United (A) - Sat 14th Jan, 12:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[eyalluvitt]

Jack has been better than Phil and with the rest of the first team around him can hopefully be better

And he always performs very well against the great satan

 

[deegee33]

Well tonights game has made me optimistic , we have just got our worst performance of the season out of the way and have given the Rags false promise , it will be a cruise on Saturday , Spuds will beat the Goons and all will be well.
Now where is that 2nd bottle of Hennessy :)

Agree with you wholeheartedly, sorry though, I didn't realize that was your last jug of Hennessy when I nicked it.

 

[KingGeorge]

We're going to get tanked.

 

[wythenshaweblue£££]

Be alright we will have these Saturday

 

[deegee33]

Hopefully it’s De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo in midfield but I fear Gundogan will start.

Our defence worries me. Ake isn’t a left back and Cancelo is infuriating to say the least.

I’d love to see Rico start but I imagine Walker will get the nod to counter their pace on the break.

Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a draw.

After seeing Pep's expression on the bench tonight after Cancelo's foul throw-in, would be surprised to see him until some time in February.

 

[deegee33]

And which of our men’s 1st team squad, according to you, deserves to be abused by the name “one trick pretty boy” eh?
If you want to call someone out then be brave and speak plainly.

What do you mean by “pretty boy”? Is that to say that a player is effeminate and that females are less than men? What’s your angle? Do you hate women and want to compare men you hate with women? Come on cough it out, let us know what your problems are. Tell us all what’s behind you words.
cheers pal.

C'mon man, don't hijack this thread too. We just went through you and Longsight ME pissing on each other's boots for 20 pages in another thread. You know that he's speaking of Grealish, I know that he's speaking about Grealish. Let it be, it's a difference of opinions, not something to knot your knickers over. Just move on, we all wear heavenly sky blue here. Let's act it.

 

[wolviedinho]

Haha no matter how bad we may be at the min, I refuse to fear these bunch of wankers. Until they start winning leagues again and only then will I take any notice. It’s a game we can win if we can find a way to get out of this boring slow pass to death rut. It’s a good as game as any.

Fuck the rags. Win or lose we are city. On sat after the match they are still cunts and always will be.

 

[deegee33]

Let's move on from tonight. Get to Old Trafford early Saturday . A couple of snifters in the Quadrant at 10.30am. Then a 3-0 win and a drinking spree all afternoon in Chorlton. Last time dancing on the tables in the Trevor Arms. Happy days.

I like your style,y friend.

 

[CityDean]

I think we will be alright here. I don't rate the Rags at all. They are on a good run but have been beating dross since the league resumed.

We have already put 6 past them this season and I think if we can get the first goal, there heads will drop. Worth noting that under Ten Hag when they've conceded first they've lost 5/7 winning only once.

Just need to make sure we put the right full backs out. Walker and Ake have to play this one. Dont want to be seeing Gomez or Cancelo anywhere near the 11.

I can see a 2 or 3-1 win. 2pts behind Arsenal before a tough game for them at Spurs. Put the pressure on them! Come on the boys.

 

[Ali B's Heel]

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Akanji
Ake

KDB
Rodri
Bernardo

Mahrez
Haaland
Foden

Only 1 of those played more than 45 mins tonight so no fatigue or mental hangover from that horror show. No excuses

Stones and Laporte in the centre for me. Laporte is our best passer from the back, can play it fast and low with either foot, ping a high diagonal to Mahrez or loft one over the defence into space like at Chelsea for Foden I think it was. On form, Walker & Ake as full backs as you have.

Bang on with middle 3. Gundo lacking a little zip of late and Berny is now fully charged so will run his socks off.

Mahrez is the only contender for top right. Haaland in centre obviously. Foden for me is in our best 11 but not on form. Yet he may get in on merit but I personally would go for Alvarez. If that doesn't work, then replace with Phil.

Grealish gets kicked about. The full back tonight had 2 hard tackles on him with no card shown, Ward-Prowse had 2 meaty/late-ish tackles also in quick succession with no card shown either. Reffing like this, inept in my view, favours the opposition and Grealish lost his cool in the end tonight for which Pep subbed him immediately. So, I feel he won't start Saturday either.

The only player on form I can't see starting is Rico-Lewis. How Walker played against Chelsea in his proper place, he was excellent. Walker will be better suited keeping Rashford quiet & will be able to keep pace with him.

The media-driven, "nobody has a squad depth like City" is BS. This plays to a narrative that our squad depth is downright "unfair" as Neville likes to say a lot. Tonight goes to show we don't have a 2nd 11 as strong as the 1st.

Only places up for debate on Saturday are LB and LF. Ake has been reliable enough to deserve it, no question a better defender to Cancelo & if he was on form, I'd normally pick João. Ake will happily bring the ball forward & try add to the attack but not having the technique of João, he doesn't get the same cohesion with whoever is playing wide ahead of him.

It'll be normal service on Saturday when we field our best 11 on form. Pep has to keep a squad happy too which is what he tried tonight. Should we win on Saturday, I'll be very pleased with 3 wins from 4. Schedule for Jan/Feb was busy enough without 2 more Carabao matches.