[Alabaster Codify7]

And we'd still park the bus

My feelings exactly. If they play a second string, it'll finish 0-0. But it'll be infuriating as we'll just know that Bravo and the rest of those clowns are there for the taking if we just take a few risks.

 

[charlenefan]

And we'd still park the bus

Couldn't care less, as long as they don't win it against us I could care less what the result and performance is

 

[edgar allan]

Couldn't care less, as long as they don't win it against us I could care less what the result and performance is

If we park the bus we will lose.

 

[Scarecrow]

Silva - Sane is the new Rooney - Valencia.

 

[Trophy Room]

I hope they play their full team and we beat them.

 

[Lennon7]

City just need 1 to be in a decent position going into their home leg.

 

[Member 90887]

I don't think pep will play all his first teamers against us, if he does, it would be a stupid move.

The PL is won for them, they just have the CL to play for now, so he shouldn't hinder his chances for the qualification. They aren't that big right now, so I think he would like to put his team in the best of positions.

Liverpool will do the same in the league I think.

 

[RonaldoVII]

If we park the bus we will lose.

Agreed; we need to go at them. It's almost a free hit for us as the title is gone and top 4 pretty much secured.

 

[Paxi]

Pep will play second team thats for sure. He will think 3-0 at home is still doable.

 

[Bastian]

Not that it's super likely, but wouldn't it be nice to stick the boot in, beat them and watch their feeling of invincibility disintegrate. I'm sure Jose is licking his lips.

 

[RonaldoVII]

If we were 6 points closer then it would be interesting given their run of games. Would be a small statement for next season if we can go there and get a result, even in these circumstances

 

[Raw]

If we were 6 points closer then it would be interesting given their run of games. Would be a small statement for next season if we can go there and get a result, even in these circumstances

Those 6 points were dropped so stupidly over December

 

[AngliaRed]

After that thrashing Pep could think two ways:

1. Rest the first team, they have a massive task on Tueday and they need to be fresh, we can win the league next weekend, feck united!

2. We’re out of the Champions league lets smash united and win the league Saturday and take our chances Tuesday!

I think he will opt for Option 1! Rest 5-6 players with Tuesdays task in mind.

 

[McGrathsipan]

If we were 6 points closer then it would be interesting given their run of games. Would be a small statement for next season if we can go there and get a result, even in these circumstances

Forget it. Match has draw written all over it. Doesnt matter if they play their strongest team or not

 

[Ban]

After that thrashing Pep could think two ways:

1. Rest the first team, they have a massive task on Tueday and they need to be fresh, we can win the league next weekend, feck united!

2. We’re out of the Champions league lets smash united and win the league Saturday and take our chances Tuesday!

I think he will opt for Option 1! Rest 5-6 players with Tuesdays task in mind.

They're small time so they'll probably go for 2.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

I’m not convinced tonight changes anything.

If we go there without the intention to attack, City will win.

They are at their worst when teams make the effort to take the game to them.

 

[Random Task]

After that thrashing Pep could think two ways:

1. Rest the first team, they have a massive task on Tueday and they need to be fresh, we can win the league next weekend, feck united!

2. We’re out of the Champions league lets smash united and win the league Saturday and take our chances Tuesday!

I think he will opt for Option 1! Rest 5-6 players with Tuesdays task in mind.

I think he will too.

 

[Random Task]

I’m not convinced tonight changes anything.

If we go there without the intention to attack, City will win.

They are at their worst when teams make the effort to take the game to them.

Klopp and Liverpool contest this theory, as evidenced by the CL tie just played.

I'm hoping Jose took inspiration from the game and is more daring in his tactical approach.

 

[Sensei]

I think he will too.

Why will he risk two successive defeats? would be a morale dampner. I think he'll go full throttle first 60 mins and rest key players.

 

[Random Task]

Why will he risk two successive defeats? would be a morale dampner. I think he'll go full throttle first 60 mins and rest key players.

City will win the title regardless of the result on Sunday, whilst the CL is still a possibillity (albeit a remote one). The CL is clearly the larger priority thus resting players for said occasion is only logical.

 

[K2K]

Don't know what is worse.

City rest players and we go and lose. It will make a mockery of us as challengers.

City don't rest players but we go and park the double decker against them and still lose. Especially on the back of that woeful Sevilla perfomance.

 

[PoTMS]

We haven't got the manager nor the players to play like Pool against these lot. Honestly, as much as I hate to say it, we should park the bus although we did that last time and still lost.

 

[Henrik Larsson]

Remember when Mourinho benched the undroppable Zlatan last year against Chelsea and had us playing with high intensity to get one over Conte? Hopefully he'll plan for something similar, not that I want Lukaku dropped per se by the way. And this is not a home game of course, but still, one could hope for something nice... He is the master of party pooping after all.

