The mancityfans.net football forum

After last night's superb result we really can't afford to slip up at Scunthorpe!

But what team to play? Who to rest?

I would definitely rest Tevez & Bellamy, and in an ideal world NDJ, Barry, Micah and SWP, but we dont really have the cover.

Also, should Robinho feature? It doesn't look like his sort of game but he needs games and we need to rest key men. Surely a good way to regain some form? Lets face it he won't be starting next Wednesday.

I would go for the following:

Given

Zaba
Boyata
Kompany
Sylvinho

Weiss
Ireland (just 60 mins save for Wednesday)
NDJ
Robinho

Benjani
Petrov

Should be strong enough - any thoughts?

The team that played against Boro.

-----------------------GIVEN-----------------------

ZABA------NEDUM------BOYATA-------GARRIDO

---------------------VIERIA-------------------------

---SWP--------------------------------PETROV----

--------------------IRELAND-----------------------

-----------BENJANI---------ROBINHO-----------


That should do me, with SWP and Zabba coming off after 60mins.

I wouldn't play De Jong under any circumstances. Want him flying next Wed.

I'd have the same back 4 but Ned for Boyata because they need playing time, then

.....................Vieira..............Zabba (60 mins)............


Swp (60 mins).............Ireland......................Robinho.


...........................Barry Conlon...........................

I would like Tevez to get half hour or so just to keep him sharp

I'd like to see

Given

Zabaleta
Onuoha
Boyata
Sylvinho

SWP
Ireland
Vieira
Petrov

Benjani
Robinho

That team is more than good enough to beat Scunny and it gives de Jong, Tevez, Barry, Richards, Bellamy, Kompany and Garrido a well earned rest before round two with the filth.

Colin the King wrote:I'd like to see

Given

Zabaleta
Onuoha
Boyata
Sylvinho

SWP
Ireland
Vieira
Petrov

Benjani
Robinho

That team is more than good enough to beat Scunny and it gives de Jong, Tevez, Barry, Richards, Bellamy, Kompany and Garrido a well earned rest before round two with the filth.

I'd pretty much go with that Eoin...but depending on the scoreline and his sharpness, I would look to give Vieira a run but not knacker him out. I think he will be crucial to the cause on Wednesday...as I think will ireland.

john68 wrote:

Colin the King wrote:I'd like to see

Given

Zabaleta
Onuoha
Boyata
Sylvinho

SWP
Ireland
Vieira
Petrov

Benjani
Robinho

That team is more than good enough to beat Scunny and it gives de Jong, Tevez, Barry, Richards, Bellamy, Kompany and Garrido a well earned rest before round two with the filth.

I'd pretty much go with that Eoin...but depending on the scoreline and his sharpness, I would look to give Vieira a run but not knacker him out. I think he will be crucial to the cause on Wednesday...as I think will ireland.

Yeh, I agree too. I'd go with that line up and be weary of pushing Vieira too hard. Looking forward to seeing him in Blue. Maybe give Ibrahim a run out as well if we're comfortable and all is going to plan after 65 mins.

I'd be happy with any of the above combinations except that I think we should still play Kompany. He is looking really solid as CB and keeping that solidarity at the back need consistency imho. Besides, there is less need to rest a defender than someone who spends 80 or 90 mins running themselves into the ground like Tevez or Bellamy. He also seems to bring the best out of young Boyata.

If resting our key players so they are primed for the 2nd leg at the swamp means an embarrassing FA cup exit in the 4th round then right now I think I'd rather that happen than we risk injuries and fatigue for the CC semi.

Naturally we should be able to have both, but a semi in the hand is better than one in the bush! ;-)

i think its time we rested given, dont want him out next week.
he could be the difference after the saves he pulled off on tues.

AlpsMaster wrote:a semi in the hand is better than one in the bush! ;-)

Ha ha not in my experience!

Know what you mean but I will be outraged if we lose at Scunthorpe, the media would have a field day but more importantly it might affect our momentum for Wed.

Teach me for not reading the board first as put my thoughts into the 'minnows' thread. Combination of the team that won at Boro and give the injured players returning a run-out. Vieira will get some match time. I'd go for

Given
Richards
Boyata
Neddy
Sylvinho
SwP
Ireland
Vieira
Petrov
Benjani
Robinho

Given Vidal Boyata Onouha Garrido Weiss Ireland Vieira Petrov Robinho Ball

i just dont want benjani to play! have an awful feeling he will get another contract.

given

zabs
onouha
kompany
garrido

weiss
vieira
superman
petrov

robinho
one of the academy lads. nimeley (dunno how to spell it!) maybe.

Play the kids with a sprinkling of experience aka the first team in Bacon's case.

eastlandsblue wrote:Given Vidal Boyata Onouha Garrido Weiss Ireland Vieira Petrov Robinho Ball

Ball is out for at least another month mate.....keep up ;-)

I can see another youngster or two getting some game time in this match though. Probably not starting but a someone said, Ibrahim maybe, Weiss to start with Boyata. I'd like to see a Mak attack personally

Given
Zabba - Boyata - Onuoha - Sylvinho
SWP - Vieira - Ireland - Petrov
Robinho - Benjani

Subs: Taylor, Garrido, Kompany, de Jong, Barry, Weiss, Tevez.

ant london wrote:

eastlandsblue wrote:Given Vidal Boyata Onouha Garrido Weiss Ireland Vieira Petrov Robinho Ball

Ball is out for at least another month mate.....keep up ;-)

I can see another youngster or two getting some game time in this match though. Probably not starting but a someone said, Ibrahim maybe, Weiss to start with Boyata. I'd like to see a Mak attack personally

oops ok Robbie and Robbie up front it is

Moonchesteri wrote:Given
Zabba - Boyata - Onuoha - Sylvinho
SWP - Vieira - Ireland - Petrov
Robinho - Benjani

Subs: Taylor, Garrido, Kompany, de Jong, Barry, Weiss, Tevez.

Change SWP for Weiss as I want SWP to be fully fit for Swamp. Other than that I'd go with your line up.

Can we not find somebody/anybody to replace Benjani? He looks to me as if he's about to fall apart again. He could barely run Tues night.