City v Clarets Match Thread

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:51 pm

Wasn’t expecting this team. No Cork. Looks like the same system as at Hull and against Wigan.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:53 pm

Not quite the line up I was expecting.

KefkaClaret · Post by **KefkaClaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm

We are certainly going for it, think we'll get peppered with this lineup but UTC.

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm

A surprise is Al-Dakhil and no Ekdal, not even on the bench.

jtv · Post by **jtv** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm

Is Ekdal injured?

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm

Ekland injured I assume. Amazed he’s playing BOF

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm

DCWat wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:53 pm
Not quite the line up I was expecting.

Yeah. Bit of a shame Muric isn’t in, thought we’d benefit from his passing today. Also a Cullen JBG midfield against Rodri and KDB… eeek.

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:55 pm

KefkaClaret wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm
We are certainly going for it, think we'll get peppered with this lineup but UTC.

Kompany isn't going there scared. Which is great to see. We're clearly going there to show what we can do.

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:55 pm

Shame Muric not playing

Clive 1960 · Post by **Clive 1960** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:56 pm

Shocked to see Foster starting but Vinny knows best and he's going with pace. UTC

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:56 pm

jtv wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm
Is Ekdal injured?

Possibly. He had treatment on his shoulder and was regularly rubbing it until he was hooked.

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:56 pm

Understandable why PF is starting in goal. Man management.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:57 pm

4-2-3-1

: 20230318_165617.jpg (195.78 KiB) Viewed 3225 times

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:57 pm

I'm surprised that Ekdal, Muric, Cork, and Barnes are not starting

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:57 pm

Yep Foster up front got me also .

So what can i say is a very nice sunny day so far in Galway , lets hope it continues on and off the pitch

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:59 pm

HiThere wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:56 pm
Understandable why PF is starting in goal. Man management.

Yes City do it too. Their back up keeper starts today. But that’s City…

TheOriginalLongsider · Post by **TheOriginalLongsider** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:59 pm

Does he think BPF is a better goalkeeper in terms of saving shots? We can’t play our usual game as City would just take us apart. I’m expecting a bit more caution and look to hit them on the break. Hence why Foster is on instead of Barnes

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:59 pm

Cirrus_Minor wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:57 pm
I'm surprised that Ekdal, Muric, Cork, and Barnes are not starting

Are you? A bit of a surprise with Cork but that's about it.

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:00 pm

Their starters.

: 2F5EC7C7-B4E7-4B0B-95CE-A0587F5756A4.jpeg (156.1 KiB) Viewed 3076 times

derryclaret · Post by **derryclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:01 pm

Afternoon all, nerves already shredded what with the rugby and all, beers on board.COYC

Burnley Ace · Post by **Burnley Ace** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:02 pm

That’s just not fair!

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:02 pm

derryclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:01 pm
Afternoon all, nerves already shredded what with the rugby and all, beers on board.COYC

I keep telling myself it's a free hit... works for 10 minutes and then I ignore that.

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:02 pm

I assume Robers will tuck in and play more alongside Cullen as a holding midfield (like at Hull) with Vitinho playing more like a right wing back. This gives both JBG and Tella the freedom to float around a bit more with Zaroury offering the width and Foster being the focal point to play off and around

andyh · Post by **andyh** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:04 pm

City not taking it lightly with that team

Casper2 · Post by **Casper2** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:05 pm

Cirrus_Minor wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:57 pm
I'm surprised that Ekdal, Muric, Cork, and Barnes are not starting

Ekdal injured, Peacock-Farrell played every cup game

Carwin261 · Post by **Carwin261** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:06 pm

FCBurnley wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm
Ekland injured I assume. Amazed he’s playing BOF

BOF ?

Hurstwood_Claret · Post by **Hurstwood_Claret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:06 pm

Who’s skipper today?

Carwin261 · Post by **Carwin261** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:07 pm

Carwin261 wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:06 pm
BOF ?

Sorry ,I presume you meant BPF.

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:07 pm

Hurstwood_Claret wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:06 pm
Who’s skipper today?

Reckon it’ll be Cullen

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:12 pm

Its still a strong line up from us

Makes quite a lot of sense as well

Course, City have a ridiculous squad, so it would always going to be really hard

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:13 pm

City team looks strong… Pep is worried about us

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:13 pm

A front three of Mahrez, Eklaand, and Foden should receive a handicap

JimmyRobbo · Post by **JimmyRobbo** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:14 pm

I applaud him for remaining loyal to the rotation he's been using.

Keeper and CD. I expect nothing out of this game and just hope we make a game of it.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:14 pm

That's a very strong Man City starting 11

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:15 pm

VAR is in evidence too today

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:15 pm

NRC wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:13 pm
A front three of Mahrez, Eklaand, and Foden should receive a handicap

You missed out World Cup winner Alvarez

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:18 pm

Bring it on. I want us to play against the best with the way we play. Promotion is pretty much sorted so let's just enjoy it.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:19 pm

andyh wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:04 pm
City not taking it lightly with that team

TBF Pep rarely takes the FA Cup lightly, and especially at this stage no way he was going to field many youngsters.

We should see it as a sign if respect that they've gone strong.

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:19 pm

HopeBenson gets a run out int second half.

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:20 pm

RVclaret wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 4:54 pm
Yeah. Bit of a shame Muric isn’t in, thought we’d benefit from his passing today. Also a Cullen JBG midfield against Rodri and KDB… eeek.

Nae bother!

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:20 pm

mikeS wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:19 pm
HopeBenson gets a run out int second half.

Pretty sure he will.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:20 pm

Not sure about leaving Cork out - we struggled enough at Hull with that man short in midfield.

Foster makes some sense though. The best way to threatening City is via pace and that front 3 offers plenty of it.

I'd have liked to see Muric start but I'm not surprised about that.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:20 pm

Most Clarets would prefer Muric today and BPF for Sunderland. That’s my only criticism. His job is to win, not to keep fringe players happy, and this is the biggest game we have left by far.

But, he has earned some leeway and then some, UTC and you never know.

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:21 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:20 pm
Most Clarets would prefer Muric today and BPF for Sunderland. That’s my only criticism. His job is to win, not to keep fringe players happy, and this is the biggest game we have left by far.

Nah. His job is to do both.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:23 pm

HiThere wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:21 pm
Nah. His job is to do both.

That’s why I said I would play BPF against Sunderland, unfortunate to drop him so I would have rewarded him with 2 or 3 league games over the remainder. Just think we will struggle to retain the ball today without Muric.

SussexDon1inIreland · Post by **SussexDon1inIreland** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:25 pm

Come on Ireland
Come on Burnley

Longsider · Post by **Longsider** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:26 pm

SussexDon1inIreland wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:25 pm
Come on Ireland
Come on Burnley

I can only give you half a like for that one

HiThere · Post by **HiThere** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:27 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:23 pm
That’s why I said I would play BPF against Sunderland, unfortunate to drop him so I would have rewarded him with 2 or 3 league games over the remainder. Just think we will struggle to retain the ball today without Muric.

BPF can pass the ball. And I'd say better at saving/keeping.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:27 pm

One thing he is not doing is keeping fringe players happy. He may feel that he needs the keeper that makes the most saves rather than the one that best suits his normal style.

Surprised Cork is not in but trust in the manager as usual.

Goody1975 · Post by **Goody1975** » Sat Mar 18, 2023 5:31 pm

Ekdal not injured.