Howe's half-arsed civil war slackers v Pep's champions in waiting

[Holden McGroin 9815]

I don’t think there is much chance of dropping Big Joe for this one. He’ll want an all action display from him.

[wykikitoon 28432]

Up for this one. The wife is visiting SJP for the first time. Albeit she's off in the players lounge* 🙄

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*she's not really 

[Andrew 7423]

2 hours ago, Dr Gloom said:

Is a formation tweak required? I would like us to try a 4-2-3-1. A lot of the top clubs play that way. Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection and hopefully remove that gaping hole between our defence and midfield that Foden is likely to exploit again. And a “number ten” would hopefully leave Isak less isolated.

 

Something like this maybe:

 

——————-Pope

 

Trips——Schar—Kelly—-Hall

 

————Tonali—-Bruno

 

—Gordon—Willock—Barnes

 

——————-Isak 

Not for this game, if anything I want us to be all scrap and absolutely shit-house our way to a 0-0.

 

Get the pundits whining like they did last time we did it

[wykikitoon 28432]

That would be class especially with how much jizzing they've done for the last week over the shit housing of haaland. 

[Howmanheyman 43772]

9 hours ago, Andrew said:

Not for this game, if anything I want us to be all scrap and absolutely shit-house our way to a 0-0.

 

Get the pundits whining like they did last time we did it

 

No they can't whinge about shithousing, not after praising arsenal last week for doing it.

[Dr Gloom 26288]

12 hours ago, Holden McGroin said:

I don’t think there is much chance of dropping Big Joe for this one. He’ll want an all action display from him.

usually I’d agree but he’s been a shadow of himself this season, game one aside

[Toonpack 15487]

12 hours ago, Dr Gloom said:

Is a formation tweak required? I would like us to try a 4-2-3-1. A lot of the top clubs play that way. Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection and hopefully remove that gaping hole between our defence and midfield that Foden is likely to exploit again. And a “number ten” would hopefully leave Isak less isolated.

 

Something like this maybe:

 

——————-Pope

 

Trips——Schar—Kelly—-Hall

 

————Tonali—-Bruno

 

—Gordon—Willock—Barnes

 

——————-Isak 

What has Kelly shown to be preferred over BDB against Haaland ??
 

That said, Eddie needs to decide on his best back four and stick with it until it gels. Switching FB’s every 5 minutes isn’t going to work, for the part of the team that needs to operate as a cohesive unit.

[Renton 27718]

13 hours ago, Dr Gloom said:

Two “number sixes” would give the defence more protection

 

You're on to something but we can do better. Let's use five number sixes, the Yahtzee formation. 

[Dr Gloom 26288]

26 minutes ago, Toonpack said:

What has Kelly shown to be preferred over BDB against Haaland ??
 

That said, Eddie needs to decide on his best back four and stick with it until it gels. Switching FB’s every 5 minutes isn’t going to work, for the part of the team that needs to operate as a cohesive unit.

 

he's got pace, that's the only reason i put him in. that and the fact it's his preferred position and bournmouth fans seem to think hes a natural centre back who can do a job at left back, rather than a natural in that position. a bit like dan burn in that sense, except he can run. 

 

the formation i posted is my own preference, not what i expect eddie to do. he isn't dropping burn

Edited September 27, 2024 by Dr Gloom

[Dr Gloom 26288]

the problem with the 4-2-3-1 is we don't have a natural "number 10" in the james maddison/phil foden mode. can willock or gordon play there? isak probably could if wilson was fit to play in front of him. 

 

eddie has bought players to fit his preferred 4-3-3 system. we have "number 8s" with good energy and athleticism who can get up and back and were suited the high intensity pressing game we used to employ.

 

the problem with the 4-3-3 system is i don't think we have a natural DM to sit as a single pivot in front of the back four. bruno can do it, but he has lacked the positional discipline, leading to that big hole between midfield and defence. last season we blamed it on dubravka not sweeping when pope was out but it's still there. maybe tonali can do it, i dunno. 

[Dr Gloom 26288]

9 minutes ago, Renton said:

 

You're on to something but we can do better. Let's use five number sixes, the Yahtzee formation. 

 

you've got to know your number 6 from your double pivot and your low block these days - keep up

[Gemmill 62838]

Isak's toe is broken and he hasn't trained all week. Big doubt for tomorrow. 

 

Matt Targett is channelling Callum Wilson by having an eczema flare-up which means he won't make the squad.

 

[Meenzer 17965]

Farcelinotastic

[Holden McGroin 9815]

1 hour ago, Dr Gloom said:

usually I’d agree but he’s been a shadow of himself this season, game one aside

that’s what a new contract does.

[Christmas Tree 6682]

One of the most interesting pressers Howe has given. Worth a watch when it comes out.

[Gemmill 62838]

Sitrep on your underpants? 

[PaddockLad 22422]

Matty Targett can’t play because he’s got eczema so isn’t available for selection 

 

Longstaff forgot his training gear so had to do Wednesday’s session in his pants 

 

Gordon has detention today for being rude to a member of canteen staff. His pumpkin  latte was cold 

 

 

etc etc

[Dr Gloom 26288]

29 minutes ago, Christmas Tree said:

One of the most interesting pressers Howe has given. Worth a watch when it comes out.

 

top line? 

[Toonpack 15487]

6 minutes ago, Dr Gloom said:

 

top line? 

Isak’s fucked (broken toe)

[thebrokendoll 14145]

19 minutes ago, Toonpack said:

Isak’s fucked (broken toe)

 

if gemmill can quietly soldier on and go about his everyday business when his foot was all but amputated, then isak should be able to manage a game of football.

[Gemmill 62838]

5 minutes ago, thebrokendoll said:

 

if gemmill can quietly soldier on and go about his everyday business when his foot was all but amputated, then isak should be able to manage a game of football.

 

 still haven't been able to get back to running. It's lucky we're through beach season so my top won't need to come off for a bit. 

 

[Gemmill 62838]

 

Hope's got himself back in line. No drama, no squealing on about relationships breaking down. 

[thebrokendoll 14145]

1 minute ago, Gemmill said:

 

 still haven't been able to get back to running. It's lucky we're through beach season so my top won't need to come off for a bit. 

 

 

 

cunt better fucking play, 5am set off tomorrow.

[RobinRobin 14470]

20 minutes ago, thebrokendoll said:

 

 

cunt better fucking play, 5am set off tomorrow.

Not sure we need Gemmill. 

[ThatGinolaVolley 307]

Man City don’t always look like the best team in the world. They were shit in last year’s cup final iirc, and they had Rodri & De Bruyne there for that one.

 

BDB to score from a corner in the first half. In the second half, they’ll look to £100m man Grealish to make a difference.

 

He’ll come on and fall over a lot. 1-0 to the Toon.