City v Swansea Live Thread

[blueboy]

So....I think the big questions are: will Sergio and Bravo start?

For me, I'd stick with the same forward line and save Sergio for the 2nd half and Monaco. Give him 45 mins. It'll be hard to drop the 3 kids up front, especially after their performances lately, but I'd definitely give Sergio 45 mins.

However, we know what Pep's like...he likes to rotate and give everyone a chance, so the team for me will be:

Willy
Zaba, Vinny, Otamendi, Clichy
Fernandinho, Silva
KDB
Sterling, Gabriel, Sane

[blueboy]

This is someone who has been super-critical of Pep....but now he's changed his mind in a few weeks!!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-4192086/Man-City-s-Pep-Guardiola-beginning-things-right.html

[Topdawg]

Must win game

[TMG]

He really should keep the same team to see if they can do the same against a team that won't give us anywhere near the space West Ham did
But as long as Bravo isn't one of the changes I'll be happy to see the likes of Vinny Sergio Dino Zabba get more minutes

[shakencity]

If Yaya's available, he'll start.
Clownio better not start, but I hope Sergio does....as it could really start to effect his mindset if he keeps being left on the bench...Sane to make way.

...............Willy
Zab....Stones....Vince....Clichy
..........Dino.....Yaya
Sterling..................KdB
.........Serge....Jesus

[Paulpowersleftfoot]

Caballero
Stones Kompany Kolorov
Fernandinho Yaya
Sterling DeBruyne Silva Sane
Jesus

I'd like us to start with 3 at the back

[blueboy]

I agree with your thoughts Den, but does Sane deserve to be dropped?

Does Sterling? Does Gabriel?

We all wanted competition for places....we all wanted the players to be there on merit. Sergio hasn't been great lately, but still our one world class player - but he needs to realise that he also, has to be there on merit.

[blueboy]

Caballero
Stones Kompany Kolorov
Fernandinho Yaya
Sterling DeBruyne Silva Sane
Jesus

I'd like us to start with 3 at the back

I agree Rich....I've wanted to start with a 3 for ages, but somehow, maybe Pep thinks we've won with a 4 lately, why change the formation (as he's been berated for doing that before). But I think that 3 at the back you chose is definitely worth trialling, but maybe against Palace or WHU....but he didn't.

Swansea have their tails up.....will be a tough game. However, I'm sure Pep has looked at them closely and if he thinks 3 at the back will counter their attacks, maybe he will.

[Paulpowersleftfoot]

When defending Dino drops into a 4 next to Kompany and Sane/Sterling occupy the fullbacks,it should work well

[blueboy]

I agree...we had Silva next to Fernandinho at the start of the season and it looked very balanced, with Silva starting the play quickly, from the back 3.

However, will he risk it after the recent form? Guess we'll see. Hope Willy keeps his place though!

See this in the Mirror about Pep now taking control of signings away from Txiki....about bloody time!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manchester-city-put-boss-pep-9756486

[blueboy]

Maybe he'll start with Sergio today with Gabriel, but it'd need 3 at the back IMO.

Willy
Stones, Vinny, Kolorov
Fernandinho, Silva,
Sterling, KDB, Gabriel, Sane
Aguero

[blueboy]

Or....drop Gabriel for TLMLF and play him next to Fernandinho with Silva replacing Gabriel's position?

[Topdawg]

So long as willy plays, nolito isn't near the bench I'll be sort of happy. The kids have all got to start.

[blueboy]

Team News in a few minutes.

[blueboy]

City XI: Caballero, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva, Sane, Jesus

Subs: Bravo, Kompany, Zabaleta, Fernando, Aguero, Navas, Delph

[blueboy]

Strange back 3...and Aguero stays on the bench! But Willy keeps his place.

[blueboy]

What's happened to Otamendi?

[blueboy]

[Topdawg]

Willy is our main man. A biy silly that we are all crying for Willy to start even though we know he's not terrific, but has he ever let us down? I really thought if he was going to change the defence, he'd bring Kompany in.

[blueboy]

Seems a very odd back 3 for me. I can understand a back 3 with Vinny in it, but not Clichy and Kolorov.....that's bizarre.

[blueboy]

As usual, if you have live streams, please post them.

I have one now, that I've been watching from the Sunday Supplement this morning, but it needs to be refreshed every 10 mins.

http://sstream.net/sky1.html

[Topdawg]

I agree that not having VK in a back three looks odd. It will be interesting at least. But a back three is the only was to squeeze that front 6 in.

[blueboy]

http://www.sports-stream.net/fs8.html

[TMG]

As Peps finally realised Bravo is shit maybe now is the time to bring little Jo back
Going all out attack today. Guess Vinny will come on if & wen our defence crumbles

[blueboy]

Yeah....must admit, I'm worried about that defensive 3, but in Pep we trust - it's that simple for me, always has been.

[Topdawg]

But Pep is right. Best way to defend is to attack and score goals from our good chances.

[Topdawg]

who's your commentator today and assistant today?

[Topdawg]

oooh, what could have been.

[Topdawg]

raheem unlucky not to take that in his stride

[Topdawg]

Jesus. come on lad, get it n target

[Topdawg]

Yaya slow to get up

[Topdawg]

Pep in his zipper jacket again

[Topdawg]

If you're gonna give a foul away Alex, at least hurt the guy properly

[blueboy]

Great work from Silva....Gabriel!!

[Topdawg]

Jesus. A goal already

[Topdawg]

Come on lads, let's get a second

[Guest]

Im sure it won't be long

[Topdawg]

ooohhh Yaya

[blueboy]

Silva's running the show....but we need another.

[Topdawg]

great cross

[blueboy]

How did TLMLF miss that??

[Topdawg]

should have been two

[Topdawg]

excellent pressing again

[Topdawg]

we need that 2nd before HT

[Topdawg]

more great play

[Topdawg]

decent effort from Yaya

[Topdawg]

swansea trying to press higher

[Topdawg]

oh it's fantastic stuff

[blueboy]

Some brilliant football being played here...just that last final ball.

[blueboy]

Never seen such a one-sided game, against a resurgent team.

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