AG7 wrote:Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
Etihad Stadium, City of Manchester
Monday 21 April 2014
Kickoff: 2000 BST
Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistants : S Ledger & S Bennett
Fourth Official: Robert (Bobby) Madley
TV Coverage in UK: Sky Sports 1 HD (Sky 401) and Sky Sports 1 (Sky 407)
Coverage starts at 1930 GMT
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So more important than this game is the one going on right now between Chelsea and Sunderland ... if only Sunderland can hold on to a draw (1-1 at HT right now as I type) ... and then tomorrow if Norwich can do Liverpool ... well, then our game on Monday will become real interesting ... oh, yeah we will still have to hope for a Liverpool Chelsea draw next weekend ... but let's get to that next weekend.
All we can do is win our next five and then see how Liverpool and Chelsea do ... such is the position we find ourselves and all our own making ...
We were given chances after chances this season to really get hold of the title but at every chance we were presented, we didn't take it ... so what makes us think that if another chance comes our way, we will grab it, finally?
- Chelsea first game, we could get ahead of the pack ... but no, we lost at the Bridge.
- Chelsea second game, we could have won at home and gone 6 clear at the top, instead we let them get 3 and come neck on neck.
- Arsenal away, after Chelsea slipped twice in a row at Villa and Palace ... but what did we do? We switched off after going ahead and came back with a draw.
- Liverpool ... coming back from 2 down to 2-2, we would be the happier lot if it ended in a draw ... but no, we had to gift them that one too on a platter ...
- And to top it all off ... if keeping up our end of the bargain in the race was all that we could do, we go and draw at home to the bottom of the table club ... criminal indeed.
So forgive me if I don't get excited if and when 1- Sunderland holds Chelsea to a draw, 2- Norwich beats Liverpool, and 3- Liverpool and Chelsea draw next weekend ... well, too many ifs and buts in there, and even if all fall in our favor ... no guarantees we will win five in a row ... and forget Palace and Everton away games, the very next fixture, WBA at home looks tricky right now ...
No Silva, no Yaya, no Navas, no Nastasic ... as far as injuries go ... and with Aguero just back from injury and looking rusty, Negredo gone completely missing, and Dzeko being Dzeko ... I am having trouble predicting an XI here that could self-motivate and do the job this Monday.
Should Chelsea and Liverpool fail to drop points this weekend (sure, they may do in future games, although games are running out) ... it will be a real test of the team's character and self-motivation this Monday ...
West Brom will be well up for it ... they have no other choice, being so close to the drop zone ... and perhaps having seen Sunderland take away something mid-week.
The team selection and how we play will also answer a few questions that have been raised of Pellegrini in various threads post-Sunderland ... can he motivate the players? can he set-up to their individual strengths given key players' absence ... or will he just put out the same standard 4-4-2 at home and then all will just run around aimlessly if and when we go 1 up and if we go behind or are drawing in the later stages of the game, we'll still see a calm and laid-back gaffer (and crowd) on the sidelines as has become the norm at Etihad ...
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Team Prediction
Hart
Zaba - Komps - Demi - Kola
Milner - Garcia - Ferdy - Nasri
Jovetic
Aguero
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Score Prediction
Manchester City 2 - 1 West Brom
Hutch's Shoulder wrote:Start Jovetic and Dzeko for me then bring on Aguero second half. We need to start with urgency and Sergio is not at the pace yet, Jojo seems closer.
Original Dub wrote:
Cheers for that mate.
And you're right, we should just give in.
South Stand Balti wrote:Thanks for the intro. I think the final paragraph poses a valid and worrying question. Let's hope MP can answer it in the right way. I think Silva may be fit? Late fitness test? His presence would make me feel much more confident.
Hutch's Shoulder wrote:Start Jovetic and Dzeko for me then bring on Aguero second half. We need to start with urgency and Sergio is not at the pace yet, Jojo seems closer.
littlebig wrote:Is Silva out for this? Can't find any decent info except for him being doubtful
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