Another London club, another challenge.

Despite the much-deserved 0-5 win in last weekend’s opener, West Ham away for our first game of the season always looked like a challenge when the fixture list first came out.

 

And, indeed, the opening 10 to 15 minutes was more about us having to defend several of the home side’s attacks and even then, it was only after a period of time where our passing radar was off, did we finally ‘click’ and took control of the game. 

 

I’m not gonna mention VAR… 

 

Although our next match is on home soil; Spurs most definitely provide another challenge for us and, personally, I’m glad the nuisance that is Heung-Min Son is suspended. 

 

Quick announcement: I’m going away on holiday for a week on Saturday (watching the game soon after arriving) so it’ll be unlikely that I’ll get a blog-posting out before the AFC Bournemouth game on Sunday 25^th August.

 

v Tottenham Hotspur

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

Fluid 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Aguero____________________

Sterling_________________________________Mahrez

___________D. Silva___________De Bruyne_________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

_____________Laporte________Stones_____________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Gundogan, B.Silva, Jesus.

To be honest with you - and rather than going through the predicted starting 11 etc. in the usual format with my notes about the line-up - I can only see one change from last weekend’s selection.

There’s a case for giving a debut at home to right-wing back Joao but Kyle redeemed himself somewhat after a flaky start to last Saturday’s game, with a full-thruster-run to cross for our opening goal; enough for him to face his former employer tomorrow, I would suggest.

The only change, therefore, I can see is the now-surly-fully-rested & 'ready to go', Sergio to come in for Gabriel. Jesus might feel himself a little ‘hard done to’ should he be dropped; following another hard-working performance, a goal and getting himself in positions to get more last Saturday.

Other than that, why would our manager feel the need to change a side that rolled over West Ham, especially at this early stage of the season and with no game to come after this match for over a week.

As for the subs bench - Claudio is the back-up stopper; Joao & Nicholas the defensive replacement options from the side. Fernandinho, Ilkay, Bernardo & Gabriel make up the midfield / attacking contingent, which includes the more creative / attacking reserves from ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Still recovering from long-term injury and should be back in full training soon, apparently.

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Phil Foden – Likely to be the one to make way for the, apparently ready, Fernandinho to return to the match-day squad.

-       Leroy Sane – Has now had surgery on his knee and is expected to be ready around February / March 2020.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

I am a little concerned about why Kyle can’t seem to find some consistent form, especially with the defensive aspect of his game but, other than that, I sure do! It’ll be a big game for Rodders, I expect.

Result? I think it’ll be a close one. I’ve already mentioned the suspended Son but, of course, our visitors have plenty of quality all over their team; not least their new, powerful signing, Tanguy Ndombele, Harry Kane of course and their seemingly happy to leave, Christian Eriksen.

But if we can find that swagger early on from the second half of last Saturday’s game then, especially in our first home game of the season, we should come out on top.

I think it’ll be close though and we might even concede our first goal of the season…but I can see us scoring more than them. It’s a home win for me.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

(Didn’t do a pre-match blog posting for that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a Friday soaking, it looks to be a fairly fine one for the match. 66F and mostly sunny isn’t too bad for an evening kick off, although there will be a rather stiff, Westerly breeze. It still should be better than this for mid-August in my (moaning) opinion…

It’s back! Starting with an early trip…

…to our country’s capital.

 

Last Sunday’s Community Shield whet the appetite and, so, it’s time to tuck into the main course that is the start of the English Premier League. Can’t wait!

Firstly…

Yesterday’s transfer window closure saw us add strength to our depth of goalkeeping, with the season-long loan signing of Derby County’s Scott Carson.

As I suspected - and said in a recent blog-posting - it did appear obvious that Pep Guardiola wanted experience back-up to Ederson this season, with last season’s ‘number 2’, Aro Muric, going out on loan for the season; new signing Zack Steffen doing likewise, Daniel Grimshaw not seeing any pre-season game time despite travelling with the squad to the far East and our apparent interest, for most of the summer, in Asier Riesgo.

However, for whatever reason we didn’t sign the specialist back-up, Spanish stopper and, instead, we’ve gone for a keeper who made 4 appearances for Liverpool in his 3-year stint with the reds and has 4 England caps to his name. Welcome Scott.

Slightly under a lot of radar systems – and not reported at ALL in some considered, high-profile, sports-news sources – is the signing of Sporting’s Felix Correia. The 18-year old winger (mostly right-sided) joins our EDS team, for now, for an initial fee of £3.2M.

