mancityblues.com

If we are seriously looking for a top four finish, this is a critical game. We lie just one point behind Tottenham, equal on points with Liverpool, and have 2 games in hand. Of course, those two games hold no value if we don't win them, so a win against Hull therefore becomes vitally important.

Our form has improved since Mancini took over, now we are quietly optimistic that we can win this kind of game; a tough battle against opposition that held us to a draw last November, a cold reception beside the Humber now awaits the unwary!

Mancini's possible selection is interesting because Adebayor and Toure are back from Africa, Adam Johnson has been added to our ranks, and Bridge, Vieira and Lescott reported to be fit. Wow, suddenly we have a squad again! Unfortunately, Kompany and Richards are injured, and DeJong doubtful.

Which combination Mancini will choose is open to discussion, but against a hard working team like Hull I would expect him to field a side that is combative and skillful. Some players automatically write their own names on the team sheet - Given, Toure, Adebayor and Tevez, but other positions can expect to be tinkered with. This is the team I expect Mancini to start with.

---------------Given--------------
Zabaleta----Toure----Boyata--Bridge
Bellamy---Vieira---Ireland---Petrov
---------Adebayor----Tevez---------

Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, De Jong, Barry,
A Johnson, Lescott, SWP

I doubt that Johnson will start, but I would expect him to play a part in the game. Mancini's biggest decisions are in midfield. I feel sure he'll want Vieira to play, and I doubt he'll play both De Jong and Vieira longside each other, will he? We need someone to unlock Hull's defence, and therefore I choose Ireland for that role. Bellamy keeps his place, because we play better away from home when he's in the side, but I've put Petrov on his preferred left side.

MERLIN

Hull themselves are scrapping for points and did well to draw at home against Chelsea, who were decidedly out of sorts. Altidore and Amr Zaki are likely to cause us problems, as they are both big bustling strikers, but Hull miss Jimmy Bullard's invention. And of course, what price a Geo goal? Mind you, we said that last time and he wasn't on long enough to fart let alone score.
So, if we are serious about progressing a draw is no good, we leave draws to the others around us, 1-2 will be the score on saturday.

And Lescott's arm STILL got in the way, and the ref was crap.

CLEVBLUE

Our manager is almost spoilt for choice here. Which is nice...

It's even more difficult than usual to second guess what Mancini will do (which is good - because that means Hull have the same problem). Nothing more than gut feeling makes wonder if it might be the reverse of what Merlin is suggesting - Adam Johnson will start (if fully fit - on the right, with Petrov or Bellamy on the left) and it will be Vieira who is introduced later to stamp some authority on the game, but like I say - just a hunch.

Will Wayne Bridge's mind be on the job? (Don't see why not really - despite the tabloid headlines, I suspect his only concern about what is going on at Shagford Bridge is keeping his son out of it all)

Ireland's sublime pass to Ade against Portsmouth just gets him in - but he must overall play a lot better than he did last week.

SIR KENNETH