I'm interested to see your reaction to today's result. I was hoping for a City win just to continue the sense of over confidence that seems apparent from MCFC. That will play right into our (Stoke's) hands. Maybe a defeat today will bring a more realistic approach to your approach next Saturday (bugger!)
Just a couple of observations from some of the posts I've seen. The size of Wembley's pitch didn't make much difference to how we played against Bolton (surprisingly). If anything Stoke used the extra width far more productively than Bolton, our two wingers seemed to revel in the extra space they had. Rory only took about three throw-ins, he easily reached the 6 yard box.
Etherington is still touch and go for the final, the intense treatment he's been having seems to be having an effect. He's been doing fitness work with the squad and they'll leave the decision until the last minute.
Apparently Mancini has been bitching about Everton being long ball, long ball, long ball. With the arrival of Matty and Pennant Stoke mix it up much more now, Glen Whelan (one of your cast offs, we thank you!) has really come into form in the last couple of months in central midfiled, we now have a midfielder with a bit of a brain.So perhaps it's best not to simply expect long ball, long ball from us, if he does then Signor Mancini maybe in for a bit of shock.
We're really strong at set pieces as everyone knows but Kenwyne's header at Villa the other week is the only goal from a set piece in the last 18 we've scored.
Subscribe to "we only score from a throw in" at your peril.
The one who worries me is David Silva, how we cope with him will be crucial.
Before the Bolton game I thought it was 50-50 as to who would win, next week I think it's more 60-40 in your favour, we shall see.
May the best team on the day win.