***Official Stoke vs City match thread***

[halnone]

what's the bench?

[Sideshow Bob]

Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Kolo Toure, Clichy, Barry, Yaya Toure, Silva, Nasri, Balotelli, Dzeko

Curious why no Milner, but other than that - very attacking and strong lineup. Predicting a balotelli hat trick

COME ON CITY!!!

Milner is getting the shaft. Should be playing instead of Silva, IMO.

[mr_nool]

Will have to record this one and watch it later tonight. being dragged to a birthday party. At least I'm getting free food and booze.

[mr_nool]

Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Kolo Toure, Clichy, Barry, Yaya Toure, Silva, Nasri, Balotelli, Dzeko

Curious why no Milner, but other than that - very attacking and strong lineup. Predicting a balotelli hat trick

COME ON CITY!!!

Milner is getting the shaft. Should be playing instead of Silva, IMO.

.

Wouldn't surprise me if him and Johnson are off in the summer if things don't change soonish. Not saying I want it to happen, but I can't see either of them being content with playing as little as they are at the moment.

[DoomMerchant]

where's the fuclin lineup? being in the US i hate these late starts on the weekend.

im 50/50 on getting dragged out of the house with the wife and kids. should i feign illness? i could get a horrible sudden case of the runs? i'd pretty much guarantee not getting laid for a few days out of spite for making her stay home all day.

advice?

cheers

Show her your plums and give her a portion. The offer to clean up the skeet.

humbling...i have a mangina.

Related, she's just decided that we should stay at home to keep me in a good mood and head out in about 3 hours for the evening together, alone. And she's gotten a sitter.

Not sure who this is living with me, but she bears a striking resemblance to the woman i married.

cheers

[bigblue]

fucking mc manananamanman on ESPN doing the pregame. I like Keegan as a commentator but scouse steve is just so so bitter towards City

[Moonchesteri]

Will have to record this one and watch it later tonight. being dragged to a birthday party. At least I'm getting free food and booze.

grow a pair, will ya? ;)

[NorthernHope]

Balotelli in first lineup not the best option my 0,02 $.
If Aguero is injured than it would better be Tevez.

The rest of the lineup I guess its OK.

Milner and Pizzaro should be an option on the bench, so as Tevez.
Lets see what they're made of.

[mr_nool]

Will have to record this one and watch it later tonight. being dragged to a birthday party. At least I'm getting free food and booze.

grow a pair, will ya? ;)

You have to choose you battles, mate ;-)
I'm fairly certain I can keep oblivious about the result until I can watch the game later tonight, so it's not too big of a sacrifice.

[ashton287]

What's the score with vinny and lescott? I was expecting atleast one back for Chelsea and both for today. Either on the bench?.

[bigblue]

Balotelli in first lineup not the best option my 0,02 $.
If Aguero is injured than it would better be Tevez.

No way I would start Tevez. Sure he played good on wednesday, but I doubt he could last more than a half (after his first game in 5 months 3 days ago)

Subs:

Pantilimon, Kolarov, Savic, Milner, Johnson, de Jong, Tevez

[Douglas Higginbottom]

As Ant predicted and no surprise either,Mancini is putting a lot of faith in Mario so lets hope he repays him today.I spoke with Nigel Gleghorn last night and his words were" Mancini is putting all his eggs in one basket " i.e.Mario Balotelli

Stoke will have plans for Mario so I hope the long chat Mancini had with him pre training yesterday works.

PS Aguero doesnt have a foot injury ,just a foot problem!

[Moonchesteri]

Will have to record this one and watch it later tonight. being dragged to a birthday party. At least I'm getting free food and booze.

grow a pair, will ya? ;)

You have to choose you battles, mate ;-)
I'm fairly certain I can keep oblivious about the result until I can watch the game later tonight, so it's not too big of a sacrifice.

ha ha. have fun at the party pal!

[Biamp]

Carlos Tevez is again on the bench for Manchester City, who opt for Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli.

Aguero?

Aguero is not even on the bench, it might be a serious one I guess.

Subs: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Savic, Milner, Johnson, de Jong, Tevez.

[Biamp]

As Ant predicted and no surprise either,Mancini is putting a lot of faith in Mario so lets hope he repays him today.I spoke with Nigel Gleghorn last night and his words were" Mancini is putting all his eggs in one basket " i.e.Mario Balotelli

Stoke will have plans for Mario so I hope the long chat Mancini had with him pre training yesterday works.

PS Aguero doesnt have a foot injury ,just a foot problem!

So you don't think its a serious one?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

As Ant predicted and no surprise either,Mancini is putting a lot of faith in Mario so lets hope he repays him today.I spoke with Nigel Gleghorn last night and his words were" Mancini is putting all his eggs in one basket " i.e.Mario Balotelli

Stoke will have plans for Mario so I hope the long chat Mancini had with him pre training yesterday works.

PS Aguero doesnt have a foot injury ,just a foot problem!

So you don't think its a serious one?

I know it isn't.

[Chopper]

Now that's a good woman.

[dick dastardley]

What's the score with vinny and lescott? I was expecting atleast one back for Chelsea and both for today. Either on the bench?.

Lescott tweeted earlier hes in london, that pisses me off should be either resting up or getting round the clock treatment!!!!

[Biamp]

As Ant predicted and no surprise either,Mancini is putting a lot of faith in Mario so lets hope he repays him today.I spoke with Nigel Gleghorn last night and his words were" Mancini is putting all his eggs in one basket " i.e.Mario Balotelli

Stoke will have plans for Mario so I hope the long chat Mancini had with him pre training yesterday works.

PS Aguero doesnt have a foot injury ,just a foot problem!

So you don't think its a serious one?

I know it isn't.

Good stuff. But, if anything I would think Mancini would risk him being on the bench. It might have been a major doubt, because from my understanding he traveled with the squad.

[blues2win]

Neither Kolo nor Micah are the tallest so I guess Mancini's picking Balo and Dzeko with half a thought for defensive duties on set pieces given Stoke's usual tactics. I would have picked De Jong to allow Yaya to play further forward and maybe had Silva on the bench to give him a break; he looks like he could do with one. We are very narrow so it's crucial Clichy and Zaba bomb forward when they can and put in the odd cross.