hows everyone feeling

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Feel like fucking gladiator entering Colosseum. Either come out victorious or it's going to be fucking (mental) massacre.

[Invisible Man Fan]

Woke up at 6, got the same feeling I had on Christmas Day as a child.....but with some nerves thrown into the mix.

I would quite happily give up every Christmas for the next 30 years for a last minute City winner today......Come on City!!!!

[london blue 2]

I feel ok, just looking forward to the game.

[ant london]

I slept really well for the first time since the Newcastle game. I'm glad it's time now.

If we play badly and don't win today then we don't deserve the title. I will be gutted but I can take that.

If we get fucked over by some bent or incompetent decision I will be furious (but also with the team as we are too good to let a decision or two "beat" us).

If we manage to do it, I think it will be blubsville

I'm really looking forward to it though. I never, ever, thought that in my wildest dreams I might ever see City in this position. It's been a bloody incredible season. I just watched the season's goals as suggested by Chris Higgi and I have to say that it's been a privilege be able to see this team play. We are easily the best team in the league but if we don't take the silverware that will be a footnote rather than history itself.

I'm confident we can finish the job but I'm really hoping we can get an early goal or two to ease the nerves (this being City though, I expect at least 50-60 minutes of torture first).

CTID

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I slept really well for the first time since the Newcastle game. I'm glad it's time now.

If we play badly and don't win today then we don't deserve the title. I will be gutted but I can take that.

If we get fucked over by some bent or incompetent decision I will be furious (but also with the team as we are too good to let a decision or two "beat" us).

If we manage to do it, I think it will be blubsville

I'm really looking forward to it though. I never, ever, thought that in my wildest dreams I might ever see City in this position. It's been a bloody incredible season. I just watched the season's goals as suggested by Chris Higgi and I have to say that it's been a privilege be able to see this team play. We are easily the best team in the league but if we don't take the silverware that will be a footnote rather than history itself.

I'm confident we can finish the job but I'm really hoping we can get an early goal or two to ease the nerves (this being City though, I expect at least 50-60 minutes of torture first).

CTID

That's the bottom line. I never even thought we'd ever be in this position. The way football was going and the way we were as club, I didn't even dare to dream about winning the league. I was just settled for fighting for spot in mid-table. Considered it to be our glass roof forever.

[branny]

I'm just hoping they don't put us through the ringer today. A couple of early goals would be nice and kill it by ht. I just hope there's no early goals at the Stadium of light (unless it's for Sunderland of course) or the pressure really will be on.

[Esky]

I slept really well for the first time since the Newcastle game. I'm glad it's time now.

If we play badly and don't win today then we don't deserve the title. I will be gutted but I can take that.

If we get fucked over by some bent or incompetent decision I will be furious (but also with the team as we are too good to let a decision or two "beat" us).

If we manage to do it, I think it will be blubsville

I'm really looking forward to it though. I never, ever, thought that in my wildest dreams I might ever see City in this position. It's been a bloody incredible season. I just watched the season's goals as suggested by Chris Higgi and I have to say that it's been a privilege be able to see this team play. We are easily the best team in the league but if we don't take the silverware that will be a footnote rather than history itself.

I'm confident we can finish the job but I'm really hoping we can get an early goal or two to ease the nerves (this being City though, I expect at least 50-60 minutes of torture first).

CTID

That's the bottom line. I never even thought we'd ever be in this position. The way football was going and the way we were as club, I didn't even dare to dream about winning the league. I was just settled for fighting for spot in mid-table. Considered it to be our glass roof forever.

Yep. I started watching when this was our squad:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995%E2%80 ... .C._season

Never, ever thought we'd be here...or even close.

[IanWright]

No need for nerves. Your lot'll do it today, and I'm guessing by a handsome scoreline, too!

An early goal by Aguero will be enough to calm you down, put RPQ to the sword, and probably even see ManUre succumb to defeat at Sunderland having got wind of what's happening at the Etihad, ergo you win the league with a 3 point cushion.

[ant london]

No need for nerves. Your lot'll do it today, and I'm guessing by a handsome scoreline, too!

An early goal by Aguero will be enough to calm you down, put RPQ to the sword, and probably even see ManUre succumb to defeat at Sunderland having got wind of what's happening at the Etihad, ergo you win the league with a 3 point cushion.

haha...I hope you're right mate. I heard an interview with Noel Gallagher the other week on talksport where he was saying "I'm not sure I like this title chasing malarky, the tension and stress is horrible...I don't know how United/Arsenal/Chelsea fans have coped"

tongue in cheek maybe, but I really do hope this gets easier with practice!

my football hymen is in pieces

[Socrates]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

[IanWright]

No need for nerves. Your lot'll do it today, and I'm guessing by a handsome scoreline, too!

