Carling Cup - Manchester City @ Bolton [R] Halloween

[CityBlues]

Manchester City Football Club

at

Bolton Wanderers Football Club

Where:
Reebok Stadium

When:
Wednesday October 31st
8:00 PM GMT
4:00 PM EST
1:00 PM Pacific

Media:
US - No Tele
Soccernet Gamecast Here (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=382&cc=5901)


We need this one BAD! Isaksson to start (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=484017) finally:D We should follow SGE's lead, "It’s good we can get out on a pitch again so quickly, I don’t want to speak about Chelsea again to my players or anyone, we want to forget it as quick as possible." This game is not on any TV listings I can find as far as the United States goes, so we will need to resort to either the Soccernet gamecast that I have a link to above, or P2P sharing. Certainly hope we can get a win in this one. Here is my lineup:

---------Isaksson----------
Corluka--Dunne--Richards--Garrido
------Hamann---Johnson------
Geovanni---Elano----Petrov
----------Bianchi-------------

Geovanni not likely to get the start but I think it would be awesome to see him in. I don't think we need to play too defensively against this Bolton side so Johnson can push forward and support the offense, leaving Hamann back as a sweeper. I'd love to see Bianchi get the start but I think in reality Mpenza will be back, hopefull SGE can sub on Bianchi earlier than the 80th minute.

Thoughts?

[chinesefootballfan]

Here are some statistics that may interest you.

Manchester City vs Bolton ALL TIME STATS

Manchester City wins draws Bolton Wanderers wins
League 39 23 40
FA Cup 5 1 3
League Cup 1 0 1
Total 45 24 44

It appears that we've done really well against Bolton in cup competitions.

However, I've said this before. Bolton is in relegation, so its hopes of accomplishing anything significant will be through cup competitions. They are at home and they will throw everything they can at us. Be aware........ be very aware.

City on the other hand, really needs to rebound from ........... well, I don't want to talk about it. Therefore, look for City to play desperate football as well. This will be a good match.

[Lynne_mcfc]

I'll be looking for SGE to put our best team on and put the week-end firmly behind us. Would not be thrilled if Samaras was even on the bench.

A game where both teams will be out to prove a point and looking to dominate.

[Alan D]

With Anelka out injured for Bolton I fully expect us to win this. I'm not being too confident or too cocky, but the side has to come out determined to do better and I believe Sven will get them to do that. I expect us to win because after Saturday's result and performance im desperate for us to do well in this next match. I hope Bolton will rest some of their players so they can concentrate on surviving in the Premiership but it is a game I feel nervous about because it could show us up even more if we fail to perform. If the team doesn't respond then I will be concerned. My team would be:

Isaksson

Corluka
Richards (I did say I would prefer him at RB and move Corluka into the middle but Richards and Dunne have been exceptional this season other than a couple of matches when it has gone completely wrong. I expect them to be back to their best form and they have a developed understanding. The aerial threat of Davies is there so we have to be wary of him and Richards is the most ideal centre back to deal with him. Bolton may use long-ball tactics so we need to be defensively solid.)
Dunne
Ball (My first choice left-back, worried by Garrido at the weekend although he has shown this season he is a decent player but Ball is more experienced and should be much more solid)

Geovanni (Ireland hasn't convinced me in recent games and he has been very inconsistant. See how Geo does as I dont feel hes been given much of a chance and when he has played he has impressed.)
Hamann
Johnson
Garrido/Vassell (Petrov out injured and Garrido looks decent as a left midfielder where he has played before, Vassell can play there as we saw from last season)

Elano
Bianchi (Mpenza was out with illness at weekend but Bianchi is the obvious goal threat for us and this game could be vital to prove to Sven he is the man to lead us at the front. Theres no doubting his ability but he needs to prove it.)


Lets hope we're the ones doing the treating.

[CityBlues]

Would not be thrilled if Samaras was even on the bench

Ditto,

Samaras should be watching this game on TV somewhere, far, far away from the pitch. If ever I had any doubt that we should unload Samaras to another club, that doubt was squahed over the weekend. Nice enough guy but jeez, this is the prem!

