Four out of four for the Munky Man and my (admittedly below par) match-day threads so here I am again with the latest instalment of our charge to promotion glory!
Right, so now we're really getting towards the business end of things: four games to go, 12 points to be won or lost and surely plenty more thrills and spills along the way before the dust finally settles on May 2nd when all speculation and predictions go out of the window and we discover just how much of a success (or dare I say it, failure) this season has been. Things certainly look to be going pretty much according to plan so far, picking up wins in each of our previous four games to keep us right on the shoulder of the leaders and within striking distance should Bournemouth drop any more points during their run-in.
Next up is a trip to Elland Road to take on the (once) mighty Leeds United in another potentially tricky game against a team with very little other than pride to play for. Leeds come into the game with no form, having lost each of their previous three matches and conceding nine goals in the process. Despite going through the month of March unbeaten, they've not picked up a point since drawing at hapless Blackpool last month so this really should be a match City are more than capable of winning and should be approaching with every confidence in doing so - though we all know the dangers of taking anyone for granted so I am certain Alex Neil will keep the lads grounded and fully focussed on the task ahead.
Bradley Johnson completes his two-match ban and again will be unavailable to take on his former employers, Johnny Howson however will be looking to show the Elland Road faithful what they've been missing and who knows, Becchio might even make the bench again - though with an almost fully fit squad available surely not. Against the Trotters Johnson was replaced by the gaffer with the quick feet of Nathan Redmond and it will be interesting to see if he goes for the same plan tomorrow night, or whether he will bolster the midfield by bringing our Belgian international called Gladys into the fray. Once again we know he has lots of options at his disposal, and with Lewis Grabban showing his match fitness at the weekend one wonders whether Alex will show faith in him and the excellent form he was showing before his recent injury. Super Gary Hooper is another who must be proverbially hammering on the manager's door, particularly after his dramatic winner at the death against Bolton that kept our title hopes alive. Whoever gets the nod it is essential that all eleven men on the pitch keep their eyes on the prize, allow no silly lapses of concentration - especially at the back - and get the job done.
Bournemouth have a tricky trip to Reading, however the Royals may have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final at the weekend which could work against our favour - or it could actually work this other way with players trying to force themselves into the side for the Wembley showdown against the Arsenal. Watford and Middlesbrough also have potential banana skins, the former are away to Florist and Boro entertain a Wolves side desperate to force themselves into the play-off picture. We don't have any influence in what our rivals do in their games, so the most important thing of all is that we do our job and bring the three points back to Carrow Road and just hope those around us slip up.
I had a bad feeling about the Bolton game, which turned out to be unfounded (it was never in doubt!) and I have to say I have a similar dodgy feeling about the game tomorrow night. Don't know why, I am usually Mr. Positive on this board and have never predicted a loss in the history of the cpl, but for some reason this game scares me - perhaps it's the build up of pressure as the finishing line draws near, I just can't wait to hear the final whistle blow with us taking the points, and I don't care how ugly or scrappy it may be, the points are all that matters at this stage. Just hope we aren't undone by any sloppiness at the back, profligate finishing or bad officiating - though now I've mentioned all those possibilities surely none of them will come to be (at least I hope that's how the logic works).
The home game finished 1-1, in a game dominated but couldn't put to bed, largely in part to an outstanding goalkeeping display from Silvestri in the visitor's goal. We've not lost against our hosts in the past four games, and have a decent records against them over the years, though all that becomes irrelevant once the whistle blows.
I'm going for another tight 2-1 City win, and whilst injury time winners are as exciting as the games get I will be more than happy if we don't have to go through that ringer again and get the match won well before the final whistle - here's hoping eh?
COME ON YOU YELLAS!!!!!
Right, so now we're really getting towards the business end of things: four games to go, 12 points to be won or lost and surely plenty more thrills and spills along the way before the dust finally settles on May 2nd when all speculation and predictions go out of the window and we discover just how much of a success (or dare I say it, failure) this season has been. Things certainly look to be going pretty much according to plan so far, picking up wins in each of our previous four games to keep us right on the shoulder of the leaders and within striking distance should Bournemouth drop any more points during their run-in.
Next up is a trip to Elland Road to take on the (once) mighty Leeds United in another potentially tricky game against a team with very little other than pride to play for. Leeds come into the game with no form, having lost each of their previous three matches and conceding nine goals in the process. Despite going through the month of March unbeaten, they've not picked up a point since drawing at hapless Blackpool last month so this really should be a match City are more than capable of winning and should be approaching with every confidence in doing so - though we all know the dangers of taking anyone for granted so I am certain Alex Neil will keep the lads grounded and fully focussed on the task ahead.
Bradley Johnson completes his two-match ban and again will be unavailable to take on his former employers, Johnny Howson however will be looking to show the Elland Road faithful what they've been missing and who knows, Becchio might even make the bench again - though with an almost fully fit squad available surely not. Against the Trotters Johnson was replaced by the gaffer with the quick feet of Nathan Redmond and it will be interesting to see if he goes for the same plan tomorrow night, or whether he will bolster the midfield by bringing our Belgian international called Gladys into the fray. Once again we know he has lots of options at his disposal, and with Lewis Grabban showing his match fitness at the weekend one wonders whether Alex will show faith in him and the excellent form he was showing before his recent injury. Super Gary Hooper is another who must be proverbially hammering on the manager's door, particularly after his dramatic winner at the death against Bolton that kept our title hopes alive. Whoever gets the nod it is essential that all eleven men on the pitch keep their eyes on the prize, allow no silly lapses of concentration - especially at the back - and get the job done.
Bournemouth have a tricky trip to Reading, however the Royals may have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final at the weekend which could work against our favour - or it could actually work this other way with players trying to force themselves into the side for the Wembley showdown against the Arsenal. Watford and Middlesbrough also have potential banana skins, the former are away to Florist and Boro entertain a Wolves side desperate to force themselves into the play-off picture. We don't have any influence in what our rivals do in their games, so the most important thing of all is that we do our job and bring the three points back to Carrow Road and just hope those around us slip up.
I had a bad feeling about the Bolton game, which turned out to be unfounded (it was never in doubt!) and I have to say I have a similar dodgy feeling about the game tomorrow night. Don't know why, I am usually Mr. Positive on this board and have never predicted a loss in the history of the cpl, but for some reason this game scares me - perhaps it's the build up of pressure as the finishing line draws near, I just can't wait to hear the final whistle blow with us taking the points, and I don't care how ugly or scrappy it may be, the points are all that matters at this stage. Just hope we aren't undone by any sloppiness at the back, profligate finishing or bad officiating - though now I've mentioned all those possibilities surely none of them will come to be (at least I hope that's how the logic works).
The home game finished 1-1, in a game dominated but couldn't put to bed, largely in part to an outstanding goalkeeping display from Silvestri in the visitor's goal. We've not lost against our hosts in the past four games, and have a decent records against them over the years, though all that becomes irrelevant once the whistle blows.
I'm going for another tight 2-1 City win, and whilst injury time winners are as exciting as the games get I will be more than happy if we don't have to go through that ringer again and get the match won well before the final whistle - here's hoping eh?
COME ON YOU YELLAS!!!!!
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