The only player to be dropped is Huddlestone. Did we or did we not win 2 games whilst he was suspended and no wins since, so why is he in the team? I am not sure that McGregor deserves his place either but there is not much alternative!
----------------------McGregor------------------------ -------Dawson-----Bruce-------Macca------------- Elmo-------------------------------------------Robertson --------Ramirez----Quinn----Meyler---------------- --------------Jelavic----------N'Doye----------------
I'd go with something a little different to change things up. Play Tom in a more attacking position where he can be more dangerous and create. leave Jelavic and Hernandez on the bench. Get plenty of crosses in to supply N'Doye and hopefully he can put one away! McGregor Elmo - Dawson - Davies - Robertson Ramirez - Livermore - Quinn - Brady Huddlestone N'Doye
Wouldn't have Livermore or Thudd near the team. They're **** and had enough chances. Look where its got us
McGregor Maguire Dawson Davies Elmo......................................... Robertson Livermore Diame(fit?) Quinn Jelavic N'Doye Harper, Bruce, Brady, Meyler, Tubbystone, Aluko, Hernandez. Meyler for Diame if he's still injured and Max Clarke to the bench
IMO, forget saturday and plan for tuesday more important game. I would make many changes and give an opportunity to the squad players. So with tuesdays more important home game against Aston Villa my team would be : - Harper McShane(c) Maguire Bruce jnr Aluko Huddlestone Quinn Brady Ramirez(in the hole) Hernandez Jelavic But of course it wont be this.
As some have said we have nothing to lose on Saturday. If we are positive we can get something. Look at Boro in the cup. Team they faced was hardly short of star larkers. Man City can get caught out, especially if they think we will just roll over.
With Nasri still out injured and hopefully Yaya and Bony still out @ the AFNC and also Aguero struggling to get back to his best hopefully not. I would be well happy with a 2-0 loss. It maybe the best time to be going to Man City atm.
...................McGregor................... Elmo....Davies...Dawson....Robo ...................Thudd.......................... .........Livers..........Quinn................. ...................Gaston........................ ............Jelavic....N'Doye................ Thudd has been playing like rubbish since he got sent off at Arsenal but he won't get dropped....So play him as the 3rd centre half between Davies & Dawson and get him to start spraying the balls forward for once. Quinn, Livers & Gaston will need to do a **** load of work to compensate for this though.
With Villa in mind, which for me is a must win, here is the team I would pick: McGregor McShane Dawson Davies Figgy Elmo Huddlestone Livermore Quinn Brady Aluko Harper, Maguire, Bruce, Meyler, Robertson, Jelavic, Hernandez. (I suspect N'Doye might not be ready to throw in, especially with international clearance not being granted yet I presume?) This team makes me quite a hypocrite as I slated Bruce for starting Aluko upfront on his own against Wet Spam, however the way Aluko played made me think that if he could replicate that first half then with the opportunity to bring Jelavic and Hernandez in the second half if things go tits up, which we couldn't do against Wet Spam, we have a chance of getting a win or even a point at the Etihad. If we hit them on the counter attack and getting the likes of Brady, Elmo, Aluko, Quinn running at their defence which has been very shaky lately, I think this formation and personnel could be perfect. It also means Jelavic, Hernandez and Robertson are rested for the Villa game. (They may play 30 minutes each against Man City coming off the bench, giving them more minutes under their belts but not so many that it tires them out) I did think about dropping Dawson for Maguire/Bruce, however he was our best player against Newcastle so it would be unfair on him.
Mcgregor Mcshane Davies Maguire Figgy Aluko Ramirez Huddleston Quinn Brady Hernandez Tried to leave as many first team players out for Tuesday then they won't have the excuse of being tired after Saturday. Must win against Villa Harper Mcshane Dawson Bruce Robertson Livermore Meyer Elmo Quinn Brady Jelavic Elmo and Brady will have to work hard to cover the full back's but that's the least we can expect. I realise this will be nothing like what will happen but something's got to change after the second half against Newcastle.
