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Team v City

Hakkz

Svensk hetsporre
Jul 6, 2012
8,196
17,270
Prepared to get negged to death for this, but I actually would go with the diamond again and the only change I would make is Eriksen in for Lamela. The diamond with Winks, Sissoko, and NDombele was far too defensive for playing Villa at home but for playing City away, I think we need that much weight in the midfield. Put Eriksen at the tip and try to pick them off on the break with Kane and Moura.

Hope everyone keeps a level head about this result. City are absolutely flying on all cylinders and we're still integrating signings and getting key players back from injuries and suspension. Glad we're getting a trip to the Ethiad over with early in the season when we're still figuring it out.

I have already written this game off. Any point we get is a victory.
 

Snarfalicious

Well-Known Member
Jul 15, 2012
15,709
71,934
------------------------- Lloris -------------------------
KWP ------ Toby ------------- Jan --------- Rose
-------- Winks --------------------- Ndombele --
-- Lamela --------- Eriksen ----- Sissoko ------
----------------------- Kane ---------------------------


Basically want to harass them into a draw. Natural replacement if/when we are down is Moura for Sissoko. Think you could also flip Lamela and Sissoko and provide more physicality on the KWP side, where it'll likely be targeted heavily. Just think this would give us the best chance to counter but also stand up from a physicality standpoint.
 

wirE

I'm a well-known member
Sep 27, 2005
4,676
5,582
The cool thing having bought more players and having a fit squad, is picking the lineup.

For me, Eriksen for Winks. Same lineup as the Villa game but Sissoko obviously dropping down alongside Ndombele
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
It’s a bit of a toss up for me between trying to bully city which I think is possible and Sissoko winks Ndombele just being to stodgy without enough creativity. I just think if fit Lo Celso has to start. He’s a tough little fella but also offers creativity. You also need Moura for some pace and eriksen has to start so the choice is really winks or Sissoko. Just think Winks gives better balance and Sissoko is a handy sub if need to chase the game and change the tempo. Imagine the decisions when Son and dele are fit lol.

Lloris
Aurier Alderweireld vertoghen Rose
Ndombele winks Lo Celso
Moura Kane eriksen
 

Wig

Well-Known Member
May 23, 2018
2,812
11,078
Anyone know how close Lo Celso is to featuring? Can we expect to see him against City or will it take more time training to integrate him? Can't wait to see him play!
 

Stamford

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2015
4,121
19,830
We should just turn up for a point. We need to stay in touching distance of the top two
 

Havre

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
829
1,065
I don't see how Sissoko is not starting this. Poor against Villa, but these are the matches he is at his best in.

Lloris
KWP - Alderweireld - Vertonghen - Rose
N'Dombele - Winks - Sissoko
Eriksen
Kane - Lucas

Would be pointless to give up the diamond just yet.

Harsh on Sanchez, but...

Then you got Lo Celso and Lamela that can play a role when people start to run out of energy (typically Lucas and I'm not sure how fit Eriksen is).
 

HildoSpur

Likes Erik Lamela, deal with it.
Oct 1, 2005
8,958
28,085
Anyone know how close Lo Celso is to featuring? Can we expect to see him against City or will it take more time training to integrate him? Can't wait to see him play!

Would like to see him on the bench.
 

Havre

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
829
1,065
We have a bad habit of starting games slowly and vs the best teams we generally get punished

Not sure if that is true.

Quite interesting graph from StatsBombs on expected goals for and against during games. Last year we just dropped off a lot.
 

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coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
Anyone know how close Lo Celso is to featuring? Can we expect to see him against City or will it take more time training to integrate him? Can't wait to see him play!

Was full training on Monday and looked very sharp in the video. Pretty sure he will be bench at least.
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
Admin
May 8, 2005
41,857
25,919
He had one week of pre-season before signing for us. He's gonna be a long way behind. Wouldn't be expecting starts for Lo Celso until after the international break
 

nikojev

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2011
310
763
Unfortunately I think it will be the diamond again, but with Jan and Eriksen instead of Sanchez and Lamela. That being said, the diamond is useless when the other team parks the bus, but it's a bit better when the game is a little bit more open or when you're playing on the break. So it probably won't be as dysfunctional as it was in the first half against Villa.

I'm hoping for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. That means one of the CMs that started against Villa needs to be dropped. I think Sissoko is useless in games like the last one because of his non-existent end product, but he usually really shines in games were we have to battle in midfield because physically he's like 3 players - so he has to start in this one. That means Winks or Ndombele will have to get the hook; probably Winks tbh.

Right back is an area of concern as well. Feels like Sterling can give both KWP and Aurier a real beating. Would like Aurier to start, because (A) he's better defensively and (B) if Sterling hammers him his confidence won't be destroyed. Yes, his brainfarts can cost us the game, but if KWP plays in this game and has a shocker, then I fear that will be the end of him. This is the toughest game of the season and I think the timing is poor in terms of KWP making the rb spot his. So it's probably better to protect him by leaving him on the bench.
 
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