Team for the final.

[dawn]

we play our strongest team regardless of feuds/spats or personality clashes. this is too big to mess about with, individuals mean nothing on saturday.

[marvin]

If Tevez was close to starting against Stoke he would have played more than 10 mins against Spurs.

he looks like he has put on some weight and he has missed 5 weeks of football. Not the preparation you would like for a Wembley final.

I'd like him on the bench to come on after say 70 mins. Better impact if struggling with his fitness when his opponents are tired and he can give his all

He's still a million times better than any of our other forwards. He did more in 8 minutes last night than Dzeko did in 90.

Thought Dzeko did OK. Good early 12 with Silva that nearly led to a goal, and he was getting on the end of chances.

I like both players. Tevez made a late impact but you can't ignore the fact that he has missed about 5 weeks, and was not playing well when he was injured. You can't just train for 1 week in 6 and expect to start a Cup Final. Tevez's game is about physical intensity. Maybe best to bring im on when he can use that against a tiring Stoke. Get max impact from him

[shortagain]

I would go for last nights line up with only 2 changes. Barry for Milner (more diciplined in midfield) & Tevez for Johnson (quality from Carlos and lack of heart from Johnson). Bench SG, PV, JM, MB, AJ, SWP & VK

lol Vinnie on the bench makes it really strong back up.

and of course you never make typo's do you

[lets all have a disco]

HAHA MJ!!!!!

My bad.

[mcfc1632]

Wouldnt have Balotelli anyway near the field against Stoke, as one physical challenge and he will lose his nut and get into trouble.

9 of the team picks itself and the only spots up for grabs are Milner or AJ on the right, and Tevez or Dzeko up top.

Id say he gambles on getting 60 mins from Tevez and plumPs for Milner leaving AJ to come off the bench.

Hart

Richards
Kompany
Lescott
Zab

NDJ
Barry

Milner
Ya Ya
Silva

Tevez

Subs
Given
Kolarov
AJ
Vieira
SWP
Dzeko
Balotelli

yep - exactly the team I think he will play

[john@staustell]

Hart
Richards
Vinny
Lescott
Zabba
Barry
Nige
Yaya
Silva
Balo
Tevez

Is what I think Bobby will go with. Can't work out whether Balo has been dropped for the last couple of games or rested for the final as Bobby thinks he needs him. I think it's the latter and I think he'll play.

Can't argue with that lot mate. Just a possibility Tevez will be on the bench though.

Notwithstanding Stoke's demolition of Bolton, Stoke at wide-open Wembley are not Stoke on the tiny Britannia pitch. We should be more interested in playing our flair players to cut them open than worrying about their set pieces. Our defenders are big enough and ugly enough. And Jermaine Pennant aint Aaron Lennon!

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Can't believe anybody would have Dzeko start over Tevez. Or that he was ok the other night. Truly awful performance.
Tevez and Balo to start.

[john@staustell]

Can't believe anybody would have Dzeko start over Tevez. Or that he was ok the other night. Truly awful performance.
Tevez and Balo to start.

Agreed. I reckon he just set him up for a battering the last 2 matches to rest Tevez and Balotelli.

[johnny crossan]

----------------------Hart----------------------

Richards----Kompany-----Lescott----Kolarov

----------------de Jong----Barry---------------

-------Tevez-----------Yaya---------Silva-------

-----------------------Dzeko-------------------

subs: Given, Zabaleta, AJ, Balotelli, Boyata, Vieira, SWP

[s1ty m]

I would go for last nights line up with only 2 changes. Barry for Milner (more diciplined in midfield) & Tevez for Johnson (quality from Carlos and lack of heart from Johnson). Bench SG, PV, JM, MB, AJ, SWP & AK

Me too. Kolarov should not start. That would bother me.