Watford (H) - Sat 23rd April, 15:00 (BST) | Pre-Match Thread

[supercity88]

The main thing the squad needs right now is Gundogan to find some form. He has been abysmal in the past few weeks compared to his ability.

On song he can run the game from deep and find space in the box to score and create chances but just seems off it at the moment.

If he can find some form it means we can rotate without too much of a drop in the centre of the park. It's clear Grealish isn't going to be used centrally this season so without burning Bernardo and De Bruyne out we could do with getting Silky back.

 

[dadnlad]

should have a sweepstake on the time take by their keeper before booking

 

[supercity88]

Great news that walker must be close. If he is then I'd save him for Madrid and play cancelo tomorrow with ZInch at LB.

Go strong tomorrow, if we get a few goals up we can just pass it around second half and have a rest then

Agree, go out and get some goals and intensity. I don't think it does this City side any favours dropping intensity or making too many changes. The break during the season seemed like a good thing but I don't think, until the Liverpool game, we had played well in any match since it...Sporting away was a bit of a gift.

Getting into the mindset of having to win every single game at all costs is no bad thing for us. Dias returning and De Bruyne playing how he is will help drive us forwards.

 

[SCEtoAUX]

Not impossible but highly improbable that we will win on GD.
Its points only from now on. 6 goals in the dippers favour.
We have to drop points somewhere for them to go level with us which means our GD will get even worse.

Not impossible but highly improbable that we will win on GD.
Its points only from now on. 6 goals in the dippers favour.
We have to drop points somewhere for them to go level with us which means our GD will get even worse.

For the season to be decided on goal difference the dippers have to drop points as well.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

The main thing the squad needs right now is Gundogan to find some form. He has been abysmal in the past few weeks compared to his ability.

On song he can run the game from deep and find space in the box to score and create chances but just seems off it at the moment.

If he can find some form it means we can rotate without too much of a drop in the centre of the park. It's clear Grealish isn't going to be used centrally this season so without burning Bernardo and De Bruyne out we could do with getting Silky back.

I pretty much agree with what was said on this week's podcast: Bernardo, Kev and Gundo is one midfielder too many. Gundo takes too much of a back seat when the other two are around. Probably one of Bernardo and Kev should be rested with a view to Tuesday. But on the bench, so that heavy artillery is available in later stages of match if needed.

 

[Indaparkside]

Hammer these then put the pressure on the shisters

 

[DruntBlunt]

Not impossible but highly improbable that we will win on GD.
Its points only from now on. 6 goals in the dippers favour.
We have to drop points somewhere for them to go level with us which means our GD will get even worse.

We both might drop points, stranger things have happened.

 

[supercity88]

I pretty much agree with what was said on this week's podcast: Bernardo, Kev and Gundo is one midfielder too many. Gundo takes too much of a back seat when the other two are around. Probably one of Bernardo and Kev should be rested with a view to Tuesday. But on the bench, so that heavy artillery is available in later stages of match if needed.

I agree with that too. It's more that they want the ball in similar areas and we end up with too many wanting the ball to feet. When you have Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez, Grealish, Foden I don't know why you would play one of De Bruyne, Gundo and Bernie in a wider or false 9 position to fit them all in.

We won 3-0 though so who am I to argue with Pep!

 

[Damanino]

Wonder if Sterling, Grealish comes in for this as I dont see them starting vs Real.

Pep did rotate well last season he almost had a front three for PL and one for CL around April.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Hodgson has done better than most against us at ours. He has beaten us and drawn at the Etihad which is more than most. They were quite good against Liverpool but failed to take the chances that came their way.

I’d love an early goal for us tomorrow, would settle the crowd at least.

As ever we play well and we should win, just need to take our chances. Also occasionally shoot (bar Cancelo he always shoots but rarely well). I still can’t the chance that fell Mahrez’s way first half didn’t even result in a shot.