An early goal by Aguero will be enough to calm you down, put RPQ to the sword, and probably even see ManUre succumb to defeat at Sunderland having got wind of what's happening at the Etihad, ergo you win the league with a 3 point cushion.

haha...I hope you're right mate. I heard an interview with Noel Gallagher the other week on talksport where he was saying "I'm not sure I like this title chasing malarky, the tension and stress is horrible...I don't know how United/Arsenal/Chelsea fans have coped"

tongue in cheek maybe, but I really do hope this gets easier with practice!

my football hymen is in pieces

It's funny, but through it all, you still remember the disappointments over the successes. The 'what ifs'. What if Bergkamp had dispatched that penalty in '99? What if we'd kept our heads against Bolton in 2003? What if we'd had a strong ref at the game at the swamp in '04 to acknowledge Rooney's dive?

Off to slit my wrists....

[Esky]

Roberto Mancini has kept the show on the road for Manchester City

Manchester City fans remember York City away. Many of those worshippers flocking nervously, excitedly, hopefully to the Etihad today remember Dec 19, 1998, recall losing at Bootham Crescent, slipping to 12th in Division Two, closer to non-League than Premier League.

By Henry Winter. Last Updated: 8:47PM BST 12/05/2012

Manchester City fans remember York City away. Many of those worshippers flocking nervously, excitedly, hopefully to the Etihad today remember Dec 19, 1998, recall losing at Bootham Crescent, slipping to 12th in Division Two, closer to non-League than Premier League.

So if the darkness and derision end this afternoon, and City are crowned champions of England, they will say grazie to Roberto Mancini because they remember York City away.

It has been a long journey into the limelight but Mancini has proved the beacon to guide City fans in recent times.

City have 118 official supporters’ clubs, stretching from Audenshaw to Redondo Beach Blues in Los Angeles, Piccadilly to Phuket, Swinton to the Cactus Bar in Malta and Sunday should be their day because of the manager who “came from Italy to manage Man City”.

Dreams can come true. Demons can be exorcised. Even if what older fans lugubriously label “typical City” reassert themselves, snatching humiliation and second place from the jaws of glory, making Devon Loch look like Red Rum, then they must keep calm and carry on under Mancini.

He has the club on an upward trajectory. He is the man with the plan, the embodiment of the strategy sought by Abu Dhabi.

A year ago, City were celebrating qualification for the Champions League. Now they are reaching out for the Premier League.

Building-blocks are in place on and off the pitch. Something special is being constructed, foundations laid for a craved dynasty, for the antithesis of “typical City”.

The new Etihad edifice needs to be strong because Manchester United will fight back, Arsenal reinforce shrewdly, Chelsea will return with new players and a vengeance while Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are a growing force.

Next season’s concerns can wait. Untold joy should unfold on Sunday. Beat QPR and the title is City’s, barring a mathematical freak-show by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at Sunderland.

Mancini has brought hope and a degree of certainty to the doubt-riddled world of “typical City”. He understands the fans’ hunger and fears but is not weighed down by the emotional trauma they have suffered.

And they have suffered. Those who enjoyed City in their pomp, the ’68-76 vintage, are now in their 50s, possibly late 40s if early developers on the match-going front.

The majority of City’s support have known nothing but masochism, nothing but York away, nothing but living in the shadow of Old Trafford. They could be forgiven for nipping down to Mario Balotelli’s tailor for some T-shirts bemoaning: “Why always us?’’

Even if Mancini, the fan-whisperer, manages to banish the memory of York away, those who march in blue shirts will never forget their past.

Such experiences as Dec 19, 1998, bind bands of brothers even closer together. Those who were there on the away end at Bootham Crescent will look at each other today and cherish the good times even more. Tears will mingle with disbelief.

City fans derive pride and pain in equal measure from their history. Some supporters spent last week rummaging through the attics for old battle-flags, ringing round, looking for banners, some waved most recently in the derby match: “Loud, Proud & Loyal” and others extolling the virtues of Neil Young, Northern Soul, Boddingtons and Vimto.

There is a respect for City’s fans because of all the years of waiting, all the barren seasons when the bridesmaid risked becoming a spinster. One Leeds United fan posted a “best of luck” message on the Bluemoon website that struck a chord.

Even taking into account Leeds’ loathing of Manchester United this cross-Pennine missive was an expression of esteem.

“You guys have been through a lot over the years and you deserve what’s happening at present,’’ it read.

“As a Leeds supporter I can relate to what you’ve been through in the past. Savour these moments because they will live with you forever (I remember our ’92 title win like it was yesterday).

"You’ve played some brilliant football this season and have a fantastic squad of players and a brilliant team spirit (which will see you over the line) ... it’s time to make history!’’ Winning the league would be an antidote to “typical City” history.

