The League Cup…and other animals.

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 / 2^nd 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

The latest chapter of one Mr Joey Deacon Barton.

v Swansea City

Liberty Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.

Fluid 4-5-1:

___________________Iheanacho___________________

Sane_____________________________________Navas

________A. Garcia___De Bruyne___Gundogan_______

Angelino______Kompany______Stones_______Maffeo

____________________Caballero___________________

Subs: Bravo, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Adarabioyo, Fernando, Diaz, Sterling.

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.

Notable absences: Gael Clichy (not selected / rested), Nicholas Otamendi (not selected / rested), Bacary Sagna (not selected / rested), Fabian Delph (injured / almost fit / back in training), Fernandinho (not selected / rested), Nolito (suspended for 3 domestic games), David Silva (injured / almost fit / back in training), Yaya Toure (won’t be selected until dispute with agent is cleared up) and Sergio Aguero (suspended for one last domestic game).

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.

Expected weather conditions during the game: Calm evening with a very light South Westerly breeze; overcast and a mild 60F for a September evening.