*** Newcastle v Champions - Official Match Thread ***

[AG7]

Right, under three hours to kick-off and in two we'll get the official team sheets ...

Any team and score predictions?

Would anyone be surprised if, in the absence of Kompany, Barry and Nasri (and possibly Milner too), Mancini switches to 3-5-2 ...

[Crossie]

I just hope tevez plays. It stings a little to say that but he is the only striker showing effective form and brings out agueros passing side.......

[Green & Blue]

I just hope tevez plays. It stings a little to say that but he is the only striker showing effective form and brings out agueros passing side.......

Agreed he has to start and i believe he will.I have to say my major concern today is who will replace Barry.It's a real worry if we have that soft arse Garcia parading around the park today.

[Ted Hughes]

Kolo ? (Mistake ?) Could have done with Vinny being fit today.

Agree it should be Tevez Aguero today, with Dzeko coming off the bench.

Is Milner fit ? If so, play him.

[clawbaggio]

The casualty list is certainly racking up and despite our squad options looking a bit limited in certain quarters.
If Nasri is out that's good. Fanny.
Surprisingly Kolo did ok on Sunday,but Ba is a bit of a handful. Don't want 3 at the back tho.
Gaz Baz missing is a blow, mainly because he is likely to play Garcia.
Garcia =Nasri in that they have both only had one good game for us, their debut (Nasri v Spurs and Garcia v Stoke).
I think it will be backs to the wall and a performance of Champions today.

[RollWithIt]

Tevez&Aguero should start, no question about it. Mario is a joke, but a joke that makes me laugh. So I kind of like him :) But when Dzeko plays like he has played in last few games (or like the whole last season between the 4 goals against Spurs and the last corner of the season), it's awful to watch. His first touchs is just so poor, and he is never in the right place when the cross comes in.

[AG7]

Starting Tevez is only great if Aguero is up front with him ... if he starts with Balo or Dzeko, well I am not so sure we have seen any partnership there. Tevez/Aguero and Silva behind them and Yaya a little behind him has worked very well for us, in fact the only partnership that has worked ... and with us out of the LeagueCup and CL, Mancini *should* start them every game and enough with the experiments and rotation ...

[Original Dub]

Tevez&Aguero should start, no question about it. Mario is a joke, but a joke that makes me laugh. So I kind of like him :) But when Dzeko plays like he has played in last few games (or like the whole last season between the 5 goals against Spurs and the last corner of the season), it's awful to watch. His first touchs is just so poor, and he is never in the right place when the cross comes in.

Sweet suffering Jesus, he's joined again.

[RollWithIt]

<null>

What do you mean??

[Green & Blue]

<null>

What do you mean??

Oh ffs

[Green & Blue]

Hart, zab, kolo, nastasic, clichy, Garcia(oh dear), yaya, nasri, tevez, silva, aguero

[AG7]

City Team:

Hart
Zabaleta, Kolo, Nastasic, Clichy
Garcia, Yaya
Nasri, Tevez, Silva
Aguero

This is tweeted by Stuart Brennan, saying he has this confirmed from City ... officially they can't announce till one hour before the kick-off so official announcement due in 7 minutes!

[AG7]

If Milner was fit, I seriously doubt Nasri would have played ... worried about Garcia though, Yaya will be held back to cover for him!

[Green & Blue]

If Milner was fit, I seriously doubt Nasri would have played ... worried about Garcia though, Yaya will be held back to cover for him!

Very worried about Garcia but it was obvious he would start with nobody else available.I really hope he steps up today and shows us he can make a decent contribution.It's a bit of a worry if he is bobbins again as we will have to change the whole shape of the team if Bob has to haul him off again today.

[Green & Blue]

Yaya takes the armband today

[AG7]

Same team (as above) confirmed by City now ... Yaya to captain!

[AG7]

Newcastle Team

Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon; Perch, Tiote, Anita; Cisse, Ba, Gutierrez

[Douglas Higginbottom]

If Milner was fit, I seriously doubt Nasri would have played ... worried about Garcia though, Yaya will be held back to cover for him!

There are so few choices to make tho with Milner, Barry, Rodwell and Maicon all missing and Razak not ready yet. I guess Kolarov was the other possibility but he hasn't exactly shone in a midfield role has he!

Yaya will play deep for sure but I also expect Silva and Nasri especially will have been strongly reminded of their defensive repsonsibilities

[AG7]

If Milner was fit, I seriously doubt Nasri would have played ... worried about Garcia though, Yaya will be held back to cover for him!

Very worried about Garcia but it was obvious he would start with nobody else available.I really hope he steps up today and shows us he can make a decent contribution.It's a bit of a worry if he is bobbins again as we will have to change the whole shape of the team if Bob has to haul him off again today.

Fine, Rodwell is unfit too and so is Milner but he could have played Kolarov and moved Zaba up with Yaya in the mid-field or just bring in Kolarov there ... I'd hate to see a switch to 3-5-2 with Lescott as a change for Garcia if he screws up. Newcastle would be happy to see him there ...

[Swales4ever]

If Milner was fit, I seriously doubt Nasri would have played ... worried about Garcia though, Yaya will be held back to cover for him!

Very worried about Garcia but it was obvious he would start with nobody else available.I really hope he steps up today and shows us he can make a decent contribution.It's a bit of a worry if he is bobbins again as we will have to change the whole shape of the team if Bob has to haul him off again today.

Just seen confirmed on the OS:
Jimmy MUST be unavailable for selection indeed, otherwise I gonna turning into Carl4ever,ffs!
Javi G. you better step up to the plate, today!

quite ruined my appetite, sorry for negativism, but can't help.
Just hope he is gonna make me silly and turn up as MotM!

Come on Lads: above and beyond for three points, whatsoever way!