Manchester City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Shrek]

Delph is not a left back, he wasn't tested once on Saturday.

I'd play Warnock, he is the best option in that position, we are paying him around 40k a week, so let's not blow a good chance of Wembley by being stubborn.

[eastie]

I see your logic shrek but can we depend on warnock to perform, he doesn't seem to have done much to reclaim his place and his form was shocking before he was dropped. It's a tough call either way.

[Merv]

We seem to be eternally cursed in the full-back positions, don't we? We've actually got Warnock, Beye, Luke Young, Walker, Clark, Baker, Lichaj and Shane Lowry at the club, all of whom can play at left-back, and none of whom seem available to play there tonight for whatever reason.

Unbelievable!

[The Man With A Stick]

Sorry, I just don't trust Warnock or Beye.  Like Merv said, I'd get all 1995 on their ass and play 3-5-2 but with Delph and Walker as wingbacks.

[eastie]

With which back 3 man with a stick? Collins, cueller and baker are all
out.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

No to Warnock.

He stinks the dressing room out with his attitude.

Not to mention how unremittingly shit he was in the last few games he played.

[andyaston]

Did anyone see Delphs pass down the line to Albrighton on Satdee

Yes, I was right behind it in the North Stand, he meant it aswell, pure class.

[The Man With A Stick]

With which back 3 man with a stick? Collins, cueller and baker are all
out.

Dunne, Clark and umm... Southgate?

[Monty]

3-5-2/5-3-2 was designed to counter 4-4-2, the idea being that two forwards would be man-marked in advanced situations with the sweeper in behind to pick up the pieces or late runners into the box. However, there is no chance whatsoever of Man City playing two strikers, and the problems 3-5-2 has against the lone striker systems are very well documented. For all City's perceived lack of width, they have players easily good enough and intelligent enough to adjust their positioning to double-up on a wing back, keeping him trapped in his own half for most of the game.

[JJ-AV]

Nige could play right back and just sit deep and do a solid job, I think Ged would do that if Makoun was available. Maybe he will and will go with Bradley alongside Stan?

Personally, I wouldn't change it round too much, have Delph at left back and put Gabby infront of him to help him out. And just get Nige to play infront of the back four as he has the engine to cover either fullbacks defensive lapses. Not ideal but it isn't the worst idea I've ever heard.

[eastie]

Good point jj, nige has played right back in emergency and walker has played at both right and left back in his career , so could swap to the left if needed. At least we have that option as well as delph.

[olaftab]

Delph came on to replace Baker but he didn't really play asa left back. There was no need as Bburn were so useless. He played  high up and ran all over the place.

[Monty]

Anyone who remembers NRC's last performance as a right back - at Liverpool a couple of years ago - will be scrabbling around for better options I think.

[Merv]

What would you do tonight, Monty?

And by the way, I agree on NRC at RB - never again (shudders at the memory of that afternoon at Anfield.... 'he's got in behind you again, Nigel! Nooooooooo!'

[eastie]

                       Friedal


Reo- coker.     Clark.     Dunne.      Walker


               Delph.             Petrov

                          Young


  Downing.         Gabby.       Albrighton