Pimped up Mancs (who won't be punished in a million years) H Weds Feb 15th KO 730PM Amazon Prime

[cameron326]

If this is anyway close we are getting screwed by the ref and VAR. At the weekend, Grealish does one of the most pathetic dives I've ever seen. In the United game, the VAR official draws the line for Rashford's goal to be given while in our game, the cùnt doesn't even draw the lines. Funny how the only one of the top 3 negatively affected by VAR was us. The FA and the media are beyond eager for an all Manchester title race and if they can screw us over to ensure that happens then they definitely will.

I’ve suspected similar for a couple of weeks, though I think it’s more the case of the powers that be wanting Man Utd back in big time mix - eg a three way title race - rather than specifically wanting us out of the mix. Hopefully the events of the weekend have perhaps blown their cover a little bit of there were any such instructions to “lean on” events turning out a certain way.

[cameron326]

What with the Man City thing and Man Utd lingering in the background like a bad smell (and of course never being on the receiving end of high impact bad decisions) I’ve not bought into the narrative of the last several weeks of a two way title race. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a three way fight that goes to last game or two of the season.

[Retro Gunner]

Despite trying to be positive, I’m fearing the worst. Apart from the usual problem of Xhaka lumbering around and against this opposition getting more exposed than ever for the fraud that he is, we have nothing up front.

Eddie is simply not good enough and I doubt he’ll get a kick tonight. It’s clearly why the scum have a decent level of success against City...as long as they can keep it tight at the back, they have Kane and Son who can come up with a goal out of very little. We don’t have that, even with a fit Jesus. Hard to win trophies without a top level goalscorer.

Can’t see where our goals will come from.

[Redarmy]

As much as I hate losing, tomorrow should be “interesting” regardless. Basically three possible scenarios: a huge statement win, which would almost certainly require some absolute spot on tactical tweaking from Arteta given our last two shoddy performances. Or a decent reenergised performance but not quite good enough - a draw or very narrow loss that at least gives us hope for the future, even if it means the title this year is still “unlikely”. (Most likely I guess). Or the gulf in class and lack of cutting edge re-emerges emphatically and we get brushed aside and then the only question really is how far we will slide over the next 16 games.

Hmmm, yep I think that's the most likely three outcomes. I think a loss might kill us in the long term but a good win might be the lift the team needs. I still don't believe Arteta has the experience and savvy yet nor do I quite believe this squad has the players to win the league, but so far they've done brilliantly and I'm hoping beyond hope we do it.

Would be a MASSIVE win if we can do it tonight.

COME ON YOU RIP ROARING GUNNERS!

Yes will be massive to win tonight....all the signs are for city, but as we know football is not predictable like that

will have to be on top form to see this lot off...but i believe we can do it....going for 2-1

[gooner265]

Potential champions don't lose away at Everton and draw at home to Brentford (regardless of VAR...which was a disgrace all the same).

So if that's true Utd will win it then as City have lost at home To Brentford and drawn at home to Everton this season?

[BFG4]

Despite trying to be positive, I’m fearing the worst. Apart from the usual problem of Xhaka lumbering around and against this opposition getting more exposed than ever for the fraud that he is, we have nothing up front.

Eddie is simply not good enough and I doubt he’ll get a kick tonight. It’s clearly why the scum have a decent level of success against City...as long as they can keep it tight at the back, they have Kane and Son who can come up with a goal out of very little. We don’t have that, even with a fit Jesus. Hard to win trophies without a top level goalscorer.

Can’t see where our goals will come from.

The only positive goals wise is that City will attack more than most sides that visit the Emirates so we might get a few gaps to exploit. I really fear Arteta is going down the Wenger route in that the team stays the same no matter what. Should see Trossard in for Martinelli and in an ideal world Giorginho for Xhaka but at this rate Xhaka is deemed as undroppable by Arteta.

[augie]

Literally no idea where the positivity is coming from. We are out of form. They are coming back into form. Our record against them recently is pony.

Let’s see. I fear the worst but hope for a draw.

The positivity is coming from the previous 19 games and not just the last 2.

I don't subscribe to us being out of form as such. Everton was the lift of a new manager and, as Retro pointed out, Dyche knowing how to set them up against us. Brentford are a decent side that have taken points off City at the Emptyhad remember as well as other notable results this season.

Its all about perspective.

Far too much credit going to Dyche and new manager bounce - he looked at a dvd of our game against the geordies a few weeks previously and basically copied it word for word, and that my friends is why we should worry. Newcastle nullified us at their ease and despite our coaching team having two weeks to learn from that game, we again had no answer when everton did it too - where are the managerial tweaks to counter act opposition tactics ? Arteta had no response and from day 1 has been a manager that struggles to change things during games, but on this occasion he had two weeks to work out a gameplan for when teams double up on our wingers and he had NOTHING. To me if he even got his wingers to change wings during the game and play them as conventional wingers crossing in the ball would have forced the opposition to change their plans somewhat, but instead we had a situation where our wingers kept cutting in onto their stronger foot and ran into congestion

[SteveO 35]

I can't believe the negativity, we have a chance to put ourselves in control of the title chase, we've had better title squads this who've had blips!
COYG!!!!!

