** Official Match Thread - Stoke Home **

[King Kev]

Sorry for starting this so early but I am sooo bored!

Not keen on these late kick-offs, it feels like I have spent the whole day waiting for the match.

[King Kev]

Capello will be at Eastlands this afternoon, supposedly to watch Bridge.

It would be nice if we could play SWP too and see if he can impress the England coach.

[Wooders]

Capello will be at Eastlands this afternoon, supposedly to watch Bridge.

It would be nice if we could play SWP too and see if he can impress the England coach.

would be even nicer if we could allow jinky a run out ... bloomin FA rules

Good luck today the lads !

[Crossie]

...............Given

Zabs.....Kompany...Lescott....Bridge

...............Vieira

SWP..........Ireland...........Petrov

......Tevez..............Ade

Please. Stoke are a hand team, shouldnt let them get on top, hit them early, then let them come at us for a good old counter attacking 4-1 win.

I know, I know, thats not whats going to happen, ive only picked 1 defensive midfielder, and we're at home, we obviously need 3 of them

[HeyMark]

Sorry for starting this so early but I am sooo bored!

Not keen on these late kick-offs, it feels like I have spent the whole day waiting for the match.

I've to sit up to 3am to watch it tonight, I'm so bored atm! Atleast that pompey southampton game was good, that helped kill some time!

[trout man]

...............Given

Zabs.....Kompany...Lescott....Bridge

...............Vieira

SWP..........Ireland...........Petrov

......Tevez..............Ade

Please. Stoke are a hand team, shouldnt let them get on top, hit them early, then let them come at us for a good old counter attacking 4-1 win.

I know, I know, thats not whats going to happen, ive only picked 1 defensive midfielder, and we're at home, we obviously need 3 of them

It would be great to see this line-up, but as you say no chance. Still think this team would rip Stoke apart and stop them scoring. Took this in the bookie as 2-0 and 2-1 to City.

[Fidel Castro]

Would love crossie's team but I think it'll look more like this I'm afraid

Given

Zab-Komp-Lescott-Bridge

SWP-Vieria-de Jong-Barry

Ade-Tevez

[btajim]

I'm keen to see City get through this one without the need for a replay. The League Match at Stoke on Tuesday will be a tough one because they make it that way - but a second unecessary trip to The Britannia isn't to the liking of many.

0-0 h/t and 2-0 f/t. Happy with that.

[Moonchesteri]

BBL is gonna be disappointed now KK.








Hopefully we'll get the job done today! Goals for SWP, Stevie and Ade today.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

The line up I saw Mancini working with specifically yesterday had Boyata at full back!

Full team was:
Given
Boyata,Toure,Lescott,Bridge
NDJ,Barry,Ireland,
SWP,Ade,Petrov

Bit surprising if it is that one with a new right full back but you never know.

[DoomMerchant]

can't believe this is truly an *offishal* match thread since it was not started by BBL 6 hours before kickoff.

cheers

[ryanmjo]

Are we on our own for streams today? I see Vhero's blog has been shut down.

[ryanmjo]

Match Centre is up on the OS. Says Carlos has flown home to Argentina due to family reasons. Not good.

[Crossie]

Its on ITV1 if your in the UK!

[DoomMerchant]

Match Centre is up on the OS. Says Carlos has flown home to Argentina due to family reasons. Not good.

WTF...must be something serious since he's not Robson-esque about that sort of thing.

Could be RSC today with Ade? Sounds...like a lot of uhm "direct football" could be in order.

cheers

[Kyle]

Match Centre is up on the OS. Says Carlos has flown home to Argentina due to family reasons. Not good.

WTF...must be something serious since he's not Robson-esque about that sort of thing.

Could be RSC today with Ade? Sounds...like a lot of uhm "direct football" could be in order.

cheers

This could be a good thing, throw ireland in that role.

After re-reading I don't think it is a good thing that his family needs him back for an emergency, I just think the opportunity would be good for us as we have been bouyed by him for the last few months or so, and it will force others to step up.

[brite blu sky]

i would have given Carlos a rest anyway for this one.. so no change for me..

let ireland run free and see what he can do in that role with Vieira taking Stevie usual prefered positon in the center advanced mid

[ryanmjo]

Not a bad team choice in my opinion:
Given
Zabaleta Toure Lescott Bridge
SWP Barry de Jong Petrov
Ireland Adebayor

I'm assuming Stevie takes on the Tevez role.

Bench: Onouha, Taylor, Garrido, Sylvinho, Boyata, Vieira, Santa Cruz

Not many attacking options to be found there should we need them.

[Crossie]

Hope Carlos's family is ok, wishing him all the best.

However quite right, it could be a blessing, gets a rest, go home for a week maybe, gives Ade a chance to be the main man, and Ireland a chance to get himself in this loved position and build confidence back up.

Im hoping this might change our formation for the better.

Be interesting if we see Ade and RSC together!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Tevez was due for a rest so np's there and as they were working without him yesterday it's likely the trip home was sorted already.
It's Ireland time!