MATCH THREAD - City vs. Spurs - Sunday, 3 Dec | Page 2 | Vital Football

MATCH THREAD - City vs. Spurs - Sunday, 3 Dec

muttley said:
This is Ange's dilemma...

Venom
Porro, ????, ????, Udogie
Sarr, Biss, Gio
Kulu, Son, Johnson

Ange had 2 fit centre halves, Dier and Dorrington, last weekend but overlooked them for 2 full-backs, Emerson and Davies. In key moments, Davies was up against Pao Torres and Watkins. There could have been 4 or 5 goals but for poor finishing, especially Watkins at the far post. Emerson didn't fair much better but grew into the game.

Despite it being City, I'm going with the 2 specialist centre halves and keeping Dier as RCB.
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It feels like the moment for Dorrington to step in due to his height but it is a lamb to slaughter in many ways. In many ways, Man City haven't quite clicked into the gear we know they can, but that isn't to say they wont. It is going to be another intense midfield battle, most likely between the 3 guys you chose and Rodri, Silva and probably Stones.
 
Matic said:
It feels like the moment for Dorrington to step in due to his height but it is a lamb to slaughter in many ways. In many ways, Man City haven't quite clicked into the gear we know they can, but that isn't to say they wont. It is going to be another intense midfield battle, most likely between the 3 guys you chose and Rodri, Silva and probably Stones.
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Which is why not picking Dorrington in the Villa match was the mistake. That was the sink or swim fixture. Alfie gets through that and he is in contention to face the City boys.

Let's call it how it is. Davies and Emerson didn't get through it that well at all. Dier didn't the previous week either whilst Davies had his wobbles. That game suited Davies deficiencies more though. City won't, just like Villa didn't.

That is compounded by Bent's injury. If Biss and Sarr return against City, I would have had no hesitation putting Bents in that backline. He has height, pace and is a very versatile and intelligent player.
 
muttley said:
Which is why not picking Dorrington in the Villa match was the mistake. That was the sink or swim fixture. Alfie gets through that and he is in contention to face the City boys.

Let's call it how it is. Davies and Emerson didn't get through it that well at all. Dier didn't the previous week either whilst Davies had his wobbles. That game suited Davies deficiencies more though. City won't, just like Villa didn't.

That is compounded by Bent's injury. If Biss and Sarr return against City, I would have had no hesitation putting Bents in that backline. He has height, pace and is a very versatile and intelligent player.
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In a perverse way picking Dorrington for this match could be the right call. It's a no-lose situation. No-one would expect him to dominate Haaland. He'll get a free pass and great experience. And it will only get easier after this.
 
Spur1882 said:
As I mentioned in the predictor thread, surely you would assign that task to Dier? Who else do we have that's big enough or physical enough to even go with him?
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Haaland will make Dier his B#$%@

That would go badly...though to be fair it will not go well with Royal and Davies back their either....lol
 
Gary Onedaysoon said:
In a perverse way picking Dorrington for this match could be the right call. It's a no-lose situation. No-one would expect him to dominate Haaland. He'll get a free pass and great experience. And it will only get easier after this.
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I agree...what do we have to lose....throw some youngsters out there and see what happens. One thing is for sure....a mix of Davies/Royal/Dier in the back is so not going to get it done anyway.
 
I'm not expecting the hammering that some people are.

For the last couple of seasons Pep has taken a leaf out of Ferguson's book and paced his squad through the first half of the season so that they are in prime condition for the business end. And he's done it superbly.

If City are a couple of goals up and in control, I reckon he'll substitute players like Haaland and manage the game until the end. And there's no better team at keeping possession and running the clock down.

City have Villa away three days later, followed by another way match to Luton on the Saturday. I don;t think they'll be chasing goals unless, of course, we hand it to them on a plate.
 
Gary Onedaysoon said:
I'm not expecting the hammering that some people are.

For the last couple of seasons Pep has taken a leaf out of Ferguson's book and paced his squad through the first half of the season so that they are in prime condition for the business end. And he's done it superbly.

If City are a couple of goals up and in control, I reckon he'll substitute players like Haaland and manage the game until the end. And there's no better team at keeping possession and running the clock down.

