CITY v Bolton - Official Matchday Thread

[80s Shorts]

This is what I said a few days ago after the Hull game:

Regarding De Jong, Barry and Vieira, this is exactly what we saw when Mancini wanted us to push forward. Why? Because a 3-man engine room, with Barry and Vieira able to push foward, and a roaming and brilliant Johnson give our team the ability to control the pace and flow of the game with authority in the middle of the park. This is crucial. I think we will probably crush Bolton.

The abuse I got for saying it was just ridiculous, people telling me there was no way in hell Mancini would go for such a midfield, people thought I was taking the piss.

Let's stay optimistic and try to understand Mancini's thinking, that will be in everyone's interest.

Hope your right mate... cos I for one cant stand much more tripe from that big nosed bindipper on the sky panel..

 

[macmanson]

Apparently, it's Johnson on the left which might actually work better. Maybe Bobby Manc was reading BM before KO? :)

----------Given--------------

Zab---Toure-Vinnie---Bridge

----Vieria----DJ----Barry------

Tevez-----Ade--------Johnson

 

[JULES]

What is it with Mancini seemingly unable to pick a full team all in there correct position!

Really losing my patience with this guy.

I hope he proves me wrong tonight.

of course he will, he looks up to you with your superior footballing knowledge

 

[edge275]

Not happy with the line up. Too defensive.

 

[Somud]

We will crush them with such a midfield tonight. A 3-man engine room and Johnson to roam is what our midfield has been lacking for too long, with all the nonsense and love people in here have for limp wingers who will make us outnumbered in the middle of the park should try to watch teams that actually play good football.

 

[depps]

Just seen the team now and its actually not an over reaction to say I'm quite sickened really. 3 defensive midfielders at home to Bolton is quite shocking really, completely lacking in ambition.

The one slight positive is that its seems to be a 4-3-3 with one winger and one second striker which is probably whats best for us but surely Ireland needs to be playing in this line up? It just doesn't make sense at all that we switch to the tactical set up that will actually suit Stevie and then drop him?

I think this will give Barry a liecense to get forward for a change

If we want to give a central midfielder the licence to get forward then surely Ireland is the man you would want in there and not Barry? I'm actually not a Barry hater at all and think he has done very well for us at times this season but he isn't really the type of player to play that defence splitting pass that will get one of the front 3 in behind the opposition

 

[iluvrobinho]

I think this will give Barry a liecense to get forward for a change

If we want to give a central midfielder the licence to get forward then surely Ireland is the man you would want in there and not Barry? I'm actually not a Barry hater at all and think he has done very well for us at times this season but he isn't really the type of player to play that defence splitting pass that will get one of the front 3 in behind the opposition

Ireland played crap on Saturday though so perhaps hes being punished for that?

 

[JULES]

great ball in from bridge

 

[Somud]

People who say it is a defensive line-up have no clue.

Look at the game against Hull. Vieira and Johnson were put on. That's right, Vieira was put on when we needed a goal. Try to understand why before you criticize Mancini.

 

[Esteban de la Sexface]

fuck off the wing and get in the box Ade