Match Day Thread Manchester City v Southampton, FA Cup Semi Final, Wembley, 25th April 17.15 live on BBC and TNT Sports

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Saintmagic said:
My concern isn’t central defence, it’s full back. Whatever combo of wide players city play will very likely tear apart our full backs over and over who both have shown they can’t deal with PL level wingers before, Doku against Bree especially scares me.

That will then lead to plenty of opportunities coming in from wide areas which they will no doubt convert a few of.

The chances of winning are tiny but there is still a chance and even if we lose by 5+ (which on paper is a serious possibility but I doubt will happen mainly because City tend to just get a couple up then coast to save legs) hopefully it won’t destroy the confidence in the squad because it’s City
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Manning is suspended, it will be Welington, he hasn't had much oportunity to get up to speed, Bree was a bit under par last night so there is good cause to be concerned about our full back situation.
 
Saintmagic said:
My concern isn’t central defence, it’s full back. Whatever combo of wide players city play will very likely tear apart our full backs over and over who both have shown they can’t deal with PL level wingers before, Doku against Bree especially scares me.

That will then lead to plenty of opportunities coming in from wide areas which they will no doubt convert a few of.

The chances of winning are tiny but there is still a chance and even if we lose by 5+ (which on paper is a serious possibility but I doubt will happen mainly because City tend to just get a couple up then coast to save legs) hopefully it won’t destroy the confidence in the squad because it’s City
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Bree was excellent last season in the 0-0 against Doku though.

I'm more worried about Welington, but in fairness he also played that game. But we had three CBs, including Bednarek.
 
As ever against the top teams, just try and shut them out for the first 20 minutes and hope they run out of steam until half-time. Keep Scienza and Fellows on the halfway for counter-attacks. If we make it to half-time, then we can revert back to the regular playing style, and go for broke. Anything can happen.

Since we have a weakened defence, I think I'd sacrifice Azaz for an extra tackler in midfield. Our best chances will come from long balls over the top anyway, so can't see that we will need him all that much.
 
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Spoke to a City fan at work and he thinks that most of their “star” players will be on the bench. Doesn’t think Haaland will start, or Semenyo. Ake will start in defence, Rodri won’t be risked. Then if they aren’t winning with 30 mins to go they’ll come on
 
It wouldn't entirely surprise me if Tonda went back to 3 CB's for this with Manning and probably Stephens missing from the usual back 4. Wouldn't be entirely against it either. Maybe something like:

Peretz
Wood THB Quarshie
Fellows Downes Jander Welington
Matsuki Stewart Leo

I do think Bree desperately needs a rest and Azaz isn't 100% either.
 
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tomw24 said:
It wouldn't entirely surprise me if Tonda went back to 3 CB's for this with Manning and probably Stephens missing from the usual back 4. Wouldn't be entirely against it either. Maybe something like:

Peretz
Wood THB Quarshie
Fellows Downes Jander Welington
Matsuki Stewart Leo

I do think Bree desperately needs a rest and Azaz isn't 100% either.
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No way Quarshie should be anywhere near that pitch.
 
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Gonna be a real interesting test this one! I think Tonda’s got something serious up his sleeve.. I don’t know why but I just have a sneaky feeling he (& the rest of the team) had one eye on this game last night & they’ve planned for this thoroughly.

I think it’ll be:
Peretz,
Bree, THB, Stephens, Welly,
Jander, Downes,
Fellows, Azaz, Scienza,
Stewart

Buuuut it wouldn’t surprise me if Tonda’s noticed something to expose Pep somehow. If he pulls this one off, he’ll be a Saints legend within 30 games haha!

Gutted to not be able to reach due to family commitments with my partner’s fam, I know the atmosphere gonna be electric. Yeeeeellllowwwws!!! Let’s make history (again)!!!
 
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SAINTOSPREY said:
Manning is suspended, it will be Welington, he hasn't had much oportunity to get up to speed, Bree was a bit under par last night so there is good cause to be concerned about our full back situation.
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Bree will like all the others who are given the shirt will be leaving nothing on the pitch. He’ll be fine. Tonda has ‘got’ these players into a higher plane of self belief
 
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Brizzletiss said:
Gonna be a real interesting test this one! I think Tonda’s got something serious up his sleeve.. I don’t know why but I just have a sneaky feeling he (& the rest of the team) had one eye on this game last night & they’ve planned for this thoroughly.

I think it’ll be:
Peretz,
Bree, THB, Stephens, Welly,
Jander, Downes,
Fellows, Azaz, Scienza,
Stewart

Buuuut it wouldn’t surprise me if Tonda’s noticed something to expose Pep somehow. If he pulls this one off, he’ll be a Saints legend within 30 games haha!

Gutted to not be able to reach due to family commitments with my partner’s fam, I know the atmosphere gonna be electric. Yeeeeellllowwwws!!! Let’s make history (again)!!!
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He hinted that he wasn't against 2 up top after the game yesterday, but would be surprised. @LincolnSaint will be delighted though - get it in the mixer!
 
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Libby said:
This game is my 50th of the season which will tallies with the 50th anniversary so that might be a good omen.

Or it'll mean we lose 5-0.
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Or score the winner in the 50th minute.
Or Leo, Fellows and Archer will score (their shirt numbers add up to 50)
Or Peretz & Larin will score (same)


EDIT: Just realised how silly that is. Fellows will never score.
 
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Seem to recall something about him having no assists or goals not that long ago but probably misremembered or the stat I heard was wrong
 
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