Also because I can't be arsed to run upfield and can't take a first touch to save my life. But there's a reason I'm not the manager, I have full faith in Coach Beef.
I suggest we all get off to church/chapel/synagogue/mosque etc and start saying a few Hail Maries for the Holy Goalie's hand.
Gazzaniga Chambers Fonts Lovren Shaw Cork Schneiderlin Rodriguez Davis JWP Lambert I honestly don't think we'll get thrashed. City aren't great away and have a weak defence. If we have a decent back four out and the fact we scored two goals against a good Villa side who parked the bus, I think it'll be something like 2-1 City.
Assuming injuries to Boruc, Davis, Clyne, Schneiderlin and Wanyama: Gazzaniga Chambers Fonte Lovren Shaw Cork Ward-Prowse Davis Lallana Rodriguez Osvaldo Bench: Cropper, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Reed, Isgrove, Lambert, Ghallagher Which unfortunately leaves us with little in terms of muscle in midfield. I feel we can't accommodate Lambert and Osvaldo in the same team, so we need to be rotating/picking whoever is on form, and I'm just hoping Osvaldo is going to pick up form. It's clear to see he has strong qualities, and seems to be able to take a shot without any space at his feet at all and I think this may come in more useful than Lambert's physicality against City. I think we have a chance, although I don't expect to see the same defensive solidity as in the early stages of the season.
Should be a different game to last years horror show In comparison to Mancini,we look to start like a house on fire and it certainly caught Clarkes baggies cold last night as we swamped them in midfield,reminiscent of the stifling pressing job saints did on City in last seasons fixture. Hopefully we are catching Southampton at the right time on a run of defeats but possibly the reverse is true,especially if we go in too overconfident,as has happened already this year. I would expect us to line up; Pantilimon Zabaleta Kompany DeMichellis Clichy Fernandinho Yaya Nasri Aguero Navas Negredo Any recommended pubs near the ground for a prematch beer and a bite to eat?
Depends how we turn up I imagine even with 7 players out,while obviously weaker,would still be a better side than the Cardiff or Sunderland sides who outfought us ?
As I know everything about the game I could play anywhere, Goal Attack, Line Backer, Prop forward, Pinch hitter, Leg Slip, you name it I'll do it.
-Gazzaniga- -Chambers-Fonte-Lovren-Shaw- -Cork-S.Davis- -Ward-Prowse-Lallana-Rodriguez- -Osvaldo- Subs: Cropper, Targett, Hooiveld, Reed, Isgrove/Rowe, Lambert, Gallagher
Biggest problem is that the bulk of our injuries are to the players that prop up our defense, including the two CMs that play the biggest role in our pressing style. We may have a fair bit going forward, but we'll be pretty vulnerable at the back.
Gazzaniga Chambers (if Clyne not fit) Fonte Lovren Shaw Cork Schneiderlin Davis Rodriguez Lambert Lallana Subs: Cropper, Hooiveld, Yoshida, Ward-Prowse, Ramirez, Osvaldo, Gallagher
With Vic missing why not put Hoover in his slot and tell him to kick the crap out of anything in a blue shirt that comes near him, might get to 15 minutes before getting a red but could do a lot of useful damage meanwhile?
Before my time i think. What was he like? Never forget hurlock starting a fight with one of his team mates!
