I thought I’d better do a bit more research, so decided to watch the Luton-Arsenal game last night. I’d started by watching the Wolves game, but didn’t think too much of it.
Anyway, because the picture quality was so poor and constantly buffering on Amazon Prime, I actually watched the Arsenal game on another channel. Great game it was too.
Anyway, afterwards, they showed a re-run of the Man City-Spurs game, which proved quite handy. I’d watched it live, but only half heartedly as I was busy.
So after watching I came to a conclusion, more of which in a minute.
Squad news then and for once there isn’t any. Well, apart from Kamara being available after his suspension, that is.
Unai Emery has talked of tiredness and “small pain”, but that’s about all. His comments seem to suggest that he’s going to be responsible about his team selection, but I struggle to see how he might be able to afford to deviate from what he (and probably we) think is his best eleven.
As for Man City, they have loads of problems. If you can say that about a club that has such wealth in it’s resources. We all know that their second string could easily compete in the Premier league, after all. I don’t dislike Man City particularly as a club, but I really do hope they get their come-uppance over those 115 charges(!) that they protest they are entirely innocent of.
Good news for us is that Rodri is out for reaching 5 yellow cards. He’s a player I really like. A lot revolves around him and he’ll be a big miss, I’m sure. Grealish is also out for the same reason. I actually wonder if his petulant kicking the ball away was done on purpose, because he didn’t fancy it tonight? It wouldn’t surprise me. After all, he knows he’s done nothing of late and would probably have got loads of stick.
Injury wise, De Bruyne is out with an ongoing thigh injury, Matheus Nunes is weeks away, while Matheo Kovacic is available but probably not quite ready. Stones is very close and may well be called upon to cover for Rodri.
All in, I’m sure I heard they have 10 out, which probably includes some real long termers.
So while I’m drooling at the prospect of this game, I’m also petrified.
One thing I thought after watching that re-run, is that if you really take it to City, they are nowhere near unbeatable. They have drawn their last three games and conceded a whopping (by their standards) 8 goals. They can’t be firing on anything like four cylinders if they concede 4 to Chelsea, can they?
So do I think we can beat them? Dead right I do, if things go our way.
But the problem is I also feel we could be in for a bit of a spanking too.
Three draws on the spin is what’s known as a really poor run for City and you have to wonder how long that’s going to continue, don’t you.
Need to face a club that will end that poor run? Enter Aston Villa.
My brain just knows it.
So what needs to go right?
Well, if we mess about like we have done in the last couple of games and play at half the pace we know we can, we have no chance, in my opinion.
We need to go all out and get at them from the off.
They have the attack to destroy our decidely poor defence of late, without a doubt and it seems to me that we’re just going to have to try to outscore them.
Which all in all should mean we’re in for a cracking game of footy which should have the neutrals drooling at the prospect.
We know there are going to be goals. It’s just a matter of how many, I think.
Hence, while I can see a loss, I also have that “Villa park = fortress” in mind.
Hopefully it’ll be a case of City don’t like it up ’em.
3-3 it is then and I’d quite happily take that.
UTV! Come on you Lions!
I hope the pic is better tonight. I like the idea of Amazon showing games just to break up the usual monopoly a bit.
Shame they lost out this time.
I took up the opportunity of an offer of a ticket to the Man.City v Spurs game,which was thoroughly entertaining.
Where I sat was amongst, shall we say, more mature City supporters. When I say mature,I mean in age and certainly not attitude. The main thing I picked up on was the fact that,having followed their team for a number of years where,up until the last decade or so, success was merely a pipe dream, I though I might see an appreciation of how fortunate they are to have been given the massive financial backing which we all know is the only reason for their achievements since then.
Not a bit of it. What I found was out and out smugness on a large scale, total disrespect and recognition of the opposition and the fact Spurs went toe toe with them. One bloke even asked if myself and the person I was with were Spurs fans because we didn’t get out of our seats and celebrate when City scored. In point of fact we didn’t celebrate any of the six goals scored. The bloke next to me, who had clearly had a few, sang a song with minimal lyrics ” Champions again, Champions again, Champions again Ole”, don’t ask me the tune. The bloke who questioned our City loyalty commented to the inebriated singer ” You like that song don’t you ?” to which he replied ” Yeah, but these two don’t”, meaning us.
I just turned to him and said ” I don’t giive a toss mate. I don’t follow either team. I’m a football fan” What short memories they have. I would love to reunite with them in a few years when we watch them play a home game in the North West Counties League.
