When we are up we are up…

…and when we are down we are down.

Here’s hoping for an “up” day… 🤞

v Brighton & Hove Albion

American Express Community Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog wise, was our opening match away at Wolves: 9/11.

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Cherki_____________________________________Bobb

_________Reijnders______________________________

______________________________ Silva©___________

____________________Gonzalez___________________

 

Ait-Nouri__________________________________Lewis

___________Stones_____________Dias(VC)__________

 

 

____________________Trafford____________________

Subs: Ederson, Ake, Khusanov, Rodri, Nunes, O’Reilly, Foden, Doku, Marmoush.

James continues in net; especially, in my opinion, as we don’t even know whether Ederson will be a Manchester City player come 7:00pm (BST) on Monday 1^st September.

With Rayan-A- being passed fit following last week’s ankle knock, I think we’ll see the same back-4; with John, Ruben and Rico joining the French born, Algerian international.

Looking at central midfield, I think we’ll start with Nico-G- in defensive midfield once again; with Rodders still being slowly nurtured back into games. And I’m predicting also that following last weekend’s showing where I thought Tottenham’s midfield were largely in control; we’ll see Bernardo ‘get the nod’ to start, with Tijani completing the trio. Either side of those is where I’ve gone a little bolder by suggesting that we could see Rayan-C- given the left-wing slot. Cherki is very two-footed and this would allow Oscar to remain on the right; who I’m predicting to start also. Having said that, Oscar can, and has, played on the left also and therefore, as with so many positions all over the pitch, we have options. Obviously with this predicted set-up it’s Marmoush who misses out on a starting place.

Erling up front.

Ederson is likely to provide keeper insurance for this fixture and I’m going for Nathan and Abdukodir as two reserve defenders on the side. Rodri, Matheus, Nico-O-, Phil make up four midfielders in ‘the 9’; Jeremy is a change of wing option, while Omar is our back-up striker. Such is the versatility of a lot of our players, we have Nunes who can act as a right-wing back should that become necessary; O’Reilly, likewise, on the far left of defence and Marmoush who can play left, right and behind the striker in a ’10 role’.

Notable absences:

-       Martin Bettinelli – Out injured with a knock. Unknown return date.

-       Stefan Ortega – Not selected and could be leaving us in the next couple of days.

-       Manuel Akanji – With particularly strong links regarding a move away from our club, I’m going to suggest that the Swiss international won’t be selected in the matchday squad for this fixture.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Still out with a knock. No expected return date has been issued and although I initially got the impression that it wasn’t serious and wouldn’t be long; it appears to taking some time to get over whatever the exact issue is. 🤷‍♂️

-       Kalvin Phillips – Out with an Achillies injury which is, of course, making it difficult for City to move the England international midfielder out; whether that exit be on loan or permanently. Unknown return date with regards to the injury.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Making slow recovery following surgery on an Achilles injury some months ago. Unknown return date.

-       Ilkay Gundogan – Not selected.

-       Savinho – Going off the initial estimate, the Brazilian winger should now be free from injury and making his way back to first team contention via the training pitch. In fact, our manager said in his pre-match press conference on Friday that a likely return would be after the international break.

 In other news this week, regarding the just-turned 21-year-old, City are not interested in selling the player even for £60M+. 

Having been with us for just one season - and having only recently received the ‘key to the door’, as the birthday saying goes - I think it’s a good thing; despite the fact that we have a number of other players who can fit into that right-wing position (he can, and has, played left-sided too).

 However, in more-recent news, there was a suggestion that, “a source”, has revealed that the player is unhappy at-having a move to Spurs blocked by his employer; as Savinho looks for a more regular starting place. 🤷‍♂️

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I think it’s worth at least a mention at this point that I’ve seen three online publications in the last 24 hours, all stating that Rayan Cherki has sustained a thigh injury; won’t be taking part in today’s game on the South Coast and has been withdrawn from the French squad for the international break. I’m very sceptical and I’m leaving the attacking midfielder / winger in my predicted 11.

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

Yep, looks good to me.

Result?

During a particularly horrible run of results last season, a visit to the American Express Community Stadium on 9^th November saw us lose our 4^th game on-the-trot. 😲☹️

The stats from that game were:

-       60.5% possession for us to their 39.5%

-       15 shots by us to their 10; 6 on target for us to their 4 (the previous game to this fixture we I noted that we had 20 shots but only 6 of those were on target)

-       Both keepers were forced into action, with their keeper making 5 saves to our 2

-       Both sides ventured into the opposing team’s penalty area, with us having 28 touches in their box to their 20 in ours.

