The Tenacious Tigers versus The Classy Citizens
Well, I could have had a higher profile match to make my debut on the mancityfans.net journalistic rostrum but then again, I believe that this is a very big game in the scheme of things from now until the end of this season. I quantify this by stating that this is one of the so called “softer matches” that we are expected to take at least a draw from. However, we all know that The Tigers will provide a decent test on their own manor because they, like at least another eight teams in the Premier League, are dramatically involved in a chaotic survival fight and it appears that all of these teams are determined to ride for another season on the top division’s gravy train. I say gravy train but it’s more like clinging onto the rubber lifebelt that drapes precariously over the last dinghy to leave the Titanic due to the serious financial restraints that befall relegated teams.
Hull put up a decent show against Chelski earlier this week and quite deservedly gained an important and oh so precious point towards their ultimate goal of escaping relegation. On the face of it, a point against our favourite Russian Oligarchs would appear to be a major achievement but the statistics show that Chelski have been thwarted from maximum away points in exactly 50% of their league away games so far this season. One of those games ending in our beloved Blues taking the three points at Eastlands.
From a Tigers perspective, they currently sit third from bottom of the table on twenty one points along with no less than three other teams, with only goal difference separating the quartet. One of the problems being for them is that their much inferior goal difference basically means that they need an extra point more than their rivals to enable themselves to negate this deficit. A win against our City would be much cherished for this reason alone and just as significantly, a home win is more realistic for them than an away win because they are yet to win away from The KC Stadium this season.
From a City perspective, we currently mirror the Tigers status as we are in our own scrap at the top of the table and harbouring ambitions of at least a top four Chumps League finish. Our league away stats are very similar to Hull’s home stats and a Blues victory could quite easily propel us up into that coveted fourth position as the Mickey Mousers are embroiled in a potentially tough Merseyside derby and The Yids and The Villa could also cut each others’ throats at White Hart Lane. Although at this stage not as important, there is also the possibility that Chelski and the Gooners may also cut each others’ throats.
As I stated earlier, this is a very big game for us and we need to be well prepared, up for the challenge and I trust that Bobby The Manc selects the best players that are available to us, in the best formation.
The Tigers are a competitive bunch; however their Achilles heel is up front where their top scorers are winger Stephen Hunt with six goals and former Blue Geovanni with five goals. Phil “Orange Face” Brown usually utilises Geo quite sparingly so we will have to see if he selects him from the start or gives him a cameo appearance from the bench. I seem to remember Geo coming off the bench and scoring the only goal of the game for City not all that long ago. Let’s just hope that he is subdued if he makes an appearance! Hull turned down a £5million bid from Wolves this week for Mr Hunt and that may well turn out to be a shrewd, wise move by the Tigers, as Hunt is not without ability and he’s also a bit of a dirty fucler, which has served similar teams well in the past when in Hull’s predicament. A player that all of us should know is Nick Barmby who is still only fifty three years of age and must have at least ten more top flight seasons left in his tank. If he makes an appearance than I fear that we could be on the end of a severe thrashing due to his superior pace and killer goal scoring prowess.
City’s team could potentially possess a few changes from the side that beat Pompey last Sunday as Lescott and Bridge have been back in full training and Bobby The Manc may feel like we can rest a couple of our back four who have actually performed pretty good recently and he possibly will be considering using the two aforementioned defenders against Hull because of their experience even though they cannot be fully match fit. Bobby has a few options up front including Tevez, Bellers, Ade and SWP but It should be of no surprise if he chucks our new signing Adam Johnson straight into the fray, as he has done recently with the likes of Boyata. I know that a number of Blues will probably be more interested in who we have in midfield to combat the Tigers’ tenacity. This is the grey area as Vinny and Nige are doubtful and Gaz Barry has apparently been carrying an injury for quite a while. This may force Bobby’s hand to play Superman in a very attacking formation but this has its obvious risks and Mad Zabba may be used as our midfield enforcer wearing his Phantom Of The Opera mask!
Because we have so many doubts about which players we will have available for selection. This is a tricky result to call but if City are to achieve what we all want to achieve this season, then it is imperative that we nail the three points in this game, A draw may not be a poor result depending on how our rivals’ results pan out but I’ll nail my colours to the mast and tip a two nil victory to The Citizens.
Without trying to be condescending, Hull is a bit of a grey place that is littered with large council estates and not a lot else. The fuclers even closed one of my beloved greyhound racing tracks down recently! I am not privy to which battle cruisers are away friendly but I am sure that they do not sell Holts gary glitter so you may have to take your life into your own hands and sample whatever weird and wonderful ales that they serve around there. Hull does not have any known crew or firm to be wary of but there may be a handful of knuckle-grinders from the council estates that aspire to make a name for themselves. This will not present a problem because I have enlisted Blue Boy Lewis to have a nice little chat with Bingo with regard to self defence and BBL should be able to sort out any shenanigans with the assistance of a handful of our girls including Sister Of Fu and her more than able honchos.
In summary; a high tempo contest where we must not be afraid to stick a boot in now and again. A game that we must endeavour to stamp our superior class and authority on it.
Cum on you BLUUUUUUUE BEAUTIES!!!
Thanks to Burt of ManCityFans.Net for writing this preview.