by Beefymcfc » Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:00 am
I don't think I mind having the International break this time around due to our up and down form. The only issue is injuries and travelling time. Seeing as it's the qualifying then most of the games are within a couple of hours which is nothing these days. Spain have 2 homes games so that's a few of our players not really having to extend themselves and our England contingent will be just down the road at Wembley. It's the further afield ones like Argentina where the likes of Zab and Sergio may have the long haul. Should our squad be able to cope with that though?
The next 4 are going to be a bit cagey though due to them being away games. However, I don't think we've lost to the Hammers for a while now and it's 1 win and 2 draws from the last 3 aways. I think we can do well there and at minimum come away with a point.
The CSKA game maybe difficult, only 4 days after, but seeing Plzen put 2 past them and CSKA just scraping the result at home gives me confidence that we can take them on in their back yard and fly away with the 3 points.
Now Chelsea, probably the biggest test mentally. We've seen how we can both play and it's plain to see we are far the superior side going forward but it's still that worry that we will lose out defensively. Chelsea have the same run of games as us albeit that they've got 2 home games and not as much travelling but I can see the players being up for this one as they've proved over a couple of seasons now. We step it up in these games and I can honestly see us coming away with all 3 points, regardless of Maureen.
And finally, Newcastle in the League Cup. Well for me this is a game where we give the weary leags a rest, why not, hopefully they've deserved it. Play a nice mix of 1st teamers, those that regularly come off the bench and a few of our up and coming. The Toon have a game away to the BlackCats on Sunday and a home game afterwards to Chelsea on the Saturday. Although I'd guess they'd want to progress, I can't see them fielding a 1st team 3 times in 6 days. Can you?
After that we've got a steady run of 5 games, 4 home and 1 away (3 PL, 2 CL), with Spurs being the highlight of the month. Sunderland are the only away team and it'd be nice to get another monkey off our back. Then Xmas and the grizz of 9 games in 32 days. Sounds a lot but remember that all the other clubs have the same (some less 1 CL game) and that should be where our squad rotation policy should kick-in and where I think us and Chelsea will rise to the top. Only the Dippers face little distraction with Europe but have they got a stronger squad to compete over that period or have the likes of Arsenal or Spurs got the mental fortitude to push through. I'm not quite sure.
So, in truth I'm not too worried about us going forward and actually looking forward to a bit of a break, allowing the new system to sink in with the boys and once back I can see us going onto bigger and better things.
You know it makes sense ;-)
In the words of my Old Man, "Life will never be the same without Man City, so get it in while you can".
The Future's Bright, The Future's Blue!!!
