***city v spurs cl 1/4 qf 2nd leg official match thread***

[BlueinBosnia]

91% of Millennial's own a smart phone - I know you don't like it when the answers fuck up your narrative but when you have millennial's buying expensive I phones and then whine about not being able to afford to go to a match then you will understand my point about ''priorities''.

Apology accepted.

I'd love to see where you got that figure from. Maybe when you were in your 40s, yes, but it's probably around the 98-99% mark now. Owning a smartphone is much, much more cost-efficient than owning a standard handset, simply due to the money saved by being able to use VoIP instead of making pay-per-minute phone calls.

Anyway, back to the point in hand: Football takes up a much greater proportion of a low-earner's income today than it did 25-30 years ago. It's not just the football itself, but also the cost of public transport for away games. If someone's got one child (and the extra non-football-related costs that go with them), I'd guess they need to be on a minimum household income of around £45K+ a year to be able to follow City home and away with their child. And that's assuming just one adult goes to games with the kid.

My generation might be the last ones who grew up travelling to away games, and soon matchdays in England will be pretty much like Spain or Italy.

[nottsblue]

Assume Delph and Mahrez are nowhere near the starting XI. Full strength tonight

Ederson. Walker Laporte Stones Mendy. KDB Bernado Fern. Sane Aguero Sterling

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Assume Delph and Mahrez are nowhere near the starting XI. Full strength tonight

Ederson. Walker Laporte Stones Mendy. KDB Bernado Fern. Sane Aguero Sterling

That's the team I want to see although it's harsh on Gundogan, who incidentally there's reports about today saying he wants assurances on playing time before he signs a new deal.

[Sideshow Bob]

lineup for this is a tough one for me. i know pep would disagree but id be tempted to leave something in reserve for saturday and the derby after that. wouldnt risk fern at all.

[Beefymcfc]

Come on City!!!

[sheblue]

Assume Delph and Mahrez are nowhere near the starting XI. Full strength tonight

Ederson. Walker Laporte Stones Mendy. KDB Bernado Fern. Sane Aguero Sterling

That's the team I want to see although it's harsh on Gundogan, who incidentally there's reports about today saying he wants assurances on playing time before he signs a new deal.

We hear this from time to time, player x wants 'assurances' on playing time? How on earth can any manager give assurances on playing time? In my opinion that is down to the player himself to prove his place.

I like that team by the way, that would probably be very close to most fans first 11 now, except maybe Danilo for Walker. However there will have to be tweaks from game to game he cant play the 'strongest 11' three times in 7 days. We will probably see Vinny, D Silva, Gundo, Danilo and possibly Foden play a part in the coming 3 games.
Mahrez and Delph only to be used as last resorts. Not sure what the situation with zinch is.

[Nigels Tackle]

Come on City!!!

this. very, very loudly.

[Mase]

Assume Delph and Mahrez are nowhere near the starting XI. Full strength tonight

Ederson. Walker Laporte Stones Mendy. KDB Bernado Fern. Sane Aguero Sterling

That's the team I want to see although it's harsh on Gundogan, who incidentally there's reports about today saying he wants assurances on playing time before he signs a new deal.

We hear this from time to time, player x wants 'assurances' on playing time? How on earth can any manager give assurances on playing time? In my opinion that is down to the player himself to prove his place.

Would be ridiculous if so. Especially from a player that's only had a good 6 months since he's been here. Hope it gets sorted and he signs on though.

[carl_feedthegoat]

91% of Millennial's own a smart phone - I know you don't like it when the answers fuck up your narrative but when you have millennial's buying expensive I phones and then whine about not being able to afford to go to a match then you will understand my point about ''priorities''.

Apology accepted.

I'd love to see where you got that figure from. Maybe when you were in your 40s, yes, but it's probably around the 98-99% mark now. Owning a smartphone is much, much more cost-efficient than owning a standard handset, simply due to the money saved by being able to use VoIP instead of making pay-per-minute phone calls.

Anyway, back to the point in hand: Football takes up a much greater proportion of a low-earner's income today than it did 25-30 years ago. It's not just the football itself, but also the cost of public transport for away games. If someone's got one child (and the extra non-football-related costs that go with them), I'd guess they need to be on a minimum household income of around £45K+ a year to be able to follow City home and away with their child. And that's assuming just one adult goes to games with the kid.

