I am actually confident about getting something from this game. Bar James, we have a virtually fully available squad. City looked laboured against United last weekend and we have more players than United do. But the biggest thing, is we need to go at them. No Rodri is a big bonus, but no use if we let them dominate the ball. Hit them at every opportunity. The negative optimism from most people towards us may just give Maresca and players extra motivation to spring a 'surprise'.

Poch Waffle ....New season, new manager, new pressers!

 

City are gonna tear us to shreds. We're simply not ready for a massive game like this at this stage. Good thing we have Servette a few days later. We'll need a good win to boost morale after the City game.

No Rodri for them is huge, really gives our two 8's a chance to take control. I know they didn't have him when they beat us in pre season but it was pre season and we hopefully have learnt a bit from that. 

Got a bit of preseason optimism/delusion creeping in now, lets have them.

No Rodri and playing at home on the opening day. I say this is our best chance.

So there's a new rule in the prem that refs can't officiate in games of the area they are from. Anthony Taylor lives in f**king Wythenshawe 😅

It's just so blatant. 

6 hours ago, dkw said:

So there's a new rule in the prem that refs can't officiate in games of the area they are from. Anthony Taylor lives in f**king Wythenshawe 😅

It's just so blatant. 

Him and Pep also go to the same barnet barber.

f**k our finances. This is what the PL should be investigating.

9 hours ago, Mod said:

Poch Waffle ....New season, new manager, new pressers!

 

I like this, he comes across level headed too. I especially like the bit about adapting to the opposition and not being rigid. 

I actually think maybe he is a proper tactical coach...have to wait and see.

Oh and I know most ppl will moan about the passing. There's going to be soo much passing the ball about. Lol

8 hours ago, Simplymo said:

I like this, he comes across level headed too. I especially like the bit about adapting to the opposition and not being rigid. 

I actually think maybe he is a proper tactical coach...have to wait and see.

Oh and I know most ppl will moan about the passing. There's going to be soo much passing the ball about. Lol

Yes very good interview. Calm, intelligent, fluent, common sense. Very impressive. 

Fingers crossed he does well !

17 hours ago, Niall1905 said:

No Rodri for them is huge

I forget the actual stats, but it's something like them having a 50% losing record in the last 2 years when Rodri hasn't played. He's their most important player for me.

We are due a win against them, so hopefully our defence have sorted themselves out in the last week or so of training, so that we have the platform to win the game.

1 hour ago, Sexyfootball said:

I forget the actual stats, but it's something like them having a 50% losing record in the last 2 years when Rodri hasn't played. He's their most important player for me.

We are due a win against them, so hopefully our defence have sorted themselves out in the last week or so of training, so that we have the platform to win the game.

Or we continue with the suicidally high defensive line and he continues to blame it on Poch.

5 minutes ago, dermott said:

Or we continue with the suicidally high defensive line and he continues to blame it on Poch.

LOL - yes that may well happen.

I was trying to be positive though !

5 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

LOL - yes that may well happen.

I was trying to be positive though !

Away with you, believer.

4 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

I forget the actual stats, but it's something like them having a 50% losing record in the last 2 years when Rodri hasn't played. He's their most important player for me.

We are due a win against them, so hopefully our defence have sorted themselves out in the last week or so of training, so that we have the platform to win the game.

On paper we are favorite, most of city player came back very late whereas most of our player have been in training since the start of pre season. 

Edited August 17, 20241 yr by Bob stark

2 hours ago, Bob stark said:

On paper we are favorite, most of city player came back very late whereas most of our player have been in training since the start of pre season. 

Unfortunately on grass we are a bit sh*t 

Can we put this off for another month? I've been enjoying the good weather.

Edited August 17, 20241 yr by PloKoon13

On 16/08/2024 at 14:48, Mod said:

Poch Waffle ....New season, new manager, new pressers!

 

I like the way he talks no bull, not falling for the journo trap questions. I like his answer around being tactically flexible but it reminds to be seen if he will be.
He’s growing on me!!

2 hours ago, PloKoon13 said:

Can we put this off for another month? I've been enjoying the good weather.

Come to the bridge tomorrow and you can have both.

Kovacic vs our midfield, what are the odds that we dominate possession?

45 minutes ago, CaitlinCFC said:

Come to the bridge tomorrow and you can have both.

Do you have a ticket for me? Bear in mind that I'm an open-minded man.

31 minutes ago, PloKoon13 said:

Do you have a ticket for me? Bear in mind that I'm an open-minded man.

Not a spare one, sorry. You can sunbathe your open mind then.

Not feeling very optimistic ahead of this one, we certainly lack the cutting edge to get something out of this game.

On the other hand there probably won't be a better moment to play against City this season, so it's not like we don't stand a chance. We do, although only if we maintain concentration in defense for the full 90+ minutes, and our defending is a big question mark, probably the biggest of all in our squad.  

I hate to say this but I'd be satisfied with a draw, however I reckon we'll have to settle for a narrow defeat...

Excited. Always great to start a new season. Despite our availability advantage, think the high press will force us into mistakes. Just a little naive for game of this magnitude this early. 

But hope we are competitive and ready to enjoy 

Match Day!

Come on Chelsea!!

(I have double checked the match actually takes place today…😀😀)

17 minutes ago, erskblue said:

Match Day!

Come on Chelsea!!

(I have double checked the match actually takes place today…😀😀)

No match day without @erskblue's enthousiastical post! The season hath truly started.

 

Oh god...