Blimey. Bold team selection. Could be magic, could be a tonking. Interesting to see what the game plan is.
Ralph has said that he needed some fresh legs after playing on Thursday and he wants to see where some players are with the January window coming up.
Just like we eventually established (hopefully) that 'Just put two up front!' doesn't make you more effective offensively, 5 is not automatically better defensively than 4. Few different match-ups we might rather face with this shape. Having any chance of contesting midfield, not relying on wingbacks going forwards and getting killed in behind, not having 3 CBs marking space and leaving us outmanned elswhere and so on... But City have the potential to dismantle us either way so who knows eh?
Let’s be honest, this is a 3pt must have for the most expensive team in the PL. We’re still, after 5 months trying to put a team together under 2 managers, so not a difficult result for the pundits or us to think about. Miracles do happen, and we’ve done a few in our time, including a 5-1 hammering of Man City in 1957/8 time in the 3rd round of the FA Cup at Maine Road with a team of youngsters including Terry Paine and John Sydenham as a Div 3 team v Div1. However even with my most optimistic hat on, cannot see a repeat or close to it today. But Ralph has to take a good look at all the squad available under the most testing of circumstances and then has a clearer idea on what to tell the board about for January. Go to it kids and all enjoy, nothing to lose except the feeling you may have missed a great opportunity if you fail to try hard and overcome some natural nerves. Enjoy the crowd urging you on and encouraging you to do just that!!
