Match Thread Manchester City v Everton (Mon 21 Aug 2017, 20:00)

[Tubey]

We should lose this one, and people should maintain perspective on the fixture it is if we do. Although that said if we can get at them early I think there's a goal or two in it for us as that Ederson hasn't convinced me at all.

Rather than the result, I just want to see progression in our cohesion as a squad.

 

[Niapper]

From toffeeweb,

Mike Oates

Little bit of realism coming up - I cant see us coping at all with the attacking options City have. The likes of Walker and Danilo will get round the back of Baines an Cuco, the likes of Silva , De Bruyne will weave magic circles around our centre midfield and upfront Aquero and Jesus will take Williams to the cleaners. The question is can we ever have enough of the ball to exploit their back 3 - Rooney will give it a go, Klassen will find it all too quick. Last year we had Bolasie and Lukaku counter attacking with pace and it paid off, this year we haven't got that pace at all .
Sorry chaps even though I think we are improving and will do even more with Sigurdsson, this game is just too soon for us. Forecast 3-1 to City

 

[Bally8]

From toffeeweb,

Mike Oates

Little bit of realism coming up - I cant see us coping at all with the attacking options City have. The likes of Walker and Danilo will get round the back of Baines an Cuco, the likes of Silva , De Bruyne will weave magic circles around our centre midfield and upfront Aquero and Jesus will take Williams to the cleaners. The question is can we ever have enough of the ball to exploit their back 3 - Rooney will give it a go, Klassen will find it all too quick. Last year we had Bolasie and Lukaku counter attacking with pace and it paid off, this year we haven't got that pace at all .
Sorry chaps even though I think we are improving and will do even more with Sigurdsson, this game is just too soon for us. Forecast 3-1 to City

Sadly agree with this, these are the games when you need pace and a focal point, we currently have neither.

 

[LABlue2]

I don't think this is the game for Klaassen to be honest, I'd play Davies and try to have three CMs in there who can chase down and somewhat try to control the midfield and then use pace to try and counter.

Pickford
Martina DontCare Keane Baines
Gana Schneiderlin Davies
Rooney Sandro Lookman

 

[Bally8]

I don't think this is the game for Klaassen to be honest, I'd play Davies and try to have three CMs in there who can chase down and somewhat try to control the midfield and then use pace to try and counter.

Pickford
Martina DontCare Keane Baines
Gana Schneiderlin Davies
Rooney Sandro Lookman

Like the look of that

 

[aazak]

Great line in ninetyminutesonline.com preview:

"Ramiro Funes Mori, James McCarthy and Yannick Bolasie are all sidelined with knee injuries, whilst Seamus Coleman is nursing a knock to his leg."

 

[Somerset Blue]

A draw would be massive!

 

[Kenshin]

Personally think we will get beat tonight. The team is too uncoordinated at such an early stage of the season to really hurt a city team which by all intents is going to have a great season.

 

[anton66]

You can really only go on past history for this fixture, which is not bad. The on paper quotes say otherwise, but we play on grass, so anything goes.

 

[john jako]

Can never be confident going to City as they have so much about them in the squad. So much attacked my talent with lots more on the bench. They might have a dodgy defence and goalkeeper but most teams in the league do.

Our best bet to getting a result is to be drawing atleast at half time. We need to stay solid in the first half. Don't need to sit back and defend from the first minute but we need to keep hold of the ball and not make silly mistakes. Giving city confidence early on will be a disaster.

I don't think we need 5 at the back. Just overload the midfield with hard workers. Have Davies play with Gana and Morgs.

5-0 the blooooooooos

 

[little elfin]

If football is so predictable then what are we doing here. Just see the team sheets and pick the winner like card games. lol

 

[Blues Harp]

So according to some on here we needn't bother turning up and just give the points to city? That's the spirit !!

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I'd take a point if offered it right now to be honest

 

[bluekangaroo]

Well we cannot sit back against City as they'll eventually puncture our defence. I'd say contain them for half an hour then look to attack them leading up to the break and in the second half. If we go a goal down, so bet it, continue looking to attack ... maybe we'll grab a 1-1, maybe we'll concede another, but at least give it a go. Going to be difficult, as will the season, with next to no proven striking options. Desperate for us to sort that.

 

[royalblue66]

Bedwetters are up nice and early, I see. COYB. you can do it.