Manchester City (N) | FA Cup SF | Sun 23 Apr 15:00

[supergeorgegraham]

I get the feeling we are gonna get stuffed. Got lots of beer so planned ahead

[Babu]

IWWW just now...

The Arsenal defence didn't cope against Stewart Downing, what's going to happen against DeBruyne and Sané?

Very fair point.

[Perryashburtongroves]

I'm really not that confident at all. If we're going to lose let's not get thrashed but if we do , let's make sure it's the last time Wanker does this.

[Herd]

Oh dear 3 at the back . What is tof on?

[Bob Bayliss]

Oh dear 3 at the back . What is tof on?

He's on nearly 10 million a year. Scandalous.

[Perryashburtongroves]

Oh dear 3 at the back . What is tof on?

He's on nearly 10 million a year. Scandalous.

He's on Kroenke's knob.

[Gunner Rob]

I think City just about edged the flag display

[Retro Gunner]

Just to repeat what I said a few days ago, I expect us to lose, but given the unpredictability of City and to an extent us (although we've been predictably crap for months), I wouldn't be surprised if we nicked it. So, we could we'll lose 3 or 4 nil, or win 2-1.

Fascinated by the debate on here concerning whether the WOB should want a loss to heighten pressure on Il Duce. I perfectly understand that many can't go as far as hoping we'll lose any game, let alone an FA Cup semi final. My personal opinion is that it's a misguided view and that the short term pain of current losses, is worth the long term gain. That said, I won't criticise those that don't agree with that and it's an outrage that supporters of our great Club have found themselves in the invidious position of having to consider such a thing.

However, those that say that a win will make no difference to Wenger's staying or going (and that's the stance of most who will be hoping for a win today) are wrong. I have no doubt that he's staying, regardless of the result of every match between now and the season's end, but there's only one thing that will eventually see Wenger gone and that is consistently poor results. Every loss chips away at his secure position and whether it takes a month, 6 months, or two years, eventually the worm will turn.

What we saw between 2006 and 2015, despite a clear trend of decline, was the Old Fraud just doing enough season....muddling through to pinch 4th place on the last day etc, to maintain a modicum of hope for the masses and an excuse for the board. I've said before that his luck is up and he won't be muddling through anymore. Winning today and / or getting 4th place (it ain't happening), would merely provide more of the same. Losing enough games and clear, inexcusable failure, is the only way he'll eventually. So for those saying a win or loss today makes no difference, well, it won't make a difference immediately, but it's a vital part of the process towards staying, or eventually going. It's naive to think otherwise.

I think you make some fair points there Retro. There are so many grey areas at the moment.

For me, top of my list of priorities is a new manager. That comes before anything else. Before a new owner and before winning the FA Cup or finishing top 4, above Spurs etc.

It does make me smile though when I see people in one breath saying they dont want us finishing in the top 4 ... but in the next breath saying they could never want the team to lose. How exactly do you get your wish to not finish in the top 4 without losing? In other words saying you dont want top 4 is effectively the same as saying you want the team to lose .... but dressed up in a different way .... and in a way that doesn't break the taboo of admitting to yourself or others that you want to see your own team lose.

I think I am prepared to see the team lose rather than actually wanting it to happen. And I have definitely felt that some victories in recent years have come with a very heavy price.

I just pine for the days when it was so much more straightforward and simple. When winning was great and losing was sickening.

Agree with all that Clash. The parin bold is very pertinent.

anyway, game on.

[Perryashburtongroves]

Shut the fuck up Guardiola, you fucking *word censored*. Always fucking whinging and putting pressure on refs. Fuck off back to La Liga Divers you bald prick.

[Perryashburtongroves]

Shit and careless as usual from Xhaka.

[Rosie_titters]

effin awful at the moment, only a matter of time before City score. Giroud offering nothing, Sanchez, Ozil on their holidays in Spain, Ramsey and Xhaka chasing shadows.

[Perryashburtongroves]

Seeing as we can't do backs to the wall and dig in, City will score soon.

[falkirk goon]

I think City just about edged the flag display

I felt vat our deesplay was a leetle beet jaydeed

[Perryashburtongroves]

Always us in the book first.

[robbo10]

I think City just about edged the flag display

I felt get our deesplay was a leetle beet jaydeed

Were we "flagging" a leetle beet?