Man City buildup

[little dave hedgehog]

It seems a big gamble to me as well.

Poulsen only played one match the entire summer after WC and I am not so convinced that he is a match fit for the game of this magnitude.

Also he hasn't gel yet and for that reason I personally would play Leiva instead.

Not my kind of player but between those 2 at this moment Lucas would get my vote.

well he may not play brilliant football after the summer he's had (if indeed he ever will for us), i'm not arguing about that. but the idea that he'll let himself get bossed is just not right. in footballing terms maybe a gamble, but some are suggesting he won't be up for the midfield battle, and i think that's just bollocks.

[Mostar]

well he may not play brilliant football after the summer he's had (if indeed he ever will for us), i'm not arguing about that. but the idea that he'll let himself get bossed is just not right. in footballing terms maybe a gamble, but some are suggesting he won't be up for the midfield battle, and i think that's just bollocks.

I have no doubts that he would give his best I am just doubtful if his best is good enough at the moment.

[TheElephantMan]

City looked really disjointed against Spurs, with the wealth of talent they have at their disposal I reckon it'll take months to establish their best team. I'd rather play them away now than later in the season. We are capable of winning this one, quite comfortably although I'm a bit nervous about Poulsen's inclusion. I'd rather have Lucas in the side, but hopefully Poulsen can provide a bit more offensively.

[Rudo]

well he may not play brilliant football after the summer he's had (if indeed he ever will for us), i'm not arguing about that. but the idea that he'll let himself get bossed is just not right. in footballing terms maybe a gamble, but some are suggesting he won't be up for the midfield battle, and i think that's just bollocks.

Who's saying he won't be up for it???

Myself and one or two others are simply surprised that it seems he's starting in such a difficult game, bearing in the mind he didn't have much of a pre-season and this will be his first bit of action in the Premiership - away at City...up against quality opposition.

I hope he goes out and plays a blinder, i really do, but i'm just surprised Lucas or Maxi(or even Babel) aren't in ahead of him. Simple as that

[Rudo]

I have no doubts that he would give his best I am just doubtful if his best is good enough at the moment.

[Mostar]

[/B]

Who's saying he won't be up for it???

Myself and one or two others are simply surprised that it seems he's starting in such a difficult game, bearing in the mind he didn't have much of a pre-season and this will be his first bit of action in the Premiership - away at City...up against quality opposition.

I hope he goes out and plays a blinder, i really do, but i'm just surprised Lucas or Maxi(or even Babel) aren't in ahead of him. Simple as that

[-V-]

This is going to be an extremely boring game. Both teams will play 2 or 3 defensive midfielders each ! They will just cancel each other out. I suppose that may play into our hands though, I really don't rate the City back 4 so Gerrard and Torres might get some joy. I can see us possibly nicking it by 1 goal or it will be a draw. 0-0, 1-1, or 0-1

[JohnDoe]

If Torres starts, we will kill them.

Man City are ****. I'm not afraid to say that or put the mockers on it. Their manager is ****. The only chance they have is some individual brilliance or some jammy set piece. They can't score on a team play. We won't create much out wide with Kuyt/Jova, but we'll run rings around them.

[DannyMan2006]

Poulsen is a massive risk as he was off the pace v Trabzonspur and was a bit wayward due to this. No question for me that he will be a success in this league, but I do think the game may have come too early for him. Massive test for Hodgson.

Great to see Torres start, but I only hope he can finish the game. I'd rather have him on for the last 45 minutes than the first 60 minutes, give City something to worry about late on. Will be annoying to see Torres go off with 25-30 minutes to play if we are trailing.

Think we are still a little disjointed due to squad not gelling yet, but the same was definitely the case for City v Spurs, so an even game in that regards.

[Pablo]

Was he really that off the pace against Trabzonspur? I thought he did ok really. Tiring a little towards the end, understandably though. I thought he passed the ball pretty well and made numerous interceptions. I was reasonably impressed with him for his debut and first game of the season.

I think he will do well tonight, his type of game.

[Craig_H]

Why ? He offers nothing.

We've bought this Poulsen lad and he's not getting any younger. Let's play him.

Although to be honest if it was up to me I'd go for the throat and play Masher and Gerrard in the middle, two out wide and two up top.

Lucas is more suitable for this game. Poulsen's still very rusty and yes needs game time, but i wouldnt be bedding him in away at City - we have the European game on Thursday which he can play in, and then WBA at home.

Lucas is more experienced for this type of game and we know he'll sit in front of the back four and break up play, which is what i'd be looking for him to do in this game.

Poulsen still looks a bit off the pace to me - and that was only against Trabzonspor.

[Kenneth]

Thought he was struggling in the first half. For a good 35mins in the second I though he did very well though.

[Craig_H]

This is going to be an extremely boring game. Both teams will play 2 or 3 defensive midfielders each ! They will just cancel each other out. I suppose that may play into our hands though, I really don't rate the City back 4 so Gerrard and Torres might get some joy. I can see us possibly nicking it by 1 goal or it will be a draw. 0-0, 1-1, or 0-1

So basically, the stand-out bet is unders

[The Birdman]

I'd be shocked if Torres starts, when fit and on form him and Drogba are the best 2 strikers in world football but Rafa constantly rushed him back from injuries and played him when less than fit and he kept breaking down.

He's 3 weeks behind everyone else's pre season and doesn't have the durability of Kuyt. If he plays too much too soon he could break down and be out until Christmas again and if that happens and say we're struggling in 8th Torres will probably decide we're in terminal decline and leave.

[the rev leeroy brown]

reina

johnson
skittles
carra
aurelio ( i assume agger wont play )

mash
ste
babel
kyut

jova
torres