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[AG7]

Phil Dowd has been appointed referee for City vs. Norwich this Saturday at the Etihad.

Chinners: Put your stats and all in here mate instead of sending me DM ... am on the move and posting via phone and when I try to copy that it just skips all line breaks so won't be very readable if I posted it.

Here's how I'd like us to lineup (considering the tired bodies from last night):

Panti
Zaba - Demi - Nasti - Clichy
Ferna - Yaya - Rodwell
Nasri - Augero - Silva

Score Prediction: City 4 - 0 Norwich

C'mon City ... first of a string of wins in the league now pls.

[RodneyRodney]

Prefer Joleon @ CB ; he's earned it. OK yes , he's had 2 hours of football tonight, but not a lot over the last month.
Apart from that, agree with choice - fast , ground-based, passing attack will get us the win - we need quick brains and quick feet around the box .

I hope Rodwell gets some time over the next few weeks - deserves a chance to show what he can do.

I'm at a loss to describe where we're going with Dzeko ; yes, he scores , but sometimes he looks like a lazy, disinterested f*ing slob.
This is the English F*ig Premier League , and you need to at least LOOK interested . There was an incident v. Toon where he got tackled in the 6-yd box and just stood there and looked up at the sky - who the f* are you ? Patrick F* Moore ? It's not God's fault you lost the f* ball - it's YOUR f* fault - so take one for the team and BREAK f* SWEAT YOU LAZY F* BASTARD !!!

Don't just f*ing well stand there you lazy * c* win the f*ing thing back !!

Edin , you score some SUPERB goals sometimes , but by Ch* I could willingly kick your lazy a* at other times !!! PLEASE show some form !! If you can't manage that then kindly f* off !

[john@staustell]

Phil Dowd has been appointed referee for City vs. Norwich this Saturday at the Etihad.

Chinners: Put your stats and all in here mate instead of sending me DM ... am on the move and posting via phone and when I try to copy that it just skips all line breaks so won't be very readable if I posted it.

Here's how I'd like us to lineup (considering the tired bodies from last night):

Panti
Zaba - Demi - Nasti - Clichy
Ferna - Yaya - Rodwell
Nasri - Augero - Silva

Score Prediction: City 4 - 0 Norwich

C'mon City ... first of a string of wins in the league now pls.

I think you're right on with the team until you got to Rodders. Negredo will play with Aguero, Nasri and Silva. We only had the extra defensive slant for Chelsea away.

I'm a fan of Rodders when he's sharp, but well off the pace last night. Probably needs a few days for his muscles to get over it. Another run out for him against CSKA maybe?

[aaron bond]

We've kept our first clean sheet in a while, so the back 5 from last night shouldn't really be changed much unless we are forced into it. Hart needs a rest so keep Pantilimon in goal. If Richards is fit then I'd keep him at right back. I understand that Pellegrini may want to get Demichelis more game time so him partnering Lescott would be fine. Nastasic should be nowhere near the first 11.

In midfield, we're spolit for choice, but Milner needs to be brought back in as we're generally a better side when he plays. Garcia is by far our weakest midfield option and shouldn't be starting, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

The Aguero-Negredo partnership should continue up front. They're playing well together and both scoring plenty of goals. No need to break this up.

Our title rivals all have challenging games in the next couple of weeks so this is a good opportunity to get our Premier League season back on track.

[Goaters 103]

Best news of all, Garcia played 120 mins last night so wont be anywhere near the pitch at the weekend. Thank god.

Zabba, Demichelis, Nastasic, Clichy, Nasri, Ferna, Ya Ya, Silva and Sergio to come in and provide some fresh legs.

Time to take out our frustrations from last week on Norwich.

[FA cup winners 2006]

thought Garcia played well last night, couple of vital interceptions.

For me Lescott and Richards deserve a run of games or at least been rotated into important games.

Dzeko is missing something again, I don't know if he totally loses form if he doesn't play so maybe start him and see if running 2 games together gets him back up to speed.

