A ding-dong, F.A. Cup battle.

Before our game against Nottingham Forest and even before Leeds United when I come to think about it, I kept glancing at tonight’s fixture and couldn’t help thinking that this was going to be a real contest and proper test for us; one where I fully expected Newcastle to be looking for revenge against a City side who gets the better of them so very often.

Since those thoughts, we hit a bump on our title-chasing road last Wednesday on the same night our hosts beat a resurgent Manyoo, despite having 10 men for half the game.

All of that has simply amplified my feeling that this is going to be a proper scrap tonight (8:00pm KO GMT) and one, which, I’m not entirely sure we’ll come out on top in all honesty.

v Newcastle United

St. James' Park

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which for me, blog wise, was our away win at Leeds United: 10/11).

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-1-3-2 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku_______________________________Samenyo__

 

___________Silva(C)_____________Cherki____________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Ait-Nouri__________________________________Nunes

___________Dias(VC)______________Guehi___________

 

 

____________________Trafford____________________

Subs: Donnarumma, Khusanov, Stones, Gonzalez, Foden, O’Reilly, Reijnders, Savinho and Marmoush.

James takes command of the goal area for this domestic cup game.

A back-4, occasional 3, of Rayan-A-, Ruben, Marc and Matheus.

Rodders just ahead of those.

A returning [to ‘the 11’] Jeremy, Bernardo, Rayan-C- and Antoine is my guess across the middle and on the wings, all in support of Erling who needs to rediscover some consistency soon.

Gigi takes a rare seat on the side as reserve keeper; Abdukodir and John make up just two defenders next to the Italian. Four midfielders come in the shape of Nico-G-, Phil, Nico-O- and Tijjani, while Savinho and Omar make up two wide options, with Omar able to play more central in attack too.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Rico Lewis – Injured with a slight problem in his ankles. When discussed on 6^th March, it didn’t sound like the England international would be out for too long.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Out with a fractured tibia, for which he has had surgery. On 23^rd January, we were informed that it will be at least 2 more months before the Croatian international might be ready to return, which takes him up to the end of March.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Nathan Ake – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Back in training with his teammates as he attempts to put nine months of injury / rehabilitation behind him. An update on 6^th March confirmed that training has continued and the Croatian international is making progress step by step.

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

Yep.

Result?

Our hosts continue to have a fair number of injuries, as was the case the last time we met on 21^st February, and that includes injuries to some key players too.

The last time I wrote about The Magpies a fortnight ago, I groaned about how they’d hit some form with three, back-to-back wins just ahead of their clash with us. Since then, it’s W L W, which includes a Champions League home win. That sort of mirrors their league form of L L W L L W.

They are a strange side - a mix of one that is very beatable whilst at the same time they have it within themselves to beat almost anything that’s put in front of them; although quite often with goals flyin’ in at both ends.

Going back to just the beginning of February, they have scored a whopping 22 goals in 9 games but have also conceded 17! 39 goals and not once did a team not score in those same nine matches. Wow.

After our draw at home to Forest, Pep looked tired, very flat and as sick as a Psittacine.

Not capitalising on plenty of possession and chances created was the main theme of the night once again. Very frustrating indeed. 😠

It was nice to see a much more upbeat Pep in his pre-match press conference yesterday as he underlined his determination to go to the North East with nothing else on his mind but to win and reach the quarter finals; despite Wednesday night’s Champions League tie looming large on the horizon.

I’ve said that I expect a this to be a bit of a ding-donger – a real end-to-end thriller with chances galore at both ends and when I read my own stats about no clean sheets in nine Newcastle games and 39 goals flying in during that time; it only stands to underpin my thoughts.

For once, I’m going to sit on the fence and call this one a draw at full time. Then, in what I expect to be a crazy game, it’s ‘anything goes’ in extra time and penalties. My prediction is a score draw in ‘the 90’ - something like 2-2 or 3-3.

