City v Sporting CL | Pre Match Thread

[johnny crossan]

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.

Mbete like most of the EDS qualifies though the B list, I think Kayky was recently added to the A list along with Romeo Lavia as not locally trained.

[blues2win]

Zinchenko will surely start so a youngsters more likely to start at RB unless Stones plays there which I doubt.

[johnny crossan]

Zinchenko will surely start so a youngsters more likely to start at RB unless Stones plays there which I doubt.

There are no other RBs - it'll be Stones & Mbete or more likely Fern and Stones

[brite blu sky]

I imagine there will be a good turnout tonight, despite the dead rubberyness.
Couple of days since... well you know the rest

[Sideshow Bob]

what happened to palmer? how long out?

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

cheers.

[Dimples]

Given that the tie is dead I would like to see the team tonight get minutes into 'first teamers' to keep them sharp and match fit i.e. Jesus, Sterling, Gundo, Zinch and get a couple of youngsters involved. It is the perfect opp to gradually introduce them and give them big game experience.

[Nick]

We all know the drill here

Takes our best players out but still first team and no kids and we play shite (peterborough etc)

First team bonuses?

[Nick]

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.

This

[Nick]

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.

He was quality and not been seen since despite having no left backs