Costel,

Richards, Demichillis, Lescott, Kolarov,

Fernandinho, Yaya

Navas, Nasri

Dzeko, Aguero

[Chinners]

Norwich City History Against......Manchester City

All Competitions
Norwich City 9 wins Man City 33 wins 21 draws
Norwich goals 65 Man City goals 128

League Football
Norwich City 8 wins Man City 27 wins 19 draws
Norwich goals 57 Man City goals 100

All league games at Norwich
Norwich City 5 wins Man City 9 wins 13 draws
Norwich goals 34 Man City goals 40

All league games at Man City
Norwich City 3 wins Man City 18 wins 6 draws
Norwich goals 23 Man City goals 60

Cup Football
Norwich City 1 win Man City 6 wins 2 draws
Norwich goals 8 Man City goals 28

Manchester City were formed in 1880, and joined the Football League in 1892-1893 in the Second Division. By 1899-1900 they had reached the top flight and have remained there for much of history, apart from small isolated periods. One of those came along at the end of the thirties. Manchester City had been relegated at the end of 1937-38 despite being the highest goalscorers in the division, and just twelve months after finishing as champions of England. At the time Norwich had established themselves in Division Two. The first clash between the clubs took place on the 17th of December 1938 at Maine Road. The only minor cheer for Canary fans was a Billy Furness goal as their team crashed 4-1. The following month the sides met again, though this time in the FA Cup, and at Carrow Road. But this Norwich performance was even worse - 21,061 people watched them lose 5-0. The return league fixture took place in April 1939, and Norwich, to their credit, managed a 0-0 draw. But by this time the Canaries were caught up in a torrid relegation battle, one that they ultimately lost.

Less than five months later World War Two started, and the next meeting did not occur until the 1960's. On the 16th of March 1963, Norwich played Manchester City in the 5th Round of the FA Cup. The Blues were in the process of losing their Division One status that season and the Canaries secured a tremendous 2-1 victory at Maine Road thanks to a brace from Terry Allcock. It remains to this day Norwich's only cup success in history over Manchester City. The following season Manchester City were down in Division Two with the Canaries. But our lads suffered another 5-0 drubbing away, and also lost the home match 2-1. In 1964-65 however, both matches ended in Norwich victories. Two goals from Gordon Bolland on the 9th of September 1964 secured Norwich the first of only three away league triumphs in the series. Two weeks later, the Canaries won even more comfortably - 4-1 at Carrow Road with Ron Davies, Don Heath, Gerry Mannion and Joe Mullett hitting the goals.

In 1965-66 Manchester City finished as Division Two champions, and so the next fixture did not happen until Norwich reached Division One themselves. The first clash between the clubs in the top flight took place on the 19th of August 1972, with the Blues winning 3-0 at home. In fact, it took Norwich sixteen attempts to get their first ever Division One win over Manchester City. The wait lasted until April 1981 with John McDowell and Mick McGuire goals handing the Canaries a 2-0 home victory - though ironically they were relegated at the end of the season. Matches throughout the rest of the eighties were sporadic as Manchester City themselves had two spells in the second level but honours in the games that were played very much went to the Blues.

Both clubs were founder members of the Premier League in 1992-93 and Norwich won their home game 2-1 with Mark Robins and Lee Power scoring first half goals. The Canaries lost their status in the top division however in 1994-95, and the next season Manchester City followed suit. In September 1997 Norwich won at Maine Road in the league for the second time in history, Neil Adams and Adrian Coote scoring. It was the start of a dark period that saw Manchester City drop to the third level for a single season in 1998-99. However back to back promotions (a feat later equalled by Norwich City) saw them bounce quickly up to the top flight once more. They stayed there just a single season but won Division One at the first attempt in 2001-02 (though Norwich beat them 2-0 at Carrow Road that season with Marc Libbra smashing home a goal just 11 seconds into his Canary début and Paul McVeigh adding a second), and have been a Premier League club ever since.

The clubs met again in 2004-05 when Norwich had a single season back in the top tier. The Canaries won a hard earned point at the City of Manchester Stadium with Damien Francis scoring a very early second half equaliser in a 1-1 draw. The return fixture saw Norwich cruelly denied by an injury time strike, losing 3-2 after being 2-0 up after sixteen minutes. Mattias Jonson was red carded in the second half. The match will always be remembered for the half time ' let's be 'avin' you' rallying speech by Delia Smith.

