Preseason Friendlies

[RedReet]

Klopp has hinted that Trent will play at right back again, which will of course, mean we'll have a DM.

I think Charly is referring to 433 RB as opposed to the box formation RB, which some see as a midfield position for Trent.

[RedReet]

City have spent hundreds of millions on their subs.

We have kids, oldies and average players on our bench. We should stick to the system we know works instead of forcing the wrong players into one that doesnt, or having to seap systems depending on the players available. Trent needs to play RB. We need a proper DM. Jones is never going to cut it there. We need a physical ball winner.

Our barren years always coincide with the gaps between Hamman, Mascherano, and Fabinho.. Lets not **** ourselves by leaving another gap filled woth players clearly not suited to the role.

Our bench is Kelleher, Jota, Nunez, Jones, Bajcetic, Matip, Tsimikas, Gomez and possibly Thiago depending on who we sign DM.

I'll go into the other points made tomorrow, but that is an excellent group of players, even if some will need replaced next year.

[RedReet]

Forget Elliot too, who will be an England regular once he nails down a regular place for us.

[Charly]

Our bench is Kelleher, Jota, Nunez, Jones, Bajcetic, Matip, Tsimikas, Gomez and possibly Thiago depending on who we sign DM.

I'll go into the other points made tomorrow, but that is an excellent group of players, even if some will need replaced next year.

Nor for mucking about with the back line.

Gomez is a liability and Matip and Virgil are nowhere near as quick as they were. We dont have a replacement rightback, and Tsimikas is funtional at best. We dont have DM, or a backup DM. We only have 3 midfielders who are not teenagers (plus Thiago). I dont thin we have the capacity to just completely change our shape.

[Venton]

Nor for mucking about with the back line.

Gomez is a liability and Matip and Virgil are nowhere near as quick as they were. We dont have a replacement rightback, and Tsimikas is funtional at best. We dont have DM, or a backup DM. We only have 3 midfielders who are not teenagers (plus Thiago). I dont thin we have the capacity to just completely change our shape.

Agreed. Given our defensive frailties we're a bit of a glass cannon at the moment.

[Charly]

I think Charly is referring to 433 RB as opposed to the box formation RB, which some see as a midfield position for Trent.

Yeah... That formation took us to 92, 97 and 99 points. Fine margins maybe, but I dont see what Trent buggering about in midfield part-time is going to give us, when we have yet to impliment it consistently to any real success. I am not convinced he has the awareness to do it, or that we have centrebacks that can cover effectively. What if Konate is unavailable? The whole systemn falls apart?

Id rather Trent played properly in midfield, and we bought a new RB.

You could potentially put Macca in the DM, Trent on the right and Dom on the left.

[Fosterbloke]

I think Mo had the best tour tune - an absolute banger!

[danperkins]

Caoimhin the only one that can pick a decent tune

[BobTheCharmer]

Caoimhin the only one that can pick a decent tune

Westlife? Boyzone?

[RedReet]

City have spent hundreds of millions on their subs.

We have kids, oldies and average players on our bench. We should stick to the system we know works instead of forcing the wrong players into one that doesnt, or having to seap systems depending on the players available. Trent needs to play RB. We need a proper DM. Jones is never going to cut it there. We need a physical ball winner.

Our barren years always coincide with the gaps between Hamman, Mascherano, and Fabinho.. Lets not **** ourselves by leaving another gap filled woth players clearly not suited to the role.

I maybe took you post too literally about the bench, as once we get extra reinforcements, our bench will probably be as strong as it's ever been, certainly in terms of attackers. But yes, there definitely is shortfall in key areas and we would be relying heavily on the likes of Trent and Konate staying fit, which is a big gamble.

I'm confident we'll get Lavia in BTW, but will that be enough?

Nor for mucking about with the back line.

Gomez is a liability and Matip and Virgil are nowhere near as quick as they were. We dont have a replacement rightback, and Tsimikas is funtional at best. We dont have DM, or a backup DM. We only have 3 midfielders who are not teenagers (plus Thiago). I dont thin we have the capacity to just completely change our shape.

Think you are being very harsh on Tsimikas. Before last season, he looked amazing every time he deputisied for Robbo and is extremely unfortunate not to be a first team regular. Whether he's suited to the new formation is another story, but he's still a vey good player that would improve most teams.

It's hard to make a case for Gomez, but I still have a soft spot for him. He's had some howlers recently and confidence looks shot, but also some decent games. I thought he was solid at RB yesterday, as he has been the last good few times when asked to play there. On paper he looks tailor made for that RCB/RB role, but unfortunately the only evidence we have was that horror show against Southampton. I'm probably a lone voice here, but I'd like to see him given one more opportunity, preferably in a settled team and playing alongside VVD. Him and Matip shouldn't be playing together if we can avoid it.

But ultimately I agree, we are currently light at the back and in DM, but I'm confident we'll get another couple in before August.

[RedReet]

Yeah... That formation took us to 92, 97 and 99 points. Fine margins maybe, but I dont see what Trent buggering about in midfield part-time is going to give us, when we have yet to impliment it consistently to any real success. I am not convinced he has the awareness to do it, or that we have centrebacks that can cover effectively. What if Konate is unavailable? The whole systemn falls apart?

Id rather Trent played properly in midfield, and we bought a new RB.

You could potentially put Macca in the DM, Trent on the right and Dom on the left.

On the evidence so far, Mac Allister is just not in the reckoning for that DM role, Klopp wants him further up the pitch and will drop other back before him. I thought he'd be an option as he played deeper under Potter, but everything from Klopp suggests otherwise.

As for the 433, if we could get back to playing how we were in our prime, then great, but it wasn't working for us last year and we had much more success playing the box formation. We have committed to this formation with the signings we've made, so just have to hope that Klopp finds a way to tighten us up at the back.

I remember in Klopp's first two seasons Klopp got a lot of abuse for not knowing how to set up a defence, but once we got the right players in we were solid. If that fails this time, we'll just have to score more than our opponents, which is gonna make for an exciting season.

[The_weatherman]

Klopp himself said we are not done in the market, we'll get in a DM at least, someone like Timber would have been perfect for us though.

[Corndog]

I know there have been so many false dawns over the years but Ben Doak does look very very special.

I hope they have a proper plan for him to get a chance to replace Salah rather than have him play too much too soon or end up in never ending Loan deals.

He’s built so well for a 17 year old, rapid and so skilful.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I know there have been so many false dawns over the years but Ben Doak does look very very special.

I hope they have a proper plan for him to get a chance to replace Salah rather than have him play too much too soon or end up in never ending Loan deals.

He’s built so well for a 17 year old, rapid and so skilful.

We could buy Salah's replacement, get five years or so from that guy and Doak, if he is then good enough, could be that guy's replacement and still only be 22 or 23.

[Irishnev]

Kaide Gordon was the highest rated 16 year old in the country when we got him. He’s had growing related injuries for a year - I think he’s one that might jump out from the youth team - he has grown a lot and while Doak looks excellent he still has growing and filling out to do…..