Next game: The Arsenal

[Bluedj]

So the next game is against the Gooners. What do expect to see in regard to formations and team personnel and what would you like to see. Do you think the count will be giving much away before the big match against Newcastle. Lastly what score line do you think it will be?

Thoughts gentlemen??

[Crossie]

I think we'll win about 4-0.


The Count will rotate. I doubt he will ever have a first choice 11.

Can't wait for the real football to start.

[Ted Hughes]

Defensively we are not as good as under Mancini but we have more time. It's a lot to take on board though & it may take the season to sort it.

We look almost limitless in attack though so we could still win stuff by sheer brilliance.

I expect Arsenal to cause us a lot of problems but us to do likewise & we are better.

[sheblue]

We're going to win lots of games 5-4 then.

[brite blu sky]

Defensively we are not as good as under Mancini but we have more time. It's a lot to take on board though & it may take the season to sort it.

We look almost limitless in attack though so we could still win stuff by sheer brilliance.

I expect Arsenal to cause us a lot of problems but us to do likewise & we are better.

Too early to say that we are not as good defensively. We've only seen pre season and with everyone getting a chance to show the boss, so we just shouldn't read too much into that.
For all the complaints Vinny and Lescott still make one of the best set ups in the country.

DM we are as good if not better, plus we may see a new approach from the team in pressing, which will improve us defensively by default.

Usually I take a similar view that new systems and changes take a season to bed in. For some reason I can't quite pin; I get the sense with The Count that things are going to settle quicker... maybe it is something to do with the type of buys we have made and the existing team before that. EG. Dzeko looks like he is going to be used as he should. Nasri maybe too, Milner as well?
The balance has also shifted to take the weight off Silva and to some extent Yaya too, that imo bodes well.

I could see us getting better and better right though the season, but I just get the sense we won't struggle to pull it together to begin with. Pelligrini keeping it simple and communicating to players?


Anyways, Arsenal. By all accounts it would seem the game to take seriously, but reality is it is just another pre-season chance to try stuff and see players perform, stuff the result. Same for them though innit.

Based on that then we will take them apart.

[MilnersJaw]

If he paired lescott with Kompany and frenchy instead of Serbia we should be fine defensively against venegers kids. Just the count has been mixing it up at the back recently.

[Green & Blue]

Defensively we are not as good as under Mancini but we have more time. It's a lot to take on board though & it may take the season to sort it.

We look almost limitless in attack though so we could still win stuff by sheer brilliance.

I expect Arsenal to cause us a lot of problems but us to do likewise & we are better.

Its very early days to have formed the opinion that our defense is worse off now than it was under Mancini.His style of play may leave us more exposed at times but only time will tell.So far we have seen the likes of Boyata and Garcia at centre back and we all know neither will feature in any worthwhile fixtures unless we have a serious injury crisis on our hands.

[Nigels Tackle]

who are the arsenal?

[Renato_CTID]

who are the arsenal?

http://www.pavillon-arsenal.com/home.php

[Ted Hughes]

Defensively we are not as good as under Mancini but we have more time. It's a lot to take on board though & it may take the season to sort it.

We look almost limitless in attack though so we could still win stuff by sheer brilliance.

I expect Arsenal to cause us a lot of problems but us to do likewise & we are better.

Its very early days to have formed the opinion that our defense is worse off now than it was under Mancini.His style of play may leave us more exposed at times but only time will tell.So far we have seen the likes of Boyata and Garcia at centre back and we all know neither will feature in any worthwhile fixtures unless we have a serious injury crisis on our hands.

We also saw Zabba doing a passable impression of Ben Thatcher..

The defence has been all over the shop & not just the back 4, the lack of protection from the midfield was as much to do with Milan's goals as the shiteness of Garcia & Kolarov. Also, the lack of pressure on the ball was key in Bayern scoring as well as their other best chances which were pot shots frm the edge of our box due to poor closing down.

Mancini's side was tighter defensively; the whole team. But the Count has a whole week to work on it & if he succeeds in making the same improvement to the defence as to the attack then perhaps he'll sort it quickly.

To really get it running with precision will probably take all season though imo.

[john@staustell]

I think Arsenal are poor and we are looking classy. If we concentrate - if - we should win 3 or 4. If not it could be 2 each or something.

Is this on TV anywhere? An initial quick scan couldn't find it.

[Nigels Tackle]

Defensively we are not as good as under Mancini but we have more time. It's a lot to take on board though & it may take the season to sort it.

We look almost limitless in attack though so we could still win stuff by sheer brilliance.

I expect Arsenal to cause us a lot of problems but us to do likewise & we are better.

Its very early days to have formed the opinion that our defense is worse off now than it was under Mancini.His style of play may leave us more exposed at times but only time will tell.So far we have seen the likes of Boyata and Garcia at centre back and we all know neither will feature in any worthwhile fixtures unless we have a serious injury crisis on our hands.

