It might be a bit early for this, but given how awful the Tigers forums are, I don’t see it getting any better. From what I have read, I really don’t like their fans at all, and they clearly don’t particularly love us. Once again there seems to be a feeling that this is not a real game (how weird is that), but the whole Cardiff fiasco seems to have given them a little hope.
They are also questioning whether or not to play their first eleven, or let the youngsters play, and of course moaning about having to pay 41.00 for a ticket ( welcome to the Premier League).
I think this will be my first game at The Etihad this year, and now I have read these forums I will accept nothing less than destroying these pussies, sorry tigers.
So, for your entertainment, here is a selection of their thoughts...
(Don't miss the thoughts of the Cardiff fan at the end ! )
It's an unimportant 'bonus' game against Financial Pig Number 1, outside the crucial 19 more games we have to secure the money for another season.
There's no point is risking injuries for our top players in this nothing game and it's another opportunity for some of our fringe players to get valuable match time
I think the fans paying £41 would have something to say about that team!
Our players will be hungry to face the challenge of Man City away
Given that I have to live and work with these manc twats ANY kind of result would be a brucey bonus. 1-1 thrashing
in my opinion, strategically, we'd have more to gain by playing a full strength team in the cups, than agen any of the financial pigs away from home.
using some kind of a risk assessed approach, financially we can probably gain more from two good cup runs than losing 5 or 6 matches at the home of a financial pig by a shed load. as long as we win 1 - 0, 15 times we can in theory lose every other league game 20 - 0
To concede defeat prior to kick off is a cowardly act. You should have more pride in our players than that.
Hull's solid defence might be too difficult for Moneybags to break down.
They tend to struggle against teams like that. 0-1.
I'm afraid Hull will get the backlash from the Cardiff defeat of City.
Home win, 3 goals for City
The loss to Cardiff City exposed some glaring weaknesses in Man City's defence and I hope SB will be preparing a game plan to exploit them. As Fraizer Campbell showed they are slow at the back, notably Lescott and at LB, where Bellamy had a field day, and very vulnerable to speed and long through balls. Without Kompany they were also very poor in defending corners, and FC again took advantage of this.
If we play the right formation to exploit these weaknesses we could get another surprise result.
My line up would be
Graham
Rosenior Chester Davies Figueroa
Elmohamedy Livermore Huddlestone Dudgeon
Aluko Brady
We've beaten Manchester City before with, in my opinion, a much worse team, so I see no reason why we can't get something on Saturday
Yes we have vastly improved, but so have they. When we beat them at the KC, their starting 11 was Given, Bridge, Zabeleta, Toure, Boyata, Ireland, Barry, De Jong, Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy.
A handful of them wouldn't even get into our team now (Given, Bridge, Boyata, Ireland) so I don't really see your point.
Of course SB will field what he thinks is his strongest team, I just hope he is more daring and follows in Cardiff's footsteps, if we stay compact, they are certainly susceptible to the counter attack.
Comfortable win for Citeh
And finally, one lonely Cardiff fan posting on the Hull boards
I cant believe the shear arrogance from the Mancs after our win. We had one or two saying that, fair play, we deserved to win. And then there's the rest, including the sports editor of the Manchester Evening News, who said that not one of our team would get in their reserve side, never mind the first team.
The bottom line is that they dont really see why they should be having to share the same pitch as us because they are far superior.
Unbe-fkn-lievable.
So although realistically, you and us are probably rivals to avoid the drop, and I would normally want Citeh to turn you over on Saturday, now I dont. I want you to get a result against the arrogant bstrds and show these muppetts what hard work can do.
Go for it. Lets rattle a few cages.
Match Preview from The Away End:
PREVIEW: Manchester City v Hull City
Hell fire! It couldn't have been a more difficult start to life on the Premier League road really, could it? Many have and will continue to say it is a blessing in disguise to get two of the most difficult fixtures on the top flight calendar out of the way early doors. But for me, gathering momentum at the start of a fresh campaign is crucial to keeping spirits and the feel good factor high in the Tigers camp. Need proof? Take a look at the glorious start to our first ever top flight campaign in 2008-09 - and the ultimate rewards it brought in the grand scheme of matters. It was quintessential to our survival plight, in fact.
The danger here for me - aside from the obvious fact Manchester City are a wounded animal following their shock defeat to fellow new boys Cardiff City - suggests the Tigers could be on the end of a hiding at the Etihad Stadium. Yet, it's the legacy of such a result, rather than the score itself, that has the propensity to cause more concern. Steve Bruce will need his managerial wits about him more than ever this weekend. Not just for this game, but well beyond it, too. His experience will be acutely aware it is imperative that belief in our survival challenge remains in tact. And I guess, that will be the real victory we must take from the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Braver souls than me will be predicting the possibility of sneaking a result here at Manchester City. Particularly when taking in to consideration - by contrast to Manchester City's travesty in Wales - the Tigers showed extreme character and desire to hold on for a 1-0 home win with 10 men for 70 minutes versus Norwich, which is to their immense credit. But the head is ruling the heart here for me.
Be warned, Manchester City's stumbling at Cardiff, means you can almost guarantee retribution will be swift in it's arrival and punishing when delivered. The Tigers will have to be wary of such an immense threat. A £240m assembled team on their own patch are not going to be found wanting too often this season. Catching them cold on the odd occasion, sure... But twice in the same week against Premier League new boys? It's a monumental and improbable ask folks in reality. But, in football you just never know... and it's why we love it.
Bruce is likely to make very little changes from the side that victoriously overturned Norwich City - with the exception of Yannick Sagbo up front, who is suspended for a further two matches after his red card on his home debut. Did you know that's our 6th red card in 15 Premier League matches? Sheesh, that's something else that needs sorting, sharpish. This league is hard enough with 11 on the pitch, let alone 10. It's evident Sagbo's replacement up front is undoubtedly going to be Danny Graham, after a lacklustre showing in midweek by our forwards in the Capital One Cup saw City scrape past Leyton Orient 0-1 in extra time.
Meanwhile, new Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has a minor defensive crisis to overcome, if Mateja Nastasic is not considered fit enough to play. Javi Garcia deputised last weekend when playing out of position, but whether that will be allowed to continue following a defeat is debatable. Throw in to the mix Joe Hart's recent and sketchy form in goal and there may well be changes in personnel at the back for the hosts. Will the Tigers see summer goalkeeping transfer target Costel Pantilimon for example?
Believe me, courage, togetherness and tenacity will be required in abundance for the Tigers at the Etihad Stadium for the early kick off this weekend, as the television cameras are once again present to screen the game live. In fairness, after a jittery opening spell against Chelsea, Bruce's team did at least show their teeth and fighting spirit. Truth is, any team in the Premier League would've struggled to contain the might of that particular onslaught that day. However, you can bargain for more of the same again this Saturday, methinks. The trick this time, will be to come out of that opening spell unscathed. As ever, it will be easier said than done...
