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Dugout Discussion – Community Shield

12 August 2012 2794 comments
Mark Mark
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We’re back. As the Olympic flame begins to flicker, the football season crunches through the gears to take up the pace. Today’s Community Shield is the official curtain raiser and offers up a Man City vs Chelsea clash that will surely whet the appetite for the feast to come.

The first Dugout Discussion post of the season is here, then, with our Chatroom also open for those who fancy some real-time exchanges.

The team news from Villa Park goes a lot like this…

Chelsea are without one of their new midfield signings, as Marko Marin continues to nurse a hamstring which threatens to derail his double Gameweek prospects. Without the option of Marin, Roberto Di Matteo looks to be going with a 4-3-3, which could similarly shift to pack the midfield with a 4-5-1. Significantly, Juan Mata starts along with Eden Hazard: the Spaniard looks to be playing on the right of compatriot Fernando Torres, with Hazard given the left flank role. Mikel holds a midfield start, with Frank Lampard and Ramires alongside him. John Terry skippers the side in a familiar back four which has Branislav Ivanovic in the right-back role and David Luiz given the nod over Gary Cahill who sits on the bench.

City are without both Gareth Barry and Micah Richards through injury, while reports of a back problem for Joe Hart are confirmed as Costel Pantilimon starts in goal. Ahead of him it looks like a familiar 4-4-2, although there is talk of Roberto Mancini lining up in the 3-5-2 that he’s used throughout the pre-season. Stefan Savic is given the nod alongside Vincent Kompany who recovers from a knock to start: Lescott is presumably being preserved for next weekend. Pablo Zabaleta and, interestingly, Aleksandar Kolarov both get starts, with Clichy benched. It could be we see Zabaleta employed as a defensive three, with Kolarov and James Milner used as wing-backs. David Silva is kept on the bench after his Euro 2012 campaign and, with Barry also absent, Nigel De Jong gets the nod alongside Yaya Toure. Carlos Tevez will be expected to provide the support for Sergio Aguero up front; Mario Balotelli is out of the equation through conjunctivitis, apparently.

Let’s hope the match is a sight for his sore eyes. Enjoy the game.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,794 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Aldertongen
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Has the Savic discussion happened?

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Don't get him. Simple.

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  2. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    A point on Tevez and Aguero. As City are in the CL does this mean Aguero may be more likely to be rested in certain premier league games

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      They have Dzeko and Balo too so not necessarily.

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    2. Kanus hat trick
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I can see Mancini doing that tbh as they will really want to go much further in CL next season

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  3. Corrigan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Only goalscorer I'm tempted by is Tevez.

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    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Torres for me and possibly Tevez too.

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      1. Corrigan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        I'm still going to captain Aguero too (or VC him). Am I odd?

        So pleased I've watched this game.

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          No it makes sense. Tevez has been dragged deep to create as Nasri is more of a third striker than AM

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    2. Saint & Reevesy
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      No love for Yaya?

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      1. Corrigan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        When has he got forward except for the goal?

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    3. GREENDREAMS11
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Torres g/w 1 &. 2 then shift out to tevez is my plan

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  4. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Lescott and Tevez

    OR

    McCartney and Aguero ?

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    1. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Hmmmmm 😉

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      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        What yahoo reckon?

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        1. little_wizard123
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Tevez is nailed on at the start, so unless Lescott isn't fit for next week, the first one is clearly the better option.

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  5. HappyAnkit
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I Qualified & got Man City in Ffs Uefa. 8)
    Thanks council members.

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    1. HappyAnkit
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      *Many Thanks to all council members*.
      And what happened to that symbol?

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    2. Sess!
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I got sunderland who were my first choice and will be the city equivelant in the uefa council this season 🙂

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  6. mischty
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Over the entire season, Bent will outscore Tevez. He will get more game time, is on pens and is cheaper. Same for Jelavic, P.Cisse. Hell, maybe even D Cisse.

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    1. Fernando Torres
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Lol.

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    2. Zero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I agree on your first point.

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      1. Zero
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Unless Tevez gets full gametime, then no.

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        1. mischty
          • 14 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          I just see too much competition/rotation for minutes at City. With Balo coming in, Champion's League, Silva's return. I think Aguero is the main forward/striker, barring injuries.

