How many changes will SC make? Both of the wing backs? Start for Wilbraham? Agard for JET? Central midfield rotation? Pack and Saville in? Elliott and Freeman rested? If you were City manager, what would you do?
Got to start Smith as he makes mincemeat of the poorer sides. But Wilbo will come on for the last 20 minutes again. Agard to start. JET not motivated in these "easier" games for me. I can see Joe getting a rest - he seemed a little off his game in the first half on Saturday. Cunningham to start. Pack for Elliott, yes. But I would stick with Freeman for the 1st half as we need his creativity until we feel comfortable (ie a goal or two to the good). With MK Dons and Swindle facing tough away games, this could be our chance to stretch our lead at the top. We must not take it any easier. Vale are a better team than when we played them earlier in the season.
It is a huge mid table and we have lost to Crewe- We cannot and should never under estimate anyone- I can still see Sheff U taking one of the play off places and they would be the last team that I would want to be involved in play offs with. Much better if we get one of the two top spots and that requires a steady accumulation of points-
Pack for Elliott and that's it for me. Hope Agard can prove me wrong - nothing sticks. And if JET's dropped who takes the penalty.
Having a settled side is extremely important, the team on Sat did well so why upset the apple cart, Jet played well as did MS, Port Vale are no push overs being just a win or so from the playoffs position. We have a rythym, with Jet MS Bryan and Freeman, THAT SHOULD NOT BE interfered with. Ayling Williams Flint and Little likewise.. so 2 positions left ELLIOT and SMITH and do we need to mess with these 2? Smith gives us that bit of aerial panache and not only uses his head/height.. JET IS PLAYING out of his skin at the moment at least 60/75 minutes of him /them and hopefully a 2-0 clear scoreline before we start modifying the team with subs..maybe both with WILBS AND AGGERS then maybe Savvy for ELLIOT?
2 players who look like they are desperate for a rest to me are Freeman and Ayling, but we would miss both badly. Jet has done enough to stay in, perhaps Agard after an hour.. he needs bringing up to speed again, Elliot has been rested and I think will stay in. Wouldn't be surprised to see Wilbs for Smith tonight and Smith from the bench later.
Whatever the team, I am starting to get a little tense already. A little nervous. Looking at the clock and counting down the minutes. It has been a few years since I looked forward to games so much. Thank the Lord Cotterill for that. And our band of merry men. An early goal to settle my nerves would be nice. Under 3 hours to kick-off now. COYR
01 Fielding 22 Ayling 04 Flint 03 Williams 24 Tavernier 08 Elliott 07 Smith 15 Freeman 23 Bryan 10 Emmanuel-Thomas 09 Smith Substitutes 02 Little 11 Wagstaff 12 Saville 13 Richards 17 Cunningham 19 Agard 21 Pack Tonight's team, a very settled side again. Surely Agard must get half an hour if things are going well???
