[/quote]Ric said:Been asked to post these on behalf of RAWK as part of their preview of Sunday's game, if anyone fancies answering them:
1. What have you made of your season so far – did you believe at the beginning of the season you would be where you are now?Slightly disappointing. Too many "winnable2 matches have been turned into draws and we're paying the price for bringing in players who are inferior to the ones that left in summer.
2. For the second season running your side didn't perform too well in the Champions League – why do you think they were unable to replicate their league form in the competition, was it just the quality of the opponents in a tough group or are there other reasons?
Tough group (again) and it was always going to be difficult to qualify for the knock-out stages. That said we didn't perform well particularly against Ajax and got what we deserved - nothing. Need to be much more savvy in Europe, when you're 2 - 1 up with 5 mins to go in Madrid it doesn't matter that you don't deserve to be infront, just see the game out (in the style of Liverpool of old)
3. The transfer window passed without much in terms of additions for City, and of course Mario Baloteli left to join Milan. What are you feelings on the strength of your squad post-January, and how do you feel about amario's departure?
Always disappointing when a player with obvious ability chooses not to try and apply himself to the game. Who knows why, but who knows anything with Mario. He'll probably be the best player in Italy for the next 10 years but the club have made the correct decision letting him go.
4. Who have been the players in the City squad that you have been most impressed with this season and why?
Zabaleta obviously, he's become something of a talisman for the team. Nastasic at 19 looks like he's going to be a class act and as always Gareth Barry just goes about his job quietly and efficiently whilst everyone says he's shite.
5. Any players underperformed?
One or two have been "off the pace". Tevez has worked his butt off but the goals have dried up. Yaya has been immense at times and invisible at others, Joe Hart likewise has performed brilliantly at times but let some soft ones in. Samir Nasri - let's not go there !
6. I'd like to change the focus to Liverpool now if you don't mind. What is your opinion on how our season has gone so far, and what do you think of the job Brendan Rodgers is doing at Liverpool?
I have to admit to a level of anti Liverpool bias that is, quite frankly, somewhat irrational, but I will do my best to be positive. Big improvement since Rodgers took over, still not consistent enough to challenge for the league and really should have been more focused on the FA Cup at Oldham. Whatever Liverpool do, or do not achieve, I'd like to see them do it with a bit of good grace and a bit less "we've won it 5 times". Oh, and will someone please buy Brendan Rodgers a coat that fits.
7. Are there any members of the current Liverpool squad that you would like to see playing at City?
Several of them would improve the squad but can't see many of them being first choice players with exception of Gerrard of course who would walk into anyones first team
8. Our sides drew 2-2 at Anfield earlier this year in a game full of quality and mistakes in pretty equal measure. Do you see the game at the Etihad being another high scoring game?
Hard to imagine another 2 - 2 given that we've not conceded a goal in January but not been scoring for fun either. So it will probably be end to end, game of the season, 4 each, 2 penalties saved etc etc !
9. How do you think Roberto Mancini will approach the game and what team do you think he'll select?
He needs to win, can't afford to go 10 points behind United. Come on be fair, all you Liverpool fans don't want to see that happen do you?
10. Finally, care to make a prediction?
As the eternal pessimist I'll have to go 1 each