back 5??

upfront dzeko and balotelli

Back 5 is tough.

Kompany & Lescott at CB
Can't see them buying Clichy and not starting him, but Kolorov is a LB?
Richards or Zabaleta at RB?

Toures back in September and the montenegro player they have just bought is rb/cb as well,lots of rotation there this season.

What about that new guy... savic? Is he any good?

One for the future if you ask me, can't see him getting a lot of playing time this season unless injuries dictate, am guessing he's more likely to be used for cup games etc.

Hart and Kompany are the only 2 City defenders I'll be touching at the start. No idea who the other 3 will be, and don't fancy taking the chance!

Patrick Vieira has retired

Man City line-up against Inter like this:

Joe Hart (G)
Micah Richards (D)
Joleon Lescott (D)
Vincent Kompany (D)
Aleksandar Kolarov (D)
Yaya Toure (M)
James Milner (M)
Nigel de Jong (M)
David Silva (F)
Edin Dzeko (F)
Mario Balotelli (F)

Should imagine that's pretty much Mancini's first XI except Aguero for Dzeko. And possible Clichy for Kolarov, although Kolarov has had a great first half.

Tevez....

...and K Toure from September onwards ...

I'd go with Michael Richards...

He's unstoppable

Richards missed a lot of last season = was that due to injury or rotation? And wasn't there talk of a move to Spurs at the beginning of last season? How first choice is he does anyone know?

Zabaleta won out as City's first choice right back, although Richards forced his way back in at one point. I expect Zabaleta to get the nod for the big games, but they will both be rotated so not good fantasy picks. Kompany is the only nailed on starter once Kolo Toure comes back.

I read today that Carlos Tevez will be given an extended break after the Copa America, which should give him time to sort a move to Italy? He will miss the community shield for sure and probably the start of the premier league campaign. http://bit.ly/pElzli

That story is misleading as Tevez is legally entitled to 3 weeks leave which runs out on Monday when he will now be returning (supposedly!). Although he had vowed never to return to Manchester, even on vacation.

Shame he isn't as professional as Lucas and Suarez who both voluntarily cut their hols to 2 weeks

Try this again... City have signed keeper Costel Pantilimon from Poli Timisoara and he "will act as cover to Joe Hart following the departure of Shay Given to Aston Villa".

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/20 ... Pantilimon

So likely no Sorenesen to City.

Missed the first half hour of today's game. Anyone tell me how Man City's front six line-up?

De Jong, Silva, Yaya, Milner, Balotelli, Dzeko

Well, what a debut that was for our Kun. Slightly hid the fact that Dzeko had probably his best game for us yet. MuEN seem to suggest that Mr. Aguero will start on Sunday but won't get ninety minutes and may well be subbed for a certain Mr. Tevez, who should be fit for the bench.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... st-swansea

Dailymail suggesting Mario B has knee problems again

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... njury.html

So I expect a front three of Silva - Dzeko - Aguero (sub Tevez 65) for Sunday.

so where will Nasri fit in?

I guess mancini would make a like-for-like swap with silva. Yaya's physical presence might be needed alongside either of them. If the transfer happens I can't see any midfielders being immune from rotation.

I think if Nasri goes to City surely he'd be first choice along with Silva and Aguero? Milner to lose his place. With Silva and Nasri City will have there own Xavi and Iniesta type partnership and Aguero is there Messi..

I have Nasri in my no transfers league team so I'm hoping Tevez goes and this is City's first choice line-up..........


............Yaya........DeJong............

Balotelli.........Silva...........Nasri......

..................Aguero......................

Depends what formation mancini will go with. He dabbled with 442 the last game which is unlike him but it might suit aguero best. I can definately see yaya being pushed further back whatever the formation. Risk of rotation for most city players now, including aguero, no one wants tevez.

Well I hope not. My only team, private league, has 6 City players. Hart, Richards, Kompany, Silva, (Nasri), Aquero!

will Nasri even make the bench?

surely not this weekend

Micah Richards signs new 4 year deal.

I think there's a good chance he'll start. He's not new to the Premiership and he's a class player.

did Man City get any penalties in pre-season? I'm looking for insight into who could be their PK taker when Tevez isn't around.

various websites say it goes Tev, Balo, Barry. Doesn't this suggest a good possibility of Dzeko being up there? For me that'd give him the extra push into must-own territory, although Tevez might be starting again soon.. (not in the Bosnian's place though, I don't think, but that's another question)

here's what football-lineups.com says about some of their histories
Dzeko scored two in 09/10 for Wolfsburg where Grafite was always first choice.
Aguero scored one for Atletico last year and two for Independiente in '06.
David Silva never scored a penalty.
(*all from an unknown number of attempts)

so... Barry it is?

Question is,

How many goals will City put past Wolves this week.

They play them twice in 4 days home n away.


10?

More

I'm going 10. As i dont want to get carried away.

Wouldn't be surprised to see "after the lords mayor show" tonight, with City struggling to score many, maybe even a shock result on the cards. I'll guess at 2-2 AET and a toin coss for who wins on pens.

But we should be good enough on Saturday, and have our focus back so maybe 3-0 or 4-1.

[Set myself up nicely for a fall there! ]

I have no idea who will start on which day. The really important players will start against Villaeral. Extrapolate backwards from there.

Dzeko to start tonight, then