View from Etihad South

[CuteMancs]

And off we go again...Hope everyone has had a good summer. I am definitely ready for football again now, even the Charity Shield. I wish the transfer window was closed though, so it would feel a little bit more settled, and I would be able to understand the squad a bit better. Still, as always, I trust Pep and if nothing else I would like to win it for Calves out Jackie!

COME ON CITY!!!

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistant referee: Tim Wood
Assistant referee: Dan Robathan
Fourth official: John Brooks
Reserve assistant referee: Steve Meredith
VAR: Michael Salisbury
AVAR: Neil Davies

Team Selection

Ramsdale
White, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber
Partey, Rice
Ødegaard
Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

And the rest...

Well well well, what an absolute cracker of a game to start the season off. If we win it's another trophy, if we lose it's just a pre-season game.

As always, we will be spanked.

Both teams seem to not be playing their best, hopefully KDB doesn’t wake up for this one.

3-0 City if we’re being honest with ourselves.

Chance to see where we are in comparison with City. Hopefully we field the same team that will start against Forest.

I don't think we are ready for the season. Arteta's insistence on not getting another striker plus tinkering all through the pre-season may come back to bite. The positive is that City isn't playing too great too. However, it's City and they have the better team on paper so let's see. For me, I think given our injury history, let's take this one easy and focus on the coming EPL games. Forest won't be easy.

Expecting a fairly predictable line-up. The usual back four, Rice, Partey, Ødegaard with the expected fronted three, I think it'll be Trossard at CF. Havertz on the bench. Tho I could also see him trying Eddie.

We will probably gift them at least one goal from nothing like usually against City. Winning, even in CS, would be a good step mentally. Right now we have mental block against them.

Can't wait for this game. Even though the mood around the team is a bit down at the moment due to a less than impressive pre-season, this game could really get our season going and hopefully our players are up for it. We absolutely need to get something over City this season and there's no better time to start than now.

Our record against them is hilarious. Last 8 games 8 losses 21-4 in goals for them. Outside of that fa cup I think it extends to 16 games. I take a respectable loss

Anyone worried that if we happen to beat City comfortably, that they then decide to go out and buy another 2 or 3 World class players?

I predict 2-0 win to City Halland on the double.

I think we'll probably win, City usually look dodgy till November/December

I just hope both teams have fun

Good news is we have Zinechnko and Nelson back, who need some minutes. Hopefully, they can get 20 or so and we'd be going into the season with just Jesus missing.

Zinchenko is pathetic.

No point shoehorning Rice in the starting XI when he's not ready.Same team that was used for Barca should be used here too. Martinelli in for Jesus and Trossard to move inside.

[nottsblue]

Cheers CM

Hope you've had a good summer so far, shite weather though it's been

The second last comment is bang on point.

Think it was Bob Paisley that once said he wasn't bothered about the CS result, just that you are competing in it. Completely agree

[CTID Hants]

Cheers CM

I am surpried at the lack of vitriol from the gooners, especially having heard a conversation down the pub last night, which if i am honest I was meant to hear, them knowing who I am.

Gooner twat..... "if they didn't have Haaland they would be nobody" so when i popped to the loo i pointed out to him and his fucknut mate that we had won the prem the previous TWO seasons without him.... and as i walked away i said "and of course, at 23, Erling is only just getting started.

When i came back from the bog, they'd fucked off.......