MJ

[blues2win]

I see MJ is playing in the EDS tonight as exclusively revealed by Doug last week. Who needs the OS when we've got Doug. Could have done with a more recent photo of MJ. The one on the OS is complete with double chin.

Bottom line excellent news!

[craigmcfc]

It certainly is, let's hope he gets a good 75 minutes under his belt, without any problems during the match and without any reaction to it in the days after.

Good luck Michael

[sandman]

I'm looking forward to this one, will be good to see MJ back.

Depending on what sort of side the Dale put out their first team have a decent keeper.

[Moonchesteri]

It certainly is, let's hope he gets a good 75 minutes under his belt, without any problems during the match and without any reaction to it in the days after.

Good luck Michael

This. And a goal to boost confidence would do too! ;o)

[BadKompany]

City 1 up,Nimley from a Guidetti rebound.

[ryanmcfc]

2-0 now. MJ came off at half time. From the tweets I'm seeing, more Nimely and more Guidetti in the FA Cup please, less Jo.

[Esky]

2-0 now. MJ came off at half time. From the tweets I'm seeing, more Nimely and more Guidetti in the FA Cup please, less Jo.

'In the FA cup' is unnecessary. Anyone know is Assulin was involved as well like Doug hinted?

[ryanmcfc]

Initial team was:

Gonzalez Vidal Chantler M Johnson Boyata Wabara Kay Ibrahim Nimley Guidetti McDermott

Poole came on for Johnson at half time. Other than that, not sure of the subs.

3-0 now, Ibrahim.

[mr_nool]

Initial team was:

Gonzalez Vidal Chantler M Johnson Boyata Wabara Kay Ibrahim Nimley Guidetti McDermott

Poole came on for Johnson at half time. Other than that, not sure of the subs.

3-0 now, Ibrahim.

Did MJ play centre back?

[Crossie]

Who are we playing? Cheadle Heath?

[trueblue64]

City 4-0 up now.

[trueblue64]

From twitter.....

Goal! Guidetti scores his second to put the blues 4-0 up #cityeds
13 minutes ago via web
Goal! Ibrahim puts the blues 2-0 up and only moments later John Guidetti makes it 3...3-0 City #cityeds
30 minutes ago via web
The teams have got us underway for the second half. Johnson has made way for James Poole.
44 minutes ago via web
Half-time at Ewen Fields... City lead 1-0 at the break #mcfceds
about 1 hour ago via web
Johnson's passing like he's never been away but it's Donal McDermott who's looking most lively tonight...still 1-0 #mcfceds
about 1 hour ago via web
Goal for City! Alex Nimely pokes home from close range to put the blues ahead...1-0 #mcfceds

[trueblue64]

City win 4-0 MJ play's first 45mins

[lets all have a disco]

I'd have Guidetti on the bench on Satdi,Start Dzeko and Carlos.

Drop JO.

[ryanmcfc]

Initial team was:

Gonzalez Vidal Chantler M Johnson Boyata Wabara Kay Ibrahim Nimley Guidetti McDermott

Poole came on for Johnson at half time. Other than that, not sure of the subs.

3-0 now, Ibrahim.

Did MJ play centre back?

Doubt it, that's just the way the team was copied from Twitter.

I believe our back four would have been Vidal Boyata Wabara Chantler

[mr_nool]

Initial team was:

Gonzalez Vidal Chantler M Johnson Boyata Wabara Kay Ibrahim Nimley Guidetti McDermott

Poole came on for Johnson at half time. Other than that, not sure of the subs.

3-0 now, Ibrahim.

Did MJ play centre back?

Doubt it, that's just the way the team was copied from Twitter.

I believe our back four would have been Vidal Boyata Wabara Chantler

cheers mate,I only know Vidal and Boyata out of those four...

[Green & Blue]

I'd have Guidetti on the bench on Satdi,Start Dzeko and Carlos.

Drop JO.

Good shout.

[sandman]

MJ stood in the centre circle and barely moved quicker than a light jog all half, but then he didnt need to move much, maybe he was just being careful. He looked easily a class above the rest in the beginning of the game, he made some great passes but then started giving the ball away a little later in the half before he was brought off at half time. He showed that form is temporary but class is permanent, if he gets fit again you can see he has a massive amount of ability, I think he is a long LONG way away yet though.

Ones to watch there were;
Boyata (obviously)
Ibrahim
McDermott

Guidetti is easily good enough to be on our bench now, he looks lightyears more promising than Sturridge and BWP ever did. But then he's playing competitive football where he is. I suppose the club have to make the decision whether to step him up like Boyata and have him come back again (class player taken a little too early) or to keep him there and have to subject the fans to seeing the likes of Santa Cruz and Jo on the bench? He shook the bar so hard I think they could feel it at bower fold.

[Buffalo Soldier]

I'd have Guidetti on the bench on Satdi,Start Dzeko and Carlos.

Drop JO.

Good shout.

Think Guidetti might be on a drip for the next week, he looked absolutely shagged at the end of the match. He made Yaya look like the world's fittest man.

Donal McDermott looks like a decent prospect, very tricky and a decent delivery, would like to see him on the bench for the cup game against Leicester.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

It was a total stroll in the park and how it was only 4 is beyond me. The Rochdale side seemed younger and vastly less experienced than City and it showed.
Probably the ideal game for MJ as he was able to ease his way back into the game. Mostly he played well as an anchor midfield maestro just receiving and laying off with little effort.It might have been easy but he certainly made it look easy. Not too often did he attempt the killer pass although in a couple of starnge minutes he did try a few and they all failed.He switched with Ibrahim for a few minutes so that he was further forward and seemed ok. Not extended stamina wise but he did chase back on a couple of occasions.All in all just what he needed and he looked fine but the opposition were weak. Liverpool next Wednesday will be a real test if he plays.

I had spoken with the Doc before the game ( he was on the touchline) and he had confirmed it was only going to be 45 minutes.Brian Kidd was there as well.Probably the star man was McDermott who basically terrorised Rochdale nearly every time he had the ball. Strange though because there were also times when he didn't have the ball where he totally switched off and was looking the other way. He set the first goal up with a cross for Guidetti which he headed onto the bar and Nimley tapped in.Only 1 nil at half time but could have been 4 or 5.

Guidetti was interesting. I think the general feeling was that he had a poor game but I think that's being a bit cruel. His running was good but somehow the final pass or shot he just seemed to get wrong.But more of the same in the 2nd half and he scored 2 good strikers goals with a tap in from a great Vidal cross and a poach from close in after a scramble.I have to say I am Guidetti fan. I like his effort and often his touch but he justs needs to be better with the final thing.I personally think if he had played instead of Jo whenever he has played he would have had at least a couple of goals and probably more plus an assist or two.