Other than those, Angelino retuned to the club to swell the ranks of our left-wing back department; Joao Cancelo has to be seen as an big upgrade on Danilo for the opposite side of the defence - and should provide stiff competition for Kyle Walker - and the much-needed signing of Rodri has most definitely strengthened our defensive midfield area considerably.

Players have left, of course, but not including the retiring Vinny; only Fabian Delph and Danilo could be classed as first-team regulars. Basically, we’ve strengthened considerably…and most certainly in the areas most City fans wanted us to.

There are still some decent arguments around to say that we should have found a specialist, experience central defender to come in following Kompany’s departure. I get that. In fact, I think the club made serious efforts to do so on several fronts but were either beaten to players by other, top European clubs or were, quite simply, unwilling to pay the prices being tagged to at least 2, Premier League central defenders I can think of.

But we do have Laporte, Stones & Otamendi as our main 3 with, Eric Garcia, who has some first-team experience from last season.

Also, with the added shield option of Rodri in front of those; it allows Fernandinho to adapt his game and play in central defence too, whatever your thoughts / concerns may be of that consideration. And, let’s not forget, there’s an option also of playing both Cancelo & Walker together; with the England man having some experience on the right-side of a ‘back 3’, should we need to switch to that system at some stage.

Basically, we have options whenever injuries, suspensions and general fatigue ‘kick in’.

Additionally, some Blues might put a good case forward to suggest that we needed to add to our striking department this summer; a debate that been raised in the last couple of seasons, with some getting jittery at running with just 2, recognised strikers. I get that too. And, in fact, perhaps any slightly-jangling nerves over that subject may have turned in to loud clanging noises, as news of Leroy’s Sane’s, serious-sounding injury came in; a knee issue that is going to require corrective surgery and is likely to see the German international out for a few months at least.

But, again, I think we have more than enough in our locker with the vast array of creative & goal-scoring midfielders & Wingers to cover us should both Aguero & Jesus become unavailable at the same time; not to mention flying wing-backs and a keeper with a finely-tuned, passing radar!

Finally, before I move onto tomorrow's game, I’ll do my traditional, season predictions once the OUTGOING transfer window closes, as Premier League clubs can still sell / loan players to teams across Europe; with the main closing date being 2^nd September (with just 2 exception countries).

v West Ham United

London Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Aguero____________________

Sterling_________________________________B. Silva

____________D. Silva_________De Bruyne__________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

_____________Laporte________Stones_____________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Angelino, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus.

Despite a fine pre-season, it’s not like our manager to let sentiment get in the way. I think, therefore, we’ll see Ederson replace the fully recovered, Claudio in net.

A back-4 that, for the time being at least, largely picks itself; with Oleksandr taking up his left-hand position, Kyle on the opposite flank of the defence, for now at least, with Aymeric & John in-between those.

New-signing Rodders to sit in front of those with the more advanced, attacking midfielders / wingers likely to be Raheem, David, Kevin & Bernardo.

‘Topping the tree’ is Sergio - kicking a ball in a City shirt for the first time since the end of last season.

Claudio the back-up stopper; Angelino & Nicholas the defensive replacement options. Fernandinho may have-had enough rest and training ground minutes to make ‘the 7’ as a defensive midfield cover; new-contract-signed, Ilkay, Riyad & Gabriel make up the more creative / attacking choice-replacement-options.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Still recovering from long-term injury.

-       Joao Cancelo – Not deemed ready for action.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected.

-       Leroy Sane – Need surgery and injured until around March 2020 (step up Mr Mahrez).

Update (10.08.2019): Fernandinho hasn't travelled with the rest of the squad - I'm guessing that gives Phil a spot on the bench.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

No probs with that.

Result? As a lot of teams have, our hosts have strengthened, of course. I’ve had my eye on Sebastien Haller, in fact, and to the point where I’ve stuck him in my fantasy football team. He’s a big but mobile forward who looks a real handful! He could well score on his Premier League debut, I would suggest / if selected.

And, of course also, The London Stadium should be rocking with new-season optimism. This could be a toughie…

However, I’m fairly confident that we’ll have too much for The Hammers over the 90+ minutes (and the “+”, this season, comes with added V.A.R. of course) and, so, I’m going for a City win.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Windy! It could stay dry and the sun might even pop out at some stage but that open stadium will allow the storm-force winds to affect the game, I'm sure. Keep it on the floor fellas…and welcome to England in summer Rodders!