Yet despite the majority of the statistics that matter being in our favour, two Brighton goals in the 78^th and 83^rd minute cancelled out our 23^rd-minute opener to give Guardiola his worst run as Manchester City Manager (or as a manager anywhere?).

I also noted in my pre-match blog posting before our away clash with Brighton last season that, as well as not taking more of the many chances we create, we looked vulnerable at the back. Of course, if you were an avid watcher of our team last season you certainly didn’t need me to tell you that. However, I mention it because that comment from 9^th November 2024 reminded me somewhat of our home game against Spurs on 23^rd August 2025…basically last weekend.

I hope more than ever that last Saturday was just a little early season blip because if we haven’t managed to iron out our jitters and errors in defence and still can’t find a way to finish off the many chances we continue to create then we could be in for another frustrating, head-scratching season.

Focussing on this fixture, our opponents lost some important and experienced players in the summer and have continued with the philosophy of bringing in young players for the future. I believe they’ve got a good scouting network and that’s brilliant to see for the club.

However, they appear to be suffering a little with the loss of their experienced personnel, with no wins in their opening two matches; scoring just one goal and conceding three.

Despite that, I think they’ll still cause us issues this afternoon (2:00pm KO BST), especially on the break (who doesn’t these days?😟) and their season-opening, home game stats against Fulham shows it. Brighton had 10 shots on target that afternoon, forcing the Fulham keeper into making 3 saves. The game ended 1-1 with the visitors getting an equaliser in the 97^th minute.

As for us, I will continue to have doubts about our defence until it can resolve the issues that have plagued us for a year or more now. They need to show consistent improvement for my nerves, at least, to settle down with regards to that department.

Even then, I don’t think I’ll ever be TRULY content until we get a world-class, specialist right-wing back in. Rico, for the most part, does an okay job and is one of those player who can come out of a game with a better-than-okay, 8/10 performance. Unfortunately, he’s also capable of a lot of 5s and 6s and the player who once confessed that he prefers to play as an attacking midfield can let the defensive side of his dual role down a little too often.

But when I look at the quality of the players in that predicted line-up I have to think that if most of ‘em perform well on Sunday afternoon then this should…should be a City win.

That’s what I’m going with; all-3 points goes to the away side.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:

Prediction: Draw

Result: Lost

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a changeable week that’s seen squally showers almost all over the UK, it’s forecasted to settle down on the South Coast for the match. There’s a very remote chance of a passing, rouge shower but generally speaking it’s fine and dry with sunny intervals. 18C is the official temperature but with a fairly strong southerly breeze dragging up warm air, it’s likely to feel closer to 20 or 21C in the sunshine. ⛅😎🩴🍃🚩🍺⚽

Solidarity

That was awful…

I’m back blogging after a brief interruption when I had to trade my [not so] old PC in for a brand new bazzin’ one.

My first task? To get yesterday’s performance off my still-aching chest.

Work in progress…

I suppose any City fan who still holds onto the old concept of ‘being realistic’ – and I like to think I’m one of ‘em – was always going to go into this season knowing that it was gonna be a season of slowly moulding a side together, which has so far seen eight first team departures, either permanently or on loan, and five new faces. I’d call that, not a full, but decent-sized rebuild with likely more departures and, possibly but unlikely, another arrival in the final week of the transfer window.

13 first team changes will cause ripple effects on how a side performs, especially as you get five new guys in who have served under different coaches; using different techniques both for club and their respective countries.

In addition, we’ve brought into the first team a new Assistant Manager / Coach and an Assistant Coach. In summary, many changes indeed on top of a rather sparse pre-season, following our exit from the FIFA Club World Cup.

I can assure you, this rather pragmatic-sounding viewpoint was FAR from my mind and aching heart and I trudged very grumpily home after the match yesterday…

I’ve got a City-mad friend who told me recently that he watched our pre-season friendly against Palermo the other week and he said it was a scatty performance to say the least; with players seemingly all over the place in a largely scruffy display.

Against Wolves last weekend I think most City fans would agree that although it wasn’t perfect and clean, it was a very good performance nonetheless.

