Well the international break has thankfully disappeared over the horizon, even if the journos still hound Hodgson. I do think this next week will be a huge one for City as we have 4 away games in a row. Our away form hasn’t been the best so far this season.
The trip to Moscow is hugely significant as this is one of the must win (well definitely not lose) games in the CL as well as to trips to London where we can I’ll afford to lose ground on the rest of the contenders at the top of the PL.
Pellegrini is famed for his tactical astuteness and I think this will be tested in these next 3 games starting at West Ham. On reality we should win at Upton Park but theory and practise are not always the same.
The games before the CL are always hard as the team doesn’t want to over exert itself but yet it must do enough to win the game. This is a delicate balance and it must be achieved without our captain and other key defenders. We don’t look the same team when Kompany doesn’t play, let’s hope today is different.
I have a feeling that we will see a strong team today and I’m hopeful that we can start to put together a run of good results founded upon good performances where we put teams to bed and don’t allow them a sniff to get back into the game.
The midfield should have David Silva in it along with Yaya Toure and Fernandinho with Milner for added legs. So far we haven’t seen any formation flexibility and maybe we should in the away games play with 1 striker and maybe one off that main striker, either to make 5 in midfield or in the hole behind. At some point soon we should see Jack Rodwell back in the team and those sorts of away games maybe the time to try him again but his fitness is yet to be proven, but I do like the look of him as a central midfield alternative.
For me Negredo must start today as the central striker, he’s quickly becoming a crowd favourite with his all action style and eye for goal.
I though Sergio Aguero looked really tired against Everton and maybe his flying around the world hasn’t helped that but he needs to get back to full match fitness and quick.
I was really impressed with Stefan Jovetic on the England game against Montenegro and perhaps he should get a start on the supporting striker role. He is tricky and clever and can score goals, I have big expectations of young Stefan.
The back four needs to be solid today and that means Zabaletta and Clichy at full back. Much that I’ve been impressed with Kolorovs attacking wide play he is a bit vulnerable defensively now and again and we need solidity today. The CBs will be Lescott and Nastasic.
So here’s my pick team wise this week
JH
PZ, JL, MN, GC
JM, YT, F, DS
SJ, AN
Three points a must today for me.
Come on City.
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