Team vs. Leicester

[13021J]

Mancini played the reserves against the Baggies in the Carling Cup to disastrous effect. He then went on to say that thus wouldn't be the case in the FA cup because it is played on Saturdays with sufficient rest periods.

But I can't see him playing the team that faced Arsenal. I expect him to rest Yaya and maybe a couple of others. Tevez may have to play due to Mario being injured and Dzeko not registering in time. Was interesting to see Guidetti recalled from Burnley.

Given

Boateng
Kolo
Lescott
Zaba

SWP
NDJ
Vieira
AJ

Jo
Tevez

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Changes for sure but I agree I hope he doesnt take it too lightly.Something like:
Given
Richards,Lescott,Boyata,Boateng
SWP,Vieira,NDJ,AJ
Tevez,Jo


I cant believe I put Jo in there as I would much prefer to see Guidetti or Nimley.

[Slim]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

[craigmcfc]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

The bizarre thing about that is there's been absolutely nothing on our OS about him being recalled. If he has then it'd be great to see him get a start at Leicester

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

Hard to say how Mancini views him.He did give him a go at WBA and I guess sending him on loan to Burnley is a positive move.
Yesterday in training I thought he showed up very well.His finishing wasnt the best but his all round play and general attitude I thought was first class. If he does get a go I hope it's with quality around him and not just the second string.

[CitizenYank]

It may mean drop of form for us, but I am glad Sweep is getting a start, sometimes I forget
he is on our squad!!

[Crossie]

Surely Dzeko needs some game time? When better than against a team a division below us? Good chance to bag a couple of goals and get the confidence up straight away

[craigmcfc]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

Hard to say how Mancini views him.He did give him a go at WBA and I guess sending him on loan to Burnley is a positive move.
Yesterday in training I thought he showed up very well.His finishing wasnt the best but his all round play and general attitude I thought was first class. If he does get a go I hope it's with quality around him and not just the second string.

Cheers Doug for that, would be nice if the OS ever kept us up to date ! Certainly agree that he needs quality around him and not another WBA repeat of a team

[craigmcfc]

Surely Dzeko needs some game time? When better than against a team a division below us? Good chance to bag a couple of goals and get the confidence up straight away

He wasn't registered in time

[Slim]

Surely Dzeko needs some game time? When better than against a team a division below us? Good chance to bag a couple of goals and get the confidence up straight away

His registration didn't get done in time.

[Ted Hughes]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

Hard to say how Mancini views him.He did give him a go at WBA and I guess sending him on loan to Burnley is a positive move.
Yesterday in training I thought he showed up very well.His finishing wasnt the best but his all round play and general attitude I thought was first class. If he does get a go I hope it's with quality around him and not just the second string.

Cheers Doug for that, would be nice if the OS ever kept us up to date ! Certainly agree that he needs quality around him and not another WBA repeat of a team

I was going to ask the same question re Guidetti. I think he's got 'something'. Whether it's enough I don't know but unless we start to use him around the 1st team squad now, I think it'll be another club who finds out, because he'll almost certainly leave.

[mr_nool]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

Hard to say how Mancini views him.He did give him a go at WBA and I guess sending him on loan to Burnley is a positive move.
Yesterday in training I thought he showed up very well.His finishing wasnt the best but his all round play and general attitude I thought was first class. If he does get a go I hope it's with quality around him and not just the second string.

Cheers Doug for that, would be nice if the OS ever kept us up to date ! Certainly agree that he needs quality around him and not another WBA repeat of a team

I was going to ask the same question re Guidetti. I think he's got 'something'. Whether it's enough I don't know but unless we start to use him around the 1st team squad now, I think it'll be another club who finds out, because he'll almost certainly leave.

His contract runs out this summer, so you're definitely right about that. I hope we will give him a couple of chances to assess his potential and decide to give him a contract if he's deemed good enough. If not, we should give him the chance to play first team football elsewhere.

[shortagain]

Can't see him playing & therefore cup tying Given, so Hart in goals, Boateng, Kolo, Lescott, Kolorov if fit, if not Zaba, NDJ, Vieira, Milner, Silva if fit, if not AJ, Ballo if fit if not Jo & Tevez

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Douglas, is there any chance Guidetti could get some game time here seeing as he was recalled from his loan?

