Eric Hitchmough
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 22 Mar 2015
- Messages
- 2,610
Really hope Mcatee and Palmer get 45 minutes, although this would mean Pep breaking his half-time substitutions rule.
that would be fun and that's not allowedWasn’t expecting some of those playing was hoping Mcatee,Palmer and Delap would be starting..
Top post, mate!I think Mbete and Wilson-Esbrand will start due to injuries to Stones, Laporte and Zinchenko with Dias and Cancelo needing a rest ahead of the tough upcoming fixtures.
With the injuries to Rodri and Gundogan, playing Ferna would be a big risk so Romeo Lavia could start too but I think that'll be it.
Walker and Aké will start to guide Mbete and Wilson-Esbrand through the game.
De Bruyne and Foden need the minutes which means any involvement from Palmer and McAtee will probably be from the bench.
Mahrez and Sterling haven't been starting many games so I think they'll both start which means Edozie will be on the bench if he's in the squad.
Delap has only just come back from injury so he'll probably only be a sub with Torres or Jesus starting up front.
My starting XI prediction:
----------------------Steffen
Walker-----Mbete-----Aké-----Esbrand
------------------------Lavia
------------------KDB-----Foden
Mahrez-----------Torres----------Sterling
Hopefully Palmer, McAtee and Delap all get significant minutes in the second half.
I'm sure we'd all love to see all of them starting but Pep's priority is the first team which means first and foremost he has to consider the fitness of first teamers and has to try and maintain harmony within the squad. Also there's not much point in chucking them all in, this way we get to see how they cope in a first team environment which is surely the whole point.
Reminds me of an old girlfriend that lolPlenty of firepower up front, but a lot of inexperience at the back.