next: city v chelsea

[Nigels Tackle]

a huge game next saturday
i watched chelsea live yesterday and they aren't all that. spuds murdered them in the first 40 mins even though they were well below the level they played at when we faced them at whl.
confident that, with the right selection, we will go back top next weekend.

[iwasthere2012]

I don't know why, but I'm expecting a really big performance from us in this one.
Pep has a week to work with fresh players.
We are due a big result. Now is the time.

[South Stand Balti]

The week off will do us the world of good. My only real concern is who will play at centre back. I'm beginning to think Sagna and Kolarov may be our best bet but that's far from ideal. If we can keep Hazard quiet I think we will win.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

The week off will do us the world of good. My only real concern is who will play at centre back. I'm beginning to think Sagna and Kolarov may be our best bet but that's far from ideal. If we can keep Hazard quiet I think we will win.

I've been thinking about this myself.

Sometimes the 'best' players don't always form the best partnerships/combinations but I think this particular duo might just work.

It would also be nice to see Kolarov giving Costa something to actually cry about but, at the end of the day, I'd be happy to scrape through with a flukey 1-0 victory and not be too bothered about a big performance.

If we were to achieve that, I'm sure the media would be wholeheartedly fulsome in their praise for us, saying that winning when playing badly is the sign of a good side.

I'm convinced they'd say that, wouldn't they ??...........

[Original Dub]

I'd agree with that.

The spurs performance was disappointing where as the united one was top notch so it's too difficult to know how we perform against our title rivals.

But we're getting into the business stage and I expect us to up a gear.

[FA cup winners 2006]

We will get chances in this game and we will have to take them all.

Be interesting to see if Pep changes anything coming up against their 3-4-3. I think watching the spurs game will help show what can work

[City64]

Big big game . Yet another 12.30 KO we have been fucked over with . Up early to grab a train very little pre match drinking time in city center and mayhem getting into the Etihad as everyone turns up at once for these stupid o`clock KO,s . Not a happy bunny but heyho lets get the 3 pts go top and get on the piss in the afternoon ???? there,s a plan !

[Wonderwall]

What were mourinho's words after he slated the rag team for the early goal versus Chelsea? I wonder if he says the same today?

[zuricity]

Big big game . Yet another 12.30 KO we have been fucked over with . Up early to grab a train very little pre match drinking time in city center and mayhem getting into the Etihad as everyone turns up at once for these stupid o`clock KO,s . Not a happy bunny but heyho lets get the 3 pts go top and get on the piss in the afternoon ???? there,s a plan !

Kinell ! Managed to get confirmation of a ticket so i will be there too.Thanks for reminding me it is an early kick off ! Here's me thinking i could wander into Mary Ds at 12.30 !

[Wonderwall]

Big big game . Yet another 12.30 KO we have been fucked over with . Up early to grab a train very little pre match drinking time in city center and mayhem getting into the Etihad as everyone turns up at once for these stupid o`clock KO,s . Not a happy bunny but heyho lets get the 3 pts go top and get on the piss in the afternoon ???? there,s a plan !

Kinell ! Managed to get confirmation of a ticket so i will be there too.Thanks for reminding me it is an early kick off ! Here's me thinking i could wander into Mary Ds at 12.30 !

You still can! you will get served pretty quick at that time too

[sheblue]

Having no midweek game should be a big help to us.
We all know we wont keep a clean sheet, can we outscore them though?
Looking at their fixtures and our fixtures leading up to the new year 'on paper' they have much the easier run, that makes a win Saturday even more important.

[john@staustell]

We need to be scoring on this one. They'll just sit back classic Italian style and kill us on the break, so we need to turn domination into goals.

Need to win otherwise I'll have to spend the next 3 days exiled from football, probably doing the long-overdue pressure-washing!

[Slim]

Conte has got them looking good this season.

I thought they were overrun in the middle of the park against Spurs at the start and then when they finally got into the game there was only going to be one winner. Also, that goal from Pedro was fucking amazing technique.

[Sideshow Bob]

anthony taylor the ref...

[Beefymcfc]

anthony taylor the ref...

*heart sinks*

[gillie]

I'd agree with that.

The spurs performance was disappointing where as the united one was top notch so it's too difficult to know how we perform against our title rivals.

But we're getting into the business stage and I expect us to up a gear.

Spurs were flying when we played them and if our finishing had have been better we could have got a point. Even though Spurs have gone off the boil they still were much better than Chelsea in the first half on Saturday,if we play with same intensity as the Barca game we win imo.

[Beefymcfc]

I'd agree with that.

The spurs performance was disappointing where as the united one was top notch so it's too difficult to know how we perform against our title rivals.

But we're getting into the business stage and I expect us to up a gear.

Spurs were flying when we played them and if our finishing had have been better we could have got a point. Even though Spurs have gone off the boil they still were much better than Chelsea in the first half on Saturday,if we play with same intensity as the Barca game we win imo.

When I watched that Spurs game back my perception was a little changed. It seemed a much more even game watching it without the edge and we had just as many chances as them, as well as more possession, which ain't bad away from home. Obviously the score didn't reflect that but when you figure it was our 4th away game on the trot (Swansea x 2, Celtic), I was quite amazed at the stats I saw.

Also, I think Spurs had twice as many fouls as us yet we both got 2 yellows each. Considering some if the dirty Arse tactics they employed you'd have thought there'd be more for them. If it was us, there'd have been a few reds.

I can see the same tactics being adopted by Conte, and the appointment of Taylor worries me.

[Bluedj]

anthony taylor the ref...

*heart sinks*

Any refs name and my hearts sinks

[nottsblue]

anthony taylor the ref...

*heart sinks*

Any refs name and my hearts sinks

Hearts? Are you Dr Who?

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Looking forward to this one. 1st time for my wife and daughter at the etihad, 1st home game for me in 10 years and a big crowd.


Typical city is over right?