Clear favourites for the Carling Cup

[john@staustell]

On the radio just now City are clear favourites at 5-1 to win the Cup, with more money being put on recently. Scum are 6-1. Maybe someone in the far east has got wind of Mancini's teamsheet?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

[ENIAM NAM]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

Agreed. It is the best was of keeping some of them happy.

[john@staustell]

Lord Marwood said we were going for 4 trophies. If we 'try out the kids' and lose I will not be too chuffed.

Hart

Zaba Kolo Savic Kolarov

AJ Yaya Milner (fit?) Razak Balotelli

Tevez

That 'fringe' enough?

[stommy]

Lord Marwood said we were going for 4 trophies. If we 'try out the kids' and lose I will not be too chuffed.

Hart

Zaba Kolo Savic Kolarov

AJ Yaya Milner (fit?) Razak Balotelli

Tevez

That 'fringe' enough?

Would be nice to see Kolo on the pitch again...

[Goaters 103]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

Yes we did that last year and look where it got us, one round and out.

The "fringe" players who should be playing are Pantilimon, Savic, Kolo, Kolarov, Zabba, Balotelli, Johnson, Tevez, Milner (if fit), Razak to name a few.

[Dronny]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

Yes we did that last year and look where it got us, one round and out.

The "fringe" players who should be playing are Pantilimon, Savic, Kolo, Kolarov, Zabba, Balotelli, Johnson, Tevez, Milner (if fit), Razak to name a few.

+ Hargreaves, I'm sure I saw he was linked with playing in this game?

[Goaters 103]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

Yes we did that last year and look where it got us, one round and out.

The "fringe" players who should be playing are Pantilimon, Savic, Kolo, Kolarov, Zabba, Balotelli, Johnson, Tevez, Milner (if fit), Razak to name a few.

+ Hargreaves, I'm sure I saw he was linked with playing in this game?

After 3 years "getting fit" to rely on Hargreaves to do anything would be folly. Until he trots out and completes a game walking off the field himself, and not lying on a stretcher, I will remain a sceptic on that one.

[Yffi_88]

Perfect opportunity to het Hargreaves involved tomorrow.

Get him some match fitness and give him the opportunity to prove a few things.

I don’t agree with fielding a ‘weak’ side. The PL and the CL are going to be VERY difficult and if we have one banana skin in the FA cup then we’ll all be wondering why we didn’t stick a solid team out in the Carling.

Saying that, we shouldn’t have any excuses not to beat a championship Birmingham side with the depth we have in our squad even with our ‘lack of central midfielders’.

Brum will be up for it, we just need to get a firm grip on the game and we shouldn’t have any issues.

[Chinners]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

Yes we did that last year and look where it got us, one round and out.

The "fringe" players who should be playing are Pantilimon, Savic, Kolo, Kolarov, Zabba, Balotelli, Johnson, Tevez, Milner (if fit), Razak to name a few.

+ Hargreaves, I'm sure I saw he was linked with playing in this game?

After 3 years "getting fit" to rely on Hargreaves to do anything would be folly. Until he trots out and completes a game walking off the field himself, and not lying on a stretcher, I will remain a sceptic on that one.

Agreed

[Ted Hughes]

Hmmmmmm......I hope we give youngsters and fringe players chances here.

Most of our fringe players are internationals on £50 to £150 k pw now though & need games to stay sharp. Even if we want to play untried players there are only a few positions available if we want to keep the squad sharp & get players fit. Tevez, Balotelli, AJ, Savic, Kolo Toure all need games for a start. Kolarov could use another run out as could Zabba probably; neither have played a full game for a week. If Milner has got over his concussion, he needs another game too. If these blokes don't play, they won't be sharp enough when we need them in big games, & we WILL need most of them. It's going to get very tough & those two dropped points need winning back, probably after an away trip to Germany, Spain or Italy, or we'll be out of the title race without even realising it.

[zuricity]

Didn't Kolorov break his nose in the Napoli game ? In which case it would be prudent to let him stay on the bench.

Start this game strong and once we go a few goals up let the fringe players have a chance. If Hargreaves is fit let him start instead of Barry.
I'd seriously consider resting Kompany too, his form has not been good at all so far this season. Perhaps it's the Captains Armband effect, but he needs a rest too. Perhaps Balo for Edin but no more changes for the start of the game.

[Dameerto]

Tevez is nailed on to start tomorrow (in my opinion). Maybe Balo as well. We'll basically play our second eleven where possible with backup from one or two EDS lads.

[ant london]

No Pantylemons?

[Ted Hughes]

No Pantylemons?

I would imagine he'll play.

[Moonchesteri]

No Pantylemons?

I would imagine he'll play.

Me too. but is Milner still injured or can he play? Doug?

[lets all have a disco]

Hope Hargreaves puts his knees in.

Will be the highlight of the year to see him play 45 minutes.

[dick dastardley]

Lord Marwood said we were going for 4 trophies. If we 'try out the kids' and lose I will not be too chuffed.

Hart

Zaba Kolo Savic Kolarov

AJ Yaya Milner (fit?) Razak Balotelli

Tevez

That 'fringe' enough?

Would be nice to see Kolo on the pitch again...

he wont play yaya or barry if our midfield is short staffed for saturday

[stommy]

get owen in, at least for 10 mins, even if he ends the game crawlin over the field:)))

[steveo_88]

get owen in, at least for 10 mins, even if he ends the game crawlin over the field:)))

If he's fit I'd give him a run out against Brum, but only if he's fit, and have Razzak on the bench to back him up.

It will be a completely different squad out there but nothing like last year at West Brom. This will not be a bunch of kids with Vieira but rather the back up squad players trying to force their way into the first team.

Pantillimon, Alex, Kolo, Savic, Zabba, Ballo, Owen, Milner (if fit), Nasri or Yaya (to be replaced after an hour/big lead for a kid), AJ, Tevez.