team that had clicked after the 5-0 at West Ham in the cup. Apart from changing the GK we played the same outfield players in the same formation in the next game and lost 4-0 to Everton.

I think we probably have found the right formation this time, but we're not going to stick with the same 11 players for the rest of the season. We have another 18-26 games to play and will need players like Aguero, Fernandhino, Kompany (if he stays fit) if we are to have a successful season.

It does seem to me that there's an incredible amount of antagonism directed at Aguero on this forum at the moment, thinly disguised as "he's not playing well" or "dont change a winning side", which I find mystifying.

 

[FantasyIreland]

@Akiva

I agree entirely,great post.

 

[bluemc1]

First time for a while I'm really looking forward to going to the game
I was depressed driving to Spurs, certain we will miss out on top 4 to United
Now I'm thinking about us catching Chelsea
Arh to be a City fan :)

 

[Blue Smarties]

You clearly have some difficulty understanding the point here, so let me dumb it down for you a little bit more:
1. City have front three currently playing really well, score many goals each game.
2. Sergio Aguero not play so well this season, has only 15% conversion rate in EPL and not looking as potent in front of goal.
3. City's rivals dropped points, City want to win points.
4. By not playing on-form front three, City make gamble that Aguero will do what they are doing only better.



And here we go, selective list wars, cherry picking recent fixtures where Aguero happens to bag a goal and whitewashing the others in which he's totally anonymous. I'll indulge you, but just this once.



Had a knock for Palace, was perfectly fit for West Ham.

Came on as a sub in the West Ham game and in 15 minutes managed to commit more fouls than any other City player but Sterling, was dispossessed while in a goal scoring opportunity and had the lowest pass completion percentage of any player on the park except Randolph, Cresswell and Byram.



He did play quite well that game, you're right. Funny you listed it here though as it was before the Spurs and Everton games in which he also played poorly, almost as if you don't want to aid the narrative that his current form has been poor.



Maybe we can find some room for him at left back then.



That's nice, too bad his part of the performance was actually to score.



He did play shite, that's his last three games in a row now. Trouble is, every other single player in the team has had redeeming performances since. Except Bravo, but then, we all know what's happened to him.



He made a difference that game, no doubt. I never argued he shouldn't be an option on the bench.



Wait a minute, you're stopping there? Conveniently parking the bus at the Burnley game when the game before was Liverpool, in which he was 90 minutes of limp dick, and Chelsea before that when he made a fool of himself and got sent off (again)?

You're right, injuried and suspended a lot. The former happens with Kun a lot and we're used to it. The latter is a troubling development that was never a big part of his game.



But not an excellent on-form goal scoring record.



And what do they say? "Play me, for I am Sergio Aguero"?

I love Kun and am normally first to include him, Nolito too for that matter, but I don't see how you have any basis for suggesting that his poor run of form justifies his inclusion over any of our front three and, should that happen, how that doesn't actually present a risk (read: gamble) for Guardiola that he actually doesn't need to take.

Excellent post.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

1-0 City. Aguero.

My prediction :)

 

[vin]

It's only fair if it's the same team as Wednesday night. Wouldn't change anything, unless we have too.

 

[Bill]

pmsl. aren't new fans great.

let me "dumb it it down" for everybody.

ageuro is the best striker in Europe. he is PROVEN in the premier league, as good as our kids are they have a long way to go catch the likes of him.

what you don't do is wait 50 years to have the best around in the team them cast him aside for some new toy. he has earned his place in our DNA and for that we should all respect him.
even "shoot themselves in the foot " city shouldn't be handing this lad over to a rival. he will most certainly hurt us.