that would be amazing if we won 2 of those. even wining one and drawing the other 2 would be good, we haven't had many draws and they keep the points ticking over.
This is so very true but I think many will 'forget' the severe beatings we have taken as we climb the table. Such score lines remain a worry (for me at any rate). From the clubs perspective, they have to be a worry from the financial side of life if nothing else, as such a huge goal difference potentially means a couple of million less at the end of the season. Hopefully such beatings are not going to be repeated in the 2nd half of the season, although Chelsea away will probably be a bad day out.
The Southampton win is looking far more impressive than it perhaps would have done in the summer - or even at the time
Given that there are 5 key players injured, the WBA result was even more significant. Wins lift confidence and that's what influences performance. Swansea looked a bit jaded last night, and having to play in Switzerland on Thursday won't help that. They also lost Chico Flores through suspension and Bony is out. Michu will still be a threat, but he is still coming back from injury. If City can raise their game on Sunday, pass well and play quickly, it'll make it even more difficult for Swansea. Cue the Yellow Army raising the roof as well! OTBC!
I think I heard Bony has been training recently. Maybe he will be available at the weekend after all.
sounds like swans were a bit lacklustre last night. let's take advantage. i believe we are unbeaten against them since our return to the premier league - the last defeat was the 3-0 at the liberty at the end of the promotion season.
I don't think the swans will be particularly relishing the trip, we've become their bogey side in the past few seasons - let's hope that continues on Saturday
Watched the game last night on Sky and neither side looked good to me. Loads of misplaced passes and the ball being given away in dangerous places. Swans in particular surprised me, they looked a shadow of the side I watched regularly last season. Still trying to do the tippy-tappy Swansealona stuff, but mostly not coming off and loads of passing across the field with little movement up front. Their goal was lucky in that the ball bounced off Flores (possibly his hand) and they were very fortunate not to conced a what looked a stonewall penalty too. I was quite concerned about our prospects on Sunday as I consider Swansea a top side, but if they play like they did last night I'm feeling much more positive! More worried about the Fulham game now Meulenstein is in charge and seems to be having an effect already. Intersteing that we do seem unlucky in when we are playing teams this year in the main.... despite that, going well at present but circumstances are conspiring to make it tougher for us than I'd like.
They (Swansea) seem very inconsistent this season. They were excellent against Newcastle recently but have been very lacklustre in other games that you'd expect them to do well in.
I agree about Swansea, and having to play a game in Switzerland on Thursday won't help their cause. City, on the other hand, have been able to have a break, then a full week preparation for Swansea. Let's hope that shows on Sunday. As for Fulham, their win at home over Villa followed 6 straight defeats. Green shoots perhaps, but they struggle away from home whereas City have the luxury of 3 of the next 4 games at home - a huge opportunity for crucial points before the midway point of the season.
CH is on a 3-year contract, ending June 2015. I don't know what you mean by "long term", but I'd be surprised if the NCFC board think of 3 years as "long term". Can't we just accept that CH is very probably going to see out his contract, and stop this match by match nonsense of "He's now bought himself more time -- until the next poor performance"?
I'm more optimistic than that, Robbie, considering what he is achieving with 5 key players out injured. The next 4 matches offer a real opportunity for City and for CH. If they can capitalize on that, City could push forward into the second half of the season in a relatively strong position with the injured players returning one by one to strengthen a team moving up the table, with money and squad room to bring in new players in January.
@Rick The only thing I'm pessimistic about is having to put up with the constant stream of grumbling, carping & calls for managerial change! Whether CH is the right man for the long term is not worth discussing right now IMO.
The only thing that will stop the grumbling, Robbie, is good results. The next 5 games offer a reasonable chance of a good points haul and a solid mid-table position. I'd hope the grumbling would stop then, but some people just like to grumble.
pinched from the Hull board http://talksport.com/football/predi...s-arsenal-clear-liverpool-sliding-13121071335 has us for W2 D 1 L 2 in the next five, doesn't have the details of each game though i think we'd all be delighted with that were it to happen, in fact weren't we on 25 points at Xmas last season after the unbeaten run?
That would be great, though I wouldn't say I'd be delighted. I'd be delighted if we were unbeaten over the next five games, which I think should be considered a real possiblity. Troubl is that table is rubbish - Cardiff to win four of the next five when they have to play Arsenal and Liverpool away and Southampton at home?!?
Encouraging when you consider that the lowest placed team that we have lost to is Hull in 12th spot.Apart from them and Villa every defeat has been against sides that are at least top four contenders.