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      2. mischty
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        a couple of those points were for hyperbolic effect..;)

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    3. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I think P Cisse will outscore Tevez, but Tevez will do better with assists. Can't see any of the others outscoring him, although all of them are capable of 15+ goals.

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  7. ...---...
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    So, Carlos Tevez (the Racing Post's tip for the Golden Boot incidentally) is currently the 17th most popular forward in the FPL with an ownership of 4.5%

    Let's hope that doesn't change too quickly!

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  8. Bendy Busdriver
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    i think i will get lolarov just for the fun factor

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  9. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Imagine if Kolorov scores now..

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    1. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Nooooooo

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  10. FiveStar
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Opinions on David Silva? Was gonna grab a Chelsea player for GW1 and 2 then trade to Silva but none have impressed. Is the general census that he will start next week?

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    1. ...---...
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      2 league goals since Bonfire Night for Mr Silva.

      Not for me.

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  11. Holy See
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Silva on to stake his place in our teams. Like every other bloody ManC player.

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  12. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I must fall for the Kolarov trap... Again.

    I must fall for the Kolarov trap... Again.

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      It's a REALLY good plan. Won't be a trap this time.

      Well done.

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      1. blue cheese
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        😉

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        1. Evs
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          I don't think it will be but... Its gonna happen.

          I'm going to get Boselli as well just for old time sake...

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  13. Somalion
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Very impressed with Torres today.

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  14. DropPointsNotBombs
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Is Vidic still injured? Ferdinand surely a great pick

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    1. Le Gooner
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I suppose you have Bertand in your team as well?

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  15. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    LOL! 😆

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  16. BootlegRascal
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    In all seriousness, who actually thinks they will have Kolarov come Saturday?

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    1. Zero
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Not me that's for sure.

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  17. Coldplay
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Every fan has the opposition's shirt on underneath just in case the other team wins

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    1. Le Gooner
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      😆 😆

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    2. Mid-Table Obscurity
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      haha, brilliant

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  18. Fernando Torres
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Do people think Mata will play both chelsea games?

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  19. itstimmehc
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Does the Ivanovic sending off mean he's banned for GW1?

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    1. Demí
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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      1. little_wizard123
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        If I'm not mistaken, it appears not (technically a friendly). The FA can still ban him though.

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        1. Demí
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Oh right... don't know what the precedent normally is for sending offs in Community shields. Chelsea look short of cover if he gets a 3 match ban though. Shame, as he was in my team...

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        No, he is only banned from similiar competitions. This is a friendly

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Are you SURE this is a friendly? 😉

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          1. GREENDREAMS11
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 5 months ago

            Eggsackery

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        2. Sess!
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Didn't realise that. Thought friendly sendings off could still carry into domestic season.

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  20. Demí
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Kagawa or Nasri. Who do people see scoring higher by the end of the season?

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    1. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Nasri.

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      1. gdog2244
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Nasri

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    2. LMNO
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Kags, Nasri won't get the game time

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    3. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      In this new city formation I would worry that Nasri and Silva maybe fighting for the one spot.

      Unless mankini reverts back.

      I'm going kagawa for now.

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    4. Bendy Busdriver
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      kagawa

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    5. Kanus hat trick
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Depends almost completely on game time. If one of their rivals for a place were to get injured that would make a huge difference. Kagawa's stats in a strong Bundesliga last season were fantastic

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    6. Kylos
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      there are 3 better City players for value, can't see 3 better choices for united value wise

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    7. Le Gooner
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I'd take a punt on Kagawa

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  21. eratrius
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    BERTRAND TRAIN!!!

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  22. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Bertrand goal. Shocking mistake by Pantilimon.

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  23. Holy See
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Well, Pantilimon, he's..er..pants.

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  24. shermanater
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    pantilliomon lol

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  25. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Bertrand to nab a game off Cole during the double 😈

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  26. Kanus hat trick
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Bertrain- Pantili- groan

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    1. little_wizard123
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      He's about two foot smaller than him 😆

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  27. Mid-Table Obscurity
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    oh dear

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  28. gdog2244
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Will Allen play at Liverpool?

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    1. DLL18
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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  29. Sess!
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Bertrand badnwagon

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  30. Zero
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Lol if anyone gets Bertrand in.

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