Man City buildup

[Craig_H]

I know the game isnt technically on the weekend, but given that it's friday afternoon now, it's surely time for a buildup thread...

After last night's 45 mins, i think Nando must be ready to start.

Obviously Gerrard back in, and Mascherano too assuming he's fit enough. I dont know if aurelio did enough last night to prove his fitness/sharpness for City. No Joe Cole, so SG in the hole. And i'm assuming we'll still have Dirky...

So...

Pepe
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Jovanovich
Torres

If Nando and Stevie get their **** together, we can win this game. But without Joseph, our attacking options and creativity are going to be limited. This probably calls for a 'european style' stifling approach, with a late goal to pinch the points, ala Villa away last season.

[Bender]

I know the game isnt technically on the weekend, but given that it's friday afternoon now, it's surely time for a buildup thread...

After last night's 45 mins, i think Nando must be ready to start.

Obviously Gerrard back in, and Mascherano too assuming he's fit enough. I dont know if aurelio did enough last night to prove his fitness/sharpness for City. No Joe Cole, so SG in the hole. And i'm assuming we'll still have Dirky...

So...

Pepe
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Jovanovich
Torres

If Nando and Stevie get their **** together, we can win this game. But without Joseph, our attacking options and creativity are going to be limited. This probably calls for a 'european style' stifling approach, with a late goal to pinch the points, ala Villa away last season.

i would swap poulsen for Lucas .....

[Shaggy]

In light of Cole's absence and Aquilani's appalling impending departure, the team picks itself IMO and it is exactly as you've gone. Ideally Aurelio would be my preferred LB but he didn't look ready last night so it's Agger again. The only issue for me would Lucas or Poulsen. I'd go with Lucas despite last night's ****e performance.

[JohnDoe]

Poulsen over Lucas, and if Gerrard is indeed playing behind Torres, I'd rather see Babel on the left than Jovanovic. Too many defensive players otherwise.

[Craig_H]

i would swap poulsen for Lucas .....

Nah, Poulsen is clearly very rusty and needs 'easy' games to keep upto speed. Lucas is currently much more experienced in this kind of atmosphere, and at this stage, far more suitable for this game.

I see no logic for putting Poulsen in ahead of Lucas, other than people simply not wanting Lucas to play, just because he is Lucas.

[Exiled_red]

That's more or less the team I'd imagine. I guess Torres will start but won't play the full 90mins, he'll probably come off after around 60 or 70 mins

[Shaggy]

Nah, Poulsen is clearly very rusty and needs 'easy' games to keep upto speed. Lucas is currently much more experienced in this kind of atmosphere, and at this stage, far more suitable for this game.

I see no logic for putting Poulsen in ahead of Lucas, other than people simply not wanting Lucas to play, just because he is Lucas.

He's a course and distance type in these games, we've been to top four places and won with Mascherano and Lucas sitting. Poulsen is way off match fitness and is an unknown quantity. Lucas would be a shoo-in for me but given Roy's fondness for Poulsen it could be a close call.

[Rudo]

Yes that will be the team(Craig's)

I'm worried about this game though, i really am

Defence will need to be rock solid.

[Craig_H]

Yes that will be the team(Craig's)

I'm worried about this game though, i really am

Defence will need to be rock solid.

Why are you so worried about it? City have looked disjointed and devoid of rhythm or fluidity.

[Rudo]

Why are you so worried about it? City have looked disjointed and devoid of rhythm or fluidity.

I know but sooner or later they will click, they've now too many good players not to.

I just fear they might turn it on against us, especially as it's their first home game.

I do like the shape and balance of our team though.

[Kenneth]

I know but sooner or later they will click, they've now too many good players not to.

I just fear they might turn it on against us, especially as it's their first home game.

I do like the shape and balance of our team though.

They may not need to 'turn it on to win', but I don't think they'll be a fluid team and take us apart, anything remotely similar.

[banditos]

Pepe
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Jovanovich
Torres

Except for the absence of Cole, that's pretty much our first choice lineup for tough away games IMO.

[Vermilion]

Yes that will be the team(Craig's)

I'm worried about this game though, i really am

Defence will need to be rock solid.

Beginning to look a very strong side now City.

[Fierce]

Agree with Craig's team

Lucas over Poulsen for me too, although I'm not sure about Agger; are we sure he's going to be fit enough to play? You'd think so given it was a bump on the head, but Roy didn't sound so sure the other day

[DannyMan2006]

I'd have Babel behind Torres. I think his performances at the Euro under 21's in 2007 sealed his transfer here and in that tourney he played behind the striker and was incredible.

I've always been suprised to see him never play in that position for us. I am convinced he would be a hit if given game time there. He could even alternate positions with both Kuyt and Jovanovic to keep the opposition guessing.

I know what people will think to this idea, but I'm guessing the majority of you didn't see him in that tournament. He can dribble, can smash them in from range and with him and Torres on the attack would make the opposition think twice about having a high line, even City who have quite a pacy defence.

The fact that Torres and Babel can both beat a man one on one also kind of makes up for the fact that our wide players struggle to do so.

We could even start N'Gog with Babel up top and then take the weakest link of for Torres with 30 minutes or so to go. Keeps Torres fresh and gives us options.

After starting Gerrard in DM, I think bumping him up to AM everytime Cole is out the picture is a bad idea. If we really must play Gerrard, Mascher and Lucas, I say we stick Lucas at AM. He showed against Benfica he can cause problems in pretty much the only chance he got to bomb forward and it means Gerrard can stay put.

All ideas I suggest I agree are a bit out there, but I think we need a way to get the ball out from Midfield and Gerrard is that answer.