***Newcastle v Treble winners EFL Official Match Thread***

[nottsblue]

Onto the cups again

Be very interesting to see both sides really. Can see us with an average shirt number in the 40s

As always, hope we win but given we are away in the World Club Cup in December when the quarter finals are on means we would be playing the EDS anyway so if we go out tonight then so be it. But I think we will go through as our reserves/fringe players are probably slightly better than Newcastles

2-1 to us. Reckon Jackie might bag one tonight

[Dubciteh]

Its the one season where it might be worth binning off. Usually we need it to keep the squad ticking over but given the injury, the draw and the fact the quarters will likely clash and thus we will lose, the timing to bin it off works.

That said, i hope we win.

[CTID Hants]

We know what we are putting out, it depends on on what Howe puts out.

Given their group of death in chumps, i fully ecpect Howe to prioritise a Cup and try to consolidate their a top 4 finish to get chimps again next seaon.

If we go out, we go out and as others have said a few less games for our currently fragile squad.

I will still be watching hoping for a win though.

[blues2win]

Micah Hamilton in the squad. As expected Kovacic back in the squad too.

[johnny crossan]

XI | Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Akanji, Ake (C), Gvardiol, Gomez, Phillips, Kovacic, Bobb, Grealish, Alvarez

SUBS | Ederson, Carson, Walker, Dias, Haaland, Doku, Nunes, Foden, Hamilton

#ManCity |
@etihad

[CTID Hants]

TEAM NEWS

XI | Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Akanji, Ake (C), Gvardiol, Gomez, Phillips, Kovacic, Bobb, Grealish, Alvarez

SUBS | Ederson, Carson, Walker, Dias, Haaland, Doku, Nunes, Foden, Hamilton

Pretty much as expected

[blues2win]

Bobb starts

[blues2win]

I think a lot of people thought Foden would start. The midfield looks a little light.

[john@staustell]

Bobb starts

Sorry but it'll be years before I stop thinking of Rowan Atkinson every time his name is mentioned

[CTID Hants]

Ok, i think this is going to be a better game to watch than i was anticipating. Anyone seen the barcodes line up?

[john@staustell]

I think a lot of people thought Foden would start. The midfield looks a little light.

One of those defenders is in midfield.

Lay your bets

[CTID Hants]

Ha ha, i reckon Micah Hamilton will grab that team sheet get it framed and put on his bedroom wall, his name on that bench with those players

[CTID Hants]

I think a lot of people thought Foden would start. The midfield looks a little light.

One of those defenders is in midfield.

Lay your bets

Gomez...

[PeterParker]

Are we one up yet?

[Dubciteh]

Newcastle playing the ressies too so very winnable.

[john@staustell]

Newcastle playing the ressies too so very winnable.

Howe has history for that

[john@staustell]

I think a lot of people thought Foden would start. The midfield looks a little light.

One of those defenders is in midfield.

Lay your bets

Gomez...

Good shout. I guess there's always a 3 or 5, with Lewis and Gomez as wingers. But the abundance of left siders suggests maybe Gomez as left midfield as you say

[johnny crossan]

Can understand resting Walker, Dias,Foden & Haaland but I think £100m+ pair Doku & Nunes should have made this team ahead of Gomez & Bobb.

[nottsblue]

XI | Ortega Moreno, Lewis, Akanji, Ake (C), Gvardiol, Gomez, Phillips, Kovacic, Bobb, Grealish, Alvarez

SUBS | Ederson, Carson, Walker, Dias, Haaland, Doku, Nunes, Foden, Hamilton

#ManCity |
@etihad

Much stronger side than I was expecting

Four proper defenders for a start

[stevefromdonny]

COME ON CITY

if we can win it great but if not we will have rest for a few midweek games