Edging the marathon race involves the elimination of the type of mistakes that have characterised City since the Mike Summerbee era, the lack of concentration at key moments, the lack of investment, the lack of consistency and, ultimately, the lack of quality in the squad.

Not now. Any team of the season must include Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Touré and Sergio Agüero.

City have spent heavily but their prominence this season has partly been built on the bedrock provided by Hart, who cost £600,000 from Shrewsbury Town, and Kompany, the £6 million man from Hamburg.

They arrived pre-Mancini but the Italian’s use of both has proved inspired. His decision in August 2010 to trust in Hart, backing the young keeper ahead of the experienced Shay Given, was a masterstroke.

Appointing Kompany captain has proved similarly successful, bringing leadership to the defence and a wise mind to the dressing-room debating society. It also transmitted a message: City’s image was now shaped by Kompany the company man, a hard-working, community-minded, determined Belgian, an ambassador in boots. Nothing flash. All substance.

Across town, Ferguson talked of the “enormous” pressure on City but Mancini has deflected that. Always the most sure-footed of strikers, Mancini has been similarly adept in dealing with the slings and arrows of the final week, diplomatically defusing potential rows with his predecessor Mark Hughes (“a good manager”) and Ferguson (“the best manager in the world”).

Always a forward who timed his run well, Mancini has kept his eyes on the goal, the goal of ending 44 years of misery in the league.

Amidst all the plaudits deservedly heading Mancini’s way it needs pointing out that City have been good for the Italian, allowing him to rebuild his career after a disappointing end to his Inter Milan days. Mancini is back in the star chamber of the European coaching elite again.

When the forensics are called in to examine this season, certain moments may occupy their scrutiny most. If United do surrender their title, some will put the verdict down to death by misadventure.

The time of the accident will be placed at mid-afternoon on April 22, or more precisely between the 83rd and 85th minutes at Old Trafford.

United’s failure to deal with Marouane Fellaini allowed Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar to claim a point for Everton. So damaging.

The forensics will then turn their attention to City, and the little grey cells belonging to their greying manager. Like Bobby Fischer plotting a checkmate, “Bobby” Mancini played the key tactical move of the Premier League season.

His signature move. Twice he shifted Touré forward in games, first to scare United at the Etihad on April 30 and secondly to storm through Newcastle United’s defence on May 6.

Other events helped define the season. For United it was the loss through injury of the rock-like Nemanja Vidic, Ferguson’s inexplicable decision to omit Antonio Valencia at the Etihad and United’s problems at full-backs and, enduringly, in central midfield.

For City, Balotelli’s suspension proved a blessing in bib-wrestling disguise, allowing the Agüero-Carlos Tévez axis to emerge. Hart’s safe hands, Kompany’s responsibility-taking, Joleon Lescott’s determination and Gareth Barry’s industry all played their part.

But Mancini was the man who pulled it altogether, who kept the show on the road, who has allowed City fans to believe.

[southern softy]

Feeling confident and excited. No nerves at all.
We are the best team in the league, we are at home, against the team with the worst away record - what could possibly go wrong?

[Mase]

I didn't sleep a wink last night! Just hope we don't mess this up now. Atmosphere is going to be something else at the ground. Getting my train as early as possible and hoping to get to the ground for 11.30 and soak everything in.

COME ON CITY!!!!!!

[Patrick]

I havent had more than a few hours sleep most of the week - im a wreck - im taking the dogs for a walk and then the local bar owner has agreed to open the bar at 12 for an end of season barbeque for city (thats 11am your time) I will then get drunk as quickly as possible, then get as drunk as possible - its my coping mechanism

[trout man]

Been lying awake in my bed in the midland hotel for the last couple of hours reading mcfnet and getting waves of emotion ranging from fear to excitement but also thinking about loved ones who are not here to see this, there is going to be a lot of tears today...shhhhh

[failsworthblue]

Been cycling around the streets of Chadderton and Middleton to "take my mind " of it.

Impossible!! blokes in City Shirts,Flags outside houses and Cars full of scarfs.

Had to come home early!!!

Waited all my life for this day and it is horrendous!!!!!

[london blue 2]

Been cycling around the streets of Chadderton and Middleton to "take my mind " of it.

Impossible!! blokes in City Shirts,Flags outside houses and Cars full of scarfs.

Had to come home early!!!

Waited all my life for this day and it is horrendous!!!!!

Enjoy it dude, nothing to worry about. If we can't beat QPR we don't deserve to win the title.. I'm sure the players will perform..

[Swales4ever]

Feel like fucking gladiator entering Colosseum. Either come out victorious or it's going to be fucking (mental) massacre.

+1

[dazby]

Absolutely nervous now.