…a very mixed bag of results over the last few seasons.
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| City Ground |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog wise, was our home defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion: 9/11.
A fluid 4-2-3-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
_____________________Haaland(VC)_________________
__Doku_________________________________Ndiaye__
______________________Cherki____________________
__________Fernandez____________________________
_______________________________Anderson________
Gvardiol___________________________________Nunes
___________Guehi(VC)_______________Dias(C)_________
___________________Donnarumma(VC)_______________
Subs: Rulli, Lewis, O’Reilly, Khusanov, Reis, Bouaddi, Kovacic, Foden and Elias.
I expect Gianluigi to start between the sticks but, once again, he was most definitely at fault for another goal conceded last Wednesday - his positioning was more than questionable at his near post for their first goal. It was a gaping hole that he left between himself and the post for the attacker to get a shot through. To his credit, he pulled off a really good fingertip save at the top left of his goal just before that. He will continue to hope, I’m sure, to be much better this evening but Geronimo Rulli must be watching with increased interest to see if there’s a chance of seeing some league action of his own at some point of the season. That, of course, is a decision for our manager but, through his performances, it’s a decision which can also be influenced by the player who currently holds the ‘Number 1’ spot.
Ahead of Gigi in the defensive unit, I’m going for a back-4 of Josko, Marc, Ruben and Matheus.
Elliot is our deepest midfielder; Enzo slightly more advanced and Rayan-C- further forward still in central midfield.
Jeremy left, Iliman right and Erling up top.
Geronimo is reserve stopper; Rico, Nico, Abdukodir and Vitor make up four defenders on the side. Midfielders and wingers come in the shape of Ayyoub, Mateo, Phil and Allan.
Notable absences:
- Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.
- Rayan Ait-Nouri – Not selected and linked, once again, with a January move to a side who currently sit one place above the relegation zone on goal difference alone after a quarter of the season played.
- Antoine Semenyo – Out for 2 months from 17th October with a knee injury.
Do I agree with Enzo’s (predicted) line-up?
If they’ve got their act together from Anderson backwards then, yeah.
Alternatives would include extra pace a positional awareness in the shape of Khusanov and Reis in defence and / or the introduction of Bouaddi.
Result?
Our host’s main issue this season so far has been finding the back of their opponents net; with just 6 goals in their opening 9 league fixtures. In fact, they are the division’s lowest scorers. Perhaps, then, this isn’t the time to be tinkering with our defence; one that’s been so very leaky of late.
However, I just thought I’d throw up a possible alternative change of direction, should our manager be thinking of such a thing.
It’s just a little thought on the matter – it’s never gonna happen but what the ‘eck… 🤷♂️🤪
The 5-4-1 / 3-6-1:
_____________________Haaland(VC)_________________
__Doku_________________________________Ndiaye__
______________________Cherki____________________
_____________________Anderson___________________
__O’Reilly________________________________Nunes__
________Gvardiol_______Dias(C)_______Khusanov____
___________________Donnarumma(VC)_______________
A slight alternative to that if that centre of our midfield looks a little thin there…
The 3-7-0…with no Erling / lead striker! WHAT?! 🫢:
________________________________________________
__Doku_________________________________Ndiaye__
____________Cherki______________Foden___________
_____________________Anderson__________________
__O’Reilly_______________________________Nunes__
________Gvardiol_______Dias(C)_______Khusanov____
___________________Donnarumma(VC)_______________
Just having a little play and to ‘throw it out there’ while we work out how to stop the flippin’ constant drip-drip-drip of goals conceded in the last month or so.
Back to reality…🌀
Forest are in terrible league form (W L L L D L) and sit second-bottom on 6 points from a possible 27. However, this is a ground where silly mistakes have cost us…and that’s something we’re currently specialising in. Something has to be done.
This is a weird one in some ways - it’s the exact opposite of ‘irresistible force meets immovable object’. Their attack, far from being irresistible, meets our defence; very amenable at the moment when pressured.
Do I believe that we’ll finally keep a clean sheet today? I think it’s our best chance in weeks, yes.
However, I think there’ll be so much doubt as well as some nervousness in the rearguard department of our starting 11 that we’ll managed to conceded yet another goal.
That being said, I do believe also that we’ll score more than the home side and, therefore, this’ll be a Manchester City win.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game: Calm, grey, dry and cool (8C). 🧥☕🥧🍺⚽
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| Solidarity |
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