***Champions v Rags (A) | Official Match Thread***

[Mase]

Today's presser - nice explanation when asked about the emotion of derby day compared to other games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45UiZ9Y ... el=ManCity

Never normally watch these. Thats two ive watched today. What a bunch of twats these are. That fucking woman changed tack on her 2nd question didnt she? Fucking goons the lot of them. I dont understand why he feels obliged to answer some of the nonsense but looking at his face and body language its quite obvious what he thinks of them and their constant red agendas

Some of the questions are ridiculous. That one on Wednesday “you’ve got a good squad haven’t you Pep” - what the fuck does the interviewer want him to say? “No, they’re all dog shit!”

Now Mendy is in jail we have a very good squad .

I wonder what Ben’s up to this weekend. Bonfire?

[johnny crossan]

I give up

[Beefymcfc]

Notice how most of the questions have a negative connotation or are just aimed at getting the Rags noticed, no wonder he looks so pissed off. When he finally gets a decent question you can see him cheer up and give a decent response.

Was just awaiting a question on his comments about other hierarchy teams getting help but that might be in the later piece.

[Beefymcfc]

I give up

What on?

[johnny crossan]

I give up

What on?

infantile match thread starters

[patrickblue]

I give up

What on?

infantile match thread starters

Not that I much care, but I do agree with you.

[johnny crossan]

The rags have had success against us by sitting deep - odds on they'll do it again tomorrow but not sure how Ronaldo fits in to that plan. Word is Walker is fit and Cavani isn't.

[PeterParker]

I give up

What on?

infantile match thread starters

Not that I much care, but I do agree with you.

Lol, piss aside, a thread title really offends the both of you?
Not a dig, just curious.

[johnny crossan]

Lol, piss aside, a thread title really offends the both of you? Not a dig, just curious.

not offensive, just tedious and ignorant.

[PeterParker]

Lol, piss aside, a thread title really offends the both of you? Not a dig, just curious.

not offensive, just tedious and ignorant.

Odd.
Sure, it was more of a joke, all in all, it is a THREAD TITLE on a forum on the internet, but I will stop if it really gets to you that much.
All it all we are all blue here, even if at times our opinions differ.
But quite odd to think a football thread title can be tedious and ignorant.

[patrickblue]

I give up

What on?

infantile match thread starters

Not that I much care, but I do agree with you.

Lol, piss aside, a thread title really offends the both of you?
Not a dig, just curious.

Not offended at all. As JC says it's just become tedious.
And there's far better ways of describing the rags

[Beefymcfc]

I give up

What on?

infantile match thread starters

Not that I much care, but I do agree with you.

There used to be certain etiquettes that have been eroded. I used to have that sense that it had to be set but it’s a different era now and even though it’s not my cup of tea, it’s somewhere where I can put my shite thoughts.

[johnny crossan]

I give up

What on?

infantile match thread starters

Not that I much care, but I do agree with you.

There used to be certain etiquettes that have been eroded. I used to have that sense that it had to be set but it’s a different era now and even though it’s not my cup of tea, it’s somewhere where I can put my shite thoughts.

it's just good manners really, 'official' match threads posted on match days in time honoured ***format*** with the name of the opponent in an identifiable form.

[Beefymcfc]

Aye, JC, I agree but the forum and members change. It’s also about superstitions for some.

On the game, I honestly think I’d accept a draw. Yes, they are an inferior team but they have a day extra rest, we are away from home to a top 6 side and they’ve done us a few times over the last couple of years. On the plus side I think we have done well at the Swamp since the sick-swan and with a far more organised team we have what it takes.

Looking at a stalemate but hoping for a win, isn’t that what the Derby dread brings?

[johnny crossan]

Aye, JC, I agree but the forum and members change. It’s also about superstitions for some.

On the game, I honestly think I’d accept a draw. Yes, they are an inferior team but they have a day extra rest, we are away from home to a top 6 side and they’ve done us a few times over the last couple of years. On the plus side I think we have done well at the Swamp since the sick-swan and with a far more organised team we have what it takes.

Looking at a stalemate but hoping for a win, isn’t that what the Derby dread brings?

Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Cancelo
Bernardo Rodri Gundogan
Jesus Foden Grealish (F/L)

Bench: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Palmer, Lavia

City win 1-3​
Nailed on

[Beefymcfc]

Aye, JC, I agree but the forum and members change. It’s also about superstitions for some.

On the game, I honestly think I’d accept a draw. Yes, they are an inferior team but they have a day extra rest, we are away from home to a top 6 side and they’ve done us a few times over the last couple of years. On the plus side I think we have done well at the Swamp since the sick-swan and with a far more organised team we have what it takes.

Looking at a stalemate but hoping for a win, isn’t that what the Derby dread brings?

Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Cancelo
Bernardo Rodri Gundogan
Jesus Foden Grealish (F/L)

Bench: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Palmer, Lavia

City win 1-3​
Nailed on

This might sound lunacy but I’d be tempted to play Sterling on the right, Foden left and Jesus in the middle, matching them up with a defensive shape to stop their counter/longball tactics. I think they will go completely against the grain and come at us early but either way, a speedy technical front 3 would drag their dodgy rear guard apart and allow for the likes of Gundogan and Bernie to exploit the space.

[johnny crossan]

Aye, JC, I agree but the forum and members change. It’s also about superstitions for some.

On the game, I honestly think I’d accept a draw. Yes, they are an inferior team but they have a day extra rest, we are away from home to a top 6 side and they’ve done us a few times over the last couple of years. On the plus side I think we have done well at the Swamp since the sick-swan and with a far more organised team we have what it takes.

Looking at a stalemate but hoping for a win, isn’t that what the Derby dread brings?

Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Cancelo
Bernardo Rodri Gundogan
Jesus Foden Grealish (F/L)

Bench: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Palmer, Lavia

City win 1-3​
Nailed on

This might sound lunacy but I’d be tempted to play Sterling on the right, Foden left and Jesus in the middle, matching them up with a defensive shape to stop their counter/longball tactics. I think they will go completely against the grain and come at us early but either way, a speedy technical front 3 would drag their dodgy rear guard apart and allow for the likes of Gundogan and Bernie to exploit the space.

I changed my predicted team to swap Grealish for Sterling who was originally included for that precise reason - but the gossip about Sterling going straight down the tunnel after Wednesday's CL game and Pep's curious post match remarks about him convinced me he's going to play the £100m man tomorrow and sacrifice the extra pace Raz would give us.

[Nick]

Grealish doesnt deserve to play

Doesnt mean id play sterling based on a good 10 mins.. id go with kev or mahrez

[johnny crossan]

Grealish doesnt deserve to play

Doesnt mean id play sterling based on a good 10 mins.. id go with kev or mahrez

I think Pep wants the same pressing game we played against the Chavs - neither KDB or Mahrez are physically up to it.

[Beefymcfc]

Aye, JC, I agree but the forum and members change. It’s also about superstitions for some.

On the game, I honestly think I’d accept a draw. Yes, they are an inferior team but they have a day extra rest, we are away from home to a top 6 side and they’ve done us a few times over the last couple of years. On the plus side I think we have done well at the Swamp since the sick-swan and with a far more organised team we have what it takes.

Looking at a stalemate but hoping for a win, isn’t that what the Derby dread brings?

Ederson
Walker Stones Dias Cancelo
Bernardo Rodri Gundogan
Jesus Foden Grealish (F/L)

Bench: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Palmer, Lavia

City win 1-3​
Nailed on

This might sound lunacy but I’d be tempted to play Sterling on the right, Foden left and Jesus in the middle, matching them up with a defensive shape to stop their counter/longball tactics. I think they will go completely against the grain and come at us early but either way, a speedy technical front 3 would drag their dodgy rear guard apart and allow for the likes of Gundogan and Bernie to exploit the space.

I changed my predicted team to swap Grealish for Sterling who was originally included for that precise reason - but the gossip about Sterling going straight down the tunnel after Wednesday's CL game and Pep's curious post match remarks about him convinced me he's going to play the £100m man tomorrow and sacrifice the extra pace Raz would give us.

It may have been media whataboutery but Sterling wasn’t straight down, others went before him. He had a look of absolute relief when he scored and many players would’ve done the same.

As for Pep, he knows where his bread is buttered and you don’t alienate any player who could bring you a few bob in or score you a goal. He needs him, just like all the other players.