***official stoke at manchester city match thread***

[Nigels Tackle]

for those wondering, lee mason is today's ref in a rare 3pm kick off at the etihad

the game is not on tv in the uk so for those not attending the match in person, you'll have to look for a joan. speaking of which, old rivers ain't very well at the moment - hope she recovers soon. back on topic...

come on city!!

let's fuck these cunts up!!

[kinkylola]

On live on NBC sports in USA, i expect there will be plenty of rivers available.

[Slim]

On Fox Sports here, however I do believe you mean lee mason is the umpire.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Today will be the first City match I've been to since the AGUEROOO game. I'll be upset if it's any less dramatic.

[clippo22]

On holiday in Turkey currently so shouldn't find it hard to find somewhere to watch the game. Will have a walk down nice and early to watch them Rag fucktards play the early game, would be perfect if we could have a nice 2-0 victory for Burnley, with the goals coming from Mee and Trippier obviously!

Back to our game and I'm interested to see whether we will see the same team again or will we see the likes of Sagna, Ferny, Navas and Aguero from the start?

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Off to the game early today so will now predict 3-0 to the might Citizens.

[Ted Hughes]

Stoke & Chelsea had the best defensive records v City last season, in the league. We scored once in two games. They played really well at our place.

I'm expecting we'll have a bit more in the way of options this season though, Jovetic etc, so I fancy we may get 2 or 3 today.

[ruralblue]

It's not going to be long before we spank someone good and proper. I hope it's today!

I just have a feeling!!@

[Slim]

Mark Hughes: 'Vincent Kompany is Manchester City's best signing'

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes feels that the signing of Vincent Kompany was the best signing in the history of Manchester City.

Hughes bought the Belgium international for just £6m in 2008 from Hamburg when he was manager of the Citizens.

Kompany is now widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world and an integral part of City's two Premier League title wins.

Hughes told reporters: "Was he the best money City have ever spent? Yeah. People will laugh and think it is easy to sell Manchester City – but not in those days. It was a leap of faith and fair play to him.

"We had to tell him what would happen in the future. Vinny was very clear, he wanted to come, he wanted to be successful and he wanted to be part of something.

"In terms of pound for pound, it has to be way up there in terms of my best. You look at certain levels of finance being thrown at mediocre players and it does not bear comparison."

City and Stoke face off in their Premier League matchup later today.

I think if we're going 'pound for pound' that Joe Hart and Zabs might have something to say about that.

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

Benarbia on a free wasn't bad business.

Kompany for £6m and Hart for £300k are ridiculously good though.

At the other end of the scale, while I really like Fernandinho, I have no idea why he cost £30m +

[Slim]

I still want to know why we paid £16M for Bellamy, again a great player but nowhere in that market should he have cost that.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I still want to know why we paid £16M for Bellamy, again a great player but nowhere in that market should he have cost that.

January prices are always inflated and we needed more firepower up top. Add to that he was an important player for the Hammers and everyone knew money was no issue for us at the time, we were never gonna get him on the cheap. Torres 50 million, Carrol 35. Bellamy was a steal compared to that.

[Dwaring]

@MCFC: TEAM NEWS: Hart, Sagna, Kolarov, Kompany (C), Demichelis, Fernando, Nasri, Yaya Toure, Silva, Jovetic, Aguero #cityvstoke #mcfc

@MCFC: SUBS NEWS: Caballero, Clichy, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Milner, Navas, Dzeko #cityvstoke #mcfc

No mangala? He must have been in horrible shape coming in.

[Lee_R]

@MCFC: TEAM NEWS: Hart, Sagna, Kolarov, Kompany (C), Demichelis, Fernando, Nasri, Yaya Toure, Silva, Jovetic, Aguero #cityvstoke #mcfc

@MCFC: SUBS NEWS: Caballero, Clichy, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Milner, Navas, Dzeko #cityvstoke #mcfc

No mangala? He must have been in horrible shape coming in.

Silva, Nasri, Aguero, Jovetic... LOL.

[Slim]

@MCFC: TEAM NEWS: Hart, Sagna, Kolarov, Kompany (C), Demichelis, Fernando, Nasri, Yaya Toure, Silva, Jovetic, Aguero #cityvstoke #mcfc

@MCFC: SUBS NEWS: Caballero, Clichy, Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Milner, Navas, Dzeko #cityvstoke #mcfc

No mangala? He must have been in horrible shape coming in.

Silva, Nasri, Aguero, Jovetic... LOL.

I feel we are going to be kicking the puppy today.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

This could be tasty!

[Slim]

3 games, 3 different right backs.

[Saul Goodman]

Im excited to see what Sagna can offer

Interesting that Fernandinho is still on the bench. Yes Fernando has done nothing to warrant being dropped but i wonder if this means Fernando is ahead of Fern in Manuel's plans now

[mr_nool]

Feel a little bit sorry for little Ferna.