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Newcastle were foielding a very young side tonight as the first team squad were away in Portugal and had taken half the reserve regulars along. City by comparison were quite experienced so I was half expecting a goal fest. 1 each at half time was disappointing. Not because we had missed loads of chances but because we hadnt played well at all imo.

A nice goal by Guidetti running onto a long ball and firing past the keeper but we gave away a poor penalty after Wabara completely missed his kick leaving their center forward clear on goal and he was held back. Ameobi scored from the spot! Brother of you know who and built like him too if not even more stick like.We had a few other moments in the first half but Newcastle had another great chance, this time after a mistake by Veselli.

The 2nd half started with McDermott replaced by Juan Roman and it immediately looked better. McD hadnt got into the game much and to me didnt look interested but Roman has a lovely touch and slipped a great ball through as Guidetti broke on his right side to finish well .Then Guidetti fed by Roman again had a shot parried and Roman slid home the goal.

Then Mancini was taken off and Assulin came on. Mancini had been largely anonymous but very soon Assulin picked up the ball , saw a gap and broke into the box, pushed the ball past two defenders and went for the gap only to be brought down for a penalty.He was really keen to take the pen even with JG on a hat trick and other players had to tell him to leave it. Shortly after he got the ball about 15 yards outside the box and just glided through a few challenges into the box where eventually his shot was blocked. Some were shouting for him to shoot earlier but he carried the ball really well. A very interesting few minutes. Chris Chantler scored the 5th near the end. A nice finish too into the top left corner which is just about the only place it would have gone in.

Cheers Doug!

Eh Doug, now we are the EDS, do any of our senior fringe players get a look in, especially when they are coming back from injury?

Oh, and cheers Doug.

Beefymcfc wrote:Eh Doug, now we are the EDS, do any of our senior fringe players get a look in, especially when they are coming back from injury?

Oh, and cheers Doug.

In a word no unless you count Boyata who does play EDS. I would think though that some after injury might have a chance if it suited them to give somebody a run out.They have done before it was called the EDS.

Guidetti is doing really well.Sounds like Assulin had an impressive cameo.Its well known Barcelona had really high hopes for him being the next academy graduate to become a star in the first team.

What's your opinion on what you have seen of Assulin so far Doug, does he have what it takes ?

Green & Blue wrote:Guidetti is doing really well.Sounds like Assulin had an impressive cameo.Its well known Barcelona had really high hopes for him being the next academy graduate to become a star in the first team.

What's your opinion on what you have seen of Assulin so far Doug, does he have what it takes ?

I won't get over excited until I see him a few more times and against stronger opposition. He has talent that's for sure and confidence.

I get the impression he has that wonderful ability when on the ball to see a tackle coming and just move the ball away from it but as we all know it takes more than a bit of dribbling/ ball carrying to make a top footballer.

Cheers Doug,i take it no leads as to the whereabouts of MJ?

Cheers as always Doug.

Is always interesting to see Mancini mentioned in your training reports/EDS reports. Is there anything there at all and do you think he had what it takes to make it as a player and if so what level? Or is he purely at the club because of his dad?

BadKompany wrote:Cheers Doug,i take it no leads as to the whereabouts of MJ?

Sorry nothing . I will try harder tomorrow.

french_tony wrote:Cheers as always Doug.

Is always interesting to see Mancini mentioned in your training reports/EDS reports. Is there anything there at all and do you think he had what it takes to make it as a player and if so what level? Or is he purely at the club because of his dad?

Something there yes but not at City's level and maybe not in England.He played a little further forward tonight and sdidnt seem to relish the strong stuff from the centre halves.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

BadKompany wrote:Cheers Doug,i take it no leads as to the whereabouts of MJ?

Sorry nothing . I will try harder tomorrow.

Thanks mate,your efforts are commendable and really appreciated.

Cheers for your answer about Assulin on the other thread. I suppose the coaching staff have had a good look at him in training and that he must be a fair shout for the 25 now he's getting near to match fitness? Maybe we've got ourselves someone who can give us flair in midfield if Silva is injured. Early days of course.

IF Assulin ever does come through as the real deal, just wonder if there'd ever be a chance of playing both Silva and him together in the same team (like Eyal and Ali B in an earlier time) ??

I know it's totally premature but, from what you've seen Mr H albeit in only a few minutes of playing time, is there a chance they could eventually complement each other ??

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:IF Assulin ever does come through as the real deal, just wonder if there'd ever be a chance of playing both Silva and him together in the same team (like Eyal and Ali B in an earlier time) ??

I know it's totally premature but, from what you've seen Mr H albeit in only a few minutes of playing time, is there a chance they could eventually complement each other ??

That's a question Mancini would have to answer and comes down to how attacking he would want to set up a team.Yesterday Assulin played on the left but roamed around just like Silva starts on the right and gets everywhere. Silva is left footed and Assulin right footed.It's possible to have both in the same team as proven by Barca albiet they are an extreme example. I feel sure it won't happen this season anyway as Assulin has a distance to go to get fit enough for the first team.Last night's 20 minutes was a good start.

Oh and only one player last night in the freezing cold at Hyde wore gloves and a snood. Andrea Mancini:)

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:IF Assulin ever does come through as the real deal, just wonder if there'd ever be a chance of playing both Silva and him together in the same team (like Eyal and Ali B in an earlier time) ??

I know it's totally premature but, from what you've seen Mr H albeit in only a few minutes of playing time, is there a chance they could eventually complement each other ??

That's a question Mancini would have to answer and comes down to how attacking he would want to set up a team.Yesterday Assulin played on the left but roamed around just like Silva starts on the right and gets everywhere. Silva is left footed and Assulin right footed.It's possible to have both in the same team as proven by Barca albiet they are an extreme example. I feel sure it won't happen this season anyway as Assulin has a distance to go to get fit enough for the first team.Last night's 20 minutes was a good start.

Oh and only one player last night in the freezing cold at Hyde wore gloves and a snood. Andrea Mancini:)

Thanks Mr H for your thoughts.

I was just wondering if, both longer term and we were also to lose Tevez in the summer, whether a formation of 4-2-3-1, with Silva and Assulin being two out of the three, might be a viable option.

However, as you say, it's only really up to Mancini and we'll just have to be patient in the meantime.