I think last Tuesday, our third defeat on-the-trot, highlighted two of three issues that I have mentioned recently – we played quite well, particularly in the first half but, once again, we looked vulnerable at the back and STILL don’t convert chances created; with 20 shots but only 6 of those on target…including a missed penalty.
Moving on…
American Express Community Stadium
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog-wise, was our game against AFC Bournemouth: 9/11).
A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Haaland____________________
Nunes___________________________________Savinho
_______________________________Foden___________
___________Silva________________________________
____________________Kovacic____________________
Gvardiol___________________________________Lewis
________Simpson-Pusey_________Akanji___________
____________________Ederson____________________
Subs: Carson, Ortega, Walker, Ake, McAtee, Gundogan, De Bruyne, O’Reilly, and Doku.
Ederson retains the gloves.
I’m going for a back-4 of Josko, Jahmai, Manuel and Rico.
Mateo has the ‘hot seat’ once again in that all important defensive midfield slot; possibly aided at times by the energetic and versatile Bernardo.
Although Silva will, of course, want to be involved in the attacks too; most of that is likely to be down to Matheus, Phil and Savinho; who all support Erling up front.
Scott and Stefan are two reserve keepers on the side, with the latter getting a call-up to the Germany squad and, therefore, could make his international debut. Kyle and Nathan make up just two defenders in ‘the 9’, with the latter being deemed as, “getting better” from his latest injury niggle. James, Ilkay, Kevin and Nico give us good midfielder replacement options from the bench, while Jeremy is a wide-man alternative.
Notable absences:
- John Stones – Still out with a foot injury. Unknown return date.
- Ruben Dias – Out until after the international break with, what is being classed as, a muscular issue. However, I’m sure I heard in the last couple of days that he has been called up for this latest round of internationals. Hopefully it’s just for assessment by their own staff and that he won’t be risked. Seems both a bit weird and harsh to me…
- Rodri – Injured Anterior Cruciate Ligament and will be missing for the remainder of the season following surgery.
- Jack Grealish – Although he has-apparently JUST, yesterday and for the first time, started to train outside of the gym and with his teammates following an unspecified injury, the situation hasn’t changed; in that he won’t be in contention for a return for us until after the international break. However and despite that, like Ruben he too has been selected by his international Manager to join his international colleagues.
- Oscar Bobb – Out injured with a fractured leg that he received in training way back when. A likely return is deemed to be January / February.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
I mean, there’s a good argument to start Doku instead of Nunes for tactical reasons, with both having different qualities, and perhaps McAtee is being considered for a go at the Rodri role instead of Kovacic but…yeah.
Result?
It’s another difficult one, for sure. Our hosts have a mixed bag of results but have only been defeated twice in ten league games played. They sit in a respectable 8th place with 17 goals scored and 14 conceded. Like us but more so; they appear to leak goals this season too.
I’m no footballing coach, of course, but I would suggest the instructions should be…
1. Set up / prepare for counter attacks and defend better generally [than you have been doing].
2. The wing-backs: Do your defending job first ‘n’ foremost - you no longer have Rodri to step back and help out our central defenders / snuffing out danger whenever you go venturing into midfield in support of the attack.
3. Solidify the central midfield department for flip’s sake because similarly…we no longer have Rodri; the best defensive midfielder in the world!
4. For flip’s sake, convert more of our many chances and…‘kill teams off’ when we’re in control!
As I say, that would be my unqualified assessment and advice to the players moving forward after three back-to-back defeats; as well as following a long series of same-ol’-same-ol’ performances.
Can I see us suffering four back-to-back defeats? Yeah, I honestly can away at Brighton. Can I see us working out the issues and getting the win? Yes, I can envisage that too and 🤞.
What am I going for? A draw.
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: The sun will be waving goodbye as the game kicks off (5:30pm GMT) and under the floodlights, it’ll feel a slightly chilly 10C. Not too bad at all for early-to-mid November plus it’s dry and there’s hardly a breeze to speak of. 🧣🧥🥧☕🍺
Solidarity
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