------------------Hart
Zab..Otamendi...Kompany....Clichy
---------------Fernando
-----Fernandinho------ Yaya
Silva------------------------------ Sterling
----------------Aguero
That seems to be the only team possible, but surely he's going to pick Clichy, it would be madness if he didn't.
I think you're being a bit pessimistic. On paper that's a brilliant side. I actually watched the first half of the Sevilla game again last night, I think I'm right in saying that's the only time we have set up with those 3 in midfield in that shape, and all 3 were excellent. Dinho and Yaya were absolutely outstanding in that game.
From memory the same 3 started at Villa Park a few days later, but the shape was different, I think Fernandinho and Fernando sat and Yaya played as a number 10, where he's never effective from the start. Whereas in Seville, Fernando sat and Fernandinho and Yaya pressed, and they were both brilliant. Fernandinho got all the credit in that game, but Yaya was superb as well. Having that security blanket of Fernando sat deep allowed him to play his usual box to box game without us leaving us vulnerable to the counter down the middle.
I also think it gets the most out of Sterling, he can make that diagonal run which he is so good at. It possibly doesn't get the best out of Silva, but he's played there enough for Spain and hasn't done too badly!
There's no way Spurs will have prepared for us playing that shape. Everyone thought Delph was going to be playing left midfield in a 4231. We would have had some square pegs in round holes if we played like that. Delph on the left, Fernando in a 2, Yaya as a 10, none of them are suited to those positions.
Whereas if we go for the shape in the post above, it puts Fernando in his best position, Yaya and Fernandinho in their best positions, Sterling in his best position. The only player not in his ideal role is Silva, but he's still very capable of playing in that shape.
Gutted Sagna and Delph are out, but with Silva being back, I think it forces the manager to change shape a little which will be of double benefit that it plays to our available player's strengths, and it also is a shape we don't usually play, so will hopefully mess up all of Tottenham's preparation through the week.
And that's without mentioning El Capitain being back fit! Lots of causes for optimism on Sunday, come on City!
