Manchester City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[nick harper]

We can't keep a clean sheet and we can't score goals - that's a relegation scenario. He needs to pick an experienced side so Petrov and Reo-Coker must play.

My only other faint glimmer of hope is that snow is forecast in the Midlands and North over the next 24 hours.

[Des Little]

Another hammering and another half hearted excuse from the manager.

4-0, Tevez hat trick and someone else.

[JUAN PABLO]

5-0   tevez hatrick  ( all over it )

milner
silva or johnson

[brontebilly]

Simply have to go with Reo Coker, Petrov and Delph in the middle. City only go with one up top so we need a centre half who can pass the ball. Hard to know which of Collins or Cuellar was worse at the weekend but I'd drop one of them for Clark. Have seen a few of City's games recently. They beat Bolton 1-0 but were at least three goals a better side. At Newcastle they weren't great but still comfortably won. They are weak enough at full back, Boateng in particular is awful. Kompany at centre half is superb though can't see Gabby troubling him in the slightest on current form. De Jong is probably the best holding midfielder in the world at present, silva is simply superb, Toure was terrible at Newcastle but his strength made him unplayable v Bolton. Even Barry has picked up a bit of form while Milner probably can't wait for a chance to get at Warnock.

Unfortunately I see a real hiding on the cards. There is something rotten in the team at the moment. Tactically a mess and self belief is on the floor.

[Lobsterboy]

Given our atrocious record at Citeh and our even more atrocious current form then I can only see a bit of a hiding for us sadly

3-0 to them Tevez, Silva and one of Milner or Barry to round off a great Christmas ;0)

[myf]

Surely got to be a 5 man midfield.  We have some decent midfield talent available now and its time for Gerard to start making the most of this.  Assuming A Young ain't available I'd go for the following to nullify their creativity...

Downing Delph Petrov NRC Albrighton

[Ads]

With Heskey out, I'd run with Gabby up top, Downing and Marc out wide. NRC and Bannan in the middle, with Stan screening. I think that would help shield the back four better than going 4-4-2.

Concerns about Warnock, but not a lot we can do while Luke is injured.

[Phil from the upper holte]

This one terrifies me it really does

5-0 city

[brontebilly]

With Heskey out, I'd run with Gabby up top, Downing and Marc out wide. NRC and Bannan in the middle, with Stan screening. I think that would help shield the back four better than going 4-4-2.

Concerns about Warnock, but not a lot we can do while Luke is injured.

This is no game for Bannan mate

[The Walshmeister]

5 - 0 hammering. Houllier may walk after this disaster!

[Jimbo]

Certain defeat. Pick any score you like.

[damon loves JT]

Jimbo, nothing in life is certain. Ask ronny rosenthal

[mozza]

Comfortable home win, anything else would be a shock -

Do well to keep it to 2-0 defeat .............what will be depressing is
the possibility of one of our 'rejects' getting on the scoresheet,
maybe a few pints in Altingham pre-match will deaden the senses
     

[barrysleftfoot]

  I would drop Collins , who is a liability at the moment, and bring Dunne in.

  Play a midfield of Petrov, NRC, and Bannan if all fit.Another game for Delph might be a bit too much.And play Albrighton , and AYoung/Downing wide, with preferably Gabby up front, who plays better on his own, or Heskey.

  Still not confidant though.

[luke25]

We have to go with 3 centre mfs, petrov, nrc and delph, with downing and albrighton out wide, unfortunately I can't see anything but a thrashing whatever formation we play