Man City up next then, had we got something last night, I would have been confident of getting at least a point on Sunday but we didn't and I thought we were poor, I don't like this sitting back and trying to catch them on the break philosophy, or is it just that we are actually **** and can't hold onto the ball for more than 10 seconds? Either way, I hate it and if it continues we are down, 100% So, I'm going to predict a 1-4 scorelines against this City side that looks pretty bang average at the moment!! WE NEED TO CREATE MORE, MOVE THE BALL QUICKER AND STOP GIVING IT AWAY!! Walton O'Shea Greaves Burgess Leif Morsy Taylor Cajuste Hutch Philogene Delap 433 baby, Taylor as the more attacking CM. Hit Man City with pace up top!!
Even if we get up and at 'em from the start, I fear we just dont have the strength of squad in depth at this level to inflict a defeat. Who knows, get the 1st goal, our confidence soars and we might get a result. 1-3 loss.
Gaffer's team Walton Godfrey O’Shea Burgess Davis Johnson Morsy Cajuste Hutchinson Philogene Delap Broady and subs on much earlier.
3-1 Man City win. Next two games are going to be rough viewing. Just get them over and done with and hopefully the club, Kieran, and players don't get too disheartened.
I reckon this team is pretty much spot on with the exception of Broadhead for Philogene. Though saying that I do think we might see some surprises with the 2 games being so close. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that Hirst starts, City play a high line and Hirst is better in those situations than Delap
How we all hope for the impossible, its the hope that dismays! But I think we might see some surprises as ptc says. Much depends on which Ipswich turns up.
I’d also like to see a right hand side of Johnson and Godfrey, with O’Shea moved over and Burgess back in. Gives us the right blend of experience and pace. If we’ve got three at the back I’m not as concerned about Burgess’ lack of pace as O’Shea can cover. This seems the game to introduce Godfrey too, although only if he’s ready as he’ll be getting a runaround. Didn’t play a lot at Atalanta. Wolfenden, Greaves, and Burns probably not the type of players we want starting tomorrow - let’s lean on our more Premier League experienced and more solid defensive players. I’d start Broadhead too, he hasn’t played poorly and doesn’t warrant dropping. But he definitely needs subbing off earlier, he does fade fitness wise - because there’s a lot of demand on the two attacking number 10 type players. I wouldn’t start Hirst for this one, he still looks a little short of match fitness. We need Delap’s physicality and pace to lead the line. This Man City defence isn’t playing with confidence and Delap will have to point to prove against his former side. We know he can score goals. Like Broadhead though, Delap can’t play the full 90 and needs to come off earlier. With Hirst on the bench rather than Al-Hamadi, I’m much more confident we can sustain a strong attack.
Defeat here, and quite heavy I think.0-4. I'd start with Delap. Hirst would require us to out football city, which isn't going to happen. Delap more likely to be able to bully their defence.
I think the critical issue today is getting those passes, flick-ons and thru balls to Delap nice and early. He hardly saw the ball last game. Over to you Hutch & Broady. The former must learn not to try to beat all 11 oppo players!
I am feeling insanely optimistic this morning, and no I am not on anything. Man City have only won 1 of their last 10 games. So, if we do play to our strengths and dont just sit back, I am changing my prediction to ... 2-1 Town win, please note hon League predictor Nuggets!
I think you're right but that's not really Delaps game from what I've seen, he likes to be up against defenders or attack from deeper positions, which is why we need others around him stretching the defence. And why when he's having a bit of an off game like the other night he needs to think of other ways to affect the game.
No trains Greater Anglia today = long day. Could they have not have planned the engineering works better?
Dear me, I travelled up the A12 last August for a funeral send off, and it took 3 hrs from Dartford to Saxmundham. Delays, traffic diversions ending up on C roads, total chaos!
One or two team surprises. Tuanzebe back on the bench. Clarke starts, so Broady, Hirst and Philo come on at 60. Coyb's!