Yesterday? Good Lord what a mess.

We seemed okay for about the first 25 to 30 minutes and although both sides largely cancelled each other out in a rather cagey affair; we had the better chances to go ahead. But then, as if it was scripted, Spurs scored with their first real attack of the game.

I am SICK of that recurring theme and fault in our side – that’s something we appear to have dragged over from last season’s side. 😡

Where we had 7s, 8s and even a 9 against The Wanderers on the opening day of the Premier League season, yesterday was full of 4s, 5s and just two or three 6s.

That is PROPER City of old, unpredictability there for you on a plate.

I’m tempted not to go into detail about one area of concern that I have about our team going into a new season simply because it is likely to be something I’m going to mention in my season prediction piece; an article I can’t fully work on / complete until the summer transfer window has closed.

However, what I will say for now is that my fears about this department in our team appeared fully justified; as I watched a Spurs side pressure them into several mistakes. I think you might have guessed which area of the pitch I’m alluding to…🤔

Although I witnessed Spurs deploying some considerable gamesmanship tactics and were lucky, in my opinion, to get away with “just” 4 yellow cards yesterday; we definitely had our share of fortune too. James Trafford could easily have been sent off for, not just one, but two reasons yesterday and how the visitors didn’t get another free kick right on the edge of our box I just don’t know. Yet we still couldn’t avoid a home defeat.

It's “them” again…now boosted by a manager who, whilst at Brentford, saw his fair share of good results against us. 😒

Although I’ve mentioned sounding pragmatic in defeat as I finally calmed down enough to ‘put pen to paper’ this morning, I still feel that tight knot in my stomach.

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As I said to my wife and another footy fan after the match: As a proper, realistic supporter of any football team you don’t tend to mind, quite so much, getting beat fair ‘n’ square by a better side on the day. However, when your side massively underperforms like we did yesterday, it feels like a kick in the gut.

I added that it’d be about Tuesday when I get over this and as a very-much-seasoned Manchester City fan; at least I can take some comfort in the fact that ‘the fire’🔥must still be there for a single league defeat to hurt this much, especially so early on in the season.

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At least Pep was honest when he said after the game that, “…we missed the simple things” because it backed up what I had witnessed. There were so many misplaced and over or under hit passes it was ridiculous. Then, still no excuses, it became one of those matches towards the end where everything was bouncing off our shins and toes but was seemingly sticking like Velcro to theirs! 🫨

Our manager also said yesterday, “Step by step we will improve and make more connections.” I hope so because a trip away to any Premier League side should not be taken lightly and our next one is at a side who came within SECONDS of grabbing all-3 points in their opener last weekend; only to find themselves in shock as they had to share points with their visitors. I’m typing this before their second game of the season away at Everton’s new ground this afternoon so whether The Seagulls will have 1, 2 or 4 points when we ‘rock up’ at their place is yet to be seen.

Either way, the improvement that Pep mentioned must start on Sunday 31^st August before gaps start appearing at the top...

18th August 2025 - Blog announcement

I may not be doing a pre-match blog-posting ahead of our opening home game of the season against Spurs on Saturday 23^rd August. This is because I am about to take my PC into my repair shop and it’s likely that I’ll be getting a brand new, more up-to-date PC back.

Sadly, getting an upgrade doesn’t mean that my blog-postings will be getting any better…🙄😂

There’s a chance that I might get a PC back before the weekend but it all depends how soon prior to Saturday…and whether it’ll be all ‘good to go’ right from the off.

Manchester City - The opener

Welcome back to ‘bread ‘n’ butter’ league football, following a summer of both club and international tournaments.

Speaking of which, a massive well done to our England Under-21 lads for winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and, in particular, our very own (for now) James McAtee who had a fantastic tournament; captained the side and won MotM in the final against Germany.

Thanks for joining me for this opening pre-match blog posting in what is the start of my 13^th full season of Blue chews-daze! 😲

Wow…where does the time go?

Having very recently returned from a week’s holiday, I’ll get straight to it…

v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Molineux Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog wise, was our F.A. Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace way back on 17^th May: A not-so-good, 6/11).

First game of the season and with plenty of options in all departments = plenty of room for error here…

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku_________________________________Cherki__

 

_________Reijnders_____________Silva©___________

____________________Gonzalez___________________

 

Ait-Nouri__________________________________Lewis

___________Stones_____________Dias(VC)__________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Trafford, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, Gundogan, O’Reilly, Foden, Bobb, Marmoush.

