Match Day Man City v Everton, Monday 21st August 20:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[Dirk]

In Germany we have a saying about matches like this, where 2 teams are playing you can't stand:
"Da spielt Pest gegen Cholera"
(1:1 translation would be something " A match between Plague and Cholera". The dictionary gave me an idiom "to choose between the devil and the blue sea", that's a nice description, too )

So, I won't watch this because they can't lose both and I won't give 90 minutes of my life watching this.

Seems that no-one is interested in this either (so far at least)

 

[Stevencc]

There's nothing wrong with Everton, Dirk!

City are definitely a plague though.

 

[Dirk]

Maybe you're right ( a bit). The Toffees are not guilty that xeno- and homophobes like the "late" johnnytodd are fans

 

[Stevencc]

Johnnytodd might well raise from the grave under a new guise if Everton do the unthinkable and beat City tonight so you should probably cheer City on. Bear in mind, though, that if I see you cheering on City I may never look at you in the same way again.

 

[Dirk]

Johnnytodd might well raise from the grave under a new guise if Everton do the unthinkable and beat City tonight so you should probably cheer City on.

We will recognize him easily, his English grammar is even worse than mine. He can't be in disguise here

Bear in mind, though, that if I see you cheering on City I may never look at you in the same way again.

Won't happen (at least as long as Pep Gorgonzola is their coach)

 

[Stevencc]

Sané, Agüero, Jesus, De Bruyne and Silva. Unlike Chelsea last night you can't really have a go at Guardiola for being boring and defensive with his selection. Then again, he does have a squad full of young attacking talent at his disposal.

 

[Stevencc]

Rooooooooooneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

 

[HtfcWArrior]

AHahahah that's class 1-0 Rooney

 

[Super_horns]

That was predictable.

Not sure the shaven head suits Silva!

 

[SALTIRE]

Draw please.

 

[JimJams]

Draft star with a goal... (But I think he's benched).

 

[Stevencc]

Draw please.

Thought you'd be after a City win, you won't be challenging them for the title and you hate Everton and will be closer to scrapping with them for a position in the table.

 

[Stevencc]

Strong home debut from Walker.

 

[HtfcWArrior]

Bloody hell walker he's in my fantasy team and gets a red card

 

[Dave]

Stupid from Walker though. Turns and looks at the player and just goes for him when the ball is going in his direction. Soft booking but understandable as he only had intentions of going for the player.

 

[SALTIRE]

Thought you'd be after a City win, you won't be challenging them for the title and you hate Everton and will be closer to scrapping with them for a position in the table.

I'll take a draw to stay closer to City. As for Everton though don't make me laugh.

 

[Stevencc]

I'll take a draw to stay closer to City. As for Everton though don't make me laugh.

You've said yourself that Liverpool will "scrape" into the top four if they are to make it - meaning a position of fifth or sixth isn't out of the question. Everton finished seventh last season.

I think you'll finish above them, just saying.

 

[mistermagic]

Interesting game tactically. Both sides playing a 352 with Everton much more comfortable during the whole half with this formation. The goal comes not so much as a surprise given the nervous wreck Stones seems to be.
I must say I find Pep's selection poor. Sané is a good winger but he's certainly not a wing-back. He is being told to play a position that isn't his and it shows. His defensive work ethic is shocking and he can't take a fucking throw-in! I also find City's obssession of attacking down their left quite strange. Walker wasn't having a good day before the red card as he saw nothing of the ball. The sending off just tops it off. Shame as Walker is one of the RBs out there.

Watching City play tonight looks a lot like Arsenal. Just seem to pass the ball in to the net with very little penetration.

 

[Stevencc]

The cheers when Sané manages to successfully complete a throw in

 

[Super_horns]

Ofcourse the Everton guy made the most of it as any player would.

 

[Stevencc]

Everton look like the team with a man down at the moment.

 

[SALTIRE]

You've said yourself that Liverpool will "scrape" into the top four if they are to make it - meaning a position of fifth or sixth isn't out of the question. Everton finished seventh last season.

I think you'll finish above them, just saying.

Aye we will by about 20 points.

They can't rely on Rooney all season.

 

[SALTIRE]

That'll do.

 

[Stevencc]

That's been coming, Everton have been poor since Walker went off.

 

[SALTIRE]

Rooney needing a top-up on that nest.

 

[DarkSithLord]

The ref has had an absolute shocker here.

 

[Stevencc]

Everton were shite once they had the man advantage but luckily for them City's finishing was absolutely atrocious tonight.

 

[mistermagic]

Sterling's goal hides what was an atrocious performance by Man City. Pickford had only one save to make from Danilo despite all City's domination. Must do better.

 

[Leewilson]

Thought City were bright but first half it looked like they were settling into having 2 up front. I don't think it suits them personally. De Bruyne gets lost when he's best in the number 10 role behind Aguero. It gives Silva a bit more license but the fluidity isn't there amongst the team. Thought they looked much better 2nd half with the familiar 1 up with 3-4 across behind supporting.

Looking at the buys though, they're going to persevere with this system with the wing backs expected to provide the width and delivery. In time, it might come good. I do think it's going to really hamper De Bruyne though and Sane/Sterling are going to struggle for pitch time.

If they're going to go that way with the wing backs, I'd potentially go:

----------------------Ederson
--------Kompany----Stones---Otamendi
Walker--------------------------------------Mendy
--------------------Fernandinho-------------------
----------Gundogen-----------Silva--------------
-------------------De Bruyne----------------------
----------------------Aguero----------------------

Very reliant on the wing backs though.