 

[AngliaRed]

I wish there was a system where we could play lukaku, sanchez, rashford & Martial and press high and go at them! Never ever gonna happen with a Jose team.

 

[Ban]

Jose is a proud man and I'm sure he'll do anything to stop them seal the title on Saturday. Remember Liverpool preparing the celebrations before the Chelsea game, all in white suits, fans waiting for the bus and whatnot, Jose made it sure he spoiled their party.
Psychology will take a big part imo and City will be rattled from today's defeat. That and Pep will probably combine the team having Liverpool in mind.
We need to take advantage of their defeat and delay their title celebrations.

We'll probably defend deep and avoid midfield with long balls. That worked vs Liverpool but I'm not sure it will work vs City.

 

[Treble]

Think they won't rest any players now and will try to win at any cost to boost morale for the second leg with Liverpool.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Remember when Mourinho benched the undroppable Zlatan last year against Chelsea and had us playing with high intensity to get one over Conte? Hopefully he'll plan for something similar, not that I want Lukaku dropped per se by the way. And this is not a home game of course, but still, one could hope for something nice... He is the master of party pooping after all.

That match was at home for us which is a generous advantage. We are away to City, so they have the advantage.

 

[Xeno]

I think he will too.

Of course he will. He’s not a fan desperate for validation, the league is won. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s one of those questionable FA Cup squads that sides further down the table get shit for, all academy and reserve.

 

[bosnian_red]

Yeah really not sure what to go for here. Definitely need the 3 man midfield, but we need to press and go on the offensive and take the game to them. Also in these games where we'll be under pressure, we need an out ball and someone who can stretch them and run in behind and dribble past players (Rashford or Martial or both). To get one of them and Sanchez in, means one of the 2 play on the right (unless we go for the Chelsea lineup where we used a front 2 and Sanchez as the 10... probably that).

They'll likely rest players, but they're still very good at controlling games, and we normally aren't great at the Etihad, so it'll be tough (especially with Mourinho being away to a big team). Going for:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Smalling Young
Herrera Matic Pogba
Sanchez
Martial Lukaku

​

 

[NikSab]

Pep would be mad not to rest players. God forbid KDB or Jesus get injured in the game, Pep will be barbecued post match irrespective of anything they do vs us.

 

[Henrik Larsson]

That match was at home for us which is a generous advantage. We are away to City, so they have the advantage.

Yeah I think I quite literally already mentioned that.

And they might have the home advantage, from a psychological point there is no advantage for them. Just got a massive blow after tonight, anything but a win would be considered a failure because otherwise they won't win the league Saturday, at the same time they have to keep an eye on the Liverpool return because they could still make it a game if they get a quick goal or two against them.

Will probably be a draw though, based on everything about us this season.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

There you go Jose, you've seen how to beat City - got to get at them. None of this parking the bus and hoping to nick one on the break.

 

[charlenefan]

I don't think Pep will rest anyone against us, they have a shot of winning the league against us that's something City fans will talk about for decades and he's going to pass that up to try a revive a tie they're pretty much already out of?

I suspect Kompany may sit the game out but other than him I expect them to be at full strength

 

[Adisa]

Don't think today's game was ever going to have an impact on his selection.
He will play a strong team.
Anyone thinking Jose will go to the Etihad to gengenpress is deluded.
He's going there, not to lose.

 

[whatwha]

Going there with "not losing" as the only goal will probably lead to a loss. That's how minnows used to turn up at OT.

 

[marukomu]

The fecking scouse bastards. They only beat City so that they would have a real go against us and not field a weakened team.

 

[SoCross]

Hope Jose doesn't sit back and let them play this coming weekend. City are there to be had.

 

[StonedhamsterZA]

Would be nice to beat them (not sure how likely that is) and some cracks begin to show in the run-in to next season. You know, an unexpected loss or two.

Will be a good to take some wind out of their sails.

 

[FootyGirl88]

Yeah really not sure what to go for here. Definitely need the 3 man midfield, but we need to press and go on the offensive and take the game to them. Also in these games where we'll be under pressure, we need an out ball and someone who can stretch them and run in behind and dribble past players (Rashford or Martial or both). To get one of them and Sanchez in, means one of the 2 play on the right (unless we go for the Chelsea lineup where we used a front 2 and Sanchez as the 10... probably that).

They'll likely rest players, but they're still very good at controlling games, and we normally aren't great at the Etihad, so it'll be tough (especially with Mourinho being away to a big team). Going for:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Smalling Young
Herrera Matic Pogba
Sanchez
Martial Lukaku

​

From your mouth to Jose's ears, I like the look of this team, I think this is our strongest starting 11.

 

[RedNed77]

I’ve gone for 5-0 as my score prediction. Gonna smash the blue nosed cnuts