A stronger midfield for the City game, please

From his two sub appearances I'm not too sure that Dele Alli is any fitter than Calvert-Lewin.

Perhaps Branthwaite into the back four and Holgate moved to midfield and told to run his arse off for 70 minutes and Gordon reminded of his defensive duties while Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison press from the front, when not in possession. Mind you, given the way City pass and move, we'll probably be just filling up space.

IF Lampard can choose a half decent starting 11 And all the good Adjectives ( not your woefuls, dire, clueless, etc) are there, then its all about which City turns up...Oh and The Bear Pit version of the Crowd - not the Library version.

We do our best and see where we are at the end of the game.

I'll take the draw and hope for the win.

Edit; Stephen @ 3; Yes, something along those lines

Man City and the shite have done it in previous seasons and haven't done too badly.

I've said previously, that with the players we currently have, our best formation is probably 4-3-3. But for this one, I'd agree with the 4-5-1.

It could allow us to bring in Alli in a wider position outside of the 3 of Doucoure (if fit), Allan and Von de Beek. Just putting this out there, but maybe Mykolenko in front of Ben Godfrey on the left?

Either way, when we do get possession in between City passing us to death, we have to support Calvert-Lewin quickly and not isolate him. And take our chances when they do come, because I doubt there will be many.

City love width, they love overloading the opposition by constantly moving the ball, and I think they always find any defensive weaknesses because of this.

I thought Everton defended brilliantly last season in the cup-tie at Goodison, but because we never attacked with any real belief, it was always going to be just a matter of time before they scored, so I think it's imperative we can also put City onto the back foot whenever possible on Saturday, and make them worry about lightening striking twice in consecutive games!

It doesn't really matter what the formation is. The key to beating Man City is the same as for beating any opposition. Nullify their strengths, maximise yours, and exploit their weaknesses.

Planning and tactics are simple; delivering is the difficult bit. We just have to hope whichever players are on the park are on song and in harmony (and that is enough!).

Ben Godfrey is out injured for a while yet, so I don't see that happening in the next few games. For me, I would go 4-1-2-3 on Saturday with a back four of Coleman, Holgate, Keane & Mykolenko, a midfield three of Allan (holding) Doucoure (if fit) & Van de Beek, Richarlison wide right, Gray (if fit) wide left & Calvert-Lewin up front.