Premier League 23rd-25th February Discussion Thread

Big game for us, will be very hard but we hav had good rest and wiill be confident after the U*d game. If we win then we are back in the race for 4th spot and have better fixtures thn all the other teams, with 3 of our last 11 games against top 10 teams and 2 of them athome. Still we have to win and Everton are a good team so it wont be easy.

COME'ON CITY!!!

It's always these evening kickoffs for Manchester United, Here's to Mcleish

This weeks fixtures look deceptive, because there are some what you would call 'quite probable results' but after the European fixtures we all know teams can lack the energy and competitive edge required to make these fixtures probable victories, particuarly if some of those players from the english teams that have played in Europe are rested.

These IMO are always excellent opportunities for the teams playing the European clubs to pick up points, Arsenal for example will be in for a tough fixture being the first team to play and having not scored in two, Birmingham will fight to the bitter end, perhaps a draw is a real possibility?

It sounds like Oba isn't going to be fit in time for Saturday, which is a big shame - as I've said, I think his absence has only highlighted how vital he is to our team. Smith is a load of rubbish, Viduka is never fit and he doesn't look fit even when he supposedly is, Ameobi seems out of the picture. The truth is that, whilst I think Duff has been one of our better performers in recent matches, the injuries he and Owen have suffered have left them without much pace, Milner doesn't naturally have any pace, and so without Martins our front line is not anywhere near as lively or as threatening. It's also weaker physically - he is the only one of those four with a lot of strength.

Martins is the most likely to score goals in our team, he gives us an outlet and an extra dimension, he works space through his constant running, can get beyond a defence, and he is one of only two players we have who can create from nothing. The other, N'Zogbia, is back from suspension, and so that is more or less of a boost depending on where he plays.

With Geremi back too, in the hope he can revitalise his season after a good African nations, considering how diabolical our central midfield has been, I'd consider playing N'Zogbia and Geremi as our central midfield on Saturday. That is arguably asking for trouble against Man Utd - the other option (the only other option for me, since there is no way Barton or Butt deserve a game) would be to play Faye in the holding role, but then Cacapa is a liability at centre back.

Anyway, I am actually quite optimistic, though however naive I think I'd actually expect a win if Oba was making his return. As it is, I do think we can get something out of the game - perhaps, if pushed, I would go for a draw. I am confident and hopeful that we at least won't get hammered. We have a number of people back and presumably fit now, with two weeks on the training ground enabling Keegan to have a proper spell with the players.

Without sounding disrespectful Bash, i think the result will be reflect what team Man Yoo put out as opposed to yourselves.

If Fergie puts out a strong team i.e mainly the first x11 i think you have no chance, if he rests some key players then i think there is an opportunity for you to stifle Man Yoo.

Keegan will love it none the less

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02exfOzdQOI (message to Arsenal)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q-93jd5Eic (message to ManYoo fans)

Right back at you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0QvZRdc4BI

Good comeback to Wenger’s lame excuses last weekend

Football Genius wrote:Without sounding disrespectful Bash, i think the result will be reflect what team Man Yoo put out as opposed to yourselves.

If Fergie puts out a strong team i.e mainly the first x11 i think you have no chance, if he rests some key players then i think there is an opportunity for you to stifle Man Yoo.

Keegan will love it none the less

I don't know, I'm not entirely sure that we are able to stifle teams. Besides from it not being Keegan's style - and he said a particularly sensible thing a few weeks ago when he said that, especially against the top teams like Arsenal and Man Utd, if you just try and stifle them then nine times out of ten they will show their class at some point and the game will be over - we just lack quality defenders. It seems as though Rozehnal was keen to move in order to play regularly in one position, but it has left us weak at centre back. And then we have nobody who can do a job in the holding role in midfield. Butt and Barton are dreadful, lightweight, they cannot pass, they don't influence the team in a positive way. So really, for a game against Man Utd where it is tempting to play someone in the holding role, Faye is probably our best option. But that would leave Cacapa at centre back, and he is not a good player - his defensive instincts are good, but he's not an intelligent player, he is poor positionally and doesn't help the defence play as a unit, he can be bullied, he lacks pace over a distance.

