Match Day Thread Man City v Saints Saturday 18th September k.o. 15.00.

As with the previous league matches, we come up against yet another side that has most definitely had the upper hand in our meetings, since our return to the Premier League.
In 18 league games, City have won just the 13, to our 3 wins and 2 draws.

City also beat us in a League Cup game a few years back, so safe to say they will be approaching this with some confidence - hopefully too much.

Worth reminding ourselves that in 2 or 3 of their more recent wins we have pushed them to the limit, with City digging out the winner in time added on, so despite losing 5-2 last season, no reason why we should go there expecting to be trounced.

Defensively, since the first game of the season, we seem to be more resolute and resilient, restricting Utd to 1 goal and keeping a clean sheet against previously, free scoring WHU, so hopefully that will continue.

My concerns are the ease with which we concede possession, invariably when our full backs have pushed forward, leaving us short at the back to quick counter attacks. City, more than most, have the players who are capable of exploiting the space, so hopefully we will be less profligate with possession. It won’t surprise me if the City front players drift wide, when we have the ball at the other end, in readiness for them to launch the ball into the gap and drag the CBs across, out of the middle.

Equally, if we are pushed back, as is to be expected for long periods, I hope we try and release the ball behind their back four for Armstrong to chase. He has the pace, let’s try and exploit it - and try to get someone up with him, for support.

Although not producing much of note, going forward, I would keep Djeneppo in for this one, for the cover he has been giving to Perraud, and this could be the ideal time to try Tino and KWP as a partnership, as they would give us more defensive strength, without, IMO, weakening our attacking opportunities down the right.

Match Officials
Referee:Jonathan Moss.Assistants:Marc Perry, Timothy Wood.Fourth official:Peter Bankes.VAR:Martin Atkinson.Assistant VAR:Richard West.

 

By the way Badge, you don’t need to include the words “Match Day Thread” in the match day thread, use the Match Day Thread prefix instead!
Thanks for doing another Match Day Thread!

 

I have absolutely zero expectations for this one, but the one saving grace is that I think (perhaps wrongly) it's quite a good time to play them. I don't think they're up completely to full form yet, so there's a chance. A small one. Minute, even. But a chance.

 

Completely a free hit. So long as we don't collapse and lose by 5+ goals. Antyhing we get would be a bonus. We are just not competing on a level playing field with these teams.

 

I didn’t know that.
Hopefully I will still be doing the Sheffield Utd one.

 

It is a shame we still have 0 wins on the board as I don't think we will be getting one here! No expectation at all with this one but we have got results off them before so certainly not impossible.

 

No not a level playing field so not losing 5 from 18, almost a third, gives me hope when Saturday comes.

 

A complete free hit, And with the way Ralph set us up against Spam is how i see it going against MAn city..Tho a few changes to personel i think.

Macca;
KWP, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud;
Romeu;
Livromento, JWP, Diallo, Djenepo;
Adams.

This is how i would like to see us line up.

 

Is this because you're not expecting Stuart Armstrong to be available, or do you rate Diallo/Djenepo higher than Stuart? I'd go with Stuart Armstrong, if he's match fit.

 

I would expect the former

 

Obviously if Stuart is available, he starts next to JWP in this new look formation.

 

Brilliant summary of what's to come. I just have a hunch we might, might get something out of this one. There's a confidence level in our squad which will be put to the test for sure but a tougher resilience too, so no reason to go for too pessimistic a point of view is my take.

 

4-1

 

I hope we have a go at them TBH. Sticking 11 men behind the ball just doesn't work against City. I like the way Ralph set us up last time at The Etihad. We lost 5-2 but we did gave them something to think about. I'd rather lose 5-2 than 2-0 and not have a shot on goal at the end of the day. I'd be tempted to go 3-5-2 with KWP and Perraud wing backs (time to give Tino a breather). JWP, Romeu and either Diallo or Armstrong (if fit) as CM's with Che and Broja up front. Give Adam and Tino a break.

 

Free hit, almost no point in this match. They are an unbelievable side. I will be ecstatic with a point.

They may as well be in a different league already - no points deductions for trying to break out of the premier league; let alone zero punishment for breaching financial fair play rules and tapping up players.

United/City/Liverpool/Chelsea operate in a diff league and are just free hits for us now. The European super league debacle proved this beyond a doubt. Money > sporting integrity

 

Macca
Tino sally sue stephens perraud
Romeu JWP
Elyonoussi Djenepo
Armstrong Broja

Broja has to play. Elyonoussi still gets a start due to his recent form.

 

Expecting the worst, Hopi g for the best

Expect similar setup to Spam
Nathan needs to return to sub duties
I like that we now have a positive Ely or Diallo debate

Ely did well 2nd half last week once we started giving him the ball. He was always seeking space between midfield and back 4

Diallo started to carry the ball forward but plays from a less advanced position

Either way we don’t get overloaded in midfield with JWP Oriel and one of them

I’d say if Ralph is feeling bullish it’s Ely otherwise Diallo

 

Let's be honest, up to 9 and we don't set any new records.

Free hit, expecting 4-1 or 4-2, but hoping for a 2-2.

 

I'm just hoping for a performance that will make us proud and any positive result else will be a huge bonus.

 

As others have said, complete free hit. Expect us to get smashed so anything under 9 would be fine

I’ll say 5-0 to keep it conservative