Everton up next and this will be the first real test of the Mancini era. A month ago this looked like a pretty easy fixture as Everton were still slumping and while relegation never looked on the cards, a continued struggled certainly did.
Alas the cream rises to the top and Everton have crept back up the table. I had them pegged as 8th in my pre season preview and somewhere in the 8th to 10th range is where I still expect the Toffees to end up.
My biggest concern is the arrival in Merseyside of Landon Donovan. Back in the Keegan era I was touting Donovan and Brian McBride as a pair of players that City would be wise to pick up. McBride may well be the most under rated target man of the past 10 years and Donovan was the great young hope for US Soccer. That potential break out star that they need. It hasn't happened twice in Germany for the player who now teams with David Beckham for the Galaxy in Los Angeles but I always wanted to see how the US international would do in the Premier League.
Which brings us to City. Who will Mancini play? I think Donovan would destroy Garrido; it's just the wrong type of match up. Might Barry start at Left Back with Vieira in the middle? What's the alternative? Mancini has surprised me every game so far and I can't predict what he is going to do from a line up standpoint.
The pessimist says this is Mancini's first defeat. The optimist says Tevez is on fire and City knock three past Tim Howard, maybe for one goal in return. The realist says a 1-1 draw.
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Posted by giddypie on 01/15/2010
It certainly does prove to be a tough test for both sides. Man City have a wealth of resources to choose from and have the luxury of being able to tailor their squad to whomever they face.
David Moyes' Everton side will pretty much pick itself as they are still very much depleted through injuries.Everton's season hasnt really got going at all as he has had to field whoever has been fit or available at that time.Missing big hitters like Arteta,Jagielka,Cahill,Neville,Pienaar,Yobo,Osman,Yakubu,Anichebe and Vaughan for long periods has disrupted the confidence,momentum and quality of the squad and its only recently that Everton have started to pick themselves up and start to resemble their oldselves.The "Lescott" saga will have the Goodison faithful fired up.
Will Man City have the guile to pick them a part? Arsene Wenger admitted his Arsenal side were unable to move Everton out of position last week so City will have to try and disrupt an organised Everton side if they want the 3 points
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Posted by Justin on 01/15/2010
This is a hiccup game. Derby against United looming in the middle of the week. Everton in better form and looking dangerous. It is a lose lose situation for City. We win...and it was expected, We lose and the "wheels are falling off". I'm actually more intrigued by this game to see if Vieira will play and how he will matchup against a young physical talent like Fellaini. Donovan is a great fit for Everton and as an American...i'm both happy and scared of what he could do if he achieves his potential.
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Posted by stephen on 01/15/2010
Wow. A US international making a little noise in the EPL.
Never thought it would be Donovan, and also worrying the Great Wallace. :)
CTID
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Posted by kevansam on 01/16/2010
I don't know why but i think Benjani and Bellamy are going big games.I hope I'm right because after Everton it's smooth sailing until the end of February.
Posted by matt on 01/17/2010
managed to miss the match but the reports suggest Feilani, Pienaar, Zab and Robinho were the problem. zab is alright but he'd do better a part of a midfield three. I think one more defender may well come in. as for Robbie...... what's left to say. still, I'd be happier with series of wins punctuated by the occasional flop (in this case not even against a direct rival), than countless draws.
as for tuesday I think a 4-2-3-1 or such, with ireland at AM, swp and bellers on the wings, with tevez up front, is tailor made to exploit the gaps in united's midfield and defence...
Posted by aka on 01/18/2010
I THINK MAN CITY ARE BETTER THEN MAN U SO I THINK MAN CITY ABLE TO WIN 2-0....ALL THE BEST..TEVEZ...
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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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