My generation might be the last ones who grew up travelling to away games, and soon matchdays in England will be pretty much like Spain or Italy.

Never mind the above - just focus on getting your smelly arse on the plane in a fast and orderly fashion so people like me can have a pleasant boarding experience .

[blues2win]

On his form against Spurs Walker doesn’t deserve a start. Danilo could play instead.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

I’m in London today and the Evening Standard says Winks is out but Alli could play. Levy says he would like their new stadium to stage a future CL final and a Super Bowl, but presumably not at the same time. That would need a bit of hokey-jokey with the pitch.

[s1ty m]

Assume Delph and Mahrez are nowhere near the starting XI. Full strength tonight

Ederson. Walker Laporte Stones Mendy. KDB Bernado Fern. Sane Aguero Sterling

That's the team I want to see although it's harsh on Gundogan, who incidentally there's reports about today saying he wants assurances on playing time before he signs a new deal.

Hands down our strongest XI is that. Kompany and David might have an argument. David on form walks in, no doubt.

[ruralblue]

I was in the States this week and watched the Palace match on telly. Our supporters never shut up for a second.

Our away support is always brilliant.

On the home support, I was at the Watford game a few weeks back and there was a section of the South Stand that sang throughout, mostly young lads ( or millennials some might say), the rest of the ground joined in sporadically.

There is a marked difference on European nights though, feels like a different stadium, weird atmosphere.

Oh and another thing, listening to the Barca fans last night during the jingle, they drowned it out with their whistling, much more effective than booing imo.

Just the armchairs and 80% of the day trippers / tourists that let “our” support down tbh , modern day football eh ?

I think ticket pricing would go a long way to improve atmosphere, make these games accessible to young lads that are up for it, too many working class priced out.

This 100%. If I lived within a cheap ride away I'd be there as much as I could but on my wage I would struggle every week. I am on my feet and singing my heart out at home so if I was there I'd be doing my bit.

[Nigels Tackle]

I was in the States this week and watched the Palace match on telly. Our supporters never shut up for a second.

Our away support is always brilliant.

On the home support, I was at the Watford game a few weeks back and there was a section of the South Stand that sang throughout, mostly young lads ( or millennials some might say), the rest of the ground joined in sporadically.

There is a marked difference on European nights though, feels like a different stadium, weird atmosphere.

Oh and another thing, listening to the Barca fans last night during the jingle, they drowned it out with their whistling, much more effective than booing imo.

Just the armchairs and 80% of the day trippers / tourists that let “our” support down tbh , modern day football eh ?

I think ticket pricing would go a long way to improve atmosphere, make these games accessible to young lads that are up for it, too many working class priced out.

This 100%. If I lived within a cheap ride away I'd be there as much as I could but on my wage I would struggle every week. I am on my feet and singing my heart out at home so if I was there I'd be doing my bit.

rules you out rural....

[Nick]

I hope its:

Walker Stones Laporte Mendy
Gundogan
Sterling KDB Bernardo Sane
Aguero

Pep's presser made it sound like Fern isnt fit enough to start. Hope he does though.
Toss up between Danilo and Mendy for LB but I feel like Danilo doesnt play as well on the left as he does on the right.

This. Doubt it though.

Toss up between zinch and mendy and gundogan and fern

Dave will 10p% play though

[Nick]

Anyone know why stones fell out of favour ?

We always falter when we make wholesale back 4 changes

[johnny crossan]

Time for Mahrez to shine then

[Mase]

Anyone know why stones fell out of favour ?

We always falter when we make wholesale back 4 changes

He's constantly injured I thought. Last summer's world cup didn't help.

[CTID Hants]

HERE WE FUCKING GO....

Here’s your City line-up for tonight!

XI | Ederson, Walker, Kompany (C), Laporte, Mendy, Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero

Subs | Muric, Stones, Sane, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Otamendi, Jesus

#cityvthfc #mancity https://t.co/VuMz9c87jh

[PrezIke]

Anyone know why stones fell out of favour ?

We always falter when we make wholesale back 4 changes

He's constantly injured I thought. Last summer's world cup didn't help.

Think its injuries/prevention mostly, but I suspect Pep also is trying to keep Nico happy enough as he has been suggesting he may want out/more game time and trusts Vinnie in big games.

He will start either this game or the next one I suspect. I think since we need goals I'd go with him tonight as he's the best at helping create from the back outside of Laporte.