We must play 4-4-2 tomorrow and Taarabt needs to start....

[paulmason]

Granted....argument is how would we perform with Taarabt in a 4-4-2 out on the wing. Mackie can chase all he wants but at this level he is not capable at unlocking defences.

How many times has Taarabt unlocked defences this season and if he was played on the left wing, the left back would be murdered.

[BennyBoyRs]

I would drop him completely as I think he's proven he's over rated. However, the way Man City play, this is the type of Game I can see Taarabt doing well in.

[W12_Ranger]

You say Taraabt can unlock a defense, yes on his day i'd agree of course, but nobody can deny that of late, especially last week he couldn't even find a team mate with a simple pass let alone unlock anything. He then gets frustrated and has even less interest in putting in a shift. He constantly gifted possession which we can't afford against the likes of City, likewise we can't afford to carry anyone as was the case in the 1st half against Spurs.

Don't get me wrong i would love him to start to show what he's capabvle of, but he is in a bad run at the moment and if a lesser tema i'd be more inclined to persevere in the hope it would click for him, but don't see us being able to risk it against a top side.

Also, against a team like City we may not see the ball for long periods, which is why i think Mackie could be more immportant by forcing the odd error here and there which may then lead to us getting some possession rather than others that may stand off and admire their passing.

Yes he was poor against Spurs he gave the ball away cheaply against and was one of the main reasons we were over run in the first half. However, its all well and good chasing it down like Mackie but when your incapable of doing anything with the ball then what's the point. It's not just about Taarabt starting its about changing his role as well....if he is not interested then drop him but play him there first before casting him aside for a player who doesn't even have half his ability.

[rickyranger]

Mackie will chase lost causes and put them under pressure, but against City we need that extra touch of class to unlock them. As the match approaches I'm more and more reluctant to see Taarabt sat on the bench.

Exactly what top class defenders has Tarrabt unlocked. Maybe he could in the Championship but not a chance against good defenders as we have already seen.

If ever a player has been over hyped it's him why o why do you think Rednapp sold him for so little and nobody wanted him !!

[QPR1234]

agreed taarabt has the potential to unlock city, but i really dont think playing him in a 4-4-2 is the answer. he wont trackback, and richards has more strength and pace than him so on that id rather we went with mackie as he can force a corner out of nothing and ensures the fullback is having to work to get the ball out from the back. - taarabt would just let richards fly past him.

[DouDou_87]

This is not the game for Adel to get his form back, City will give him no space, their midfield and defence are physical and i don't see us having much of the ball.

Start him on the bench and bring him on. I'd go with HH & Bothroyd up top with Barton, SWP, Mackie and Faurlin in midfield

[LoftusRoadLad]

Adel on the bench first half for me. Let Mackie run them ragged then bring on Adel into a 4-4-2 for the second half.

[W12_Ranger]

Adel on the bench first half for me. Let Mackie run them ragged then bring on Adel into a 4-4-2 for the second half.

Seriously mate we are not playing Doncaster Rovers tomorrow

[rickyranger]

Seriously mate we are not playing Doncaster Rovers tomorrow

If we were Tarrabt might be an option unfortunately it's Man City and he is way out of his depth!

[paulmason]

I wonder when some people will stop saying one more game, just one more game. Bothroyd was dropped and came back looking hungry and that is what needs to happen to Taarabt and any other player who looses their form.

[w12dave]

442 yes...Tarrabt please god no!

We played much better without him in the second half against spurs, in the 1st half his passing was god awful and he did not even bother to chase the ball. He just hang around waiting for the ball to come to him and when it did he just ended up losing it...bloody hopeless

[w12dave]

I wonder when some people will stop saying one more game, just one more game. Bothroyd was dropped and came back looking hungry and that is what needs to happen to Taarabt and any other player who looses their form.

spot on, the team is more important than individual

We cant hope players find their form, before you know it we run out of games to stay in this league.

after the city game we need to start getting 3 points soon

[swede]

Two in CMF - they will kill us. Taarabt on the wing - they will kill us again.

What about:


------------------------Kenny-----------------------------------

Young-----------Ferdinand------Gabbidon-----------------Traore

--------------------Derry---------Faurlin------------------------

Wright-Phillips--------------Barton-------------------------Mackie

-----------------------Helguson----------------------------------

Taarabt in if we`re down in the second half.

[Ric-Roc]

Always start with your best players & Taarabt is our best player.

[stainrodisalegend]

Agree with w12. To stand a chance of getting anything out of this game our top players have to be at the top of their game. Fans love mackie because he is a good honest toiler but against city's world class team he will be made to look a pub player as he did when he came on against chelsea. He only looked half decent against spurs because, let's be honest, they had eased off knowing it was job done. Adel will prob have another poor game in which case he will be hauled off again in a damage limitation exercise but at least there is maybe a five or ten per cent chance he could be a match winner - hand on heart even if mackie plays - for him - out of his skin is he going to win us the match? This is not to #### off mackie as he seems a v decent lad but after his early form last season he couldn't hack it in the championship - what evidence has anyone got that he has what it takes to frighten the best team in the county?