Team v Man City

[millsey]

Lamela definitely in for me. He's gradually improving game by game.

I'm a fan. But If you are looking to keep the ball and make the right choice when you have limited time with the ball, then eriksen should play before him

 

[Mr Pink]

I'm a fan. But If you are looking to keep the ball and make the right choice when you have limited time with the ball, then eriksen should play before him

I think on the counter Lamela is a better fit.

But either way, some interesting choices for Poch.

 

[Tit&Ham]

Anybody talking of dropping Eriksen or lamela?

Wtf?

I mean, Wtf?

Seriously? Our two only creative players?

Wtf....

 

[ShaunL84]

Lamela, Eriksen and Chadli all start.

The only change I would consider is Ryan Mason as he may struggle against City's powerhouse midfield and I would put Dembele in their alongside Capoue.

Hopefully Naughton is fit otherwise put Dier there or Chiriches

 

[Mouse!]

Lloris;
Dier, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Rose;
Capoue, Mason;
Lamela, Eriksen, Dembele;
Chadli.

 

[nferno]

I'm joining the kyle walker-peters bandwagon too, and while we're at it lets play baby bale (mcevoy) on the left.

 

[spurs9]

I'm joining the kyle walker-peters bandwagon too, and while we're at it lets play baby bale (mcevoy) on the left.

He is out on loan.

 

[Shadydan]

Same team for Southampton, Dier for Naughts if he doesn't make it.

need to build up some continuity.

 

[HoltbiusMac]

Anybody talking of dropping Eriksen or lamela?

Wtf?

I mean, Wtf?

Seriously? Our two only creative players?

Wtf....

Well I think as reasonably most people would be quite happy with a draw against a team who battered us last year we might not be able to house two creative players and may be better to go for work-rate and/or physicality.

I'd just stick with the same team personally with Dier if Naughton isn't fit but I get the rationale of only having one of the two start.

 

[Gassin's finest]

The key to the city game will be the midfield for sure. But it will be about the performance not the formation or system. For the first half Villa showed how to deal with city; Allowed them to have the ball in their own half, close down the space quickly once they came into the home half, and be tight, disciplined and focused in our third. When we win possession we need to break quickly, which catches them on the hop. We're seeing with each game, especially against Southampton at the weekend, that the front four, specifically Lamela, Eriksen and Chadli all immediately bomb it up the pitch when there's a turnover in our favour... it led to a goal, and Chadli's shot coming off the post in particular.

Villa dropped off after about 10 mins of the first half though, and couldn't get back into the game. Due to the energy and fitness levels required to sustain that kind of game for 90 mins. But we undeniably have superior quality. But what will be of most important will be the focus of the central/defensive midfield and our centre backs. They have to remain disciplined throughout, talk to each other constantly, and stay alert.

What I'd give for a King and a Parker in this kind of game.

 

[southgatespur40]

The key to the city game will be the midfield for sure. But it will be about the performance not the formation or system. For the first half Villa showed how to deal with city; Allowed them to have the ball in their own half, close down the space quickly once they came into the home half, and be tight, disciplined and focused in our third. When we win possession we need to break quickly, which catches them on the hop. We're seeing with each game, especially against Southampton at the weekend, that the front four, specifically Lamela, Eriksen and Chadli all immediately bomb it up the pitch when there's a turnover in our favour... it led to a goal, and Chadli's shot coming off the post in particular.

Villa dropped off after about 10 mins of the first half though, and couldn't get back into the game. Due to the energy and fitness levels required to sustain that kind of game for 90 mins. But we undeniably have superior quality. But what will be of most important will be the focus of the central/defensive midfield and our centre backs. They have to remain disciplined throughout, talk to each other constantly, and stay alert.

What I'd give for a King and a Parker in this kind of game.

Throw in Zokora too!

 

[thinktank]

Priorities: stop Silva and kick zabalata around all afternoon.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

We will have to take the same strategy in this game as we did against goons. Set up deep, stay compact and hit them on the counter. We simply can't afford to let Aguero in behind our defence, Toure bully our midfield or Silva pick up pockets to create. Staying compact and defending as a whole team unit is the best way to combat this.

I would personally switch to a 3 man midfield to help us gain a good foothold in there. Bringing in Dembele would also help us deal with their physicality.

4-3-3

LLORIS

DIER
KABOUL
VERTONGHEN
ROSE

MASON
CAPOUE
DEMBELE

LAMELA
ADEBAYOR
CHADLI


Eriksen can got lost in these kind of games so I would drop him and opt for more work rate. Mason keeps his place as he seems to have a good work ethic and uses the ball wisely.

 

[Bulletspur]

I would try Chadli as lone striker. Its worth a go IMO

Lloris

Naughton Kaboul Verts Rose

Capoue Stambouli

Lamela Eriksen Dembele

Chadli
​

Injury permitting of course

 

[jezz]

Personally I would stay the same and hope Ade turns up.
The last 20 will be critical, I've noticed we tire in the last 20 in most games.
We've got enough talent to create chances, but we need to take them.
I'd be seriously happy with 1 point.

 

[Benjos]

4-3-3

GK - Lloris

RB - Naughton (If still injured - Dier)
RCB - Kaboul
LCB - Vertonghen
LB - Rose

Capoue - CDM
Stambouli / Dembele RCM
Mason - LCM

RF - Lamela
LF - Eriksen Front 3 interchanging
CF -Chadli

Drop deep, stay compact and defend well. Counterattack with pace. Front 3 interchanging and RCM/LCM to join and start counter attacks.
They have excellent attacking fullbacks so the front 3 need to help defensively to keep them under control (Zabaleta and Kolarov are great going forward). Man mark Silva.
I think we need to be tactically versatile and there is no shame in playing on the counter, especially away against City. If we'll defend as well as we did against Arsenal and improve our decision making and pace on the counter, I'm positive we can get a result.

 

[Spearz]

4-3-3

GK - Lloris

RB - Naughton (If still injured - Dier)
RCB - Kaboul
LCB - Vertonghen
LB - Rose

Capoue - CDM
Stambouli / Dembele RCM
Mason - LCM

RF - Lamela
LF - Eriksen Front 3 interchanging
CF -Chadli

Drop deep, stay compact and defend well. Counterattack with pace. Front 3 interchanging and RCM/LCM to join and start counter attacks.
They have excellent attacking fullbacks so the front 3 need to help defensively to keep them under control (Zabaleta and Kolarov are great going forward). Man mark Silva.
I think we need to be tactically versatile and there is no shame in playing on the counter, especially away against City. If we'll defend as well as we did against Arsenal and improve our decision making and pace on the counter, I'm positive we can get a result.

Well thought out & i agree this one should be played 4-3-3

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

Lloris

Naughton (Dier) Verts Kaboul Rose

Capoue Dembele

Lamela Mason/Chadli Eriksen

Soldado / Chadli

I'd like to see Mason used further upfield. Adding Dembele for a little additional retention in midfield. Can;t decide who would give way to Chadli, as he's hard to leave out at present….Good job i'm not picking the team!

 

[ShaunL84]

Why are people playing Chadli up top?

It's a different game with your back to the goal and trying to hold the ball up, Play Adebayor or Soldado.

 

[prawnsandwich]

Same team for Southampton, Dier for Naughts if he doesn't make it.

need to build up some continuity.

I want the right team picked to deal with an individual opponent not one size fits all.
Lamela will be eaten alive if selected for this game..probably get sent off after half a dozen pleading stares at the ref gets him nothing and he starts getting petulant.
Or he might be MOTM.
Not worth the gamble.