mancityblues.com

In a recent interview, Roy Hodgson revealed a little of his approach to big fixtures, and I quote;

"You show them the respect they deserve, you make sure your players are aware of where the dangers are going to come from, and the possible chances they will have to cause Man City problems. You try and get people fit and hope the occasion and 25,000 people roaring us on will help us get a result"

That's a very fair assessment, and so we can expect West Brom to be organised and determined. City must be the same and no less. Fortunately, we've been showing both qualities this season. He says "make sure the players are aware of where the dangers are going to come from". They come from everywhere Roy, any forward can score at any moment, and one or two of them usually do.

'Kun' Aguero has come in for some comment from the boss this week, Mancini thinks he is capable of 30 goals this season and that's some challenge. The thing is, he could well be right. Aguero must put the fear of God up defenders because even when he's not scoring, his skill and trickery is breathtaking. If he's rested for this game the relief in the home dressing room will be palpable. Some players will need to be rested/rotated because as big as a boxing day feature is, we will soon be in a situation where we will be playing three times a week.

It's unclear whether Edin Dzeko will be fit or not, but I'll assume he will because this will be an ideal game for him to show his pace and eye for goal. As for the Baggies, midfielder James Morrison could still be a doubt. Full-back Steven Reid has had an Op, midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu and winger Jerome Thomas suffered knocks at Newcastle and will face fitness tests.

So;

------------------Hart---------------------
Micah-----Savic----Lescott------Clichy
--------Zabaleta----------Barry-----------
----AJ-------------Yaya----------Silva----
------------------Dzeko-----------------

Pantilimo, Kompany, Bridge (just for a laugh, as it's Christmas) Milner, Nasri, Aguero, Mario

Mancini is fond of telling us we won't win every game, and sometimes we will be second in the table, sometimes top. What's important is to be there at the end. We are eye-to-eye with Yoonited, and it's a matter of who looks away first. I really, really don't want it to be us, not today anyway. Perhaps I should have a re-think about that team....

CLEVBLUE