Man City (A) Build Up

[Bender]

Regular first-team players Jose Enrique, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge are three men currently on the sidelines, with knee, hamstring and ankle issues respectively.

Rodgers was asked for the latest news regarding the condition of the trio and responded: "They are still aligned to come back in the timeline that was set.

"Steven is working really well on the field, he may be the one that might be back a little bit sooner because his work has been excellent. He has been getting round-the-clock treatment.

"Jose Enrique was four weeks last Thursday, I believe, from his operation. So he has still got a bit of time. And Daniel is progressing well, but it is still going to be into January before he will be back."

[chadrtc]

I see Paul Merson has said City are "absolute certainties" in this game and will "rip us apart"... Suddenly I feel more confident about this game.

He predicted 4-1 to City by the way.

[john316]

4-1?! Cheeky ****!

[Slinky Skills]

I actually think we'd be better changing the formation and going for 5 at the back and field a defensive line up and try and hit them on the break, feel we'd have more success that way.

We have more than enough pace in the team to punish City I'm absolutely confident of that. Playing a defensive line up might invite pressure but we're always going to get that anyway.

[RichC]

Just need to stick mersons prediction up in the dressing room before kick off. This game could easily go either way and we should give it it a real go.

[Red_Polo]

I see Paul Merson has said City are "absolute certainties" in this game and will "rip us apart"... Suddenly I feel more confident about this game.

He predicted 4-1 to City by the way.

Reminds me of him predicting us getting rinsed at the Camp Nou when Bellamy and Riise ended up doing the business for us.

Hope he has egg similarly on his face this time.

[Leyton388]

I see Paul Merson has said City are "absolute certainties" in this game and will "rip us apart"... Suddenly I feel more confident about this game.

He predicted 4-1 to City by the way.

Cocaine's a hell of a drug

[BigChief]

We'd have a better striker if Aguero was in and Suarez was limping.

We completely outplayed them at their place last season so I don't see any reason why we won't do the same on Boxing Day. They're incredibly over-rated

I was just about to all of that then I read about Flanno.

Only option is GJ at LB and Toure RB. Really don't want to be changing shapes going into this match.

[RichC]

GJ has to go in at LB but the RB slot is a worry for me, Kelly didn't look up to it from his cameo against Cardiff and I'm not convinced by Toure playing out there either.

No other obvious options though apart from either of them

[baitman]

I was just about to all of that then I read about Flanno.

Only option is GJ at LB and Toure RB. Really don't want to be changing shapes going into this match.

if we have to shuffle i would rather have agger at LB than toure at RB.
at least agger can bring the ball and has some pace. i think toure would be ok defensively at RB, but he might leave our right side of the attack a little thin.

[Chris]

Zabaleta trained this morning apparently. Cunts.

[Mostar]

FFS! Kelly starting will be a mess. Need that proper full back playing in our current set up. Assume Ally Cissokho will be sent back in January as it seems he's miles away from starting it appears.

He had very few 1st team appearances since he came back from injury and it is clear that he is still not match fit.

He'll need tons of help as he is still finding his feet.

Put Agger left back,anything else weakens us significantly

For me GJ as a LB and Kelly as a RB.

Not ideal but I'd take my chances.

[baitman]

we need to score more than them. sitting deep and playing three at the back allows them to over run our midfield. we would struggle to hit them on the break if most of our lads are in our third.

i reckon brendan will once again go with the high tempo pressing, hunting in pairs and force the guy with the ball to fumble it. then we will slice them open.

[Mostar]

we need to score more than them. sitting deep and playing three at the back allows them to over run our midfield. we would struggle to hit them on the break if most of our lads are in our third.

i reckon brendan will once again go with the high tempo pressing, hunting in pairs and force the guy with the ball to fumble it. then we will slice them open.

Worked extremely well vs Spurs and it can work against City.

We have to be extremely discipline but "hunting in pairs" as you said is the key for me.

If we do disrupt and break up their midfield plays and put tons of pressure on Fernandinho, Yaya and Silva we should be fine.

They have diffensive weaknesses and our pace and fluid midfield that quickly converts from defensive, high pressing unit into offensive threat could create them tons of problems.

[G]

He had very few 1st team appearances since he came back from injury and it is clear that he is still not match fit.

He'll need tons of help as he is still finding his feet.



For me GJ as a LB and Kelly as a RB.

Not ideal but I'd take my chances.

Not a fan of changing two positions just cover an injury in one,especially since GJ has been poor enough lately,best chance of a good performance from him is at RB. And I wouldn't be trusting Kelly in this game having played next to no football lately but I said that about Flanagan too

Don't see a problem with Agger at left back,he has everything thats needed there.Certainly hope we don't see Sakho or Cissokho out there though.