Match Day Thread Manchester City vs NCFC, Sat Aug 21st, 15.00 hrs

Last time these two sides met, 2 seasons ago, it was a tale of two halves.
In the first encounter, we upset the odds by winning 3 - 2 in a thrilling, exciting contest which sent shock waves through the division. And hopefully forced that twat Lawrenson to eat a large slice of humble pie
Second time around, though, and we left the Etihad on the wrong end of a 5 - 0 tonking

Unsurprising, given the form table over the years:

Games won: 10
Games drawn: 23
Games lost: 37

Given that they've added Jack Grealish to an already start-studded (and mega expensive) line up,
I would advocate not holding one's breath on this one.
Rashica and co might wish they'd stayed put at their former clubs by 5 p.m. on Saturday!

 

Hard hats everyone.

 

Baptisms of fire being handed out to you and @Bure budgie

 

Quality thread Cromer

 

Team News: Omobamidele available, Placheta still out with Covid. No other injury concerns. McLean apparently looking sharp.

Curious what Farke does this week, going without a DM vs City feels suicidal...but I'd have said the same about the Liverpool game and he still tried that. Nothing coming out of the press conferencse, etc would suggest Sorensen starting though, although I'd like to see it.

For me:

Krul
Aarons Hanley Gibson Giannoulis
Gilmour Sorensen Lees-Melou
Sargent Pukki Rashica

Don't really mind which 2 start from Sargent, Pukki and Cantwell, but feel like Sargent's workrate and defensive qualities may be more necessary than Todd's invention.

 

Totally agree with your line-up DH. Given that it's Citeh away, head should rule heart. Rashica and Sargent know each other's game and both have had a full pre-season. Sargent has also had 2 Bundesliga games. Given the 'free-hit' nature of the match they would also bring an unknown surprise element. I also like Sørensen as the DM in a 3 man midfield, releasing Gilmour and Lees-Melou to be more creative.

 

Zimm is doubtful having been ill for two days. And O'dele just getting over tonsillitis. Let's pray for no injuries to Gibbo or Hanley.

I wonder if Tomkinson might make the bench.

 

Zimmermann was recruited from the scrap heaps of German football and transformed into a brilliant Championship football player, since he got smashed at West Ham and suffered a horrendous injury he has never looked like the same played.

To expect him to be a long term Premier league solution is hopeful at best foolhardy at worst.

He needed replacing two seasons ago , game 2 into the season worrying that he's not fit is flogging a dead horse imho

 

Still, I'd rather have him healthy than not. I'm pointing out that our two backup cb's are not in great condition. We all agree, I think, that we need a new PL-worthy signing at cb.

 

I’m feeling quietly confident here. Is that ridiculous?

I mean, we will in all likelihood lose, but I feel confident it will be a decent performance and not a thumping - it would be great to get Pukki in the goals already, or even Sargent.

It would also be nice if we wouldn’t concede two following ridiculously unlucky ricochets…

Oh and solve our total vulnerability from corners *drum beat*

 

Remember Jonny Howson humbling them to keep us up a few years ago!

 

I'm also hoping for a good performance against the champions to show that we can compete at this level. The 3 man midfield has improved us, but I'm also hoping that DF will bring in Sørensen at DM to allow Gilmour and Lees-Melou to support the attack as DH suggested above. Gilmour is not a DM and should be allowed to play his natural game. Some earlier subs as we begin to tire would also help as Robin Sainty suggests:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/robin-sainty-two-issues-ncfc-must-deal-with-8260092

 

What’s wrong with Dowell?

 

Nothing I am aware of.
Should be starting imo

 

I suspect just a victim of the formation change. 4-3-3 Vs 4-2-3-1 prioritises more rounded midfielders like Lees-Melou, McLean, Rupp rather than attacking midfielders. He's competing with Cantwell, Rashica, Tzolis, Onel and possibly Sargent for a start in one of the 2 attacking midfield roles.

 

Yeah I think that’s right. Also he’s still only 23 - plenty of time yet and I reckon he’ll get decent game time this season with formation changes and injuries.

 

Interesting to see that Liverpool have been much more dominant against Burnley than they were against us…

 

Rashica hasn't got the memo that Pukki doesn't score headers , a few times he galloped down the wing and crossed with nobody in the box