City v Sporting CL | Pre Match Thread

[johnny crossan]

Note - PRE

Watch on youtube.com

[sheblue]

I get this rythim and all of that good stuff, but really hope Pep starts 1 or 2 of the younger players tonight.

[johnny crossan]

Reuben Dias, Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo (sick), Zack Steffen & Cole Palmer are all definitely out - so my guess is


Ederson:
Fernandinho, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko;
Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan;
Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus (L), Raheem Sterling (F);

Bench: Scott Carson, Cieron Slicker, Luke Mbete, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Jack Grealish, Samuel Edozie, Rory Delap.
City win 2-0​
Any of EDS lads Romeo Lavia, Kayky, James McAtee, Conrad Egan-Riley could feature if fit - you never know

[Outcast]

The big question is should Mase start the match thread in a dead rubber match and risk his winning streak?

[johnny crossan]

Pep confirmed De Bruyne is not going to leave the bench unless there is an emergency - he is on a yellow card (like Cancelo) and would miss the next game if he got another. We don't play again for 5 days so that's why I expect all the available seniors to start.

[john@staustell]

I get this rythim and all of that good stuff, but really hope Pep starts 1 or 2 of the younger players tonight.

Obviously losing a 5-0 lead would be unusual. But every time someone suggests this (which is any non-PL match) I recall us struggling in the first half against lower league sides who are playing their cup final. Peterborough, Swindon, Fulham a bit. Luckily Pep wants to keep full focus and professionalism. The first-team guys who didn't start against the filth need to start first off, in order to keep them right up to speed when needed - otherwise all our neat passing game is at risk.

Once we get 3-0 up on the night bring a couple extra on. If they are good enough they will play, like Mr Foden. I never agree with the philosophy of 'playing the kids' just for the sake of it, for the altruistic benefit maybe of someone who may be at Norwich in 2 years time.

Full focus always, luckily Pep usually agrees

[london blue 2]

The big question is should Mase start the match thread in a dead rubber match and risk his winning streak?

I was wondering the same. This is the big question, and I think no. Why risk it?

[Mase]

Feel free to change this to the Official Thread JC. I’ve got my hands full here!

[nottsblue]

Feel free to change this to the Official Thread JC. I’ve got my hands full here!

Nipper arrived mate?

[stupot]

I get this rythim and all of that good stuff, but really hope Pep starts 1 or 2 of the younger players tonight.

Obviously losing a 5-0 lead would be unusual. But every time someone suggests this (which is any non-PL match) I recall us struggling in the first half against lower league sides who are playing their cup final. Peterborough, Swindon, Fulham a bit. Luckily Pep wants to keep full focus and professionalism. The first-team guys who didn't start against the filth need to start first off, in order to keep them right up to speed when needed - otherwise all our neat passing game is at risk.

Once we get 3-0 up on the night bring a couple extra on. If they are good enough they will play, like Mr Foden. I never agree with the philosophy of 'playing the kids' just for the sake of it, for the altruistic benefit maybe of someone who may be at Norwich in 2 years time.

Full focus always, luckily Pep usually agrees

Whilst i agree with you about the kids the trouble is when we play a very strong team in a dead rubber as per the last game of the group stage we got beat anyway and Walker did the brain fart. i don't see the point in playing Fern at full back as JC said, surely the full back from the Wycombe game could play with Zinch, Stones and Laporte allowing Fern in midfield resting Rodri. McAtee and Delap to both get a reasonable amount of minutes hopefully.

[johnny crossan]

Feel free to change this to the Official Thread JC. I’ve got my hands full here!

taken the pledge Mase - hands off match threads until we've won each leg of the treble - many congratulations if NB's right btw

[CTID Hants]

Feel free to change this to the Official Thread JC. I’ve got my hands full here!

taken the pledge Mase - hands off match threads until we've won each leg of the treble - many congratulations if NB's right btw

I will start it if no objections, leave league games to Mase

[Harry Dowd scored]

Feel free to change this to the Official Thread JC. I’ve got my hands full here!

taken the pledge Mase - hands off match threads until we've won each leg of the treble - many congratulations if NB's right btw

I will start it if no objections, leave league games to Mase

Sounds good, go for it.

[Sideshow Bob]

what happened to palmer? how long out?

[nottsblue]

In what is an effective dead rubber, we aren't going to lose 6-0 are we, this is the perfect opportunity to give one or two young kids a start with another coming off the bench. Not suggesting wholesale changes as that doesnt work.
But Delap instead of Jesus wouldn't harm us that much. And the full back instead of Walker/Cancelo is another spot that could be utilised

One off cup games can be lost so I get putting a decent side out to ensure we go through. But this tie is over

[johnny crossan]

what happened to palmer? how long out?

rumour is shin splints - hence uncertain return, growing pains.

[sheblue]

In what is an effective dead rubber, we aren't going to lose 6-0 are we, this is the perfect opportunity to give one or two young kids a start with another coming off the bench. Not suggesting wholesale changes as that doesnt work.
But Delap instead of Jesus wouldn't harm us that much. And the full back instead of Walker/Cancelo is another spot that could be utilised

One off cup games can be lost so I get putting a decent side out to ensure we go through. But this tie is over

Correct.

[PeterParker]

I really hope we see Delap and the kid, the left-back, the one with the great cameo.

[Tokyo Blue]

Rory Delap is Liam Delap's dad.

[stupot]

I really hope we see Delap and the kid, the left-back, the one with the great cameo.

The left back is Wilson Esbrand who looks good but i think Mbete has more of a chance to play. He's already registered for the CL squad with McAtee and Delap.
He could play centre back with Stones right back.