*** City v Sunderland - Official Cup Final Thread ***

[The Original Special One]

What's the deal with Sunderland having TWO representatives in the Sky studio?
We all know where Quinn's allegiances lie

[Ted Hughes]

Some of our best players have a habit of dragging the team down when they decide they don't fancy it, and they're doing it again today. You know who I mean.

Every time Yaya is not at it he always spends too much time rolling around "hurt" after a heavy tackle rather than getting the fuck up.

THEN spends the next 5 mins jog limping as if to justify his appealing in vain

We are being shit on by the officials. Several of those so called tackles would be yellow cards in a Prem game. Yaya has been genuinely crocked by people going through him with a minimal interest in the ball. Silva has been caught by a couple too.

[Dameerto]

WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE CUP.

[Breks]

Get garcia on and Dzeko off. 5 in midfield with yaya pushing forward more and Garcia to stay just in front of back 4

[branny]

There was a lot of things wrong with the goal. Silva passing to Fernandinho when he had two men on him. Fernandinho losing the ball. Kolarov stood ten yards off Bardsley when the ball went out wide. Demichelis too slow and switching off. Company trying to win the ball instead of forcing Borini out wide. Its looking like our typical Sunderland away performance.

[CHOPPERmcfc]

Fucking grim. I just hope Pellegrini identifies the issues and acts on them ASAP, he has a habit of persisting with bullshit tactics when they aren't working, and making changes eventually far too late.

[kennyboy]

I havent seen so bad defending from Demichelis since Lescott used to start for us.

And i seriously think Silva would pass if i was 3ft. from goal.

Bring on second half! can only get better.

[ant london]

Don't disagree with that Ted but he needs to just get on with it rather than crying and then tossing off his effort for the next 5 mins

[The Original Special One]

I'd been saying all week that we should go with Javi Garcia, alongside Fernandinho and Ya Ya in the centre of the field, albeit that Ya Ya would have a licence to play farther forward, behind a lone striker - Kun.

It's not too late to change; because we will get caught out again - and we're looking like we're having another one of our 'labouring' days.

I fear Pellegrini is just becoming too arrogant - we will play the always have, against English teams.

An excellent suggestion, mate as Dzeko is about as much use in this match as a chocolate fireguard. Just saying the same thing to the Mrs & kids about putting Javi Garcia on and taking off Dzeko with Yaya playing behind Sergio. The one good thing is we cannot play as half-arsed and shite as that in the second half.

Not happy.

The question is, how long will Pellegrini stubbornly insist on what's always worked for us?
Or worked until teams just decided to park the bus, and frustrate us?

[Esky]

I'd been saying all week that we should go with Javi Garcia, alongside Fernandinho and Ya Ya in the centre of the field, albeit that Ya Ya would have a licence to play farther forward, behind a lone striker - Kun.

It's not too late to change; because we will get caught out again - and we're looking like we're having another one of our 'labouring' days.

I fear Pellegrini is just becoming too arrogant - we will play the always have, against English teams.

Completely agree. Have to be wary of the extra time possibility if we do manage to get one. Dzeko (one of many) has been invisible though, would still swap him for Garcia before the 60th minute.

[guv111]

Some of our best players have a habit of dragging the team down when they decide they don't fancy it, and they're doing it again today. You know who I mean.

Every time Yaya is not at it he always spends too much time rolling around "hurt" after a heavy tackle rather than getting the fuck up.

THEN spends the next 5 mins jog limping as if to justify his appealing in vain

Great technical player, but too often a shitty attitude. Silva's not blameless on such days either. He's almost as bad.

[Ted Hughes]

There was a lot of things wrong with the goal. Silva passing to Fernandinho when he had two men on him. Fernandinho losing the ball. Kolarov stood ten yards off Bardsley when the ball went out wide. Demichelis too slow and switching off. Company trying to win the ball instead of forcing Borini out wide. Its looking like our typical Sunderland away performance.

Those things were all mistakes, but Kompany's effort was fucking horrible.

Dzeko is not getting into enough scoring areas like a proper goal scorer should but the trouble is that if we take him off, we may be taking off the bloke who would have got the equaliser, because that's what he does sometimes, even when he's totally shit & not getting near anything.

[The Original Special One]

Some of our best players have a habit of dragging the team down when they decide they don't fancy it, and they're doing it again today. You know who I mean.

Every time Yaya is not at it he always spends too much time rolling around "hurt" after a heavy tackle rather than getting the fuck up.

THEN spends the next 5 mins jog limping as if to justify his appealing in vain

I fear its ods on Ya Ya will get booked ;unless Pellegrini changes his tactics


.......which he hasn't, so far!

[Ted Hughes]

I'd been saying all week that we should go with Javi Garcia, alongside Fernandinho and Ya Ya in the centre of the field, albeit that Ya Ya would have a licence to play farther forward, behind a lone striker - Kun.

It's not too late to change; because we will get caught out again - and we're looking like we're having another one of our 'labouring' days.

I fear Pellegrini is just becoming too arrogant - we will play the always have, against English teams.

An excellent suggestion, mate as Dzeko is about as much use in this match as a chocolate fireguard. Just saying the same thing to the Mrs & kids about putting Javi Garcia on and taking off Dzeko with Yaya playing behind Sergio. The one good thing is we cannot play as half-arsed and shite as that in the second half.

Not happy.

The question is, how long will Pellegrini stubbornly insist on what's always worked for us?
Or worked until teams just decided to park the bus, and frustrate us?

This is not what has worked for us, crosses are what have made the difference this season.

[21Silva]

If we lose today im going to to support my second team Chelseafc

[bigblue]

Seats for "Corporate partners" needs to stop. Makes the stadium look 20% empty for a final

[gilford]

Wow, Silva took a shot!

[bigblue]

If we lose today im going to to support my second team Chelseafc

You aren't a City fan mate so fuck off

[Crossie]

Fucks sake this is fucking frustrating as shit

[bigblue]

Zabba rock