The clubs next met in league competition in 2011-12 in the Premier League, with Manchester City handing out a 5-1 thumping at the Etihad Stadium. Things got even worse for Norwich at Carrow Road in the meeting on the 14th of April 2012. This time the Canaries went down 6-1, despite being very much in the match with twenty minutes remaining. Andrew Surman scored our goal. Another high scoring match followed on the 29th of December 2012 at Carrow Road. Norwich found themselves 2-0 down after only four minutes. A crazy game finished 4-3 to the English champions, who also had a man sent off just before half time. A brace from full back Russell Martin and one goal from Anthony Pilkington ensured a close contest. Norwich recorded a rare victory in the series on the last day of that season, beating their managerless opponents 3-2 at the Etihad. The goals came from Pilkington again, Grant Holt (his last ever for Norwich) and Jonny Howson.

Manchester City have won six of the nine cup matches between the clubs in history - including a 6-1 win in 1975 in the League Cup at Stamford Bridge (played on neutral ground after the two earlier matches had been drawn) and a 6-0 victory in the 1981 FA Cup (led by manager John Bond just a few months after he had left Norwich).

It is generally accepted that Manchester City were founded by churchwardens at St Mark's, West Gorton, though by 1887, following re-location, they were known as Ardwick Association Football Club. 1893-94 saw the present name for the first time after the club was re-formed after financial problems. In early times they shared the same nickname with Norwich City - The Citizens. Manchester City have been English Champions three times (1937,1968 and 2012), have won the FA Cup five times and the League Cup twice. Their only European silverware was the Cup Winners' Cup in 1970.

Norwich league wins in :
1964-65 (h & a) 1980-81 (h) 1992-93 (h) 1997-98 (a) 1999-00 (h) 2001-02 (h) 2012-13 (a)

Norwich cup wins in :
1962-63 League Cup (a)

Highest wins in series :
6-0 to Manchester City 1980-81 4-1 to Norwich City 1964-65

Did You Know ?
When Manchester City moved to a new ground in Hyde Road in 1887, a celebratory match was organised, but opponents Salford AFC failed to turn up.

Most recent games
19 May 2013 (Premier League) Manchester City 2 Norwich City 3
29 Dec 2012 (Premier League) Norwich City 3 Manchester City 4
14 Apr 2012 (Premier League) Norwich City 1 Manchester City 6
3 Dec 2011 (Premier League) Manchester City 5 Norwich City 1
25 Sep 2007 (League Cup) Manchester City 1 Norwich City 0
28 Feb 2005 (Premier League) Norwich City 2 Manchester City 3
1 Nov 2004 (Premier League) Manchester City 1 Norwich City 1
13 Jan 2002 (Division One) Manchester City 3 Norwich City 1
18 Aug 2001 (Division One) Norwich City 2 Manchester City 0

http://canaryseventyninety.blogspot.co. ... er_31.html

[zuricity]

thought Garcia played well last night, couple of vital interceptions.

For me Lescott and Richards deserve a run of games or at least been rotated into important games.

Dzeko is missing something again, I don't know if he totally loses form if he doesn't play so maybe start him and see if running 2 games together gets him back up to speed.

Costel,

Richards, Demichillis, Lescott, Kolarov,

Fernandinho, Yaya

Navas, Nasri

Dzeko, Aguero

IF Micah plays , at least he wont be found destroying the back line like Zabs does quite regularly, like when he played Cahill onside last sunday, wasting the effort if demic and nasti moving out and catching them all offside. Cos Micah will still be running back from his last attack.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Great post, Chinners.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

IF Micah plays , at least he wont be found destroying the back line like Zabs does quite regularly, like when he played Cahill onside last sunday, wasting the effort if demic and nasti moving out and catching them all offside. Cos Micah will still be running back from his last attack.

Great spin-doctoring there.

[zuricity]

Great spin-doctoring there.

Nah, i'm not that clever.

[sheblue]

thought lescott was our best player last night. he should start instead of nasti who has been poor to average at best. of course panti should start too and it looks as if he may well get his place.
aguero hat trick, he is due one soon.

[john@staustell]

thought Garcia played well last night, couple of vital interceptions.

For me Lescott and Richards deserve a run of games or at least been rotated into important games.

I thought Garcia played OK too as he did at Chelsea. He's in that position where everyone hates you - Barry was always slated(one of our best players in the last few years) and Yaya - who remembers 'what does Yaya Toure actually do?'? Basically because some here have no understanding of midfield defensive play. Obviously utterly hopeless as a CB, but very comfortable on the ball wherever, unlike Mr Lescott who everyone is now promoting as a world-beater.

Richards I expect is now injured for a while (again)

[MilnersJaw]

Odds on pellers shitting himself and starting Hart?