You watch, it’ll be a boring one-nil game now (hopefully to us if it is)…

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Bright sunshine all day in the region gives way to clear, starry skies above St James’ Park floodlights. Just 3 or 4C is the “feels like” temperature during the game but it’s dry and there’s little in the way of any breeze to amplify the cold temperature. 🧥🧣🧤🍵🍺⚽🥙🍕

Solidarity

Leeds United have become…

…a team in form and a difficult side to beat.

So what we don’t need, at a noisy Elland Road, is another one of our second half performances where we appear to switch off to a large degree and for some bizarre reason.

Brilliant…but we did it again!

Last Saturday was just the reaction and result we needed in order to keep the pressure on Arsenal and the first half was really good from a City perspective. However, the game wasn’t without a scare or two…or three…or even four and we continue to be the masters of giving the opposition a sniff of blood.

So convinced were the visitors that they could grab something from a scoreline that read 2-1 in the 95^th minute, Newcastle sent their keeper up for a corner. Now that’s not unheard of, of course, but it was a game where we should have put ‘em to bed long before that…right Ait-Nouri and Samenyo?

As I say, brilliant result but we have to stop switching off after the break and start to also punish sides when we get the [many] opportunities, otherwise we simply won’t seize on the chance we’ve both worked hard for but also been handed in the title chase.

v Leeds United

Elland Road

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-1-3-2 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Marmoush__________________________Samenyo__

 

___________O’Reilly____________Silva(C)____________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Ait-Nouri__________________________________Nunes

___________Dias(VC)______________Guehi___________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma_________________

Subs: Trafford, Lewis, Khusanov, Stones, Gonzalez, Cherki, Foden, Reijnders and Savinho.

Gigi keeps the gloves for this league encounter.

A back-4, occasional 3, of Rayan-A-, Ruben, Marc and Matheus.

Rodders just in front of those in deep-central midfield.

Ahead of the Spaniard is a likely 4 of Omar, Nico-O-, Bernardo and Antoine.

Erling up front.

James is reserve keeper; Rico, Abdukodir and John make up three defenders on the side. Nico-G-, Rayan-C-, Phil, Tijjani and Savinho give us a variety of midfield and wing options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Out with a fractured tibia, for which he has had surgery. On 23^rd January, we were informed that it will be at least 2 more months before the Croatian international might be ready to return, which takes him up to the end of March.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Nathan Ake – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Back in training with his teammates as he attempts to put nine months of injury / rehabilitation behind him. There was no update from our manager on 27^th February as to Mateo’s condition / progress.

-       Jeremy Doku – The 23-year-old resumed training on 26^th February following an unspecified leg injury that he received on 28^th January. Progress but still an unknown return date.

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

Yep.

Result?

With a last 6 in the league of W D L W D D, I’ve already mentioned our host’s recent resilience and, so, onto us.

It was a VERY steely-looking and focused Pep Guardiola in the pre-match press conference, especially so in Part 1; giving short answers to any pertinent questions regarding today’s fixture. I liked what I saw from our manager.

We’re in good shape, personnel wise, and good form. If we apply ourselves in the right way for most of the 90+ minutes then we should have it within us to come away with all-3 points and make it 9 games unbeaten in all competitions.

That’s what I’m going for us to do – it’s a City win for me.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a mixed day of sunshine and showers in West Yorkshire, there’s a chance that it could dry up as kick off approaches. Dry for the match too with a temperature that reads 5C but with a “feels like” of a mere 3C. Yes folks, it’s still winter (🌻just 20 more days to go until spring!🐣). 🧥🧣🧤🍵🥧’n’🫛🍺⚽

Solidarity

Newcaslte - Black & white an’ blue all over

It’s them again! Flippin’ Newcastle in another domestic cup.

I’m sure they’re sick of the sight of us too but…c’mon! Shake it up a bit more for flip’s sake!

First up are The Magpies at home in the league – the fourth time we will have met each other in just three months with, now, a fifth meeting lined up at their place for 8:00pm (GMT) on Saturday 7^th March; another farcical kick-off time.

v Newcastle United

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Marmoush__________________________Samenyo__

 

___________Silva(C)______________Foden___________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

___________Dias(VC)_______________Guehi__________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma_________________

Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Lewis, Khusanov, Stones, Gonzalez, Cherki, Reijnders and Savinho.

