…into Champions League action.
Looking more solid!
That 7-game run in all competitions has a couple of draws in it – WDWWDWW / F13 A3 – but we look far more solid from defensive midfield backwards at the moment. The…“against” column strongly suggests that very thing.
Even by our manager’s own admission, we are struggling to convert the many chances we continue to create at the moment but as long as that defensive solidity continues, then scoring 13 in 7 matches isn’t that bad either; thanks to goals from wingers, midfielders and even defenders.
I thought we worked so very hard at Sheffield United last Saturday…and we flippin’-well had to! For all their struggles in the short season so far, The Blades deserve so much credit for both their work rate and defending. Better decision making & finishing both in & around our box could have seen them net at least one goal…and we could-have-then been looking at a share of the points or worse!
But I thought we were ‘good’ for our 3 points in Yorkshire last Saturday and perhaps if we were in better goalscoring form, threats from the opposition might not have the likes of me, at least, twitching so much in my chair, as I look on with the clock moving seemingly slowly in the corner of the screen; eyes wide, teeth gritted.
Still, if we are forced, at the moment, to defend in a 1-1’er or a slender 1-goal lead; at least our new defensive personnel & line-up is forced to work/practice their new partnerships to perfection.
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| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Torres____________________
__Sterling_____________________________Mahrez__
___________Foden____________Silva_____________
__________________Gundogan___________________
Zinchenko______________________________Cancelo
______________Ake__________Dias_______________
___________________Ederson____________________
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Walker, Laporte, Garcia, Stones, Rodri, Bernabe, Palmer, Doyle, De Bruyne, Jesus.
Ederson in-between the sticks.
I personally think that Oleksandr was rested at the weekend in order to bring him in for this match, which then allows Joao to move over the his far-more-comfortable right-side…which ALSO then-allows in-form Kyle to recharge his batteries / not be risked ahead of a very important weekend league game. I think we’ll see Nathan get a start alongside Ruben, who I think will be asked to ‘go again’ in the middle.
I’ve got a feeling that in-form also & manager favourite, Ilkay, might be asked to be the deeper midfielder for this one, with Phil getting a start alongside Bernardo ahead of the German in the midfield attacking department.
Raheem, Riyad & Ferran, I’m guessing, will be asked to have another run out from the start at the 'business end'.
Assuming they are now okay following their weekend absence from the squad; Zack & Scott to provide keeper insurance. Kyle, Aymeric, Eric & John are the defensive replacement options from ‘the dozen’, with Rodders, Adrian, Cole, Tommy, Kevin & Gabriel the midfield / attacking choices from the side.
A quick note on some of those substitutes:
- I’ve put a few youth players in there who were part of last night’s FA Youth Cup Final, so I’m not quite so sure they’ll be included. Having said that, they could still simply ‘fill’ the bench and don’t necessarily have to be used…having said THAT, we don’t have to-even provide 12 subs for this match; it’s just what you’re allowed this season in this competition.
- I just get the feeling that our boss can see that Kev might be in need of a little break (I think so) and that it’ll be a good time to do that ahead of Sunday’s, all-important fixture.
- I was gonna put Gab in the ‘Notable absences’ section but as we move closer to kick off, suggestions are that the Brazilian forward is not only back training with the squad but appears to have progressed enough to be included in the 23-man, match-day squad. We shall see...
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Injured and still no updated news on his progress nor an expected return date.
- Fernandinho – From the announcement of his injury a few weeks back, he should now be about 2-½ to 4-½ weeks away from a return.
- Sergio Aguero – Making progress also; I don’t think he’s training with the rest of the squad just yet and is likely to make a return after the international break. If that’s the case, then his first chance of a return would be away at Spurs on 21st November.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Yep, happy to have that.
Result? I have absolutely no idea what the standard of the Greek Super League, as it’s called, is but our visitors do sit second in it with a game in hand over the side above them; undefeated and having only conceded 1 goal in 5 games. With us having to be more inventive with our goalscoring at the moment, that does suggest that we could be in for a frustrating night in front of their goal. Then again, we could absolutely smash ‘em off the pitch, 4 or 5-0 (I really am struggling with this one on top of an already unpredictable season).
After the league game at the weekend and, in particular, after comments post-match by Pep, where he suggested that he might have to rotate a few defenders after us-having-worked so hard for 93 minutes defending a 1-goal lead; I was considering a draw prediction for this one. However, I think our players will be hungry to make it 9 points from our first 3 Champions League games to give us (themselves) some ‘breathing room’ in this competition and with the decent form that we’re in; it’s a home win for me.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: N/A
Result: N/A
Expected weather conditions during the game: After a lot of wind & rain in the area in recent days, it’s nice to be able to report that it’ll be dry for the match after some more rain earlier in the day. As we now, apparently, start to move into a dryer, more-settled period; we do, of course, change wet for cold and at just 5C throughout the game, we might see some of the players on both sides, particularly those from recent-warmer-climes, choosing the option of long sleaves and, dare & say it, gloves. It’ll be hot drinks & pies (are they still selling pies at grounds I wonder?) for the press and other essential personnel, I would suggest.
A big WELL DONE!
And that goes to both the Women’s team who won the F.A. Cup on Sunday in a very good game that ended 3-1 over a strong Everton side and to the Under 18’s who overcame, likewise, a strong Chelsea team 3-2; a side that has seen a lot of success in this competition in the last few years.
FANTASTIC!
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