james_mcfc

Therein lies the problem. I can't see how we're going to get a settled midfield and strikeforce at the moment. Dzeko and Tevez will start but that leaves us a selection crisis for the other 4 and how we're going to play. I think on merit it will be De Jong, Yaya, Silva and Milner. But except for Barry that was the way we lined up yesterday. Like this: -----------De Jong------------- -------Yaya-----Barry--------- ------------Silva---------------- -------Dzeko---Tevez---------- ^ that gave us very little in the way of width. I think the way it needs to work is to revert back to 4-3-3 but push Tevez and Silva wide. At least that way we will get some balls into the box for Dzeko to get his head to. That said, I don't know how Tevez would react to being played on the wing. As I say though, Milner in for Barry. Quicker, better on the ball and a better pass on him. As for Adam Johnson, I think he's quality. I have noticed though that he tends to go missing a fair bit when he starts. I think Mancini's realised he works better as an impact player when coming on against tired legs.

Nah, not really. I think the best way to adapt is to start the matches. In my opinion he just needs a goal to get going and then we'll see how good he really is. For that reason I'd keep him in for the FA Cup game at Notts County next week. I think Mancini will keep him in too, the team he played against Leicester both in the original and replay show he's really taking it seriously.

They're two completely different players and shouldn't even be compared. Bent is your archetypal poacher. It's how he's got so many goals in his career, by simply being in the right place at the right time. It's that sort of player you were missing though, and tbh a lot of it is down to him knowing where the ball's going to go if it is spilled which helps. Fair play to you on your win. In the first half we didn't get out of 1st gear and really we were far too narrow. Dzeko was getting no service and Tevez had to drop back to get hold of the ball. We were only starting to get it into the box on a regular basis when Adam Johnson came on. I thought our MOTM was Kolarov though, thought he was excellent going forward and he's showing signs of settling now. Even the biggest Villa fan would admit you rode your luck a bit yesterday. I mean, when De Jong hits the post you just know it's not your day. Thought Barry was poor though, he always bottles it when he goes back to your place. Feel Milner is a much better starting option than him, much better. Don't mind Villa so good luck for your season

City team is as I predicted earlier, but Boateng in for Zabaleta at RB. ---------------Hart----------------- Boateng-Kolo-Kompany-Kolarov -----Yaya---De Jong---Barry----- ---------------Silva---------------- ---------Tevez----Dzeko---------

Alright lads. Should be a good game this one. I'll be expecting us to line up like this: ---------------Hart----------------- Zabaleta-Kolo-Kompany-Kolarov ----Yaya---De Jong---Barry----- --------------Silva----------------- --------Dzeko---Tevez----------- Hoping for a City win obviously but either way will be a good game. Really, if you're going to win you'll need to go wide, Kolarov isn't the quickest of LBs so if you play a quick right winger you will get some joy down there. Got a wicked left foot on him though.

So none then Won't get into that argument, I wasn't sure about it and I'm pretty much level with the goal line at Eastlands. It was counted so it was our first headed 'goal' whether you think it crossed or not.

Outsiders tend to think we're not short on firepower up front but I think we are. We have: Tevez - Heavily reliant. May go in summer? Balotelli - Still adjusting to the PL. Homesick? Adebayor - Looks like he's off Santa Cruz - Injured all the time, looks like he's off Jo - Shit If you look at our goalscoring record we've only scored one headed goal all season, and that was yesterday. It's evident we need a plan B for teams who come to Eastlands and park the bus a la Everton. From what little I've seen, Dzeko seems to be good in the air and can finish well. Ideal signing.

Can I just ask, did you do that when Chelsea first won it? Or when United won it after spending £30m+ on Rooney, Ferdinand, Berbatov, Veron and the like over the years? It's only what every other club (bar maybe Arsenal to that extent) has done to win the league.

"You'll get Sam Allardyce" Enjoyed your attempt at the poznan as well

Must say though, in spite of what you had to put up with on the pitch your fans were good, had a laugh.

Which I accept will happen, it's bound to. But it's a bit of an irrelevant point to suggest that these fans are going to come from local clubs like Rochdale or Stockport? These 'fans' are usually a fair distance from the club.

1) 2004/5 - 45,192 2005/6 - 42,856 2006/7 - 39,997 2007/8 - 42,077 So that's a big, Stuart Pearce shaped blip in the middle. Only one season where it's gone under 40k. 2) Yeah, because we've always been in the Premiership haven't we? 3) Fact is, most United games home and away are on TV because there's gloryhunter demand for it. You can't watch something that isn't there can you?

I don't usually come onto opposition forums after a win but I had to comment on this. 2003 - 46,834 But they were shit for years and still mainitained a decent sized fan base. I seriously doubt they got their fans as a result of glory. But then again aren't all fan glory hunters? I don't watch Spurs in the hope we don't win any trophies (though we hardly ever do). I want glory, as do fans of all teams. Well said, mate. In a 2-club area and you were giving tickets away. Well done. Massive. City, United, Bolton, Wigan, Oldham, Bury, Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale. Yep, that's two teams alright. It's because we're at the games, not in the pubs. You've made my day.

Hi, City fan looking to add my 2 penneth. In my mind, there is no question that you are getting the best side of this transfer. As someone who's seen Ireland's progress through academy, reserves and finally first team I can only hope he does well with Villa and that is the opinion of the vast majority of our support. As for Milner, he's the kind of player we need at the moment in our team. He may not be as creative as say Ireland, but he's versatile and can go forward quite well. I must say though, the amount we're paying? We've been hung out to dry to the proportions we were when we paid £24m for Lescott. As for our fanbase; yes, there is a new found optimism within a lot of our ranks. But if you were in our position, would you not be? I mean, we're buying some of the world's top talent (albeit at very inflated prices, but hey. It's not our money that's being spent). Players like Tevez, Silva, Adebayor, Yaya Touré. Players of the calibre that if you'd told me they'd be playing for City 10 years ago, I'd have laughed in your face. Because the vast majority of us are the ones who've been through the shit. I mean, I'm 18. Yes, I've not seen as much as some, but my god I've seen the shite. First match was in Division 2 at home to York City back in 1999. Yes, there are bound to be a few gloryhunters in the ranks, should we win anything. Unfortunately that comes with the territory. I was sad to see Dunney leave and I'm just as sad to see Ireland go. Dunne's already proven his worth to you, and I'm sure Ireland will also. Good luck for your season, except against us