Oxford Away

Pretty much the same team for me too, maybe Mahrez for Sane. Bit twitchy about these sort of games now. No extra time just encourages smaller clubs to shut up shop and hope to hold out for penalties on 90 mins. Nice early goal should do the job.

I think Mahrez will start too.

Danilo, Stones, Vince, Zinchenko 
Bernado, Foden, Silva, Mahrez
........Jesus, Sane

Oh, keeper not needed.lol

Muric
Danilo       Komany    Ottomendi     Delph
                       Zinchenko
           Bernard               Foden
    Mahrez                                  Diaz
                          Jesus

Give that a whirl maybe?

It's a shame in one way, the problem we have -

David Silva, Gundongan, Foden all play best in the same position
KDB, Bernardo play best in the same position
Sane, Sterling, Mahrez, Diaz all play best in the same position, although Sane is used more from the left...


Yes, seems Delph, Fernandinho, Bernardo, Aguero haven't been seen travelling.

Bernarbe is with the squad also..

TBH would rather go for the FA cup this time around, although silverware is silverware. What I love about the early cup games is seeing fringe players and a couple of kids getting a run-out, but also that fact that the manager gets to experiment during a competitive fixture. Always the potential for a few surprises along the way.

HT 1-0 up. Pretty dull stuff really. Mahrez looks a threat, Foden very quiet, Diaz tidy, a goal from Jesus but little else. Nice to see the purple and orange kit abomination get an airing.

Only have text coverage, how’s Stones doing at DMF?

Not the best game to judge really, Oxford are pretty toothless - no shots on or off target yet. He has lost possession a couple of times so not sure I’d fancy him DM in a big game.

What. A. Goal! 2-0.

Now hearing that Jesus goal should have stood, what do you think was it offside?

Talking about the 3rd one

Looked level but can’t understand the Belgian commentary! I’ve got 3-0 in the Super6 too...

Get in! Phil Foden!

Can’t ask for much more really. Mahrez the stand-out, Foden more involved the longer the game went on. Zinky looked good apart from one moment at the end of the first half. Shame that this is probably his level cos he’s a good lad. Pretty average opposition though, it must be said.

Foden moved round a few times, looked pretty good in all positions other than KDB's (first half).
Maybe we should try him in Fernandinho's spot, for his taking it in, vision and passing ability??

Danilo was a bit rusty, first game in months. to be expected..
Muric is very rough round the edges.. would have benefited from the season out on loan..
Stones isn't up for premier league pace in holding mid. decent as a stand in for subs etc, but not a starter there for me..
Diaz got plenty of the ball, did well, Sterling was even more dangerous though when he came on.
Zinky had a good game too I thought.

Was interesting seeing Mahrez get control of the set pieces too, some good balls in created a fair few chances, settling in more now..

I listened to the match on the radio and it sounded like we were in total control for almost all of the game, but once more we were a bit lacking in the final third. Still, a healthy scoreline and a comfortable win, with a run-out for some fringe and youth players to give them some game time, and a well executed first goal for Foden to boot. It's all good.

Unlike that from those who prefer the team from the other side of the Irwell

For anyone like me who didn’t get to see it live, the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15dUKh_HPkI

After reading both the MEN & Citywatch ratings their opinions on Stones in DMF & Zinchenko at left back are completely the opposite. CW thinks they both a good game. Still a bit confused & unfortunately it’s not the sort of thing that shows up in the highlights.

Zinchenko was ok but has very little defensive awareness and gets out of position similar to Kolorov when he was playing as a wing back 
Stones passing at times was dreadful,never in front of the player he passed to who had to check and come back to collect and a move breaks down. 
Oxford were very limited but I’d be wary about playing either of them in those positions against better sides

for me Zinchenko showed lots of nice touches, pretty much had the measure of their winger, and he moved inside, had once nice shot, moved play forward well.

Stones was just a 3rd central defender but sat in front of the other 2. he didn't turn round often enough, happy to play it back to the keeper or other 2, or wide etc. Didn't have the drive or forward momentum that Fernandinho brings to the hole.. against any serious opposition, Stones could look exposed there, and certainly isn't offensive enough in my opinion.

out of 10 I would have given Zinky 7.5/10, Stones 6/10

For what it's worth - my post reaction.