I will be extremely pleased if we win this one. As chinesefootballfan said, Bolton is going to be gunning for our goal with everything they've got. Look for speedy counters and we've got it as long as the defense decides it likes defending.

[CityBlues]

Bolton v Man City
Preview:

Nicolas Anelka has been ruled out of Bolton's Carling Cup fourth round clash with Manchester City at the Reebok Stadium.

The French striker is suffering from a hamstring injury, so new boss Gary Megson must look elsewhere for the firepower to shoot Bolton into the quarter-finals.


Megson reports a series of niggles from Sunday's draw with Aston Villa and a number of changes are expected with the new manager eager to run the rule over as many of his squad as possible during his early weeks in charge.

Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson will make his first appearance of the season for City.


The Sweden World Cup star has watched Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart stake a claim to be first-choice this season, but Isaksson now gets his chance as Sven-Goran Eriksson's men look to book a quarter-final berth.

After making mass changes in the previous two rounds, Eriksson is toying with the idea of sticking with the side who performed so badly at Chelsea on Saturday, although Martin Petrov (toe) is a doubt.

[Lynne_mcfc]

Bolton v Man City
Preview:

After making mass changes in the previous two rounds, Eriksson is toying with the idea of sticking with the side who performed so badly at Chelsea on Saturday, although Martin Petrov (toe) is a doubt.

I hope SGE isn't serious about keeping the same line-up. :eek: Does anyone know how long Petrov is likely to be out for?

[chinesefootballfan]

by the way, the time posted on this thread is wrong. the game starts at 4:00pm EST, not 3:00pm EST.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=230254&cc=5901

[CityBlues]

Shoot thanks for that! Changed:D

[CityBlues]

myp2p doesn't even have the game as a feed, is this thing on tv anywhere?? Oh well I am just going to have to resort to gamecast. Hopefully Sunderland next monday will be on a feed so I can watch at work :D

[Lynne_mcfc]

myp2p doesn't even have the game as a feed, is this thing on tv anywhere?? Oh well I am just going to have to resort to gamecast. Hopefully Sunderland next monday will be on a feed so I can watch at work :D

Hi Kevin

I've not seen it on any of the tv listings! :(

Come on City

[Manchester City]

myp2p doesn't even have the game as a feed, is this thing on tv anywhere?? Oh well I am just going to have to resort to gamecast. Hopefully Sunderland next monday will be on a feed so I can watch at work :D

Manchester City
v
Sunderland

Setanta Broadband - US

Monday, 15:00 - 18:00 EST


I have it on the tele here but I checked to see for you State-side supporters.

[CityBlues]

Weird, this is the Setanta Broadband Schedule I found

http://sports.setanta.com/en/TV-and-Entertainment-0000238/TV-Channels/Setanta-Broadband/?facets/tv-listings-space/north-america-locale/setanta-broadband/

[Manchester City]

Weird, this is the Setanta Broadband Schedule I found

http://sports.setanta.com/en/TV-and-Entertainment-0000238/TV-Channels/Setanta-Broadband/?facets/tv-listings-space/north-america-locale/setanta-broadband/

If you have the service you can view a different schedule that is actually apart of the feed client ("View Weekly Schedule" under Currently Showing List).

[CityBlues]

If you have the service you can view a different schedule that is actually apart of the feed client ("View Weekly Schedule" under Currently Showing List).

That would explain it, I don't actually have the service but am highly considering it. Would you say its worth it?

[CityBlues]

Alright so here we are ten minutes out. Here is what the lineup looks like:

Isaksson
Corluka
Dunne
Richards
Ball
Ireland
Hamann
Johnson
Garrido
Elano
Samaras

Subs
Hart
Onuoha
Fernandes
Vassel
Bianchi

Looks like Sven is giving the side a chance to redeem itself after Saturday. And of course Samaras is in the lineup, Mpenza didn't even make the bench, not sure if he is still feeling under the weather. Interesting to see the same lineup, almost, taking the field for this match. Not sure I agree with it.

[Manchester City]

That would explain it, I don't actually have the service but am highly considering it. Would you say its worth it?

