Everything in my footballing DNA should have me supporting Stoke today - underdog versus rich club; team who haven't won many trophies versus team with more illustrious history, etc - and yet... It's not Stoke's reputation as a physical team - I think there's more to them than that, particularly when Etherington is playing (I hope he's fit for today, by the way). But the way that their fans, like Wolves', have been banging on about the Danny Murphy business periodically throughout the season has got right up my nose. I'm actually finding myself wanting City to win. Anyone else feeling similar?
DNA, ah I know that one, deoxyribonucleic acid. I'm definitely a neutral, and although I'm looking forward to the game I find it's always better if you're rooting for a side. It's the old story: are you on the side of your comrade, who irritates the pants of you, or the posh git up the hill, who gives you less personal grief but nevertheless represents part of the problem? Yep, has to be Stoke.
I am pleased city have won. While there club has certainly changed in recent years, their fans have to wait over 30 years for a trophy and have had to take their share of grief from arrogant (mainly southern) man united fans. For this reason I still have something of a soft spot for city. Besides, who can deny what a legend balotelli is for that post match interview!
Just me then! I watched the game with my eldest and we played 'predict the score and first scorer'. He went 2-1 City (Tevez), so I went for 1-0 City (Toure). If only I'd had a word with Rocky's booky. The house bragging rights will have to do.
You know what Captain, we should do a tally next season of your predictions against Lawros. I think that would be very interesting! P.S. I'm joking, due to the fact I'm way too lazy to administrate that.
Bad idea, Surlyc. What if it turned out that Lawro actually knows more about it all than I do? I'm not sure my self-respect could ever recover from such a crushing humiliation. Being out-predicted by Lee Dixon: no problem; Gary Lineker: fine; hell, I could even cope with losing to Garth Crooks, but Lawro? I daren't risk it.
I think losing to Garth Crooks would be as bad as worse than lawro. Perhaps graham taylor would be the most embarrassing of the lot!
