Not to be "Debbie Downer" but I think we are going to lose this. They are just playing on a level above us at the moment and I think too good of for us. Even with Kun out I am not holding out any hope. Hopefully we give it our all (be interesting to see a Matic/Ram combo against this midfield) but I really dont see us getting anything out of this.
feel strangely confident about this one. Will be interested to see whether Jose sets up for the draw or decides to take a chance. One thing for sure, our defense and midfield is big enough that they will not be bullied by City, which is not something they are used to. Plus no Aguero is great for us. Just hope we don't get down quick as that would be disastrous.
Win home Draw away That's how you beat your rivals to a league title I'd be more than happy with a point
A real test for us, probably the biggest of the season. Would be massive to get a positive result here, but I'm remaining cautiously optimistic. Sort of afraid we're going to get spanked, they're missing Aguero so thats good at least.
This is the big one. We are facing our true test. Now we are going to see how good we are and see where our weaknesses might be. We are expected to lose and a draw would be a nice result. A win would be awesome. Most importantly is how we play. Can we contain them? Can Oscar and Hazard rip them apart? This is . . .exciting. The game has 1-1 or 2-1 all over it, then again what about a goal fest eh? Wouldn’t that be nice.
Holy crap, Mou is really winding up Pellegrini for this one. http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1...ourinho-manchester-city-underachieved?cc=5901 " With City through to the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time, Mourinho also joked that Pellegrini should do his research before their tie against Barcelona -- a reference to Pellegrini’s miscalculation at Bayern Munich when his side could have advanced as group winners had they scored one more goal. "The first thing to be successful in Europe is to know the rules of the competition. That's the first thing," Mourinho joked."
Looks like Arlo White and Tim Howard doing the game for US viewers on NBCSN. Strange to have Howard commenting on games while still an active player, but I thought he was decent (meaning, not terrible) the last time he did a game I watched. White is good imo, and I'm firmly in the "anyone but Tony Gale" zone these days anyway.
Will be at work during the match. I have NBC Live Extra but I do not want to watch it and than get interrupted and pissed off! I will try my best to resist coming on here and checking how the lads are doing but will report back to the forums after I watch it at home. Jose had a knack for big games, this is a big game, probably the biggest we have faced this season. We can win this guys, we have a great squad as well, just have to remain positive. This will be a good indication of how far the team has grown this season.
I think we have the talent to hang with City, even away from home. However, without a top striker, their defense will focus their energy on Oscar and Hazard. Gone are the days when Drogs would occupy the other team's two center backs (and still own them). Man, imagine if we had a real striker. Without one, I see this as a 2-1 loss. A draw would be amazing.
how effectively will we be able to get at those two though. that will be key. will be in a meeting so i'll be off for a while. will have to watch it tonight i think.