Official Match Thread: City v Stoke

[Beefymcfc]

Didn't see one and thought it was getting a bit late.

As usual, all things City v Stoke in here!

[Beefymcfc]

Looking forward to this one and can't wait to see how the players react to the change over. Also, how the back four are going to line up with all the injuries.

COME ON CITY!!!

[Beefymcfc]

From BBC:

New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini must field a makeshift defence, with Nedum Onuoha, Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge all injured.

Micah Richards is doubtful with a knee complaint, while Shaun Wright-Phillips has aggravated an ankle problem.

Stoke have defender Robert Huth available after suspension.

Ryan Shawcross missed the defeat by Aston Villa last Saturday with a groin strain but could return to the squad on Boxing Day.

Man City

Suspended: None

Doubtful: Adebayor & Wright-Phillips (both ankle), Richards (knee)

Injured: Bridge, Johnson & Lescott (all knee), Onuoha (calf)

Stoke

Suspended: None Doubtful: Shawcross (groin)

Injured: Amdy Faye (back)

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• Stoke ended a four-match losing streak against Manchester City when the clubs last met, in January. James Beattie scored the only goal of the game at the Britannia Stadium.

• None of the last 14 meetings between the two teams have ended in a draw - Man City have won nine, Stoke have won five.

• City are unbeaten in their last 11 league games at home (W8, D3).

• They have conceded three goals in each of their last three matches and only kept one clean sheet in the league since August.

• Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in five league and cup games this month.

• Emmanuel Adebayor has made 99 Premier League starts.

Stoke

• Stoke have only won one of their last seven games and mustered just six points in that time.

• They have scored 15 league goals this season, the lowest tally in the division.

• The Potters have dropped an unsurpassed 12 points from winning positions.

• They last won on Boxing Day in 2000.

• Liam Lawrence has made 99 league appearances for Stoke.

[john68]

Dropped Points League
1...Chelsea.....13pts
2...Arsenal.....16pts
3...the rags....17pts
4...Villa.........19pts
5...Spurs.......21pts
6...CITY........22pts
7...Brum.......26pts
8...L'Pool......27pts

This round of games could be important for us and the right results elsewhere could see us pushing up to =4th with Villa.
Brum v Chelsea...will either bring Chelsea closer as a target to aim for or dump Brum from off our tails.
Spurs away at Fulham ain't gonna be easy for them and I can see them slipping up to allow City to ovetake them.
The L'Pool v Woves game shouldn't affect us at all if we are looking to move up.
Tomorrow Arsenal v Villa is a no lose game for us. Either way, that result will see us move close to at least one of to 1 of them.
If the rags don't win at Hull, it could see them well within our sights and increase the pressure on them.

ALL CITY HAVE TO DO IS GET THREE POINTS TODAY....COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
Time for a shit shave and shower and...next stop...THE TOWNLEY.

[Beefymcfc]

Nice one John, thought I was here alone ;-)

Anyway, because we no longer have the 'Lawro Predicts' thread, here's his words of wisdom:

Manchester City v Stoke

Manchester City's home form is excellent and I would not be surprised if Robinho played and showed all his tricks in front of his new manager.

I don't think Saturday will be a problem for new boss Roberto Mancini - but there are the long-term issues he needs to sort out.

I'm not sure that the balance of the side has been right, especially when City do not have the ball, while there are also questions about the dressing room.

Emmanuel Adebayor's body language and the way Robinho goes missing away from home are problems that need addressing very quickly.

Verdict: 2-1

[Yesterdays Game...]

Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!

[dazby]

Got the kit on, appropriate shorts and the new city watch. No Fergie time today folks. COME THE FUCK ON CITY!!!!!

[Mark (Blue Army)]

I think we'll batter them today,everybody in the squad will want to impress so it should be a great game COME ON CITY!!!

[MARKMAKAVELI]

Yeah it's one of those games that is set up for us to hammer Stoke.

C'mon City, 3 points and 3 goals please!!

[DoomMerchant]

Got the kit on, appropriate shorts and the new city watch. No Fergie time today folks. COME THE FUCK ON CITY!!!!!

is that you in Yesterday's Game's signature then? Nice split you flexible, sexy fucler!! Lose the wig tho...makes you look like a tranny.

cheers, and COME ON CITY!! 3pts are a must today for sure...let's start Roberto's reign in style.

[Blackadder]

Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!

Nice signature. Last time my missus did the splits on a polished wood floor it took three of us to lift her up again due to the suction.

[Dubciteh]

Yeah it's one of those games that is set up for us to hammer Stoke.

C'mon City, 3 points and 3 goals please!!

it has thats why i have a feeling we will lose!!!

Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!

Nice signature. Last time my missus did the splits on a polished wood floor it took three of us to lift her up again due to the suction.

i laughed...:)

[ruralblue]

Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!

If thats your lass, then probably best you inform the board, if it's you then prepare for peeps forwarding old pms they sent to Chip Poker :-p

[Yesterdays Game...]

I'm not that flexible AND it wouldn't be as good a sight believe me! It's also not my lass because I'm single this Christmas haha

[aaron bond]

Team:

Given, Zabaleta, Kompany, Toure, Sylvinho, Ireland, De Jong, Barry, Petrov, Robinho, Tevez

[Yesterdays Game...]

Team is; Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Sylvinho, Ireland, De Jong, Barry, Petrov, Robinho, Tevez looks like Robby and Tevez upfront :D

[ruralblue]

Given, Zab, Sylv, Toure, Komp, Ireland, NDJ, Barry, Petrov, Robi, Tevez.

Subs - Bellamy, Richards, Garrido, Boyata, Vidal, Weiss & Taylor

Petrov starting on the left for Bellers?, Robbie playing just behind Tevez I reckon. Is Boyata from the youth set up?

[avoidconfusion]

I am really anxious about this match. First match under the new manager, hoping for once WE will feel the New Manager Syndrome and beat the piss out of Stoke with Robinho bagging a hattrick.

Then I look at our makeshift defense and all the injuries and hope that we win no matter how.

[Mike J]

Given, Zab, Sylv, Toure, Komp, Ireland, NDJ, Barry, Petrov, Robi, Tevez.

Subs - Bellamy, Richards, Garrido, Boyata, Vidal, Weiss & Taylor

Petrov starting on the left for Bellers?, Robbie playing just behind Tevez I reckon. Is Boyata from the youth set up?

very interesting. bit gutted bellamy isnt starting.

[edge275]

Boyata? Who? Where's RSC?