So it really doesn't affect our resultsThey’ve already won the group, so might play weakened sides etc.
After talking in the press conference about how he likes 433, and that he can’t change everything in 2 days, I don’t think he’s going to go to a back 3Ok I have thought about it all night.
Morelos will start. This is his opportunity to make a first impression. If he fails to do that, he will not start at the weekend.
McGregor is a lock.
Hagi is a lock.
Davis could use a rest, but for Gio's first game, he will want experience and reliability.
Kent is a lock.
Aribo a lock.
Tavernier a lock. (Too big a statement to bench Captain for first game)
Goldson a lock. (Our hands tied)
Balogun a lock. (Our Hands tied)
Barisic over Bassey (Gio prefers technical)
Patterson Balogun Goldson
Tavernier. Barisic
Davis
Hagi. Aribo Kent
Morelos
A bit of a stretch, and leaves us light on the bench for defensive players...
But it plays it a little safer. Gets Tav and Patterson in.
Davis helps play out from the back, with options on the wing. Our front 4 can focus on putting the ball in the net.
Can’t see formation being anything other than the 4-3-3 Dutch Philosophy.Assuming Balogun is injured.
2 defensive mids will be required.
Likely a 4-2-3-1
I’d prefer (purely because not other CB options)
McLauchlin
Tav Goldson Bassey Borna
Jack Kamara
Aribo Hagi Kent
Sakala
I hope that we get the result, but going right back to Malmo as our first game back the team have left a lot to be desired in games at Ibrox (Old Firm aside).
Such a big game to see if players are going to buy into Gio straight away!
He has also mentioned how he changes for Europe. In the grand scheme, it may still be a 433 going forwardAfter talking in the press conference about how he likes 433, and that he can’t change everything in 2 days, I don’t think he’s going to go to a back 3
It would be insane to start Morelos.
Tonight’s going to tell us a lot about a few of these players, pretty confident of a good win though.
Aye, work is slow as shit as well which isn’t helping.I think he’ll start.
On a side note, how slow is this day going, brutal?
I’m the same, be interesting if he sees player and formation changes.Based on Gio's comments yesterday about changes, I'm looking forward to seeing the team he picks.
I dunno. Something really worries me about that lineup!4231
Tav Goldson Balogun Bassey
……….Jack…. Davis……..
Kent……….Hagi……....Aribo
…….……Morelos………...
3 Nil Rangers!!!
We’d probably still concede the same amount of goalsI dunno. Something really worries me about that lineup!
unfortunately very true. Shot on goal = goal at the minute!We’d probably still concede the same amount of goals
Oh dear that could be more difficult!!New format this year where the team who wins the group goes straight into the R16 and the team who finishes second enters the round of 32 to play against the teams dropping out from CL.
Haha edited now.I dunno. Something really worries me about that lineup!
This is how I see it. Some are getting a bit carried away and expecting the B Team to trot out tonight I think.I don’t know if there will be massive team changes so let’s not all lose the head if regulars are picked. I feel when he said there will be changes, we will definitely see changes in shape, in how we defend, the role of some players etc. But I’m not expecting a massively changed team. Maybe 2 or 3. Until he’s had more time to implement things and suss out players.
Ok I have thought about it all night.
Morelos will start. This is his opportunity to make a first impression. If he fails to do that, he will not start at the weekend.
McGregor is a lock.
Hagi is a lock.
Davis could use a rest, but for Gio's first game, he will want experience and reliability.
Kent is a lock.
Aribo a lock.
Tavernier a lock. (Too big a statement to bench Captain for first game)
Goldson a lock. (Our hands tied)
Balogun a lock. (Our Hands tied)
Barisic over Bassey (Gio prefers technical)
Patterson Balogun Goldson
Tavernier. Barisic
Davis
Hagi. Aribo Kent
Morelos
A bit of a stretch, and leaves us light on the bench for defensive players...
But it plays it a little safer. Gets Tav and Patterson in.
Davis helps play out from the back, with options on the wing. Our front 4 can focus on putting the ball in the net.
At the very least he gives you 100% which is more than can be said for a few others. And while he might not be the player of a few seasons ago he gives us goal threat from midfield which is valuable.I think Arfield will start tonight.
He was one of the players who was genuinely trying on Sunday and he looks sharp and upbeat in the training videos.
I have a feeling he will be in the starting 11.
He picks up so many niggles it would be a risk to bring him back before he’s totally ready.Don’t think Roofe will be back tonight. Outside chance for the weekend but not sure if he’ll play on that pitch if not 100%
Is the pitch a mess? Haven't seen it.Don’t think Roofe will be back tonight. Outside chance for the weekend but not sure if he’ll play on that pitch if not 100%
He means Livy mate.Is the pitch a mess? Haven't seen it.
Is the pitch a mess? Haven't seen it.
Haha. I misread your postWhen is Livi’s pitch ever good?
Think he means outside chance for Livi, but wouldn’t risk him on Livi pitch unless 100%.Is the pitch a mess? Haven't seen it.
I really think with GVB and RM being able to speak to AM in his native tongue will help him alotAye, work is slow as shit as well which isn’t helping.
Normally I’d expect Morelos to start here, but with Gio having sat and watched that full game from the stands on Sunday, I can’t see it.
A win yes, but by two goals is another matterIt would be insane to start Morelos.
Tonight’s going to tell us a lot about a few of these players, pretty confident of a good win though.
If anyone saw Man City play last night their so called flair players put in a real shift (Silva for example, not just jogging or running to close the opposition down but sprinting time after time)
Tonight always looked like being a tough game even before Sunday but, I want to see some professional pride in our performance & then the rest should take care of itself with the best team winning
Every game from now until the break is a vital game mate. No respite whatsoever, so little time to get across his ideas. I'm kinda clinging onto the fact that this group of players haven't lost their ability - that never goes - but they need to get their heads straight. We know how good they can be, we just haven't seen much of it this season. First half against Hearts was good but, even then, it all petered out after half time. I expect GvB will rely on old heads to get him through his first few games but I'd seriously be thinking about finding alternatives to Greegs, Davis and Arfield going forward into December as they all struggle with two/three games a week. As does Balogun but options are limited there.Very important first game for our new manager.
Yeah I’m sure a 1-0 then makes it goal difference. Or any 1 goal win.I know a two goal win puts us through but what about single goal wins ?
Away goals are scrapped so is 1-0 the same result tonight as 2-1, 3-2 etc ?
So a single goal win tonight would mean that a draw or better in Lyon and we are through.Yeah I’m sure a 1-0 then makes it goal difference. Or any 1 goal win.
It's always a strange excitement in the lead up to a managers first game to see any changes. Even when we were pish it was exciting to see if any players would be brought in from the cold and given an opportunity.Haven’t been so excited for a game in a long while… actually even anticipating the announcement of the starting 11 feels very special
Lyon have already won the group, and have a huge league game a few days after we play them - you’d fancy us to get something.So a single goal win tonight would mean that a draw or better in Lyon and we are through.
If we lose vs Lyon then it comes down to how many Prague put past Brondby - ie if we lost 1-0 to Lyon , they would have to win by.
I guess then 5-4 for us tonight then is better than 1-0 as it might come down to "goals scored".
Plus coefficient points etc - you'd hope we'd try and get a result even if nailed on 2nd.Lyon have already won the group, and have a huge league game a few days after we play them - you’d fancy us to get something.