*Deputising for the injured Fernando_Torres
So, the big game. Though it is a little embarassing & disheartening to label a game versus the blue half of Manchester for us, that is the story this season.
Why the big game? Well, quite simply & frankly speaking, I think the coveted 4th place will be a two horse race between ourselves, barring any late drop in form for both of us & a surge in form for the pretenders i.e Spurs & Villa. To add more spice to this meeting, Shiteh are currently 1 point ahead with 1 game in hand, making this a must win for us.
Firstly, the injury/suspension updates courtesy of soccernet.espn.go.com:
"Patrick Vieira will miss the next three matches through suspension after his challenge on Stoke's Glenn Whelan. Martin Petrov is out with a knee injury with fears he could be sidelined for up to four weeks, while Carlos Tevez is still in Argentina dealing with a domestic matter. However, Craig Bellamy could come into contention after stepping up his fitness following a knee problem.
Yossi Benayoun faces a late fitness test due to a broken rib which has sidelined him since January 13, but did not feature in last night's Europa League victory over Unirea Urziceni because of a back problem. Maxi Rodriguez returns to the squad having been ineligible for the European tie. Centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos serves the second game of a three-match ban while striker Fernando Torres and full-back Glen Johnson are still not fit after knee injuries."
Great to know that Vieira is out, but we'd still be facing a solid, though somewhat creatively lacking centre midfield roster of Ireland, Barry, De Jong and even Kompany maybe. Attacking wise it's also great to know that Petrov's pace will be missing, but we still have the imp SWP flying down the right, with KOP cult hero candidate Bellamy offering some tenacity down the left. If he doesn't play, the rest assured Tevez will do just that in his place. Hardly any solace. Oh before I forget, we will also be facing the tall Adebayor as City's focal attack point.
Now, my guess on Mancini going into the game is that, he knows his team has a game in hand, one point ahead, albeit with a much tougher run in. As most pragmatist Italian coaches, I won't be surprised if he sets his team up to stop us from playing first & foremost (which shouldn't be too dificult judging from the Europa League game a few nights ago), and settling for a draw. That way, it wouldn't hurt neither side too much, and City would still finish the weekend above us with the game in hand still.
As such, we might see a possible midfield & foward line up of - SWP, Adebayor, Tevez, Barry, Ireland, De Jong.
As for us, I will take a win, first & foremost, and then for any other result a positive, enterprising, attacking display (which is really asking for something here). My hopeful lineup would be:
Kuyt
Babel Bennayoun Maxi
Gerrad Masch
Aurelio Agger Skrtel Carra
Pepe
but I won't be surprise if rafa comes out with:
Ngog
Babel Gerrard Kuyt
Lucas Masch
Aurelio Agger Skrtel Carra
Pepe
Well, with the way this season is going & given the significance of this match, honestly I won't even mind Carra playing in the hole as long as we win.
Let's sing out loud, and sing out proud tomorrow boys.
And **** these ****ING BASTERDS.
So, the big game. Though it is a little embarassing & disheartening to label a game versus the blue half of Manchester for us, that is the story this season.
Why the big game? Well, quite simply & frankly speaking, I think the coveted 4th place will be a two horse race between ourselves, barring any late drop in form for both of us & a surge in form for the pretenders i.e Spurs & Villa. To add more spice to this meeting, Shiteh are currently 1 point ahead with 1 game in hand, making this a must win for us.
Firstly, the injury/suspension updates courtesy of soccernet.espn.go.com:
"Patrick Vieira will miss the next three matches through suspension after his challenge on Stoke's Glenn Whelan. Martin Petrov is out with a knee injury with fears he could be sidelined for up to four weeks, while Carlos Tevez is still in Argentina dealing with a domestic matter. However, Craig Bellamy could come into contention after stepping up his fitness following a knee problem.
Yossi Benayoun faces a late fitness test due to a broken rib which has sidelined him since January 13, but did not feature in last night's Europa League victory over Unirea Urziceni because of a back problem. Maxi Rodriguez returns to the squad having been ineligible for the European tie. Centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos serves the second game of a three-match ban while striker Fernando Torres and full-back Glen Johnson are still not fit after knee injuries."
Great to know that Vieira is out, but we'd still be facing a solid, though somewhat creatively lacking centre midfield roster of Ireland, Barry, De Jong and even Kompany maybe. Attacking wise it's also great to know that Petrov's pace will be missing, but we still have the imp SWP flying down the right, with KOP cult hero candidate Bellamy offering some tenacity down the left. If he doesn't play, the rest assured Tevez will do just that in his place. Hardly any solace. Oh before I forget, we will also be facing the tall Adebayor as City's focal attack point.
Now, my guess on Mancini going into the game is that, he knows his team has a game in hand, one point ahead, albeit with a much tougher run in. As most pragmatist Italian coaches, I won't be surprised if he sets his team up to stop us from playing first & foremost (which shouldn't be too dificult judging from the Europa League game a few nights ago), and settling for a draw. That way, it wouldn't hurt neither side too much, and City would still finish the weekend above us with the game in hand still.
As such, we might see a possible midfield & foward line up of - SWP, Adebayor, Tevez, Barry, Ireland, De Jong.
As for us, I will take a win, first & foremost, and then for any other result a positive, enterprising, attacking display (which is really asking for something here). My hopeful lineup would be:
Kuyt
Babel Bennayoun Maxi
Gerrad Masch
Aurelio Agger Skrtel Carra
Pepe
but I won't be surprise if rafa comes out with:
Ngog
Babel Gerrard Kuyt
Lucas Masch
Aurelio Agger Skrtel Carra
Pepe
Well, with the way this season is going & given the significance of this match, honestly I won't even mind Carra playing in the hole as long as we win.
Let's sing out loud, and sing out proud tomorrow boys.
And **** these ****ING BASTERDS.
.
