Tuesday 28 February 2017

Terriers back for another bite…

Just gonna ‘bang out’ a quick one before tomorrow night’s game against Huddersfield Town in the F.A. Cupregular readers will be aware that I’m having a bit of a time of it at the moment; some recent I.T. issues but, more importantly, some unbelievable family health issues that followed one after the other, after the other, after the other. 

 

Now…my much-loved & aging dog has decided to join the ranks of the infirm – being sick several times (been to the Vets) and, generally, acting really ‘spooked’ & odd. 

 

I’ll just ‘crack on’ before something else happens…




v Huddersfield Town.


Etihad Stadium


Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.

Fluid 4-4-1-1:

____________________Aguero____________________





___________________De Bruyne__________________


Sane___________________________________Sterling
_____________Silva_____________________________
____________________________Toure_____________









___________Outfield player with gloves on__________



The ‘other fella’ likely to start somewhere between the stick for this one.

With our two-usual left-backs likely not to feature, Fernandinho is the probable one to step in there. Take your pick at right back – I’m guessing Bacary for this one. John & Nicholas in between those.

Having had last weekend off; with some warm-weather training squeezed in and with us not resuming Premier League action until Sunday at 4:00pm…’why not go for it' springs to mind. Therefore, a largely attacking and 'familiar 6' of Yaya, David, Leroy, Raheem, Kevin & Sergio.

Willy to have a break; Pablo the only defensive change-option. Fernando, Fabian & 'young Aleix' make up the central midfield replacements from the side; Nolito & Kelechi the more attacking choices from ‘the 7’.

Notable absences: Gael Clichy (back issue / doubtful), Aleks Kolarov (knock / doubtful), Vincent Kompany (recovering from LATEST setback), Ilkay Gundogan (injured for rest of season), JesusNavas (not selected) & Gabriel Jesus (injured – possibly for the rest of the season).

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?



No issue with that.

Result? These are decent – this is NOT a ‘done deal’ at all.

However, with that predicted line-up; it should be enough to push us towards a next-round-tie with Middlesbrough.


Expected weather conditions during the game: Game likely to start drizzly before the rain turns heavier and heavier (very wet walk / drive home for fans). Light winds but quite chilly at just 3 or 4C. Update on weather conditions (01.03.2017): Windier than first forecasted with a chance for sleet & wet snow throughout the game and as fans make their way home.

Tuesday 21 February 2017

v Monaco


Following my last two, brief posting updates my many I.T. issues have mysteriouslyand apparentlysorted themselves out (had planned for an Engineer to visit on Thursday). Huh…tech stuff hey? 

 

But with ongoing family issues still to sort out, I’ll ‘crack on’ with a brief one.


v Monaco.


Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.

Fluid 4-4-1-1:

____________________Aguero____________________





___________________De Bruyne__________________


Sane___________________________________Sterling
_____________Silva_____________________________
____________________________Toure_____________




Kolarov_______Stones______Otamendi_______Sagna





___________________Caballero___________________

(NO LINE-UP SUMMARY TODAY).

Subs: Outfield player with gloves on, Clichy, Zabaleta, Fernando, Delph, Fernandinho, Iheanacho (assuming we’ve been allowed to re-include him in the Champions League squad…and assuming also that he was moved aside following the purchase of Gabriel JesusI did say I’ve been out of touch lately).

Notable absences: Vincent Kompany (injured – likely for just a few days this time…we’ll see about that), Ilkay Gundogan (injured for rest of season), Jesus Navas (not selected), Nolito (not selected) & Gabriel Jesus (injured – possibly for the rest of the season).

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?


Looks fine to me – looks strong for the most part (needs to be).

Result? I don’t know much about these other than, like us, they’ve had a lot of money spent on them in recent years; that they sit 3 points clear at the top of their domestic league and that Pep has a lot of respect for the way their fullbacks play like wingers, their wingers are like attacking [central] midfielders and they have a deadly 'strike force'.

All in all, I can see this game having goals at both ends but for some strange reason – and without knowing our ‘oppo’ too well as I say – I think they’ll score more and we might lose this one. Sorry…


Sunday 19 February 2017

Further Blog announcement - continued break in service.

Following my last posting (see below) I'm still experience both family illness issues and I.T. problems - the latter I'm hoping will be sorted on Thursday.

 

So, obviously, there was no pre-Huddersfield Town blog-posting and there won't be a pre-Monaco one either.

 

Again, sorry for the break in service.