Match Day Thread Newcastle United v Manchester City

So the club web site has us lining up in a 3-4-2-1:

Elliot

Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett,
Yedlin, Shelvey, Diame, Manquillo
Murphy, Aarons
Joselu

Murphy and Aarons more central.

I was actually wondering Rafa might have been putting Mbemba in DCM position again with that team sheet. In a 4-5-1.

 

I like the idea .

 

Let's be honest though. They can line up however they want but it's basically going to be all hands to the pumps for 90 minutes.

 

But Diame!

 

I think it's because he does actually manage to win the ball back. Problem is he just passes it back to the other team straight away. That's just one of his problems obviously. I don't expect him to get forward that much which will help with his inability to cover the pitch.

 

To me he should have gone with Saivet - pump him up with some confidence even if it is to put him in the shop window! Better than Slo Mo.

 

Murphy and aarons is quick support. Aarons should at least give them something to think about.

In laws are all city fans. Fingers crossed we burst their bubble

 

is silva out

 

Think so. They have someone called Silva playing though but he's Portuguese.

 

champion , he nearly always scores against us ..maybe a good omen

 

One of those nights where he might as well experiment, Man City are just so good.

 

Yeah, 5-4-1. Joselu up top on his own for pace on the counter attack

 

Is the game plan just to sit deep. Not close down and to just hoof it. If it is we doing well.

 

I get that we are mikes behind them in terms of quality. But this first 7 minutes appears to be sit and do nothing.

 

Well, we could try to close down further up the pitch and stretch ourselves and leave more space for them to play in. Wouldn't be wise though. Rafa has a game plan to win, it just won't involve having much of the ball.

 

We are on plan for having less than 15% of the ball. I get that we should be defending but this is stupid. Just sitting and not challenging. That’s just asking for it. We have to close down graft. And see what they can do when we don’t give them time on the ball.

At the moment we are just like lambs to the slaughter. Even the commentators are taking the piss out of us atm.

 

I’m going to say right now if we play like this we will break records for:-

Lowest possession ever in the premier league.

Least passes ever in the premier league.

No shots at all.

I understand they are light years ahead of us but we are still 11 v 11. Bloody hell.

 

We are not even doing what we are supposed to be doing well.

 

Our forwards are just jogging about. It’s ****ing unbelievable.

 

The game plan is clearly not to win at all which is totally understandable. But we have to be working harder or is the plan. Sit deep and save your legs cause we won’t win this game. So damage limitation avoid injuries bookings and kee it as low as possible.