*** official Wigan vs city match thread ***

[Luke11993]

Thought I'd start the thread as it doesn't appear it's been started yet, expecting a comfortable win but you never no! Lets see what Mancini decides for the starting x1 COME ON CITY!

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

A win tonight and it's been a good week. But not expecting this game to be a cake-walk - I'd take 0-1.

[MR IMAINEROAD]

I'd take a 1 - 0 win and a good Joan.

[Luke11993]

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: DW Stadium Date: Wednesday, 28 November


TEAM NEWS

Injury-hit Wigan will give fitness tests to forward Shaun Maloney (groin) and defender Gary Caldwell (hamstring).
Ivan Ramis is unlikely to feature after being forced off against Reading last weekend with a hamstring injury.
Manchester City remain without full-backs Gael Clichy and Micah Richards, who have respective ankle and knee problems.
Jack Rodwell is not ready to return, but captain Vincent Kompany will play despite nursing a knee injury.
MATCH PREVIEW

The champions have been scratching for away form. If they don't win this then serious questions will be asked about the true desire of the players to retain their crown.
Roberto Mancini moaned about "two points lost" at Chelsea. They've also failed to win at Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham.
On Sunday they had the lion share of possession for the 12th Premier League game this season out of 13. But they've rarely looked as razor sharp in the final third of the pitch as they did at the same stage last year. They were workman-like but lacked the thrilling sparkle and killer instinct of 12 months ago.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst
"I don't understand why Roberto Mancini is starting with Edin Dzeko up front. Carlos Tevez would be my choice to partner Sergio Aguero - I don't think Dzeko is of the same standard as those two."

Read Lawro's full prediction and score
Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko up front didn't work the Chelsea back four hard enough. They looked lacklustre. But the Argentine hit a hat-trick against Wigan at home last season and he could cash in again given the Latics' open style.
Boyce and Beausejour love to get forward from wing-back positions and Kone has looked useful up front. But they'll find City - with the meanest defence in the league - very hard to crack and could be caught badly on the break.
Wigan are at their best when they have McCarthy and McArthur snapping away together at the heart of midfield. After missing four games, McArthur came on as a substitute in the error-strewn win against Reading. He'll be needed to track the yomping Yaya Toure.
It would be stupid to underestimate Wigan. Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and Spurs have all done that to their cost in 2012. But with the talent they have, City should and must win.
Forget the nonsense spoken about City now being set to win the Premier League year in year out just because the pressure was relieved by their first title success in 44 years. Sir Alex Ferguson has always maintained it's much harder to retain the title. His team has always had the hunger to do just that by winning games like this. So did Mourinho's Chelsea.
It's time for City's stars to show they have the same mettle.
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Manchester City have won their last five matches against Wigan without conceding a goal.
Wigan's last win in this fixture came in September 2008 when Amr Zaki scored the decisive penalty after Vincent Kompany had equalised for City.
Wigan
Wigan came from behind to win a Premier League match for the first time this season against Reading, having lost all seven previous matches in which they trailed.
Three of their four league wins this season have come against the promoted clubs.
The Latics are five points better off than at the equivalent stage of last season.
Wigan have conceded 13 goals at home this season, more than any other Premier League club prior to the latest round of fixtures.
Manchester City
City are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League matches, their best top-flight run since a 22-game sequence in 1936-37. They are the only team in England's top four divisions who have not lost in the league this season.
They have gained 14 points from losing positions, a record bettered only by Manchester United.
City have the division's best defensive record, conceding just 10 goals in 13 matches.
This match is being staged the day after Roberto Mancini's 48th birthday.

[Nick]

streams for me guys? I know its on Sky, so there should be. But I never have much luck. and having a shit day..

[AG7]

Our team to face Wigan: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Zabaleta, Garcia, Aguero, Barry, Silva, Nastasic, Toure, Balotelli

[ruralblue]

Joans 'bit' has disappeared? anyone else having problems? or are they having a lof!

[AG7]

Our team to face Wigan: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Zabaleta, Garcia, Aguero, Barry, Silva, Nastasic, Toure, Balotelli

And Wigan team: Al Habsi, Kone, McCarthy, Jones, Di Santo, Gomez, Boyce, Beausejour, Stam, Lopez, Figueroa

[AG7]

Our team to face Wigan: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Zabaleta, Garcia, Aguero, Barry, Silva, Nastasic, Toure, Balotelli

And Wigan team: Al Habsi, Kone, McCarthy, Jones, Di Santo, Gomez, Boyce, Beausejour, Stam, Lopez, Figueroa

And our subs: Pantilimon, Kolo Toure, Kolarov, Milner, Sinclair, Tevez, Dzeko

[FA cup winners 2006]

Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Natasic, Zabba, Garcia, Barry, Yaya, Silva, Aguero, Ballotelli

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Our team to face Wigan: Hart, Maicon, Kompany, Zabaleta, Garcia, Aguero, Barry, Silva, Nastasic, Toure, Balotelli

We're playing three at the back and Nastasic upfront?
Bob out!

[phips]

The back 4 is what I thought it'd be. And so is midfield. But no Tevez again?! Wtf Bob?!

[s1ty m]

No Tevez again. Madness, utter madness.

[Swales4ever]

Joans 'bit' has disappeared? anyone else having problems? or are they having a lof!

here Mate
viewtopic.php?f=119&t=44570&p=484450#p484450

[Mase]

Get in Garcia!!!

[Swales4ever]

No Tevez again. Madness, utter madness.

would have given a bye to Yaya ahead of Everton fight. Not that Wigan play the most harsh footy on the league.
Could have been the right game to rest him.
perhaps there some truth on voices over Tevez carrying some slight injury... dunno

[Arjan Van Schotte]

No Tevez again. Madness, utter madness.

exactly, fucking nuts.

what the fuck is the problem - can i suggest that tevez is our most consistent striker? and should be first choice, not last???

[Camebro]

Looking at the line up on ssn. Seems a strange one to me.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

No Tevez again. Madness, utter madness.

exactly, fucking nuts.

what the fuck is the problem - can i suggest that tevez is our most consistent striker? and should be first choice, not last???

It's pretty clear that Hart,Kompany,Zaba,Silva,Yaya Aguero will play every game if fully fit (even if not for Vinnie) which leaves 5 to rotate around.At the moment Tevez and Lescott seem to be out of favour.

Tonight is massively important for City and equally so for Mario.He doesn't have to score but must be a positive contributor to the win. Can't wait.

[Swales4ever]

No Tevez again. Madness, utter madness.

exactly, fucking nuts.

what the fuck is the problem - can i suggest that tevez is our most consistent striker? and should be first choice, not last???

It's pretty clear that Hart,Kompany,Zaba,Silva,Yaya Aguero will play every game if fully fit (even if not for Vinnie) which leaves 5 to rotate around.At the moment Tevez and Lescott seem to be out of favour.

Tonight is massively important for City and equally so for Mario.He doesn't have to score but must be a positive contributor to the win. Can't wait.

So rumours on Tevez being not 100% fit are bollox? nothing mentioned either on Your reports and on Platty presser, so think the question is almost waste of space