Terriers back for another bite…

Just gonna ‘bang out’ a quick one before tomorrow night’s game against Huddersfield Town in the F.A. Cup – regular readers will be aware that I’m having a bit of a time of it at the moment; some recent I.T. issues but, more importantly, some unbelievable family health issues that followed one after the other, after the other, after the other. 

 

Now…my much-loved & aging dog has decided to join the ranks of the infirm – being sick several times (been to the Vets) and, generally, acting really ‘spooked’ & odd. 

 

I’ll just ‘crack on’ before something else happens…

v Huddersfield Town.

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.

Fluid 4-4-1-1:

____________________Aguero____________________

___________________De Bruyne__________________

Sane___________________________________Sterling

_____________Silva_____________________________

____________________________Toure_____________

Fernandinno___Stones______Otamendi_______Sagna

___________Outfield player with gloves on__________

Subs: Caballero, Zabaleta, Fernando, Delph, A. Garcia, Nolito, Iheanacho.

The ‘other fella’ likely to start somewhere between the stick for this one.

With our two-usual left-backs likely not to feature, Fernandinho is the probable one to step in there. Take your pick at right back – I’m guessing Bacary for this one. John & Nicholas in between those.

Having had last weekend off; with some warm-weather training squeezed in and with us not resuming Premier League action until Sunday at 4:00pm…’why not go for it' springs to mind. Therefore, a largely attacking and 'familiar 6' of Yaya, David, Leroy, Raheem, Kevin & Sergio.

Willy to have a break; Pablo the only defensive change-option. Fernando, Fabian & 'young Aleix' make up the central midfield replacements from the side; Nolito & Kelechi the more attacking choices from ‘the 7’.

Notable absences: Gael Clichy (back issue / doubtful), Aleks Kolarov (knock / doubtful), Vincent Kompany (recovering from LATEST setback), Ilkay Gundogan (injured for rest of season), JesusNavas (not selected) & Gabriel Jesus (injured – possibly for the rest of the season).

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

No issue with that.

Result? These are decent – this is NOT a ‘done deal’ at all.

However, with that predicted line-up; it should be enough to push us towards a next-round-tie with Middlesbrough.

Expected weather conditions during the game: Game likely to start drizzly before the rain turns heavier and heavier (very wet walk / drive home for fans). Light winds but quite chilly at just 3 or 4C. Update on weather conditions (01.03.2017): Windier than first forecasted with a chance for sleet & wet snow throughout the game and as fans make their way home.

v Monaco

Following my last two, brief posting updates my many I.T. issues have mysteriously – and apparently – sorted themselves out (had planned for an Engineer to visit on Thursday). Huh…tech stuff hey? 

 

But with ongoing family issues still to sort out, I’ll ‘crack on’ with a brief one.

v Monaco.

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.

Fluid 4-4-1-1:

____________________Aguero____________________

___________________De Bruyne__________________

Sane___________________________________Sterling

_____________Silva_____________________________

____________________________Toure_____________

Kolarov_______Stones______Otamendi_______Sagna

___________________Caballero___________________

(NO LINE-UP SUMMARY TODAY).

Subs: Outfield player with gloves on, Clichy, Zabaleta, Fernando, Delph, Fernandinho, Iheanacho (assuming we’ve been allowed to re-include him in the Champions League squad…and assuming also that he was moved aside following the purchase of Gabriel Jesus – I did say I’ve been out of touch lately).

Notable absences: Vincent Kompany (injured – likely for just a few days this time…we’ll see about that), Ilkay Gundogan (injured for rest of season), Jesus Navas (not selected), Nolito (not selected) & Gabriel Jesus (injured – possibly for the rest of the season).

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

Looks fine to me – looks strong for the most part (needs to be).

Result? I don’t know much about these other than, like us, they’ve had a lot of money spent on them in recent years; that they sit 3 points clear at the top of their domestic league and that Pep has a lot of respect for the way their fullbacks play like wingers, their wingers are like attacking [central] midfielders and they have a deadly 'strike force'.

All in all, I can see this game having goals at both ends but for some strange reason – and without knowing our ‘oppo’ too well as I say – I think they’ll score more and we might lose this one. Sorry…

Expected weather conditions during the game: Heavy rain for most of this afternoon and into the evening will likely make our otherwise fine pitch a bit slippy under foot. As for during the game itself, more rain is expected, which might become heavy again in the second half. Mild temperature-wise for the time of year at 11C but not feeling mild in a 15 to 17mph average wind that could gust higher at times.

Further Blog announcement - continued break in service.

Following my last posting (see below) I'm still experience both family illness issues and I.T. problems - the latter I'm hoping will be sorted on Thursday.

 

So, obviously, there was no pre-Huddersfield Town blog-posting and there won't be a pre-Monaco one either.

 

Again, sorry for the break in service.