"It's well documented in official records that the City's original name was 'Snottingham', or 'Home of the Snots', but when the Normans came, they couldn't pronounce the letter 'S', so decreed the town be called 'Nottingham' or the 'Home of the Notts'. It is therefore easy to understand why this change was resisted so fiercely by the people of Scunthorpe."
The late, great, Humphrey Lyttelton in one of his opening monologues for BBC Radio's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, 1999.
And famously Kevin Keegan started his career at Scunthorpe before being transferred to Liverpool.
Other than that, there's not a lot I know or have even heard about Scunthorpe and their club. But tonight is their night. Absolutely nothing to lose. If they lose, well that was to be expected as the "might" of City rolls over them into the Quarter Finals. If however, Scunthorpe were to win, and after the pig's turd that the club laid against Brighton in the same competition last year I'm taking nothing for granted, then oh dear me the headlines we will see.
I'll be looking forward to the team line ups in particular. While United and Arsenal can afford to play their youngsters in this competition, and surprisingly I think the Liquid Cup is better for it, this is not the case for City yet. When we have won something, anything, then the club can start to look to the future but until then the priority has to be to win. Toure and Petrov are already ruled out according to press results.
Which formation and tactics will Hughes use? I will be frustrated if Barry and de Jong start together in the middle of the park. It's a great combination in certain situations, but the team needs one midfield anchor not two this evening. Barry and Johnson in midfield; Ireland and Bellamy on the wings? Would be very interesting to see RSC and Adebayor together in the side at the same time. Then, if the game is in hand, throw on Weiss for a 30 minute cameo to see how he does.
Decisions need to be made concerning both Johnson and Weiss. I'd prefer that they both go on loan, maybe to Middlesbrough or Celtic, for a few months to get regular first team games and match fitness. Then return at the end of January when the team will need them. This is the kind of game where they have to feature at some point or it's silly to keep them in the squad for the next few months.
Update de Jong and Barry start along with SWP and Ireland? Weird.
Comments
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Posted by Noah Wexler on 10/28/2009
I think Johnson needs to go out on loan. I would keep Weiss on board as he can get time in the event SWP get injured which is not infrequent and really brings a lot of pace and creativeness to the team. I want to see Ireland and Weiss used together in games like this to see if they gel together. Ade and Santa Cruz could be monstrous as long as Petrov, SWP, or Ireland is playing so they get good balls in from the wings. I think if Richards is in the lineup then you have to have both De Jong and Barry out there to track back. Against this team I could see Hughes starting conservatively and and then opening up as the second half progresses.
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Posted by Justin on 10/28/2009
Ireland proved that he needs to be in the game, the creativity of the beginning of the season has turned into last ditch defending and booting the ball up the pitch. A creative midfielder needs to be paired in there with the rest and Ireland will not cut it on the bench, he needs to be in the game.
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Posted by Martin Nazimek on 10/28/2009
Wallace,
Since you predicted the barry-de jong partnership in the middle, do you see any lotto numbers in the future? I would love weiss and johnson go out on loan to get regular 1st team matches. And again, how does Ireland not play in most matches I have no clue. Im no football manager, but come on. Ireland is beyond solid. i know todays competition was not that great, but you still have to play the game and he does. CTID
Wallace Reply City have an embarrassment of riches at the moment. Barry and de Jong are both excellent players and playing well together. Ireland has to be on the field, if that means SWP sits then so be it, but last year Ireland was one of the better players in the entire Premier League.
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Posted by AlexC83 on 10/29/2009
Ireland was one of the better players of last season but we've changed the formation this year which is mainly a consequence of tevez's arrival in my opinion. We're playing 4-4-2, Ireland isn't naturally suited to any of those midfield positions so will have to adapt. If tevez doesn't play then we can go 4-2-3-1 and Ireland will go back to the position of last season.
It's simple and anyone moaning about stevie ireland playing out of position or not being his old self has to ask themselves whether they want tevez in the team or not?
Also, with our defence lacking a bit of belief at the moment it makes sense to continue with the two screening midfielders - we're not having any problems scoring with them in are we so why make us even more open when we're not 100% sure of ourselves at the back?
It's moaning for moaning's sake in my opinion.
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Wallace Poulter is an award winning video game producer, designer, industry consultant and writer. He has been a football fanatic since the day he moved in next door to Brian Clough. "Cloughie" being the acknowledged genius that he was promptly moved out and went to manage Derby. A serviceable senior school left-back in his youth, Poulter played one season of Sunday league football as a striker proving conclusively that he was a serviceable senior school left-back! Today Poulter remains involved with football as a licensed referee and most recently as a consultant on a Football MMO.
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