Gigi in goal.

Nico-O-, Ruben, Marc and Matheus make up the back-4, occasional 3.

Rodders just in front of those.

Omar, Bernardo, Phil and Antoine are four attackers all behind a returning [from niggles] Erling up front.

James, who continues to be linked with a summer move away, carries on as reserve stopper. Defensive replacement options come in the shape of Rayan-A-, Rico, Abdukodir and John, with Nico-G-, Rayan, Tijjani and a returning [from injury] Savinho make up four midfield / wing options from the bench.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Out with a fractured tibia, for which he has had surgery. On 23^rd January, we were informed that it will be at least 2 more months before the Croatian international might be ready to return, which takes him up to the end of March.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Nathan Ake – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Back in training with his teammates as he attempts to put nine months of injury / rehabilitation behind him.

-       Jeremy Doku – Still not recovered from an unspecified leg injury that he received on 28^th January; an injury which appears to be taking longer to resolve than initially expected. Unknown return date.

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

If Foden performs as we all know he can [instead of starting Cherki] then yes, absolutely.

Result?

After slumping in the league with a draw followed by three defeats…bang, BANG, BANG! Three wins in three different competitions; 11 goals scored and 3 conceded. I think that’s what you can call a return to form, don’t you?

Bloody typical. 🙄

Their opponents in those three victories? Away to a Spurs side who can’t buy a home win, away at Villa whose form is erratic and, who, played the second half with 10-men and Qarabag, away again, who are currently 2^nd in the Azerbaijan Premier League. 🤷‍♂️

I’m taking nothing whatsoever away from Newcastle but read into those results what you like as we set to face ‘em tonight - flippin’ 8:00pm KO (GMT) on a Saturday night, FFS! I understand that it was, apparently, a Premier League decision to help Newcastle recover after a lengthy trip abroad on Wednesday night / Thursday morning but I don’t recall that same consideration ever being given to us, do you? Watch this space to see if this now changes for us in the future…

Our visitors have a few injuries to some key players too. Then again, a look at that red list above tells you that we still do too; even though it’s a much improved picture from recent weeks and months.

This will also be their fourth away fixture on the trot, including one abroad, so I suppose there could [still] be a bit of travel fatigue thrown into the mix as well…or am I overthinking on that one? Every little helps!

As for us, we’re now 7 games unbeaten with 6 wins and a draw, with a 3-1 home win against tonight’s opponent amongst them in the League Cup. In that time, we’ve scored 16 times and let in just 4; keeping 4 clean sheets along the way. 👍

Attitude and application is the key now – we have to grab the opportunity Arsenal have given us when-droppin’ points in their last two league matches and we must not squander it. We can’t simple ‘rock up’ and believe that we have this home fixture in the bag just because we won a two-legged semi-final against Newcastle 0-2 away and then 3-1 at home. This, like many games ahead of us between now and the end of May, is a ‘must win’. 💪

As with most games, this one won’t be easy, but I’m havin’ this one as a City victory.

Last little word…

As a final comment on this section, can we have this Phil Foden back please?

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(There was no pre-match blog posting for that game due to a holiday at the time)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Wet, breezy but mild’ish at least. The forecasted temperature will be around 11C as the ref blows his whistle to start the game, which is fairly pleasant considering we have another 4 weeks of winter remaining. 🧥🌧️☂️🍕/🥙🍺⚽

Solidarity

Fire!

Pre-Liverpool, in a rather pessimistic blog posting, I pointed to the fact that a number of City fans had been suggesting that this City side has very little fight in ‘em’; something I agreed with to a point.

Last Sunday, our lads proved to me that they do in fact have fire in their bellies when they really want or need to.

Then came Fulham at home and amidst a very good first half from us, a 15-minute spell of 3 goals saw off the visitors.

It was slightly slower from us, once again, after the break and there were a couple of sloppy moments in defence that a better side would have likely taken advantage of, and it was yet another second half without a City goal; our fifth time in six matches without a post-half-time break goal. Crazy statistic.

