Here we go, here we go, here we go…. I don’t know if it’s just me but it’s felt like a really long break since we finished our season back in May with that awful 5-2 defeat to relegated Rotherham, but, here we are, fresh, ready and full of renewed optimism after what has been an intriguing summer break. Who Are You? We open this season with a home game against arguably the biggest club in the division, Sunderland. The Black Cats had what can only be described as a tumultuous season last time around. What must have started as a season full of hope diminished with a managerial merry-go-round that saw Michael Beale depart after just 3 months, Tony Mowbray come back in to steady the ship but get sacked in December, and Mike Dodds take charge on a caretaker basis for the rest of the season This time around they come to us with the newly appointed ex-Lorient boss Regis Le Bris – great name but a seemingly average to poor record at his former club, having guided them to a 10th place Ligue 1 finish year before last but then taking them down into Ligue 2 after finishing 17th last season. They have made some moves to ‘shore up’ their squad for 2024-2025, bringing in seasoned campaigner Alan Browne from Preston and the talented but enigmatic winger Ian Poveda from Leeds, together with ex-Bluebird shot stopper Simon Moore. They don't seem to have lost anyone of any real note from last season with the exception of Bradley Dack who, it's fair to say didn't pull up any trees for them. Arguably though, the best bit of business thus far for them (at the time of writing) has been holding on to last season’s top scorer Jack Clarke. Last Time Out & Form The Mackems picked up their first victory in almost 2 months on their visit to the CCS, goals coming via the penalty spot from Aouchiche early in in the game (12th minute) as the younger Bellingham (Jobe) went down to win the spot kick under a soft challenge from Goutas who was trying to atone for giving the ball away. Bellingham himself then wrapped up the points and scoring in the 27th minute with a close-range volley in what was a fully deserved victory against a Bluebirds team putting in one of their more insipid performances. Form guide wise (based on the end of last season of course), our visitors endured a pretty torrid end to the season, picking up just 1 win in their last 6 (though we only picked up 2!) as the goals dried up (scoring just once in those 6 games), though to be fair they also remained tighter than Doris when she sees Masky eyeing her up in the pub at midnight, conceding just 4 times compared to our own horrendous 16! Whilst pre-season isn’t any real guide, Sunderland have also has a pretty ropey time of it in the lead-up to the seasons start – losing one game 2-1 against Gateshead, though that did come after a 5-0 trouncing of South Shields on the same day in back to back games. In, Out, No Sign Of Them About So, just who will make the 1st match day squad of the season, let alone the actual starting 11? With our new faces still getting up to speed, but undoubtedly adding some more quality (at least in most cases) it will be interesting to see who will make the cut. Definitely out are Zac Davies, Kion Etete & Jamilu Collins, with injuries already hitting the squad hard. We can add Anwar El Ghazi to that list, with him needing an estimated month of integration, and of course Ryan Wintle isn’t likely to feature again for the team, unless there really is a huge injury crisis before he’s sold or released. This game could also come a little too soon for our newest capture, Australian Alex Robertson and then we have the curious case of Mahlon Romeo - one can only surmise that we've most likely seen the last of him in a City shirt following his poor behaviour. With his fine pre-season form, it’d be a surprise if Callum Robinson isn’t starting as our main striker, and despite his prowess further forward, with a need to keep things tight in the opening game I’d fully anticipate Callum O’Dowda filling in at left back/left wing back in place of the injured Collins, despite the promising showings in pre-season of some of our younger players and the availability of Joel Bagan. We could see Chambers in place of McGuinness if the latter hasn’t shaken off his knock picked up in pre-season, so potentially a bit of upheaval across the backline already. Across the midfield and attacking third is where it could get really interesting, with gaffer Bulut now having quite a few options at his disposal. Will we see Turnbull or Colwill start? Does Ollie Tanner deserve a starting place after a decent pre-season? Even between the sticks needs a little debate. Personally I think Erol will play it safe to begin with but throw caution to the wind if we are struggling. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Ng Goutas Chambers O’Dowda Siopis Ramsey Willock Ralls Meite Robinson (Just checked, I have only picked 11 names there - phew ). The Odds Bods Every game I will endeavour to pull in some ‘guest’ to announce the match day odds for us…preferably with a link to one or even both clubs, so who’s that I see coming over the hill to give us the info for this one?? Let’s face it, this guy should know a thing or two about betting! I must admit, after we finished 12th last year with arguably a weaker squad than we have now, and Sunderland finishing below us and not really strengthening too much so far, I am a little puzzled as to why they are fancied more than we are, but there we go, I'm just a simple, humble Bluebird trying to understand a simple game (just ask jck). So, just for a change (and after being plagiarised by others) I’m sorry to say that ‘Sharing The Love’ is no more – anyhow, being nice is for losers, we need to be ‘at it’ from the off this season – no more Mr Nice Bluebirds!! Nope, in place of the fondness of looking back and finding common ground, it’s time to go head to head and therefore I give you…….. Top Boy Top Trumps Each game we’ll take a stat based insight into a player from each side and see how they compare – this being the 1st game of the season it seemed right to start with each team’s top scorer from last season – yeah ok I know it’s a bit of a mismatch on this occasion as far as goals go but you didn’t see their guy popping up with goal saving sliding tackles too often either did ya?? Match Day Melody As we have so many talented, intelligent and musically gifted & knowledgeable posters on our board, I figured why not have a ‘theme’ tune for each game…. Feel free to propose alternatives but for me, this one has to be……. Just hope their form is more 'cool' than red hot when they turn up tomorrow!! Sadly I'll be missing the opener thanks to a pre-booked London trip (how bad is that timing), so for those of you at the game, in what will hopefully be a decent opening crowd, give the boys a shout for me if you could... I guess, all that's left to say, in true Clingo styleeee is..... Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds!!!
Funking brilliant! If our boys start half as well, we will win 6 nil. Loving the new sections.....was wondering how you'd resolve the older sections issue. Bloody great!!!
The world suddenly seems a better place now that the maestro is back with his match threads. Outstanding work Brizzle...thank you.
It could be a fascinating encounter and a real test of our desire to play out from the back against a team that press high. I think we can cope with that but need to make sure we're clinical at the other end. Ooh. I might have gone with "Stray Cat Strut" by The Stray Cats but yours is much classier.
A masterpiece as usual Brizzle. Well done! Are you sure Mrs Brizzle will allow you the time to undertake this task for the rest of the season? Come on you Bluebirds!
Aye, she's good with it.... At least for the time being anyhow. May change after we pick up our 6 points again from her mob
I wish I shared your confidence. We were abysmal playing from the back v Bristol Rovers. It could be an absolute disaster if we attempt to play from our own box.
I think the predicted team will be the Line up. Though I'd definitely play Tanner and not Miete. I'd prefer McGuinness for Chambers and Alnwick for Horvarth but they are close calls.
I suppose it comes down to evolving our playing style and accepting some bumps in the road, or sticking with the backward, sideways, set piece style of last year. All we can ask for is progress.
Yup, these things will take time to bed in and become second nature. Integrating the new players and adopting a "style" is going to be painful at times. We all need to retain a semblance of patience... (Cue calls for Bulut's head and a return to route 1 football after our first setback ).
Can't get on here as much as i'd like at the mo but what another magnificent Matchday thread Brizzo.............. Will try to get a prediction in in the morning.
There's an obsession that playing football means Man City like playing from the back in your own 6 yard box. Contributed heavily to Burnleys relegation last season as Kompany (how the he'll he got the Bayern gig I don't know) stuck to it with players not good enough at that level. If you haven't got the players and we haven't don't attempt it. That doesn't mean just hoof it aimlessly. Klopp played a mixed game and certainly played direct football at times. We just need to start passing and moving the ball quicker. But forget rolling it out in your own box. Unless you've the likes of John Stones.