I cheered myself up on Sunday by watching the 88/89 season review. It was about this time of the season where our swashbuckling team lost at home to Forest, drew with Charlton etc and got 1 win in 5 games. That team also lost home and way to Derby, got knocked out of the FA Cup at home to West Ham, lost at home to Villa etc. The 1998 title winning team lost at home to Blackburn and were written off against a Man U side that were dominating. 2002 winning team also got dicked at home by Charlton.

I think the City game is exactly what we need. The last 2 games have been against teams that have had two banks of players lined up in front of their own goal, playing very direct breakaway football. City won't be like that and their defence is pap as well

I'm confident that this will be like the United game - open and free flowing and more suited to the way we play. No guarantees but I'm not doom and gloom just because we dropped points to Brentford (a team unbeaten in 10 and who have already won at City, stuffed Man Ure 4-0 etc)

Bloody hell Stevo, have they changed your medication? That's ultra positive for you!

Absolutely correct in your assessment though. Brentford are no mugs, a very good side set up well. Everton showed last night that the "new manager bounce" (hate that term ) does in fact exist.

I'm not saying we WILL win tomorrow, I'm saying that we absolutely could. We're out performing where we all thought we'd be this season and I'm enjoying the ride!

Some people bashing on about Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Man Utd will all be better next season so this is our only chance of grabbing the title. If they can/will improve then why can't we?

This season is possibly the foundation to go on and be just as good if not better than those teams and really be in the mix for titles in the coming years. Why not?

I'm no rose-tinter or AKB, I consider myself a pragmatist and a realist. Sometimes even a glass half full person if I get carried away

Let's all enjoy the ride of being back challenging, a place we all want to return to. We will drop more points this season for sure but so will the others. Jesus and ESR returning for the run in will no doubt be a big fillip. I'm still very optimistic.

Onward!! COYG

The funny thing is before Wenger's 2008 lobotomy and a decade of Kroenke being an utter c.unt, I was ever the optimist......not that anyone on this forum would have seen or known that

Likewise, I'm not saying we will beat City, but I absolutely think its exactly the type of game we need right now. Every time we played one of the big guns, everyone was waiting for the fall - which didn't happen. The United game suited us down to the ground - they came in confident mood, played open, attacking football but it left it much more open for us to get past them. I expect the same tonight and I also don't particularly rate City's backline in its present guise - playing without a proper left back, a half fit Walker and back up CBs (certainly they looked better with Stones there). The keeper is prone to a blip too.

I actually think what we don't need right now is a team like Palace or someone else who would pack 9 behind the ball and play a direct counter attack. City aren't the world beaters of past seasons - its definitely a possibility that we can win tonight

I'm sure Arteta would love to rest 3 or 4 but the reality of life is that we are desperately short of cover in key positions. Trossard for Martinelli is a no brainer but then what? Saka needs a rest but for who?? Marquinhos loaned out, Nelson injured. Tomiyasu for White? Possibly but the bloke hasn't played a full on 90 mins for what seems like an age. Odegaard for who? A half fit ESR? We really should have signed one or two more in the window but that opportunity has passed us by now

The reality is that the squad is punching above its weight and when we get down to the business end of the season and throw Europe back into the mix, we really should have more cover in key positions.

If we came 2nd or even 3rd this season, for me that is a very good achievement, especially if coupled with a Europa League win. I really hope we stay focused on that because I'm still convinced its an easier route to CL football than top 4.

If we win tonight its not over, nor is it if we lose. Remember that City are hellbent on winning the CL and big squad or not, it will definitely impact them if they go deep in the competition

[Clummo99]

Literally no idea where the positivity is coming from. We are out of form. They are coming back into form. Our record against them recently is pony.

Let’s see. I fear the worst but hope for a draw.

The positivity is coming from the previous 19 games and not just the last 2.

I don't subscribe to us being out of form as such. Everton was the lift of a new manager and, as Retro pointed out, Dyche knowing how to set them up against us. Brentford are a decent side that have taken points off City at the Emptyhad remember as well as other notable results this season.

Its all about perspective.

Far too much credit going to Dyche and new manager bounce - he looked at a dvd of our game against the geordies a few weeks previously and basically copied it word for word, and that my friends is why we should worry. Newcastle nullified us at their ease and despite our coaching team having two weeks to learn from that game, we again had no answer when everton did it too - where are the managerial tweaks to counter act opposition tactics ? Arteta had no response and from day 1 has been a manager that struggles to change things during games, but on this occasion he had two weeks to work out a gameplan for when teams double up on our wingers and he had NOTHING. To me if he even got his wingers to change wings during the game and play them as conventional wingers crossing in the ball would have forced the opposition to change their plans somewhat, but instead we had a situation where our wingers kept cutting in onto their stronger foot and ran into congestion

Augie mate FFS!