[Twobob]

For me it has to be this line up:

Panti
Zaba - Demi - Lescott - Kolarov
Ferna - Yaya
Nasri - Milner - Silva
Aguero

Nasri/Milner/Silver interchangable and Milner will easily slot in with Fern and Yaya if we're on the back foot at times.

Would expect Negrado to play instead of Milner if he hadnt played for most of the game on Wed's

Garcia should be told it's an away match on Friday so he sets off traveling and cant get back for the game so Daddy Pellers cant play him.

We need to really put these to the sword - lets do one better than the scum 5-0

[Ted Hughes]

thought Garcia played well last night, couple of vital interceptions.

For me Lescott and Richards deserve a run of games or at least been rotated into important games.

I thought Garcia played OK too as he did at Chelsea. He's in that position where everyone hates you - Barry was always slated(one of our best players in the last few years) and Yaya - who remembers 'what does Yaya Toure actually do?'? Basically because some here have no understanding of midfield defensive play. Obviously utterly hopeless as a CB, but very comfortable on the ball wherever, unlike Mr Lescott who everyone is now promoting as a world-beater.

As opposed to the usual slaughtering for even looking like making a mistake.

Lescott looked awful on the ball last night. 77 passes out of 90 completed, including 9 clearences, compared to 55 passes completed out of 70 by Garcia. What a fucking donkey Lescott is.

Oh yes but they were all sideways weren't they ? He didn't pass forward at all did he ? And Garcia was threading the ball through the eye of a needle like Messi of course, so it's understandable a few would go astray.

Couldn't possibly be that Lescott passed the ball better than him. The very idea is ridiculous.

[Original Dub]

As opposed to the usual slaughtering for even looking like making a mistake.

Lescott looked awful on the ball last night. 77 passes out of 90 completed, including 9 clearences, compared to 55 passes completed out of 70 by Garcia. What a fucking donkey Lescott is.

Oh yes but they were all sideways weren't they ? He didn't pass forward at all did he ? And Garcia was threading the ball through the eye of a needle like Messi of course, so it's understandable a few would go astray.

Couldn't possibly be that Lescott passed the ball better than him. The very idea is ridiculous.

Lescott was my motm last night.

As I said in another thread, we may not want to be a team of hoofers, but that doesn't mean we can't have one hoofer and let the rest play ball.

[Ted Hughes]

As opposed to the usual slaughtering for even looking like making a mistake.

Lescott looked awful on the ball last night. 77 passes out of 90 completed, including 9 clearences, compared to 55 passes completed out of 70 by Garcia. What a fucking donkey Lescott is.

Oh yes but they were all sideways weren't they ? He didn't pass forward at all did he ? And Garcia was threading the ball through the eye of a needle like Messi of course, so it's understandable a few would go astray.

Couldn't possibly be that Lescott passed the ball better than him. The very idea is ridiculous.

Lescott was my motm last night.

As I said in another thread, we may not want to be a team of hoofers, but that doesn't mean we can't have one hoofer and let the rest play ball.

Lescott is probably the least 'hoofy' of all our defenders anyway he prefers short passes. Vinny is the long ball merchant.

[Goaters 103]

As opposed to the usual slaughtering for even looking like making a mistake.

Lescott looked awful on the ball last night. 77 passes out of 90 completed, including 9 clearences, compared to 55 passes completed out of 70 by Garcia. What a fucking donkey Lescott is.

Oh yes but they were all sideways weren't they ? He didn't pass forward at all did he ? And Garcia was threading the ball through the eye of a needle like Messi of course, so it's understandable a few would go astray.

Couldn't possibly be that Lescott passed the ball better than him. The very idea is ridiculous.

Spot on Ted. Agree 100%.

As for the not understanding Garcia or the defensive midf slot, dear oh dear. Ive read some cobblers on here but that one might just win it.

I recall Barry often being praised on here for his performance in the role, not being scapegoated. De Jong too was idolised whilst playing in that slot.

The problem is Garcia, who' been profoundly shit for over a year now. Sadly Pellegrini appears to love him the same way Kendall did with Alan Harper.

[AG7]

My lineup was (and as I said too) keeping in mind the guys who got a run of 120 mins last night so I doubt Negredo will start with Aguero given CSKA is next in another three days and then another weekend game another 3 days later so I think we will (and should) see wholesale changes ... exception of course for Panti, Silva and Zaba, who didn't really run around all of those two hours.