City have Villa away three days later, followed by another way match to Luton on the Saturday. I don;t think they'll be chasing goals unless, of course, we hand it to them on a plate.
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I agree Gary that after City are up by a couple goals....Pep will 'throttle back' and replace some of his players. The issue is I don't think it will actually be a 'throttling back'....hell many players on that bench would walk onto most teams starting lineup!

I think our only hope is that City has an 'off' day and is shit in the final third and not clinical in finishing.

I think this will get out of control and all we can hope is that we don't sustain anymore injuries or dipshit moments from Biss/Udogie picking up more cards...
 
Only the coaching will have any idea if the kids have the character to play in the PL without destroying them physically or mentally. I would play Dier for his strength and Davies for his ability to block. Keep ER back as cover for them and Udogie. The key though is to match them for possession with work rate up front and midfield. We can't let them play through us.
 
USAFSPURS said:
Haaland will make Dier his B#$%@

That would go badly...though to be fair it will not go well with Royal and Davies back their either....lol
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If you asked Pep and Haaland who they'd want to play against it would be Davies all day. That is the easiest ride for the big man. Emerson would smother Haaland as much as he can, whilst Dier would give him a physical tussle.

I'm not sure what Davies has that can help us with Haaland. The Torres goal just about said it all. He's NOT a centre half.
 
muttley said:
If you asked Pep and Haaland who they'd want to play against it would be Davies all day. That is the easiest ride for the big man. Emerson would smother Haaland as much as he can, whilst Dier would give him a physical tussle.

I'm not sure what Davies has that can help us with Haaland. The Torres goal just about said it all. He's NOT a centre half.
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Unfortunately I agree, and I actually admire Davies as a player. I don't think Dier has the concentration to cope with Haaland though and Dier is the worst offender for backing off attackers. There really isn't a good choice for this game.
 
muttley said:
If you asked Pep and Haaland who they'd want to play against it would be Davies all day. That is the easiest ride for the big man. Emerson would smother Haaland as much as he can, whilst Dier would give him a physical tussle.

I'm not sure what Davies has that can help us with Haaland. The Torres goal just about said it all. He's NOT a centre half.
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In reality we have nobody that can effectively cover him right now....VdV and Romero could I think...but yeah....ughh
 
4th loss on the bike coming no matter who plays and we cant do much about it can we ... its just about by how many! (real shame as we were doing so well up until that Blue lot came over to play)
 
This might come as surprise to everyone but I think we can pull this off , regardless of Ach!
I don't know nor do I give a shit who scores, but Spurs win 1 - 0.
 
muttley said:
Were they all in a counter-attacking setup? I'm not sure I've seen us beat them going toe-to-toe on high press, passing game.

I do recall Tanganga getting MOTM in one of those games.
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I guess so but to be honest they are just a fading memory now! :LOL:
 
muttley said:
If you asked Pep and Haaland who they'd want to play against it would be Davies all day. That is the easiest ride for the big man. Emerson would smother Haaland as much as he can, whilst Dier would give him a physical tussle.

I'm not sure what Davies has that can help us with Haaland. The Torres goal just about said it all. He's NOT a centre half.
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Royal as the RCB for me.

Doku is a massive threat down the left and Porro will need covering out wide on occasions.

Whoever plays alongside him is a gamble and we hope for the best.
 
SheringhamNo10 said:
Royal as the RCB for me.

Doku is a massive threat down the left and Porro will need covering out wide on occasions.

Whoever plays alongside him is a gamble and we hope for the best.
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Realistically you could perm any two from Royal, Dier, Davies and Dorrington and it wouldn’t be enough to handle Haaland if he gets the service.

Where teams have been successful against City this season though is blocking the supply lines. Easier said than done, of course, but still possible.

As you say, Doku is a big threat. He's been tearing it up all season having replaced Grealish on the right. I’m not wholly convinced yet by Porro defensively and this looks a vulnerable area. He’ll need a lot of help from Sarr or Kulu.
 
If Sarr is fit presumably Kulu goes back to his normal position?

In which case does Johnson automatically move to the left? I though Gil had a very good game last week and was more effective than Johnson. That left hand side of Udogie, Lo Celso and Gl worked well together.

Pep has worked wonders with Walker to keep him playing at this level at his age but he's no spring chicken now. I'd say that's an area we should be targetting.

Johnson's transfer fee shouldn't guarantee him automatic selection. I'd be inclined to start with Gil.
 
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