I'm sure Dyche called on a lot more than just a dvd of our game with Newcastle.

Any club with new manager coming in gives players the incentive to show what they can do and to impress (provided they want to stay obviously).

Ah I can't be bothered.....

[augie]

Literally no idea where the positivity is coming from. We are out of form. They are coming back into form. Our record against them recently is pony.

Let’s see. I fear the worst but hope for a draw.

The positivity is coming from the previous 19 games and not just the last 2.

I don't subscribe to us being out of form as such. Everton was the lift of a new manager and, as Retro pointed out, Dyche knowing how to set them up against us. Brentford are a decent side that have taken points off City at the Emptyhad remember as well as other notable results this season.

Its all about perspective.

Far too much credit going to Dyche and new manager bounce - he looked at a dvd of our game against the geordies a few weeks previously and basically copied it word for word, and that my friends is why we should worry. Newcastle nullified us at their ease and despite our coaching team having two weeks to learn from that game, we again had no answer when everton did it too - where are the managerial tweaks to counter act opposition tactics ? Arteta had no response and from day 1 has been a manager that struggles to change things during games, but on this occasion he had two weeks to work out a gameplan for when teams double up on our wingers and he had NOTHING. To me if he even got his wingers to change wings during the game and play them as conventional wingers crossing in the ball would have forced the opposition to change their plans somewhat, but instead we had a situation where our wingers kept cutting in onto their stronger foot and ran into congestion

Augie mate FFS!

I'm sure Dyche called on a lot more than just a dvd of our game with Newcastle.

Any club with new manager coming in gives players the incentive to show what they can do and to impress (provided they want to stay obviously).

Ah I can't be bothered.....

My dead grandmother would be an upgrade on fat frank.

What I meant clummo, is that everton didnt come up with any fancy new tactical ideas against us - they doubled up on our wingers and crowded them every time they cut in, and generally worked hard as a team, just as the geordies did two weeks before that. We didnt counter that gameplan with a single change or tweak of our own, and it basically tells me that we have one plan and if that doesnt work we is fcuked - sounds familiar doesnt it

[BobbyPires7]

Hearing that Arteta is going to play Holding. He wants him to man mark the VAR up at Stockley Park. Two footed challenge to be made if he sees anything dodgy about to happen.

[Midz]

Despite trying to be positive, I’m fearing the worst. Apart from the usual problem of Xhaka lumbering around and against this opposition getting more exposed than ever for the fraud that he is, we have nothing up front.

Eddie is simply not good enough and I doubt he’ll get a kick tonight. It’s clearly why the scum have a decent level of success against City...as long as they can keep it tight at the back, they have Kane and Son who can come up with a goal out of very little. We don’t have that, even with a fit Jesus. Hard to win trophies without a top level goalscorer.

Can’t see where our goals will come from.

this is exactly our problem and has been for a long time.

we have the makings of an excellent team just shy of a couple of good players.

[OneBardGooner]

Tonights Game Could Be a Quadruple Positive Whammy for us IF we win.

If (IF) We are able to beat $hitty, it will be like sticking up two fingers not only to The Media (Newspapers. On-line. Radio. etc etc) Who ALL want us to fuck-it-up; they can't wait to start giving us a right kicking, but the other clubs and their fans, who resent and hate us.

And

If (IF) We Do beat $hitty it will, not only put us more than 3 points clear of them, but dent the growing resentment of us by the Media and any other clubs likely to try and stop us,: ie: $hitty and MancCUNTy utd.

Also

Those who keep moaning and whining and slagging off Arteta will have to accept he IS the Man for the job and does indeed Deserve our backing 100% (*)



(*) Of course there will always be the haters and those who in their small mindedness think they know better and so refuse to let go of their negativity and their agenda of criticism, to the point where they even keep pretending to 'get behind the team' will be wishing for a bad outcome for Our Team.


SAD but True.


Tonight's game could be Defining not just for the immediate future, but also the Long Term successes and fortunes of the club.




#COYG

[OneBardGooner]

You should try them with copious amounts of TEQUILAAAA!


Arteta's Pre-Game Interview:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUYLU6xlOzU



#COYG

Thumbs Up Emoji.

Thanks mate.

[Retro Gunner]

Potential champions don't lose away at Everton and draw at home to Brentford (regardless of VAR...which was a disgrace all the same).

So if that's true Utd will win it then as City have lost at home To Brentford and drawn at home to Everton this season?

Ahh, good old 265, holding me to account.

Fair enough on the face of it, but City have won 4 of the last 5 league titles and sadly have little to prove. We, on the other hand, have a history, post 2004, of spectacular implosions, including last season's dramatic collapse to lose out on top 4 and allow the scum to nick it.

I suppose it's also fair to say that City didn't actually lose to Everton, who have been abject this season.

Still, point taken...which might be more than we'll be saying at 9:30 tonight.