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Welcome to 2026 Blues. May we all have a prosperous year

We had a great run to conclude 2025 and it should continue tonight. Sunderland after their great start are just starting to feel the pressure and they are hardest hit by AFCON. Still, an away PL is rarely easy and I think Sunderland are still unbeaten at home (?) so it will be a great test of our mettle. With Arsenal thumping Villa and going 5 points clear it’s important to keep the pressure on.

Rather surprised to see Rodri on the bench last time out and I’m not convinced he’s ready for action just yet. But obviously the club knows more than me!!

Another settled back four please.

2-1 Haaland Foden

A tough away game this and I am a little concerned that we have a few who have played a lot of football recently, particularly the two Nicos.

Tempting fate a bit, but I watched Sunderland home to Leeds last week and didn't see much to fear.

I fancy a repeat 3 nil to City. Mostly late in the game and after the usual first half of panic, wailing and desperation

john@staustell wrote:Tempting fate a bit, but I watched Sunderland home to Leeds last week and didn't see much to fear.

I fancy a repeat 3 nil to City. Mostly late in the game and after the usual first half of panic, wailing and desperation

Tonight is not the night for me to suddenly become optimistic.
We will drop points, dips and rags will get closer to us and Villa will leapfrog us, resulting in the Pep must leave thread seeing a surge in posts.

Blue Jam wrote:Tonight is not the night for me to suddenly become optimistic.
We will drop points, dips and rags will get closer to us and Villa will leapfrog us, resulting in the Pep must leave thread seeing a surge in posts.

Except that Rags drew at home with Wolves and Villa were thrashed at Arsenal (all on Tuesday), but apart from that, very sound!

Are we one up yet?

Your first City side of 2026

XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Savinho, Foden, Cherki, Haaland

SUBS | Trafford, Reijnders, Doku, Rodri, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Mukasa, Lewis, R. Heskey

Etihad Airways

Sav, sigh…….otherwise come on City, from the off !!!

Tinkering. Of course we don't know who's carrying a knock. But we do know Sav is terrible

Savinho is Pep's blind spot. How many times does he need to see mediocrity?

CTID Hants wrote:Your first City side of 2026

XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Savinho, Foden, Cherki, Haaland

SUBS | Trafford, Reijnders, Doku, Rodri, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Mukasa, Lewis, R. Heskey

Etihad Airways

Fucking Ake!!!!!!

Just no

At least Stadler and Waldorf from the muppets( Beglin and McNamara ) wont be in our ears. Both waffling , utter bs at scouse atm. McNamara just can not shut up , full of crap this fella.

nottsblue wrote:

CTID Hants wrote:Your first City side of 2026

XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (C), Savinho, Foden, Cherki, Haaland

SUBS | Trafford, Reijnders, Doku, Rodri, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Mukasa, Lewis, R. Heskey

Etihad Airways

Fucking Ake!!!!!!

Just no

100% he's let emotion make that decision because it'll likely be Ake's last game. Fuckin stupid. I really feel for Khus

I am not surprised Savinho starts, he has been improving of late. Ake for Josko is odd, I thought josko was excellent at Forest.

john@staustell wrote:

Blue Jam wrote:Tonight is not the night for me to suddenly become optimistic.
We will drop points, dips and rags will get closer to us and Villa will leapfrog us, resulting in the Pep must leave thread seeing a surge in posts.

Except that Rags drew at home with Wolves and Villa were thrashed at Arsenal (all on Tuesday), but apart from that, very sound!

At this time of year, I don't know what day of the week it is.

Yes we have a game in hand, but if you have posted your reply, I'd have completely forgotten.
Those results were last year.

Blue Jam wrote:

john@staustell wrote:

Blue Jam wrote:Tonight is not the night for me to suddenly become optimistic.
We will drop points, dips and rags will get closer to us and Villa will leapfrog us, resulting in the Pep must leave thread seeing a surge in posts.

Except that Rags drew at home with Wolves and Villa were thrashed at Arsenal (all on Tuesday), but apart from that, very sound!

At this time of year, I don't know what day of the week it is.

Yes we have a game in hand, but if you have posted your reply, I'd have completely forgotten.
Those results were last year.

And for a full set Dippers fucked up too

john@staustell wrote:Tinkering. Of course we don't know who's carrying a knock. But we do know Sav is terrible

Tinkering is the wrong word J. Like you say, we don't know who has knocks etc. Save Rodri for Sunday too ?

Terrible line up IMO - Ake and Savinho ffs !

My confidence levels have taken a huge dip looking at that line up.