I know, but someone had to start one.
It's really about getting people's opinion on who is our current best 11.

Muric
Roberts, THB, Beyer, Maatsen
Benson, Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Tella.

If certain players are not injured and not suspended then:

Muric

Roberts Beyer Ekdal Maatsen

Cork Cullen

Zaroury Brownhill Benson

Tella

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:49 pm

I know, but someone had to start one.
It's really about getting people's opinion on who is our current best 11.

Muric
Roberts, THB, Beyer, Maatsen
Benson, Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Tella.

THB won’t be allowed to play

Thought that at the time of posting, but he could always wear someone else's shirt, no one will know

Muric
Roberts, Ekdal Beyer, Maatsen
Benson, Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Tella.

Obafemi
Jay R

Or something very close

AlargeClaret wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 02, 2023 8:08 pm

Muric
Roberts, Ekdal Beyer, Maatsen
Benson, Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Tella.

Obafemi
Jay R

Or something very close

Exactly this but with Barnes up top and Tella for Benson

What I'd like -

Muric
Roberts THB Bayer Maatsen
Cullen Brownhill
Benson Tella Zaroury
Barnes

What I think VK will select -

BPF
Roberts Al-Dakhil Bayer Taylor
Cullen Cork
JBG Brownhill Tella
Barnes

After listening to Charlie’s interview last night I wouldn’t put him through the Etihad experience again. He sounded as traumatized as we are.Stick with the newbies for this one.

Considering there are three league games between then and now, a lot could change.

Teams who have more of the ball

Muric
Roberts, Ekdal Beyer, Maatsen
Tella, Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Barnes

Or

Teams who are happy for us to have possession

Muric
Roberts, Ekdal Beyer, Maatsen
Tella, JBG, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Barnes

Benson could easily be in this side but he is lethal against a tiring defence.



Most people's best XI will have changed several times during the season.

Stop messing about.

It is a squad game.


Play them all!

From what we have seen and assuming everyone is fit I think it would look something like this

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Maatsen
Cork Cullen
Benson JBG Zaroury
Barnes

I accept that is very harsh on Brownhill and that VK would likely play him instead of JBG but I personally feel the Iceman would add a bit more threat on the counter.

I think defence, Cork and Cullen picks itself.

Will Benson be ready? VK suggested he was wanting Benson and Jay to ideally come back after the International break, but that may well have changed because of the draw. I'd say at the moment Benson is more likely to start on the bench unless he gets enough minutes in the league before then. Which would allow Brownhill to come in and JBG to start on the right.

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Maatsen
Cork Cullen
JBG Brownhill Zaroury
Barnes

Bracewell
York Molinari Cooper Walsh
Willis Walsh Boydell Aheme
Priestley Kelly

The keeper selection is interesting - City will know Muric's weaknesses and exploit them - but he's key to how we play. Alternatively, BPF is our cup keeper and if we're up against shots coming in from all angles then he's the better shot stopper and could keep the score respectable

We will need to score a few as we probably won't keep a clean sheet so I'd start with the twin threat of Zaroury/Benson with Barnes. Tella and JBG on when appropriate.

No Ney Never wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:49 pm

I know, but someone had to start one.
It's really about getting people's opinion on who is our current best 11.

Our best possible 11 imo:
Muric
Roberts THB Beyer Maatson
Cork Cullen
Benson Tella Zaroury
Jay Rod

But team for city for me:
Muric
Roberts ekdal Beyer Taylor
Cork Cullen
Tella brownhill zaroury
Barnes

This is probably not one of those games where you’re hoping you’re still in it until Benson comes on for the final 20. Probably better starting with Benson, if fit, and trying to get a goal or two. Then bring Tella on late to give them cause for concern.

It’ll probably be over by half time anyway. Yes, I’m traumatised from too many visits there.

Marney&Mee wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:57 pm

THB won’t be allowed to play

I've replaced THB with Eky thump, the rest I still think is our best 11.

Muric
Roberts, Ekdal, Beyer, Maatsen
Benson, Cork, Cullen, Brownhill, Zaroury,
Tella.

4-3-3.

As much pace upfront as possible for the counter.. And our strongest 3 fighting like dogs in midfield. BPF preferred as better shot stopper.

BPF
Roberts Ek Beyer Taylor
Cullen Brownhill Cork.
Obaf Foster Tella.

Is Benson in contention?
Jay for Saturday?

--------------------Muric

Roberts--Ekdal--Beyer--Maatsen

------------JBG---------Cullen

---Benson----Tella----Zaroury

-----------------Barnes

--------------------Muric----‐---‐‐---------
Roberts--Ekdal--Beyer--Maatsen
--‐‐‐----------Cullen--Cork--------------
-Tella-Gudmundsson-Zaroury -
--------------------Barnes-----------------

BPF
ROBERTS
MAATESON
BEYER
EKDAL
CORK
CULLEN
ZAROURY
BARNES
TELLA
JBG

THAT'S THE TEAM I WOULD PUT OUT .