Good comment Mark. I’m one of those mature fans who remember when Man City were very much on a par with us. Not very sucessful overall, but well supported and respected clubs. It’s strange how things change isn’t it?
Reminds me of that betting company advert, where they’re proud of what they are and then get taken over by billionaires. The name of the company escapes me, which shows how effective advertising is on me 🙂
I agree Badger that Villa probably need to score 3 to get something from the game, which means our conversion of chances needs to be better. At the back, Mings kept Haarland in check last time, but I doubt Konsa is quite fast and powerful enough, and Torres will be brushed aside, so I don’t see a clean sheet.
With Rodri absent our midfield really has to try to boss this one, if they do then Citeh will be starved of chances. Up front in my dreams this is the day Zani 0/0 comes good with 3 assists and a goal, but in real life I expect he will be benched.
Haven’t a clue on this one. Looking forward to the game though.
See u back here at 8.15!!!!!
One thing that’s been bothering me recently is how slowly we start games. I don’t think any of our CB’s are a match for Haaland. Konsa is the quickest but not strong enough. Torres is too slow and weak. Carlos has the strength but lacks the pace. Maybe play 3 CB’s allowing for two of them to mark him. Then play Cash and Moreno to offer pace going forward. With a midfield of Kamara, Luiz and McGinn, allowing for Watkins and probably Diaby up front.
It is important that Emery gets it right at the start because we could be 2 or 3 down if we have a first half like we did against Spurs, Legia and Bournemouth.
I hate Citeh more than any team so a win would be amazing. I can’t stand Pep or their irritating fans. I dare say they will get away with the 115 charges thanks to the lawyers they can afford. It looks like it will be 2025-26 before we hear a verdict. Probably a small fine based on the corrupt Premier League who are scared of them.
Even with their suspensions and injuries, they still have a stronger starting XI than ours. We need to get stuck in and play a high tempo from the first whistle. Our high line might get picked off too many times so it might be sensible to drop back our defensive line, not that I think Emery will do that.
Okay. Sheeting myself now. This is by far our most important game so far this season. Full faith in the squad.
BRING IT ON!!!!!!! UTMFV!!!!!!
First – surprise, surprise, the timing of the (financial) case fits in nicely with Guardiola’s current contract. So, if they get done (highly unlikely) he can just walk away, pedigree intact! Or am I being too cynical?
As to tonight’s game – Emery has face one of Pep’s teams 13 times and is yet to win one of them. We haven’t beaten them since 2018 (3-2) at VP and our recent overall record doesn’t bear thinking about.
So, on the law of averages, it’s our turn tonight.
Nope, can’t see it – the 13 run win sequence at VP is going to hit some hard buffers.
I’m not overwhelmed by the starting XI. Konsa at RB again which leaves Carlos and Torres probably against Haaland 🫣
Extra player in midfield but surprised to see Konsa at RB again. I feel Cash is better both defensively and offensively. Tough game so will be happy to get anything out of it
I don’t get it, in the slightest.
I’m guessing they must be something they’re seeing in Cash’s stats.
Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Pau, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Tielemans, Bailey, Watkins.
Subs: Marschall, Cash, Moreno, Lenglet, Diaby, Zaniolo, Duran, Dendoncker, Ramsey.
One thing we can guarantee it will all be about ManC tonight.
Might watch it with the sound muted 🙂
Is Tielemans playing as a 10, with Bailey roaming ?
Not a cat in hell are we going to get a result, we dont have the players yet but we will give them a game . I’m going by how we have approached games over the last few months , McGinn not been on form neither has our defence I just hope we make it a game to watch.
The fans are superb. Let’s hope the mancs don’t silence them.
Martinez, two great saves.
And that’s all it takes with these. They really are frightening.
We playing really well but this City biase on the prime commentary is doing my nut in, Clownsends Man city wankfest is sickening.
I’d take Foden and Alvarez any day of the week.
We’re doing bloody well. A good game of footy and evenly matched. Like chess with sweat.
Bailey is doing well tonight.
Come on lads!!!!!
Phil fucked up fringe is shite.
Seems it’s shots in tonight.
I think they’ll take that all day.
We need to be smarter and stop the long distance efforts.
Haaland back in defence against us!?!?!
Citeh are scared of us…
We’ve got to convert some of these chances we’re creating.
They’re flapping.
Do we dare to dream?
Bailey has them seriously worried.
Come on lads, you can do this!
Do these pundits have scooby? The goal offside when the balls played backwards? F**cing seriously?
Ok it was a foot out of play but offside?
Clowns.