20 Sep 2021 12:19:03
Granit to walk straight back into the NLD starting line up?


1.) 20 Sep 2021
20 Sep 2021 12:33:25
Be very surprised if he didn’t.


2.) 20 Sep 2021
20 Sep 2021 12:52:41
Possibly especially if partey is injured.


3.) 20 Sep 2021
20 Sep 2021 13:36:33
Can he walk straight into a shark tank instead?


4.) 20 Sep 2021
20 Sep 2021 14:05:24
I like the 4 1 4 1 formation from the weekend, but against better teams (no-disrespect to Burnley) I think we would be far to open. Xhaka will definitely start, hopefully alongside Partey.

Our bigger worry is still for the CF. Auba still isn't firing, Balogun is back in the U23s and Lacca can't get a look in all of a sudden. Despite Ode and ESR, we can't say we are creating that many chances for Auba, but either way we need more.


5.) 20 Sep 2021
20 Sep 2021 19:54:56
Sometimes Lefty, I think you have to play your best team and stick with it. Whether it’s a 4-1-4-1 formation or something else, I like having the midfield 3 of Partey, Ode and ESR, and ultimately think it offers more than any midfield with Xhaka. Man City have won leagues playing with just one DM, and if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for us.

Their success comes from the fact that so called luxury attacking players, such as Sterling and especially Bernardo Silva, actually track back and contribute as much to defence as attack.

The same has to go for us, as long as Ode and ESR sit in front of Partey when defending, and Saka and Pepe support their full backs then I think the team we played at the weekend offers the best balance across the season.