--------------------Muric----‐---‐‐---------
Roberts--Al-Dakhil--Beyer--Maatsen
--‐‐‐----------Cullen--Cork--------------
-Tella———-Gudmundsson—-Zaroury -
---------------- --Foster----------------

Gone with Al-Dakhil and Foster for the extra pace we need both at the back and in transition.

The Centre Spot wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:06 am

Is Benson in contention?
Jay for Saturday?

I imagine Benson will start on the bench. I'd be very surprised if he were to start.

Has to be full strength for me. Otherwise possibly BPF in goal but his record there isn’t great. Man City will put a strong team out ( as if they have a weak one) and take it very seriously. We are likely to get well beaten but it’s a good test for these players and shows us what we need to work on for the higher level.

--------------------Muric----‐---‐‐--------
---------Ekdal--Al-Dakhil--Beyer--------
-‐Roberts----Cullen--Cork---Maatsen--
----------Tella------------Zaroury--------
--------------Gudmundsson--------------

Massive risk of the “squad” players being walloped and never seen again. BPF, Foster, Obafemi, Twine - these guys hardly play so needed cup games but they aren’t fully sharp and this is now our biggest remaining game of the season (we may have enough points already in the league) so surely it has to be an unchanged side?

Big test for Kompany this, a test Dyche regularly failed, I am not talking about City, talking about picking the right team. For Dyche it was often a cup defeat then getting spanked in the league for good measure (e.g. Fulham after going to Greece).

Peacock Farrell

Roberts Beyer Ekdal if fit Maatsen

Cork Cullen JBG

Tella Barnes Zarourry

I hope it is a really strong team. The back 5 should be first choice - it's a really helpful yardstick for next season if nothing else - and I'd expect Cork, Cullen and JBG to make a midfield 3.

The top end is interesting. Assuming he is now sufficiently match fit, I wouldn't be averse to Obafemi going down the centre with Tella and Zaroury wide- simply because against City, that sort of out and out pace on the break is probably our best chance of causing a problem or two. That's nothing against Barnes at all but that front 3 is explosive enough to cause problems whilst Tella in particular presses really well and works back effectively.

It's also nothing against Vitinho. It's quite possible he'll be used in a wide right role a bit next season and he could be here with Zaroury dropping out but I'd prefer to keep the attacking threat.

Muric
Roberts
Ekdal
Beyer
Maatsen
Cullen
Cork
Benson
Tella
Zaroury
Barnes

I can see why BPF might start but I will be really disappointed if the other 10 are not our first choice. We’ve got 13 days to recover afterwards and must give it our best shot.

You'd assume that VK will be treating this a excellent chance to test themselves against the best team in the PL, so our line up will reflect that

Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Maatsen
Cullen Cork Gudmundsson
Tella Barnes Zaroury

............Muric
Roberts Ekdal Bayer Maatsen
....Cullen Cork Gudmunson
....Tella Barnes Zaroury

Muric/BPF
Roberts, Maatsen
Al Dakhil, Ekdal, Beyer
Cullen,
Tella, Barnes, Zaroury,
Gudmundsen/Foster/Obefemi(any 1 of these 3)

Guddie if we are being cautious, either of the other 2 if we go for it.

Whitgord wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 17, 2023 11:06 am

I can see why BPF might start but I will be really disappointed if the other 10 are not our first choice. We’ve got 13 days to recover afterwards and must give it our best shot.

Quite a few players haven't got 13 days to recover

Play the squad. That will sort them!

Muric must play if only for his distribution

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:11 pm

Muric must play if only for his distribution

I'd agree. Would be slightly hard on BPF but we'll be having the ball a lot less tomorrow so it'd make sense to have our best distributors on the pitch to help us make the most of it when we do have it

BPF
Roberts Beyer Ekdal Maatsen
Cork Cullen
Tella Obafemi Zaroury
Foster

...................Muric
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Maatsen
..........Cullen ........Cork
.....Tella .....JBG..... Zaroury
..................Obafemi

I'd be surprised if it is anything but our usual starting line-up (by that, I mean no big changes), with BPF starting.

BPF (I think it's the whole 'cup keeper' situation)
Roberts Ekdal Beyer Maatson
Cork Cullen
Tella JBG Zaroury
Barnes

Pretty sure Obafemi has played in the FA Cup for Swansea this season.

Papabendi wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:46 pm

Pretty sure Obafemi has played in the FA Cup for Swansea this season.

No

Papabendi wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 17, 2023 1:46 pm

Pretty sure Obafemi has played in the FA Cup for Swansea this season.

He's played for Burnley in the FA Cup this season

Just seen City's predicted line up....

Thought about this one - think if we are to be in with a chance we have to hit them hard on the break

——————-Muric
Vitinho-Ekdal-Beyer-Maatsen
—————Cork-Cullen
Benson*———————-Tella
———--Obafemi-Foster

If Benson isn’t fit, Zaroury on and swap wings with Tella

Wingers cutting in, fullbacks getting up and down