Well, I really only use it on business trips, but it does serve its purpose in that you get 2-5 Premiership, 1-3 Le Championnat, 1-2 Portugese Liga (sometimes), 1-2 Eredivisie (normally), and 1-2 Bundesliga (normally) matches per week. It also offers Euro/World Cup Qualifying matches and some international friendly fair when available, not to mention world rugby coverage (though I do not make much use of that).

The feed itself is fairly good (300k or 600k choice depending on your connection) and Setanta often just buys license on Sky Sports or FA coverage so you get fairly good commentary with Prem and Euro/World Cup matches. It is set up much like a tele channel and so has other programmes as well, such as Premier League Weekly (sports review and preview with interested parties and football experts) and Weekend Review (showcasing most of the different leagues--though, most predominately Premiership--results, among others.

Many of the matches and programmes offered are archived within three to four days of airing and so can be watched later at your leisure as well.

For the $15.00 monthly (I believe that is the price for US service) I think it is very much worth they investment (I find myself watching quite a bit of Le Championnat and Eredivisie now, which has helped with my knowledge of the general level of play of the two leagues quite a bit).

Alright so here we are ten minutes out. Here is what the lineup looks like:

Isaksson
Corluka
Dunne
Richards
Ball
Ireland
Hamann
Johnson
Garrido
Elano
Samaras

Subs
Hart
Onuoha
Fernandes
Vassel
Bianchi

Looks like Sven is giving the side a chance to redeem itself after Saturday. And of course Samaras is in the lineup, Mpenza didn't even make the bench, not sure if he is still feeling under the weather. Interesting to see the same lineup, almost, taking the field for this match. Not sure I agree with it.

I must say I am very disappointed with the squad SGE has chosen for this incredibly important tie. Aside from pushing forward Garrido (which I think is vital for his confidence, though Sven's remarks today in defence of Javier must have done wonders), Ireland's selection is questionable at best, Ball should have been given substitution duties (I have never been a fan of his) and Samaras, as all of you have pointed out, should not be within a 15 kilometer radius of Reebok.

I still have no earthly idea what Bianchi must have done to continue to rest on the bench. He seems fit enough and showed much promise over break and at opening. Still, SGE must know something we do not, so let's up it all works out for the best (that is a resounding win).

[Razcle]

Damn...no feed available to Canada....Go City!

[CityBlues]

Well, I really only use it on business trips, but it does serve its purpose in that you get 2-5 Premiership, 1-3 Le Championnat, 1-2 Portugese Liga (sometimes), 1-2 Eredivisie (normally), and 1-2 Bundesliga (normally) matches per week. It also offers Euro/World Cup Qualifying matches and some international friendly fair when available, not to mention world rugby coverage (though I do not make much use of that).

The feed itself is fairly good (300k or 600k choice depending on your connection) and Setanta often just buys license on Sky Sports or FA coverage so you get fairly good commentary with Prem and Euro/World Cup matches. It is set up much like a tele channel and so has other programmes as well, such as Premier League Weekly (sports review and preview with interested parties and football experts) and Weekend Review (showcasing most of the different leagues--though, most predominately Premiership--results, among others.

Many of the matches and programmes offered are archived within three to four days of airing and so can be watched later at your leisure as well.

For the $15.00 monthly (I believe that is the price for US service) I think it is very much worth they investment (I find myself watching quite a bit of Le Championnat and Eredivisie now, which has helped with my knowledge of the general level of play of the two leagues quite a bit).



I must say I am very disappointed with the squad SGE has chosen for this incredibly important tie. Aside from pushing forward Garrido (which I think is vital for his confidence, though Sven's remarks today in defence of Javier must have done wonders), Ireland's selection is questionable at best, Ball should have been given substitution duties (I have never been a fan of his) and Samaras, as all of you have pointed out, should not be within a 15 kilometer radius of Reebok.

I still have no earthly idea what Bianchi must have done to continue to rest on the bench. He seems fit enough and showed much promise over break and at opening. Still, SGE must know something we do not, so let's up it all works out for the best (that is a resounding win).

Thanks for the info on Set. Broadband. Seems like an awesome addition to FSC and Gol TV in the states.

[CityBlues]

Looks like Giannakopolous just had a good chance with the head just outside the 6 yard box. Yikes.