However, that win made it 6 unbeaten for us in all competitions. 👍

WELCOME TO MY 1,000^th BLOG POSTING!

Est: 23^rd April 2013

🥳🍾🎂

v Salford City

Etihad 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 victory at Liverpool: 8/11).

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

___________________Marmoush___________________

 

 

__Ait-Nouri______________________________Cherki__

 

_________Reijnders______________Foden__________

 

___________________Gonzalez____________________

Ake_______________________________________Lewis

_________Alleyne________________Khusanov_______

 

 

____________________Trafford____________________

Subs: Donnarumma, Nunes, O’Reilly, Dias, Guehi, Stones, Rodri, Silva and Samenyo.

James returns in goal for this domestic cup fixture.

I can envisage a back-4, occasional 3, of Nathan, Max, Abdukodir and Rico.

Nico-G- fills the defensive midfield slot, while Tijjani and Phil are more advanced with both Rayans either side of them on the attacking flanks.

Omar starts as striker this afternoon.

Gianluigi steps back to the bench as reserve keeper; Matheus, Nico-O-, Ruben, Marc and John make up five defensive replacement options on the side, with a couple of midfield options amongst those five. Rodders and Bernardo are two additional midfielders in reserve, with Antoine giving us an attacking wing option in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Out with a fractured tibia, for which he has had surgery. On 23^rd January, we were informed that it will be at least 2 more months before the Croatian international might be ready to return, which takes him up to the end of March.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Back in training with his teammates as he attempts to put nine months of injury / rehabilitation behind him.

-       Jeremy Doku – Out with another unspecified leg injury. On 30^th January we were told that the Belgian international will be out for around 2 weeks, which gave him a chance of being in contention for today’s encounter with Salford City. However, nothing was mentioned of the 23-year-old in the pre-match press conference, so I’m guessing that the wait continues for the winger’s return.

-       Savinho – Out with an unspecified leg injury. It was said on 7^th January that it will be 6 to 8-weeks before we could see the Brazilian international winger back in contention to be part of a matchday squad. On 23^rd January, we were given an update and that was that the young Brazilian had started back with some light training / running the day before (Thursday 22^nd January).

-       Erling Haaland – Rested / protected after some physical niggles in midweek would be my guess.

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

Yep.

Result?

You’ve never played a team in your entire club history and then you draw ‘em twice in two consecutive seasons. 🚌🚌…

Riding quite high in 6^th place in League 2, just 5 points from an automatic promotion place with a game in hand; our visitors from just down’t-road have wobbled a little in recent games, with 2 defeats in their last 3 outings.

Two danger men to perhaps watch out for are Nigerian born forward, Daniel Udoh, and Republic of Ireland Under-19 international winger / striker, Ryan Graydon, who only signed for The Ammies on 9^th January and already has 3 goals and 2 assists in all competitions. 🔥

For us it’s an opportunity to give starts to a few players who often begin games by watching from the sideline. However, such is the strength of our squad at the moment, aided by players who are starting to return from injury with more to come; it remains a side that shows respect to the opposition as well as one that should progress to Round 5.

🚫🍌 No banana skin today, for me; I’m going for us to make it 7 games unbeaten with a home win this afternoon.

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

Well, it was the 3^rd and not 4^th round last season, but still…

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a cold, damp and breezy couple of days, it clears and calms down on the day of the match. A crisp-cold feel fills the air on Saturday with bright sunshine, no breeze and a temperature of 5C. Beautiful. ☀️😎🧥🧣🍵🥧🍺⚽

What a game!

I don’t often mention the City Women’s team, for no particular reason, but they were live on TV last night I was eager to watch it.

Despite the visitors, Leicester City, being bottom of the WSL, I thought The Foxes looked sharp whenever they attacked and did hit our crossbar quite early on, around about the same time as we hit their post twice. It was a game you just couldn’t take your eyes off, such was the pace.

We were fantastic – the speed of the moves and the fast, accurate passing was a joy to watch. There was skill in abundance and some of the finishing was excellent, as we ended up 6-0 winners on a freezing cold night.

I urge you to at least watch the 8-minute highlights.

Solidarity