***Official Villa v City Match Thread***

[Ted Hughes]

Kolarov ?

In theory it's a strong enough team to beat Villa but it's certainly not our strongest team by a long way. I can understand the midfield formation; try to get a pass & move thing going then bring on Dzeko later when Villa get tired, but if I'm Alex McCleish, I see a great opportunity to stick Albrighton up against Kolarov & the headless chicken on Zabba. Mind you, if I'm Alex McCleish, I probably completely fail to see that & put their slowest, shittyest player there, thus handing the game to City.

Wel good luck Bob. If this works, he's proven very very clever & if it fucks up, the knives will be out all over the country & he will 100% deserve it.

Agree with the last part, but what's he proven if it does work? We haven't got another league game for two weeks, so what are we saving our best players for? Play Richards and Clichy in a must win game today and then again on Thursday, if they're fit. If they're not, play Zab then. And Kolarov if we must start with 11. If he wins the Europa League and finishes second in the premier league, no City fan is going to thank him.

His Ranieri/Benitez style tinkering is going to cost us the title.

New system ? Tactical evolution ala Napoli etc ? He's the boss. If it works all power to him. If it fails, he's risking his job. He knows better than us in theory. If that turns out to be wrong in practice then it puts a question mark against his suitability for the job. Let's see.

[blues2win]

I must admit I'm gobsmacked he's playing Heskey and Bent. I would have played Bent with Keane playing off him.

[Beefymcfc]

Fucking hell, I'm giving up on the before show now.

[TheGOAT]

Always worth a punt on Kolarov first goal though when he starts ;)

[DoomMerchant]

Calm down. This line up is perfectly capable of winning easily.

you fucking calm down. we wonder why our away form is a moutful of cock, and this is why.

jesus im in a shitty mood now. Come the fucl on CITY...prove me wrong.

cheers

[Swales4ever]

Selection is undoubtedly odd, quite peculiar, in all 3 dept.
while i do agree with "calm down and still good enough" pleas, it is definitely far from best available.
Considering we are ahead of a non tiresome calendar for next 2 weeks, I only can sense a choice deemed to keep the whole squad involved: political rotation I would say.
On the other hand, counter point is that a very strong bench might rise and shine in the second half versus a tired opponent, should it be needed.
Not overconfident on a sparkling match but definitely relaxed about the final outcome, though.

[Beefymcfc]

I think we've done a deal where we win 1-0.

Ireland and Nzogbia on the bench. Looks like what was reported is true, especially considering Heskey is on.

[Wonderwall]

Whats that kit? Has chappy forgot what the 3rd strip looks like?

[Dendza]

damn i was excited to watch this game, with this line up my mood went down. woke myself up for no reason -.-.
mancini better have this planned out

[steveo_88]

Pepper Given's goal and we should be fine. He always spills plenty when he gets worked over so Aguero and co. should get a few tap in's if they pay attention. C'mon City!

[steveo_88]

Whats that kit? Has chappy forgot what the 3rd strip looks like?

Hungover?

Grabbed the first thing he laid his hands on!

[Moonchesteri]

COME ON YOU BLUES!! 3points,no matter how ugly the win is to get them

[Dameerto]

Gwaaaarrrn City.

[1950]

Kolarov ?

In theory it's a strong enough team to beat Villa but it's certainly not our strongest team by a long way. I can understand the midfield formation; try to get a pass & move thing going then bring on Dzeko later when Villa get tired, but if I'm Alex McCleish, I see a great opportunity to stick Albrighton up against Kolarov & the headless chicken on Zabba. Mind you, if I'm Alex McCleish, I probably completely fail to see that & put their slowest, shittyest player there, thus handing the game to City.

So far it's Heskey up against Kolarov. Should be entertaining.

[PALUS]

Strange , but hey its hes job ....C mon City

[Dameerto]

There's some lousy midfield passing going on. Sort it out City.

[Offerton blue]

Strange , but hey its hes job ....C mon City

Yeah come on the blues (dzeko is wank)

[PALUS]

There's some lousy midfield passing going on. Sort it out City.

Barry hes lost hes passing for few games now ..

[Sideshow Bob]

what does de jong actually do?? has he touched the ball even once yet?

[MR IMAINEROAD]

Is it my old eyes or is anyone else having difficulty tellling the teams apart? WHite socks = City?