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

[FantasyIreland]

For the first time since the pisscan they have a competent coach that the players are playing for him.

I agree,he looks like he knows what he is doing.

Seems to have quickly figured his best players/system.

 

[citymad]

I agree,he looks like he knows what he is doing.

Seems to have quickly figured his best players/system.

Lucky for them, some coaches need a lot time to find their best team.

 

[SWP's back]

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.

Wasnt Cancelo. It was Gomez.

 

[SWP's back]

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.

Can’t argue with much of that and well explained.

You should post more often.

 

[alexmcity]

The least risky set up would be with Walker and Ake in the FB positions. But our build up play may suffer from it big time. Cancelo was highly important in the build up play for the last 18 months, for he was not only creative going forward but a key link between defence and attack, as his passing stats clearly show. Plus he could decide games, as he did precisely at United last season.

Walker and Ake offer less in that regard, the attacking players may get a bit isolated. Pep will have to tweak the formation in order to find balance between defence and attack. Rico is the natural option, for he can help Rodri, but United have strong attacking players on that side...

 

[Gray]

We need a bounce back performance after last nights shit show.

 

[PragueBlue]

Wasnt Cancelo. It was Gomez.

Both did one. Gomez was first half, Cancelo 2nd.

 

[gazinho]

He'll play Lewis right back moving into midfield when we have the ball, leaving the inside left channel completely open to their counter which is their only threat, if Stones isnt fit Akanji will play right centre half and get torn apart.

 

[sh249]

Hard to pick a team for this. So many out of sorts / off form. I’d probably go:

———————Ederson————-
Walker—Stones—Laporte—Cancelo
———-—-Rodri—-Bernardo————
Mahrez——De Bruyne——-Foden
———————-Haaland—————

Feels bizarre to pick Cancelo, given how unremittingly shit he’s been for months now. But we need to have Rodri and Bernardo together in midfield, and I can’t see us pairing that with Walker and Ake at fullbacks. Just have to hope that he isn’t too awful, and at least gives us some measure of balance.
Foden would be lucky to start as well - just a gut feeling/hope that the derby will spark him back into life.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Anyone who guesses Peps line up for Saturday is elite level and should be anointed forum legend status