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

[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!

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

I agree ... expect Nasri to have either a great game today and re-instate his position within the club or have a very poor game and then this be the start of his end ... he will fizzle out if he doesn't step up and today is the day!

[AG7]

City Subs

Pantilimon, Kolarov, Lescott, Sinclair, Razak, Rekik, Dzeko

No Balo!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

City Subs

Pantilimon, Kolarov, Lescott, Sinclair, Razak, Rekik, Dzeko

No Balo!

Clearly felt he needed extra cover in midfield and defence , so Razak and Rekik get the nod.

I think from all I saw with Milner , he is very close to ok but there is a fear at risking him now knowing that Yaya goes missing soon. The training he did in the week showed he is very close but there is a niggling doubt that all is well or certainly well enough to risk in a match.

[AG7]

Although a bit early but ... C'mon Sunderland!

[Green & Blue]

Good to see Razak and Rekik getting on the bench today.

[Chinners]

Good to see Razak and Rekik getting on the bench today.

Agreed

Lescott must be shagging Mancini's misses or something, I really don't get how Kolo is in before him

[Crossie]

Probably because Kolo did o well vs scum, plus we get o sing the Tourer song!

[Crossie]

Toure

[Jon London]

Garcia starts ..... We are doomed. Watch him provide the assist to Ba. We will need Tevez and Aguero to be firing.

[ayrshireblue]

Good to see Razak and Rekik getting on the bench today.

Agreed

Lescott must be shagging Mancini's misses or something, I really don't get how Kolo is in before him

Because Mancini doesn't want two left footed centre backs together. He said this after last week.

[Ted Hughes]

Good to see Razak and Rekik getting on the bench today.

Agreed

Lescott must be shagging Mancini's misses or something, I really don't get how Kolo is in before him

Because Mancini doesn't want two left footed centre backs together. He said this after last week.

What an absolute pile of fucking utter bollocks that is. Why the fuck did he pick him v Bayern then ? That was two right footed cbs.

He should just be honest about it & take credit if Toure plays well & vice versa if he doesn't.

I hope his decision is proven correct & same with Nasri.

Contrary to others, I thought Kolo was defensively shite v the rags, charged around out of position & gave away a penalty which the ref missed. He played with a lot of energy, on the plus side. I actually thought nasri played well apart from the wuss moment.

I wouldn't have picked either today.

[Swales4ever]

Good to see Razak and Rekik getting on the bench today.

Agreed

Lescott must be shagging Mancini's misses or something, I really don't get how Kolo is in before him

Because Mancini doesn't want two left footed centre backs together. He said this after last week.

What an absolute pile of fucking utter bollocks that is. Why the fuck did he pick him v Bayern then ? That was two right footed cbs.

He should just be honest about it & take credit if Toure plays well & vice versa if he doesn't.

I hope his decision is proven correct & same with Nasri.

Contrary to others, I thought Kolo was defensively shite v the rags, charged around out of position & gave away a penalty which the ref missed. He played with a lot of energy, on the plus side. I actually thought nasri played well apart from the wuss moment.

I wouldn't have picked either today.

Carl's reversal?

[paul_oresteia]

What a save

[Swales4ever]

AA+ save, Joe.
I'm still in bad mood twards Javi patrolling,ffs!

[Slim]

Get a freekick, by the time replays are done, Newcastle have the ball.

Get a goalkick, by the time replays are done, Newcastle have the ball.

I am not sure I've seen City kick the ball yet.

[Sideshow Bob]

Kolo=liability.

[Swales4ever]

Let's hope we can scrap a win through the counter: this midfield setup certainly won't allow us to play our plan A game by bossing the park

KUN YEAH!

[phips]

Nasri you did something!! Great pass from Yaya and nasri

[mr_nool]

GET THE FUCK IN! Fantastic ball from Yaya!

[Sideshow Bob]

Great fucking pass Nasri.