I would say of the two keepers likely to involved in today’s matchday squad, Ederson 'gets the nod' over new-signing, James. This comes after our manager was asked yesterday who was his Number 1 keeper and he said, "Right now, Eddie".

With plenty of options on the left and centre of our defence, I’m going for a back-4 of Rayan-A-, John, Ruben and Rico to start.

Nico-G- is our defensive midfield starter and ahead of the Spanish Under-21 midfielder I’m going for Jeremy, Tijjani, Barnardo and Rayan-C-.

Erling up front.

James is our reserve stopper for this game; Manuel and Nathan provide defensive cover from the side. Rodders, who we are told needs to build minutes slowly in order to protect a leg in need of more strengthening and monitoring following a year’s absence and surgery, is likely to get a place on the bench and is likely also to be joined by midfielders Ilkay, Nico-O- and Phil. Oscar and Omar provide both width and striking options from ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Stefan Ortega – Not selected and is likely to be leaving us before the end of the summer transfer window.

-       Abdukodir Khusanov – Not selected.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Injured. Unknown injury or return date but I got the impression that it wasn’t serious and won’t be long.

-       Kalvin Phillips – Not selected. News of a move out, highly likely on loan for a third time, appears to be stalling / hitting stumbling blacks.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Making slow recovery following surgery on an Achilles injury some months ago. Unknown return date.

-       Matheus Nunes – Not selected.

-       James McAtee – Not selected and is apparently very close to agreeing a permanent transfer out.

-       Claudio Echeverri – I’m assuming that he is still injured following a foot injury in the USA in June, which we’ve had no update on. Negotiations are also in full flow to loan the Argentine attacker out for the season; with the player himself apparently wanting a big say in where he goes.

-       Savinho – Sustained an injury in our last pre-season game in Sicily. The exact nature of the injury isn’t clear but Pep said on 15^th August that the Brazilian would be out for a couple of weeks. The 21-year-old is also being touted for a possible permanent move away from the club; with our next opponents, Spurs, being linked the most.

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

Midfield upwards I have no concerns whatsoever. In fact, I’m excited to see how it looks.

However, as much as I have to see it as improvement to our squad; Rayan Ait-Nouri IS a specialist left-wing back but another who is more attack minded than defensive. We’ve still to resolve / improve the right-wing back situation too and in John and Ruben, should they start this evening (5:30pm KO BST), we have a player who is very fragile and has been MIA for the best part of three seasons alongside a player who lacks ‘get out of trouble’ pace. The latter also had a few errors in him both last season and pre-season.

Apart from THAT…yeah, good.

Result?

Opening games of the season are so hard to predict.

According to sources, Wolves haven’t had the strongest of transfer windows so far and have, in fact, been weakened considerable both in defence and attack. Their best signing, it would seem, was to make striker Jorgen Strand Larsen’s loan a permanent move on 1^st July. The 6’ 4” Norwegian forward does carry a threat.

They have signed a largely right-sided Colombian winger called Jhon Arias from Brazilian side, Fluminense, and he’s described as a player with a low-centre of gravity who likes to dribble past his opposing defenders. The main defender who is likely to be facing the 5’ 7”, 27-year-old is Rayan Ait-Nouri.

I think I’m right in saying that our hosts didn’t have a very good pre-season in terms of results, with no wins from six outings, but they appear to have come out of it unscathed. There’s only one long-term injury on the list for the team in gold ‘n’ black.

As for us, we’re in very good shape and appear to be moulding our new-look, midfield attacking force nicely. I think we’ll see much faster build-up play from our team this season but it may take a few weeks to properly click.

Yes, I still have some doubts about us defensively and I’m likely to speak more about that once the transfer window has closed. 🤞 for news on a specialist right-wing back but I’ve have to be honest and say that I’m doubtful we’ll see a new face in that position.

All things considered we may concede later today but if we do, I think we’ll score more than the home side. It’s a City win for me.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: It’s another scorcher. 24 / 25C feels closer to 27C outside the stadium but it’s sure to feel closer to 30C (84F) on the pitch. Apparently, the main trigger for a Premier League official to call for water breaks for the players is a temperature of 30C so we might see one of those in either or each half. ☀😎🌭🍺⚽

Solidarity