MAN CITY v Stoke – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
21 Feb
Manuel Pellegrini faces a selection poser as he looks to inject energy and confidence into his exhausted side. Those who started against Barcelona were stretched and made to hurry and harry in their attempts to close down the Spaniards and by the final whistle, there were some shattered legs. The manager, therefore, will aim to introduce some freshness and vitality to the side whilst also retaining a measure of quality.
Micah Richards is a candidate to feature in place of Pablo Zabaleta, while Martin Demichelis’s one-match ban only applies to European competitions, meaning he can partner Vincent Kompany once more. Aleks Kolarov is likely to get the nod on the left of defence ahead of Gael Clichy.
Fernandinho was rushed back from injury to face Barcelona and with Javi Garcia ready to step into the midfield, the Brazilian could drop down to the bench in order to rest his weary limbs. Samir Nasri was introduced from the bench in midweek and he’s a near-certainty to start against Stoke, as are Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko. James Milner is another who will hope to get the nod, perhaps in place of David Silva.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Chris Foy.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 0 Stoke – I’d guess we won’t see the same levels of enthusiasm and relentless desire to bomb forward as we have enjoyed on so many occasions this season, and with Stoke likely to be resolute in their defensive efforts, it might take a while before we pick the lock and open the door. Given a touch of patience, nonetheless, we should flitter to victory with goals to be scored by Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri.
I think it would be great to rest Demichelis as well for at least a game or two. I know in case of Joe Hart, it worked really well. Let’s hope till tomorrow none of our strikers get any injury during training because I am afraid that Pelle may play Demicheli as striker!
Alarming performance again today from the manager, his half ass “apology” today was again pathetic, he’s ringing bells which have an ingratiating sound, surely this guy is not going to do a Norman wisdom??? I hear you about demich, it could be a good idea to give him a break, the amount of hatered the guy is getting is shameful, he manned up & took responsbility for his error, the boss man could do with some of that’ so fair play too the chap, he could have said all shorts of crap but didn’t, good show expected tomorrow, nasri & Edin to score.
Oh come on Glen, lighten up a bit!
Pellers made a bit of an arse of himself in the immediate disappointed aftermath of an emotional evening. His bitch was with the decision not to award Navas a free kick which led to a red card and a dodgy penalty call. His mistake was to appear to challenge the integrity of the referee in a rather demeaning manner.
He has since retracted that part and was right to do so. However, those decisions, right or wrong, dictated the result and he is entitled to this view of things which I lean towards myself.
Just a thought but would it not be better to ALWAYS keep your dignity then any ‘toe-rag’ trying it on will always be left to talk himself out.
PELLE’S is better than your average Manager and I would like this to show when he is interviewed.
Point taking alphie, I don’t like that crying about this & that after a game’ leave that to Rodgers & co, the barca crew are laughing at us over it, that pisses me off anyway maybe I should put on some tap dancing shoes,just surprised by pellets……. To infinity & beyond.
100% Correct Glenn