Man City buildup

[Craig_H]

Even at home? I'm not so sure he'll be so cautious in his home games, TBH mate.

[Craig_H]

Positive signs for our walking wounded...

Roy Hodgson is confident Javier Mascherano will be fit for Monday's clash at Manchester City- but is less certain about Daniel Agger's participation at Eastlands.

The duo did not feature in the 1-0 Europa League success over Trabzonspor but the boss is hopeful they could both be involved against Roberto Mancini's men.

"I've got great faith Javier Mascherano will be fit to play the game on Monday," he told his post-Trabzonspor press conference.

"He took part in a training session today and has made a quicker recovery than we could have even hoped for. There's still four more days, so I would be very disappointed if he is unable to play.

"Daniel Agger is very positive and tells me he will be okay to play but I must take some medical advice on that because I wouldn't want to put his health at risk. Concussion is a very serious injury - I may have to listen to the doctors as well as Daniel.

"If it's up to Daniel, he's telling me already, to count him in on Monday."

[wiw]

Even at home? I'm not so sure he'll be so cautious in his home games, TBH mate.

My memory is dodgy at the best of times, but that's what happened last year wasn't it? Mancini always seems to **** his pants against other big teams

[anfieldanfield]

If we play as we have been doing, we'll get easily beaten.

[Slinky Skills]

If we play as we have been doing, we'll get easily beaten.

We haven't been playing that bad, we've just been a bit **** in the first half's that we have played but that will improve as the games go on so I'm not too worried on the aspect.

I do think we need to start intensly on Monday and take these ****ers out from the start otherwise they WILL punish us.

If we can grab one in the first half then I fancy us to get another and go on and win.

[Will]

I know the game isnt technically on the weekend, but given that it's friday afternoon now, it's surely time for a buildup thread...

After last night's 45 mins, i think Nando must be ready to start.

Obviously Gerrard back in, and Mascherano too assuming he's fit enough. I dont know if aurelio did enough last night to prove his fitness/sharpness for City. No Joe Cole, so SG in the hole. And i'm assuming we'll still have Dirky...

So...

Pepe
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Jovanovich
Torres

If Nando and Stevie get their **** together, we can win this game. But without Joseph, our attacking options and creativity are going to be limited. This probably calls for a 'european style' stifling approach, with a late goal to pinch the points, ala Villa away last season.

just hope Mascherano does have nock and it's not a bluff ie keep him out Europa League tie to seal his move to Inter so he wont be cup tied.

[Will]

Agree with your team Craig

Fancy us to win this one, purely because we'll want to prove ourselves against City and because Mancini will wimp out and play for a draw

Remember the game last season? God they where ****! typical Italian so defensive it's untrue. Had Shay Given to thank on that day and as good as Joe Hart is he aint no Shay Given. Anybody know how well they played in Europe in midweek against Timisoara?

[RedReet]

Remember the game last season? God they where ****! typical Italian so defensive it's untrue. Had Shay Given to thank on that day and as good as Joe Hart is he aint no Shay Given. Anybody know how well they played in Europe in midweek against Timisoara?

I try my best not to. God that was one shocking game of football.

[The Birdman]

Why is everyone desperate to rush Torres back after 60 mins of football???

Ngog will start 100%, he played well and scored against Arsenal and was rested Thursday night so he will play.
We'll go 4-4-1-1, look to keep it tight and hopefully use Torres as an impact player for the last 30 when they get tired and the game gets stretched.

Starting Torres on Monday is exactly the type of decision that has contributed to his injuries over the past 3 seasons

[Craig_H]

Why is everyone desperate to rush Torres back after 60 mins of football???

Ngog will start 100%, he played well and scored against Arsenal and was rested Thursday night so he will play.
We'll go 4-4-1-1, look to keep it tight and hopefully use Torres as an impact player for the last 30 when they get tired and the game gets stretched.

Starting Torres on Monday is exactly the type of decision that has contributed to his injuries over the past 3 seasons

Do you really need an answer to why people are so desperate for Torres to play games for us?

[Shaggy]

Roy said before the Trabzonspor game...

"The Sports Science people are concerned that we don't rush him back too early and that we don't prejudice his fitness or situation with the injury he took him to the World Cup," he said.

"We don't want to prejudice anything by throwing him into the fray too early, but he is very, very keen to get back in.

"I thought he handled himself well in the 15 minutes he played against Arsenal, so he will play a part in tomorrow night's game (against Trabzonspor) and then be ready for Manchester City."

[Mostar]

Why is everyone desperate to rush Torres back after 60 mins of football???

Ngog will start 100%, he played well and scored against Arsenal and was rested Thursday night so he will play.
We'll go 4-4-1-1, look to keep it tight and hopefully use Torres as an impact player for the last 30 when they get tired and the game gets stretched.

Starting Torres on Monday is exactly the type of decision that has contributed to his injuries over the past 3 seasons

I can see that happening and I wouldn't be too opposed to that idea. Yes he ain't Torres but to me he was very impressive so far. .

[Rudo]

Beginning to look a very strong side now City.

They are dude, yeah and i know ppl's arguement will say "but they're yet to gel, no organisation in their side" and all that but i'm not having it...they got a very respectable goalless draw away at White Harte Lane(where they got tanked last season) and kept a clean sheet and nicked a win away from home in Europe albeit against an average side but still, they won.

With a team consisting of Milner, Tevez, Silva and Johnson...i think we're going to have our work cut out.

I'd happily take a draw.

[Craig_H]

They are dude, yeah and i know ppl's arguement will say "but they're yet to gel, no organisation in their side" and all that but i'm not having it...they got a very respectable goalless draw away to White Harte Lane(where they got tanked last season) and kept a clean sheet and nicked a win away from home in Europe albeit against an average side but still, they won.

With a team consisting of Milner, Tevez, Silva and Johnson...i think we're going to have our work cut out.

I'd happily take a draw.

To be fair, they got tonked there this season too - they just got lucky that Joe Hart had the game of his life.

As for winning in Romania - well a side containing those players should bloody well do

[banditos]

To be fair, they got tonked there this season too - they just got lucky that Joe Hart had the game of his life.

As for winning in Romania - well a side containing those players should bloody well do

They were absolutely battered by spurs and very lucky to get a point. Their result was respectable, but their performance was not. Lets hope Hart's got his blinder out of the way.