Then we don't have a left back. We either play Carr there and suffer from his lack of positional sense, and from the fact that he only has a right foot; we play Enrique who is hit or miss; or we resort to N'Zogbia and leave our attack lifeless and lacking creativity.

For me, especially with Ronaldo probably not on the best of form, with players having better games against Arsenal last weekend than their alternates did against Lyon, it's not that important who Ferguson puts out. I don't think we are benefitted hugely if Ferguson plays Anderson and Fletcher, say, instead of Scholes and Hargreaves, or if Nani plays ahead of Giggs or even ahead of Ronaldo. I think the game will be more about how we play, the team we put out, how it gels, if we can show more of a spark up front, if two weeks worth of training has brought us together. I am hopeful that we can get something no matter who Man Utd play.

an 8 point gap on Saturday me thinks...

Man U are 5 points behind wrote:an 8 point gap on Saturday me thinks...

Arsenal always struggle after European games, and Newcastle are Newcastle. Can see a 3 point gap tbh, not 8.

Not an easy game for any strecth of imagination, KK will be more then ever be looking to dent our title run , his team will be fired up for sure.

Dark Savante wrote:Not an easy game for any strecth of imagination, KK will be more then ever be looking to dent our title run , his team will be fired up for sure.

I know he'd love it if they beat you, but with Newcastle's continuing injury and lack-of-form problems for their individual players, even a slightly weaker MU team should be able to win.

Rumours are that Adebayor and Hleb are struggling a bit for fitness, so bearing in mind they could be out (on top of all the other players missing) I would be delighted if we maintain the current five point gap. I think that, or the gap narrowing to 3 points, are the most likely outcomes. We've had a bit of trouble dealing with some of the weaker sides in the league as well this season, as shown by our result against Birmingham back in January.

We should beat Boro really, I hope Rafa plays the same side that started against Inter and keep up the momentum, Everton could well slip up at City so we need to capitalise. Kuyt to score in 3 consecutive games.

Also, Carragher is suspended so Agger may return but most likely it will be Hyypia and Skrtel

I expect a few changes.


---------------------Reina

Arebeloa-----Skrtel----Hypia-----Aurelio

Pennant----Gerrard----Alonso---Kewell(?)

------------------Kuyt-----Torres

I reckon 0-0 or we win 3-0.

You've no chance

Kuyt>>>Alves!

Heerenveen is even better without him and so is the Brazilian national team. I think you wasted those 20 Mil Boro!

Will that be as accurate as your "Alves will never sign for a club like Boro" prediction?

We'll see.

Well he had no other choices anymore, besides his owners sold him to you. I'm sure he is regretting it right now!

He had no desire to play for anyone but Boro Show me a Brazilian who doesnt want to play for us deep down in his heart..and i'll show you a dirty smelly lying c**t who isnt really Brazilian

Is there supposed to be some ceremony at St James tomorrow for Bobby Robson's 75th birthday Kimbol?

Wenger has said that he expects both Hleb and Adebayor to be fit for tomorrow. As we all know Eboue is suspended, so Walcott will probably come in on the right.

The team should pick itself really, aside from choosing between Lehmann and Almunia.

Birmingham got a point at the Emirates, they could easily hurt us again.

Parks lives wrote:Is there supposed to be some ceremony at St James tomorrow for Bobby Robson's 75th birthday Kimbol?

Not really. He'll be on the pitch before the game, that's it. There will be fireworks afterwards but that will be to celebrate Jenas' 25th.

Kimbo wrote:

Parks lives wrote:Is there supposed to be some ceremony at St James tomorrow for Bobby Robson's 75th birthday Kimbol?

Not really. He'll be on the pitch before the game, that's it. There will be fireworks afterwards but that will be to celebrate Jenas' 25th.