…little room for young players in the remaining 4 matches.
In a brief posting the other week, I mentioned my hope of not only seeing the likes of already-used Phil Foden & Brahim Diaz but also Lukas Nmecha, as well as perhaps another EDS player or two.
But, silly me…I forgot that having won the League Cup and the Premier League by a MILE our Manager’s instinct-desire for perfection would continue and even suggestions of ‘using the kids’ would only get in the way of his record-busting plans; when declaring, after our 5-0 demolition of Swansea City last Sunday, that he wanted to try to break Premier League records in our remaining games.
Fair enough...and if there ARE records to be broken (100+ points? Goals scored? Biggest goal difference? More?) then lets ‘go for it’! If anything, it keeps the players focused over the final few weeks…
v West Ham United
 |
| London Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct
from starting line-up in the last game which, for me Blog-wise, was the Manyoo game: 8/11).
Fluid 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Jesus____________________
_________________Fernandinho_________________
___________________Ederson__________________
Desperately
wanting to, apparently, take a
penalty; Ederson ‘in between the sticks’.
A likely & strong back-4 of Fabian, Nicholas, Vinny & Kyle.
The returning from suspension, Fernandinho, sitting in front of those
and slightly behind the more attacking Leroy, David, Kevin & Raheem, I’d
say.
Gabriel to ‘lead the line’.
Claudio the back-up stopper; a second bench appearance from Benjamin
(following a long, long time out with injury), Danilo & Aymeric make up the
defensive replacement options. Phil, Bernardo & Ilkay are the more attacking
options from the side.
Notable
absences:
Yes indeed.
Result?
Despite being desperate for a win to keep ‘emselves clear of danger, this should
be no contest at all. An away win...IF
Pep keeps our players motivated enough, which I’m sure he will.
Last season’s,
corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Win
Result: Win
Expected weather conditions during
the game: Dull & chilly
(just 9C) with a chance of drizzle and with a stiff, 15Mph North Easterly wind.
Spring in the UK, hey? Roll on the forecasted warmer weather starting at the end of next week…
I expect Foden and Diaz to get game time but probably not starts.I would expect both to be given the opportunities to qualify for a PL winners medal. Nmecha may get on the bench too in he absence of Kun, he has earned the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteThe absence from the Summer pre-season tour of those City players engaged in the World Cup and those out of contract at the end of June (Yaya, Mangala) should see a young and inexperienced group of players in the erly and mid tour stages [those first teamers not in the WC include Bravo, Zinchenko, Delph maybe), Mendy (maybe),Danilo(maybe, Diaz and FOden)]which adds up to between 4 maybe 7 depending on a few ouside picks for their respective international sides.
So players like Gunn, Roberts, Denayer, Celina, Aleix Garcia, Manu Garcia, Angelino, Maffeo, Nmecha, Ambrose, Douglas Luiz and one or two out of left field, maybe Ben Garre or Ian Carlo Poveda might get an unexpected opportunity.
Yeah me too on Foden & Diaz from the bench. Would be nice to give Nmecha a run out from the bench, perhaps at home against Brighton.
DeleteYes indeed, I think we'll see a lot of those you mention in the early stages of our pre-season tour; a nice opportunity for Pep to have a look at 'em after reports, I'm sure, from their loans spells this season.
Thank you very much for both taking the time to read and comment, Alphie.