We also saw Zabba doing a passable impression of Ben Thatcher..

The defence has been all over the shop & not just the back 4, the lack of protection from the midfield was as much to do with Milan's goals as the shiteness of Garcia & Kolarov. Also, the lack of pressure on the ball was key in Bayern scoring as well as their other best chances which were pot shots frm the edge of our box due to poor closing down.

Mancini's side was tighter defensively; the whole team. But the Count has a whole week to work on it & if he succeeds in making the same improvement to the defence as to the attack then perhaps he'll sort it quickly.

To really get it running with precision will probably take all season though imo.

the count needs to pick his back 4 and stick with them. none of this fucking about with the full backs for the champions league like bobby did. get the defense working week in and week out as a unit and play around with the attacking options. given what we've done in the market this window, i am hopeful that this is what the count and the spafia have in mind

[Ted Hughes]

Defensively we are not as good as under Mancini but we have more time. It's a lot to take on board though & it may take the season to sort it.

We look almost limitless in attack though so we could still win stuff by sheer brilliance.

I expect Arsenal to cause us a lot of problems but us to do likewise & we are better.

Its very early days to have formed the opinion that our defense is worse off now than it was under Mancini.His style of play may leave us more exposed at times but only time will tell.So far we have seen the likes of Boyata and Garcia at centre back and we all know neither will feature in any worthwhile fixtures unless we have a serious injury crisis on our hands.

We also saw Zabba doing a passable impression of Ben Thatcher..

The defence has been all over the shop & not just the back 4, the lack of protection from the midfield was as much to do with Milan's goals as the shiteness of Garcia & Kolarov. Also, the lack of pressure on the ball was key in Bayern scoring as well as their other best chances which were pot shots frm the edge of our box due to poor closing down.

Mancini's side was tighter defensively; the whole team. But the Count has a whole week to work on it & if he succeeds in making the same improvement to the defence as to the attack then perhaps he'll sort it quickly.

To really get it running with precision will probably take all season though imo.

the count needs to pick his back 4 and stick with them. none of this fucking about with the full backs for the champions league like bobby did. get the defense working week in and week out as a unit and play around with the attacking options. given what we've done in the market this window, i am hopeful that this is what the count and the spafia have in mind

I liked Mancini's idea of training the defence as one big block who can be interchanged. What I didn't like was the sudden dropping of players who are used to being a partnership to be replaced with other new ones who have done nothing special to merit it, especially in big Champs Lg games. And playing Kolarov in general.

If the Count wants to sign Pepe, personally I'd be very happy, as then we have 4 cbs plus Richards but I hope we do it quickly & don't suddenly start shoehorning him in when we're into the season. At least make him train for a while before starting him in the Alliance or Bernabau, ala Mancini.

[brite blu sky]

In danger of reading way way way too much into a couple of pre-season games.

But hey each to their own.

[Bluedj]

I think we'll win about 4-0.


The Count will rotate. I doubt he will ever have a first choice 11.

Can't wait for the real football to start.

I've not seen any pre-season Arsenal games, but if their defence is the same as last season, I quite fancy a 5-2 victory to us :)

[gillie]

I think Arsenal are poor and we are looking classy. If we concentrate - if - we should win 3 or 4. If not it could be 2 each or something.

Is this on TV anywhere? An initial quick scan couldn't find it.

From what i have heard it is not being televised by anyone anywhere so no chance of a Joan either.

[Bluedj]

I think Arsenal are poor and we are looking classy. If we concentrate - if - we should win 3 or 4. If not it could be 2 each or something.

Is this on TV anywhere? An initial quick scan couldn't find it.

From what i have heard it is not being televised by anyone anywhere so no chance of a Joan either.

No I'm not seeing it listed anywhere either.......barstool!!!1 was looking forward to this match

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I think Arsenal are poor and we are looking classy. If we concentrate - if - we should win 3 or 4. If not it could be 2 each or something.

Is this on TV anywhere? An initial quick scan couldn't find it.

From what i have heard it is not being televised by anyone anywhere so no chance of a Joan either.

No I'm not seeing it listed anywhere either.......barstool!!!1 was looking forward to this match

Setanta Ireland are showing it so a Joan shouldn't be a problem.

[Moonchesteri]

I think Arsenal are poor and we are looking classy. If we concentrate - if - we should win 3 or 4. If not it could be 2 each or something.

Is this on TV anywhere? An initial quick scan couldn't find it.

From what i have heard it is not being televised by anyone anywhere so no chance of a Joan either.

No I'm not seeing it listed anywhere either.......barstool!!!1 was looking forward to this match

Finnish equivalent of BBC will broadcast the game and it will be shown at least in all the Nordic countries so I reckon there will be rivers

[lets all have a disco]

@moonchesteri A localish City game for you but no Manchester Crew back up.

Keep safe pal.