Bit
of 'play on words' from a line from Blackadder Goes Forth
there, in case you wondered.
Anyhoo…
The story so far
I don’t
know about you but I’m still pinching myself and rubbing my eyes at the moment.
I’m not one to get carried away – and I’m
not – and I’m certainly not one to go around ‘chest thumping’, especially
in front of a certain set of fans who follow a certain team from the Borough of Trafford – I leave that despicable trait to them, in point of fact…
But
even-having played 8 in all competitions, won 8, scored 25 and
conceded
4 (an overall
goal difference of PLUS 21!) still doesn’t fully describe, to those unfortunate enough not to have
witnessed us play this season, just how wonderful our football has been for
large parts of those games.
You can
easily forget - amidst the graceful & slick passing, speed of attacks,
wonderfully orchestrated moves & positional play and sheer hunger / desire
& amazing fitness – that we ever
so slightly
wobbled in our 2-1 win over Sunderland and
3-1 win over West Ham United; as our players
adjusted to Pep’s ideas and high demands.
And yeah…we’ve had a little
bit of luck so
far too.
But
anyone who dares to suggest that we’re not good for our 8 wins from 8
and a ‘quarter of a century of goals’ so far would be laughed of the planet!
This is another level…and it’s only going to get better and better.
A quick side-note on this. I’ve met a few “reds” in my area since those 8
wins and have been met by two very obvious mannerisms. Either…
A.
Utter silence and
visible efforts to ‘talk about something else’ from those who usually have a fair
few words to say on both City & Manyoo
B.
A grey-faced look of
shock & awe as they murmur a few passing words of how well we’re doing at
the moment
I suppose it doesn’t help [them] that they’ve lost their last 3 games. I’m
lovin’ it at the moment…but let’s move
quickly on from talk of “them”.
Oh God! The
rumours were true…
A controversial home kit with dark sleeves
that now appears to be growing on a lot of fans (myself included) and a slight let-down
of an away kit / 2nd strip that had potential - with some form of tradition colours that included maroon (sleeves) and
plenty of black - but was then utterly ruined, in my opinion, with a yellow
badge, yellow sponsorship writing and YELLOW SOCKS!
Of course we’ve had kits in the past with
‘nothing-to-do-with-MCFC’ colours such as silver, navy blue, luminous green-yellows,
purples & bright-luminous, all-yellows…as well as ‘yer-standard ‘all black’
numbers. But now the club / shameful kit suppliers have taken it one stage further folks.
I’m sure some of you have seen it by now but,
ladies & gentlemen, boys & girls; I give you…
Orange &…Move? Purpley-blue…ish?
Does it…”look good with jeans”, perhaps?
Erm…no.
Does it go well with City’s traditional
colours, then?
Not at all.
With long, ginger hair?
Oh dear God no!
How about on a fisherman or someone who has
been viciously attacked by a tattoo artist?
Errrmm…
It doesn’t even brighten you up after you’ve turned
into one of the walking dead!
I think, once
again, I’ll just move quickly on from this topic also…
Nothing
changes
v Swansea
City
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.
Fluid
4-5-1:
___________________Iheanacho___________________
Sane_____________________________________Navas
____________________Caballero___________________
Having got
3 wrong from the starting line-up again AFCBournemouth there’s
scope to get 4, 5 or perhaps even more wrong tomorrow in this competition; with
the possibility of some EDS lads coming in.
I think we’re likely to see a change in
keepers for this one – if Willy can’t get a game in the League Cup then when
will the Argentine?
A mixture of youth & experience in
defence I think and one, which, might see the return of ‘our skip’ in the
starting line-up. EDS left-back Angelino might get a start; Vinny & John
the central two pairing and young Pablo on the right.
A central midfield 3 of young Aleix, 'on fire'
Kevin and 'regaining match fitness', Ilkay. Either side of them? Well I’m sure
Guardiola would like to give Jesus a run out and, so, he’s likely to take up
the right-wing slot and I’m confident also that he’d like Leroy to have more a 'near-90 'in this one and, if so, he might have to shimmy over to the left.
Up front is Kelechi.
I was gonna stick Angus Gunn on
the bench for this one but I don’t think he’s travelled. So, instead, Claudio
is likely to watch this one as part of ‘the 7’. Aleks, 'Pablo senior' and Tosin
are the likely defence cover. Fernando should get a place on the side following
his recovery from ‘a knock’ that has kept him out for a few games and I’m very
excited to learn that just turned 17-year
old Brahim joins the squad; with Raheem likely to be the other attacking
midfield / wing replacement option.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted)
line-up?
If Swansea pick their
strongest team then that defence could
be some cause for a little concern…but I’m fine with it and,
of course, trust Pep completely.
Result?
Could be a good game and very interesting to see if some of the youngsters have
picked up ‘the Pep way’ and, crucially,
I’m going for an away win.
