Takeover talk has been rife this week, but it’s perhaps important to remember that we have a big game to play tomorrow! And it’s not going to be easy, as we face a trip to a wounded Manchester City following their first league defeat of the season at Liverpool last weekend.
They’ve had a week of and will be raring to go, posing the question; just how on earth can we stop this marauding Man City side tomorrow?
We could play and absolute blinder and still lose (they’re that good), but this is the side I feel may be best equipped to deal with Pepe Guardiola’s free-flowing team:
NUFC XI (5-2-2-1): Darlow – Manquillo, Dummett, Clark, Lascelles, Yedlin – Diame, Merino – Murphy, Atsu – Joselu:
In defence, five at the back looks negative, but Manquillo and Yedlin could take their chances to get forward on the break – with Dummett, Clark and Lascelles at centre-back providing a solid insurance blanket if one of them broke forward.
In midfield I’d go for big Mo and Merino. He’s been slated earlier on in the season, but Diame has probably been our best performer in midfield in over the past month. He’s put himself about, won tackles and broke up the play. Alongside him, I think I’d rather have Merino than Shelvey. We need to keep the ball and be clever with it when we get it. Merino has surprising skill and can run with the ball – I fancy him to be better defensively and more efficient on the break than Jonjo.
Up top, I’d like the pace of Atsu and Murphy either side of Joseu – who may be essential if we’re to hold the ball up top and win any knockdowns. Murphy and Atsu proved at Stoke that they can cause problems on the counter, however their final ball will have to be bang on tomorrow if we’re going to make us of the odd chance we’ll get on the break.
It could be a totally different side, but this is what I’d like to see Rafa go with tomorrow.
Let us know your thoughts!
Man City supporter here – I hope the Staveley group takeover goes through, and quickly. It would be nice to have NUFC back among the PL elite. Also, for the sake of the long-suffering supporters, it would be very nice for them to finally see the last of mega-buffoon Ashley. They, and Rafa, deserve so much better.
Phil Ster(Quote)
Awesome comment Phil, solidarity in football
Ronnie(Quote)
Let’s have a clean and competitive match tomorrow. Cheers, mate!
Phil Ster(Quote)