Hard to say how Mancini views him.He did give him a go at WBA and I guess sending him on loan to Burnley is a positive move.
Yesterday in training I thought he showed up very well.His finishing wasnt the best but his all round play and general attitude I thought was first class. If he does get a go I hope it's with quality around him and not just the second string.

Cheers Doug for that, would be nice if the OS ever kept us up to date ! Certainly agree that he needs quality around him and not another WBA repeat of a team

I was going to ask the same question re Guidetti. I think he's got 'something'. Whether it's enough I don't know but unless we start to use him around the 1st team squad now, I think it'll be another club who finds out, because he'll almost certainly leave.

His contract runs out this summer, so you're definitely right about that. I hope we will give him a couple of chances to assess his potential and decide to give him a contract if he's deemed good enough. If not, we should give him the chance to play first team football elsewhere.

IMO Guidetti is better than Jo in every aspect except heading the ball and let's face it Jo isn't great at that. If he had been given the same chances as Jo I am sure he would have scored and likely impressed much more than the Brazilian superstar.

[mr_nool]

Thanks for the info Doug.I obviously seen very little of him. Against WBA and a few highlights, plus one of the games in Sweden last season. The level over there is really low, though.

[Ted Hughes]

The thing about Guidetti is, he seems to have plenty of ability now but he also has a fantastic desire to improve, so unlike Ireland, SWP etc, he could well continue to improve throughout his career . I really hope we don't lose him without finding out about him for sure.

[Green & Blue]

Although its a great chance to put a few in the shop window i think Mancini will put out a relativley strong side for this one.

I think Mancini will be taking the cup very seriously its a great chance to win a pot and i also dont think he will want to be giving Sven anything to brag about.

Hart

Boateng
Lescott
Boyata
Kolarov

Swp
Vieira
Milner
Johnson

Adebayor(score goals and someone may sign you)
Jo

[brite blu sky]

With 6 days or so until the next game Mancini has no practical limitations. Tiredness from the previous games the only one.
If Silva and Balotelli are fully fit they may get the start simply for game time. Same goes for Kolarov who needs games.. and Boateng who needs games.

I would also like to see Guidetti given a start and as Doug says with quality around. If that is Silva and Balotelli then great.

I'm expecting a second string midfield as Yaya, Barry and deJong need a rest, Milner too possibly. But i cant see how they can all be rested so i'd go for deJong and Milner with PV, simply because those two seem more like machines that go on and on.

something like this for me, but i'm not expecting this from Bob... no fuclin idea who he will play!
Given
Boateng Kolo Lescott Kolarov
deJong
Vieira
Milner
Silva Guidetti Balotelli

[Ted Hughes]

With 6 days or so until the next game Mancini has no practical limitations. Tiredness from the previous games the only one.
If Silva and Balotelli are fully fit they may get the start simply for game time. Same goes for Kolarov who needs games.. and Boateng who needs games.

I would also like to see Guidetti given a start and as Doug says with quality around. If that is Silva and Balotelli then great.

I'm expecting a second string midfield as Yaya, Barry and deJong need a rest, Milner too possibly. But i cant see how they can all be rested so i'd go for deJong and Milner with PV, simply because those two seem more like machines that go on and on.

something like this for me, but i'm not expecting this from Bob... no fuclin idea who he will play!
Given
Boateng Kolo Lescott Kolarov
deJong
Vieira
Milner
Silva Guidetti Balotelli

Thought Silva & Balotelli were injured & Kolarov ill ?

[Blue Since 76]

Think anyone who could be on their way in January could be rested, as it could lower their value if they're cup tied. I'm therefore assuming Bridge and SWP won't get a game. The forwards might be more difficult, as we're limited on options if Mario isn't fit.

If you're on the bench, but don't come on, are you cup tied? If not, it might be tempting to start someone like Guidetti and have Ade, RSC or Jo on the bench in case needed.

Given
Boateng Richards Lescott Kolarov
Barry
Milner Vieira
AJ Guidetta Mario

If Kolarov is unfit, Boyata comes in and a bit of a re-shuffle at the back. If Mario is unfit, either Tevez plays or he picks someone like SWP or Jo and cup ties them.

Alternatively, he really wants to win the cup, so rather than risk an embarrassment he starts with the Arsenal team, considering other injuries and then takes the likes of Tevez off as soon as possible.